It is said that “Weddings and funerals bring families together” and when Sister Joan Clare Chin Loy travelled from the Philippines to attend a family member’s funeral, past  students of Mt. Alvernia High School jumped at the opportunity,  some travelling  over 600 miles for an impromptu visit with their  beloved high school headmistress. 

With short notice, the plan was to invite as many past students as possible to meet at a restaurant in South Florida.  When Sister Joan Clare entered the room all eighteen alumnae stood, many with  camera in hand, beaming with pride and joy. 

As other patrons curiously looked on,   MAHS ‘old girls’ greeted their headmistress, many recalling the experiences that are etched in their memory.  “Sister do you remember …” was commonly heard as past students enthusiastically recollected their years at MAHS.

Those who had not seen each other over the years used the opportunity to reminisce.  However, it was when Sister stood in the restaurant to speak that everyone paid attention.  She said, “I had no idea I made such an impact on you girls.  I will never forget this day.”  She praised the group for all the efforts that were being made to help Mt. Alvernia High School in Montego Bay and extended an open invitation to her mission in the Philippines. 

MAHS Central Florida Chapter made a donation to the Queen of Heaven Foundation Center, Sr. Joan Clare‘s charity for the disaster relief of typhoon Haiyan.

Front Row L to R: Andrea Cuveilje-Lawrence, Karen Chung, Marsha Downer, Valrie  West-Smith. Second Row L to R:  Ann-Marie Wade-O'Conner, Joan Hylton, Mother Joan Clare CFSOP, Dawn Chin-Jones, Shernett Smith, June Burke-Flowers. Third Row L to R:  Stacy Myles, Jacqueline Hudson-Bennett, Grace Dewar-James, Michelle Davis-Prosper, Jacinta Ho On-Cheu Sang, Andrea Smellie-McIntosh, Wendy Hart. Fourth Row: L to R  Denise McFarland-Zollicofer