Faith and Education Always at the Core
To say that Jack and Mary Gorman held faith and education close to their hearts would be an understatement. The parents of former Principal Mary Jo Keaney ‘82, Jack Gorman and Mary Gorman passed away in 2018 and 2020, respectively. The Gormans held a special place in their hearts for both Stonehill College and Ursuline Academy.
Married for 59 years, the Gormans met on the first day of their freshman year at Stonehill College, and for the rest of their lives were devoted to the place that brought them together. Jack initially did not want to pursue higher education, but was convinced by his aunts Alice and Anna who were both teachers to give it a try. “That education provided the foundation for a long career in finance at UPS, so he was eternally grateful to the Holy Cross fathers for providing him with an opportunity to better his life,” said Mary Jo Keaney.
That gratitude was also at the heart of the Gormans’ generosity to Ursuline Academy; their philanthropy supported the campaign for the Reynolds Center, a new athletic and convocation space on campus that opened in 2017. “Mom and Dad’s focus was faith and education. When it came time for me to choose a high school, I wanted to go to a girls’ school. Mom had known of Ursuline and wanted me to have the best education she and Dad could provide, so it was a natural choice.” Keaney formed close relationships with many of the Ursuline sisters, especially Sr. Dorothy Doyle, who created a seminar-style class for three of her advanced Latin students, including Keaney. “We would have class in her office and drink tea,” said Keaney. “It was almost a college experience.”
Mary Gorman, an English teacher herself and known as being a precise grammarian, also taught at Ursuline in the early 90’s at the invitation of Sister Mercedes Videira. “Mom was known to say that ‘we stand on the shoulders of those who teach us,’ and this is why she chose to benefit Ursuline Academy in her estate plan, in addition to the gifts that she and Dad made during their lifetime,” explained Keaney.
“Mom wanted the legacy of the Ursuline sisters - that of intellectual curiosity and excellence - to continue to flourish.”
If you are interested in making a planned gift to Ursuline Academy, contact Chief Advancement Officer Joe Ziska at jziska@ursulineacademy.net or 781-493-7711.