Our History
History of the Alumni Mothers' Club at SLUH
The St. Louis University High School Alumni Mothers’ Club was conceived by a group of Mothers’ Club former officers. Each of these mothers had contributed her time and talents to the SLUH Mothers’ Club, which was founded in 1927, and each mother wanted to continue her involvement in SLUH and with her friends from SLUH. Activating their strong desire for a reunion of alumni mothers, these former officers formed the St. Louis University High School Alumni Mothers’ Club.
Thanks to the encouragement of SLUH’s President, Rev. Robert F. Weiss, S.J., the interest expressed by Brother Thomas C. Thornton, S.J., and to the nurturing and support by alumni mothers, our organization became a reality. The officers were appointed by the President, Fr. Weiss, and Mrs. John M. Walsh (Polly) was the first president of the Alumni Mothers’ Club. The first meeting was September, 1977. About 300 members attended. At this first meeting, the function of the Alumni Mothers’ Club was established. Its three-fold purpose was to "perpetuate friendship among those women who have been a part of SLUH: to continue support of SLUH through interest and prayers; and to set up a scholarship fund with a goal of $1,000.00." Meetings were held twice a year. The Alumni Mothers’ Club would maintain an active role in the Mothers’ Club Card Party and in Cashbah by selling Waterford Crystal raffle tickets, by having Gift-Gathering parties, and by donating new and useful Grab Bag items. A Day of Recollection, Rummage Sale, and Luncheon-Fashion Show were on the agenda for this first year. Sales of SLUH Cook Books and a ceramic trivet with a sketching of the front of SLUH were fund raisers.
Since 1977, the St. Louis University High School Alumni Mothers’ Club has been nurtured by mothers expressing their appreciation to the high school for shaping their sons to realize their service to mankind. It has been sustained by mothers thankful for instilling lasting moral values within their sons. It has been loved by mothers grateful for enabling their sons to be a part of the SLUH family. It is this faith-filled bonding of mothers and sons and St. Louis University High School that has made the Alumni Mothers’ Club the supportive, vibrant organization it is today. Thanks to the loving dedication of mothers, the St. Louis University High School Alumni Mothers’ Club thrives.
Alumni Mothers' Club Past Presidents
- Founder Polly Walsh
- 1977-1978 Polly Walsh
- 1978-1979 Mary Roach
- 1979-1980 Jean Ryan
- 1980-1981 Lee Castellano
- 1981-1982 Susan Finney
- 1982-1983 Angie Walsh
- 1983-1984 Leslynne Sauer
- 1984-1985 Pat Fetick
- 1985-1986 Mary Ellen Bourneuf
- 1986-1987 Sadie Palumbo
- 1987-1988 Helen Kuehling
- 1988-1989 Evelyn Kruckemeyer
- 1989-1990 Ann Boggiano
- 1990-1991 Jerry Johnson
- 1991-1992 Mary Ann Dill
- 1992-1993 Marilyn Dell’Orco
- 1993-1994 Gretchen Schulte
- 1994-1995 Sue Klenc
- 1995-1996 Kathy Lange
- 1996-1997 Mary Udell
- 1997-1998 Jeanne Herzberg
- 1998-1999 Marilyn Dell’Orco
- 1999-2000 Sharon Iverson
- 2000 – 2001 Pat Gates
- 2001 – 2002 Mary Ann Rudloff
- 2002 – 2003 Ginny Wunderlich
- 2003 – 2004 Mary Haywood
- 2004 – 2005 Mary Schmidt
- 2005 – 2006 Kathryn Snodgrass
- 2006 – 2007 Mary Jo LaBarge
- 2007 – 2008 Sally Cherre
- 2008 – 2009 Nancy Daues
- 2009 – 2010 Shelly McNutt
- 2010 – 2011 Ann Willard
- 2011 – 2012 Nancy Brand
- 2012 – 2013 Peggy Harris
- 2013 – 2014 Mary Stoker & Charla Dziedzc
- 2014 – 2015 Debbie Zeiss & Denise Riek
- 2015 – 2016 Karen Gibbons & Janet Lawder
- 2016 – 2017 Terry Bava & Cathy Pitlyk
- 2017-2018 Patty Neyer
- 2018-2019 Sandie Jansen
- 2019-2020 Mary Burke
- 2020 Janet Knobbe Viox
- 2021-2022 Peggy Wachter
- 2022-2023 Susan Vanous