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Rita Gleason Finds a Way to Honor a Mentor  Email Article To a Friend View Printable Version 

Rita Gleason
Rita Gleason
I have been part of Notre Dame for as long as I can remember! From Sr. Cecilia Wallace's first-grade classroom at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School to high school years at Notre Dame, Belmont, to serving as principal now at my alma mater, I count so many Notre Dame Sisters as mentors and friends. It has always been my hope that someday I would have the opportunity to give back financially to the Sisters who formed and nurtured me as a person and educator.

When I mentioned my hope to the staff in the Province Development Office, I was told about a way I could, in fact, make a more significant gift and at the same time receive some income when I retire. What could be better? After going to the Sisters' website to learn about planned gift options, it makes me smile to think that my own story will now be on their website! If it encourages others to do something similar, I will be very pleased.

Making a gift of a Deferred Gift Annuity to Sisters of Notre Dame this year allowed me to give them a larger gift than I would have thought possible because it also assures me that several years from now, the annuity will provide regular income for me. I also appreciate the tax deduction I now receive and the future income I will receive, some of which will be tax-free.

I made my gift in honor of Sr. Cecilia Wallace who taught me to read, to write, to compute, to think, and to reflect and who always modeled what I try to do now in my role as principal: be attentive to one student at a time and let each one know that she is a special part of the Notre Dame community. I encourage other former students and friends of the Sisters to consider a Gift Annuity or Deferred Gift Annuity as a way of thanking them "for teaching us whatever was necessary to prepare us for life."


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Judith A Riedy writes: Sisters of Notre Dame and Rita Gleason -
Yes, I feel so much the way you feel Rita. What a beautiful way to thank Notre Dame! I am however, unable at the present time to do what you are doing, as my life has changed quite a bit in the last thirty years. I however will do what I can if things change a little.( especially if I can find work that is not to difficult as this time.) I am strong and am a fighter and really owe so much to all the sisters who taught me and those that I shared community with. My spiritual life is deepening and I feel so close to Notre Dame de Namur for the wonderful education and teaching carreer that I really miss. And I'll never forget the individual sisters that taught me at NDSJ and for my ten years of foundation as a Sister of Notre Dame ,woman, and educator. I keep you in my prayers daily and when I go to bed at night and I think of all the people that I have loved and feel a strong connection to those sisters that are now enjoying new life. What else can I say, right now, but THANK YOU SO MUCH. Judy