Marywood, Evanston, Illinois
Upcoming events
For reunion information, you may contact Denise Reens at denisereens@gmail.com or 312-209-4281.
For other questions, contact Cami Pritchett, Constituent Engagement/Planned Giving Manager, who is heading the alumnae/i relations area of our department at this time. You may reach her at 812-535-2807 or email cpritchett@spsmw.org.
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Marie Therese Walsh
March 9, 1927 – January 27, 2025
With great sadness, we announce that Marie Therese Walsh, nee Merker of Northbrook, passed away on January 27, 2025.
Marie was a proud Chicagoan who grew up with a loving Irish family on Diversey Pkwy. Her love for the Sisters of Providence began as a boarding school student at Marywood Academy in Evanston (Class of ’44) and continued at St Mary of The Woods in Terre Haute, Indiana. She transferred to St Mary’s of Notre Dame, where she found a new love for the Fighting Irish that lasted her lifetime.
(January 2025) -
Mary Salerno Minogue
October 19, 1936 – May 9, 2024
Kathleen (McRaith) Maday shared the news that Mary Salerno Minogue, class of 1954, died in May 2024. Mary leaves behind her husband, Jim, four children and numerous grandchildren. Missed by all her friends and classmates.
(August 2024) -
Rosemary White
Class of 1955
Rosemary O’Connor White (Marywood 1955) and husband Phil are now in independent living at Villa St Benedict in Lisle, IL. I am kept too busy as a volunteer and Board member with Parenting for Non-Violence – supporting inner city families to minimize violence. Anyone or an offspring interested in helping? Great Board.
This is a lovely opportunity to hear about and from others!!!
(August 2024)
The Sisters of Providence purchased the school and property – about 10 acres – from the Sisters of the Visitation on June 26, 1915. They planned to keep the name “Visitation Academy,” but the name “Marywood,” was chosen, reflecting its connection with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. The building and grounds were improved.
Eight sisters came on Aug. 17, 1915, to prepare for the opening of school. About 40 students arrived on Sept. 8. By the end of the year, the enrollment increased to 70. At first, elementary grades and a commercial course were included.
Resident students were accepted until the end of the 1966-67 school year. In September 1945, it was decided to discontinue kindergarten and first grade because of low enrollment. Discrepancies in the diary make it difficult to determine when some grades closed, but by June 1947, all grade school classes had been discontinued.
An addition, begun in 1924, opened in September 1925. The school flourished for many years. In January 1970, financial problems and decrease in enrollment and religious personnel made it necessary to close Marywood. The last class graduated in June 1970. Some local organizations wished to purchase the property for low cost housing, but inability to get permission for rezoning prevented it. Eventually, the property was sold to the City of Evanston in 1975.
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