Mount Mercy Academy will honor seven deserving individuals at its 17th annual Mercy Honors Dinner. The dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 at The Creekside Banquet Facility in Cheektowaga.
Marie Porter Cannon from the Class of 1983 and Dr. Lisa Mendonza, a 1989 graduate, have been selected to receive the Distinguished Alumna Awards. This award honors alumnae who have distinguished themselves as women of faith, knowledge, integrity and compassion. Cannon had a 24-year career in early childhood education and currently serves as the Deputy Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Social Services. Mendonza, a family doctor and partner at Kenmore Family Medicine, has been recognized for her excellence in providing patient-centered care and was named to Buffalo Spree Magazine’s Top Docs for the past four years.
Anita Durkin Crotty, a 1963 graduate, will be honored with the Spirit of Mercy Award. Also receiving this award will be Michael and Cathleen (Canney) Lempko, a 1984 Mount Mercy graduate. This award is presented to individuals who demonstrate commitment and dedication to their community in both their professional and personal lives. Crotty, a lifelong educator and former member of the Mount Mercy Board of Trustees, is also a devoted and loyal volunteer at Mount Mercy Academy. Both Michael and Cathleen Lempko are extremely active volunteers at Mount Mercy, as well as Bishop Timon, Michael’s alma mater.
Robert Fix, who retired in June after teaching science at Mount Mercy for 31 years, will receive the Mercy Devotion Award. This award is presented to a Mount Mercy Academy faculty or staff member who has served as an inspiration and earned the respect of both colleagues and students. Fix certainly exemplifies these criteria. In addition to teaching science, he also served as athletic director and coached varsity softball during his tenure at Mount Mercy.
Maureen “Moey” O’Connor Oakley, a 1973 graduate, will be the first recipient of the Sister Sally Walz Memorial Award. This award is presented to a woman, strong in faith, who is distinguished in her family and career and shares her time and talent with the Mount Mercy Academy community as a volunteer. Oakley is a truly deserving honoree for this award. She is the grant coordinator for the Buffalo Police Department and has served her alma mater for many years, including working behind the scenes at the school’s annual McAuley Gala.
Alumnae, family and friends are all invited to attend this year’s dinner. All proceeds will benefit the Mount Mercy Academy Alumnae Scholarship Fund. For further information, to make reservations or to be a patron sponsor, please contact Tina Scarpello Webster at tw******@mt*****.org. Online reservations as well as patron and business ads can be submitted through the Mount Mercy Academy website, www.mtmercy.org. The specific information may be found under the Alumnae tab under the section titled Mercy Honors.
