Meet Our Donors

On behalf of Convent of the Sacred Heart, we would like to thank all of our current donors for their generosity and support. Here are some of their stories.

John J. O’Connell, Jr.
John J. O’Connell, Jr.(Jack), former faculty member at Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, is a charter member of the Aloysia Hardey, rscj Society. Jack taught English and history in the Middle School from 1991 to 2000.

"In a world desperate for something noble and true with a solid foundation, it is an easy step to remember Convent of the Sacred Heart in one’s will. To know that the core values of our faith and that the often confusing times will be explained to the girls and young women is a consoling fact. As a former educator of Sacred Heart, to be able to help make sure that the brightness in that young child’s eyes remains and her spirit nurtured and formed by loving, dedicated teachers, is not only a privilege but also a duty if we truly believe in the mission."

Sheila Hickey Cameron ‘62
“I am blessed to have received a Sacred Heart education. The four years I spent at Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich were happy, challenging and nurturing. The Religious of the Sacred Heart strengthened the gift of faith given to me by my family and laid the foundation of learning, discipline and service to others, which have served me all of my life. The School also gave me the wonderful opportunity to pursue a new career when I was hired as the first director of development in 1978! I am deeply grateful as well for the financial assistance that allowed me to provide a Sacred Heart education to my two daughters. My long association with Sacred Heart – as an alumna, staff member and parent – has been and continues to be very important to me. By naming Sacred Heart, Greenwich as a beneficiary of my IRA, I can help to make a Sacred Heart education available to future generations. This is the most meaningful way I can honor the values that Sacred Heart instilled in me.”

Lenore and John de Csepel
"My association with the Religious of the Sacred Heart began for me as an eighth-grader at 91st Street. After graduation I went on to Newton College of the Sacred Heart and, later, to Manhattanville for a master of arts in teaching. The following September, in 1982, I was hired at Sacred Heart, Greenwich as the Lower School music teacher. For me, and I know for many others, an almost life-long association with Sacred Heart has had an enormous and deeply felt impact.

It has been especially rewarding to see Sacred Heart, Greenwich grow so dramatically in size and excellence in the past decades. By including a bequest to the School in our wills, my husband, John, and I hope to contribute to the education of future generations of students in the Sacred Heart tradition. This tradition, in my mind, is unmatched in educating for a life of contribution to others, along with personal development in those values for which we have been taught to strive."

-Lenore de Csepel

Victoria Brosokas Guennewig ‘68
“My education at Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich has had a meaningful impact throughout my entire life.  The values I learned at Greenwich influenced my decision making during my professional career and continue  to guide me even today.  As a result, when completing my estate planning several years ago, I wanted to include Convent of the Sacred Heart as a recipient of a portion of my estate in order to reflect my gratitude to the Religious of the Sacred Heart for the education I received while under their care.  It is critically important to me that my legacy includes support of Sacred Heart in order that the mission and values of the School will continue to positively impact future generations of young women.  In addition to ongoing gifts through the annual fund, planned giving is an easy, effective way to offer Convent of the Sacred Heart significant support to assure the ongoing financial stability of the School.”

Virginia Beach Coudert ’48 and Victor Coudert

"The Coudert family has had a long and fulfilling 75- year relationship with the Religious of the Sacred Heart. In 1932, Victor studied for First Communion with Mother Tack and continued Sunday School at Noroton through the eighth grade. He also went there on summer retreat on several occasions.

Victor’s wife, Virginia (Ginny) Beach Coudert, attended Villa Duchesne in St. Louis and graduated from Sacred Heart, Greenwich in 1948 and Maryville in St. Louis in 1952. Their daughter, Lucy Coudert Conrod, continued the tradition, graduating from Sacred Heart, Greenwich in 1989. Their son Paul’s wife, Maureen (Marnie) Belint Coudert, also attended Greenwich, graduating in 1988.

Victor’s sister, Marie Coudert Curry, attended Maplehurst in the Bronx and moved to King Street along with the School in 1945. Marie graduated in 1947 and then attended Manhattanville, graduating in 1951. Her daughter, Sheila Curry Oakes, graduated from Sacred Heart, Greenwich in 1980.

According to Victor, So far, six different Couderts have had some connection with seven different Sacred Heart schools. Is this a record?

Victor served on the Board of Trustees at Greenwich from 1986 to 1992, and Virginia has served on the Maplehurst-Greenwich Alumnae Board. Again continuing the family tradition, Lucy is currently serving on the Alumnae Board. Her sister, Anne, volunteers at 91st Street.

To help continue the tradition, says Victor, Virginia and I have pledged a percentage of our estate to Sacred Heart, Greenwich so that other girls may have the benefit, not only of such a fine education, but also of the Christian values that are an every-day part of the curriculum.”

Convent of the Sacred Heart
1177 King Street
Greenwich, CT
(203) 532-3550