Eleanor McDermott Schroeder named
DSHA 2005 Jubilarian of the Year

Milwaukee – Eleanor (Ellie) McDermott Schroeder of Wauwatosa, Wis., has been named the Divine Savior Holy Angels High School (DSHA) “Jubilarian of the Year.” Schroeder was honored on Sunday, Oct. 2 at DSHA’s 22nd annual Jubilee Club Celebration, held for Holy Angels Academy and Divine Savior High School alumnae who have graduated 50 years ago or more.

A 1953 graduate of Holy Angels Academy, Schroeder has spent many years supporting DSHA as a teacher, a volunteer and an alumna. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from MarquetteUniversity in 1957, Schroeder returned to her alma mater, Holy Angels Academy, where she worked as an English teacher until she and her husband adopted a son in 1962. She then began serving as a board member of the Alumnae Association, quickly becoming the association’s president in 1978, serving until 1980.

Schroeder returned as an English teacher in 1982 to DSHA High School. She enjoyed educating young women for six years before transferring to the Development Office where she worked as a student recruiter until 1998. “I had come full circle, from being a freshman at Holy Angels Academy in 1949 to recruiting freshmen for DSHA in the 1990s. Somehow without realizing it, I had spent 25 years in the classrooms, offices and hallways of Holy Angels and Divine Savior Holy Angels,” said Schroeder in her acceptance address at the Jubilee Celebration Mass and Brunch on Sunday.

Schroeder has spent time as a Chair of the class reunion committee, and is also the representative for the Holy Angels class of 1953, a position with responsibilities including writing letters, updating lists and keeping in touch with fellow alumnae. In addition, this phenomenal woman has also volunteered at DSHA rummage sales, bingos and luncheons, and given generously of her time to Christ King Parish and School, St. Ben’s meal program, St. Catherine’s Residence, Marquette High School and Marquette University, where she is a member of the Women’s Council.

Though Schroeder has retired, she has not slowed down. “Her energy knows no bounds and all [of her work] is done quietly, humbly and without need for acknowledgement,” according to Catherine Sheahan Varebrook of Elm Grove, a member of the Divine Savior class of 1969 and friend of Schroeder.

The Jubilarian of the Year award is presented annually to an alumna of Holy Angels Academy or Divine Savior High School. Nominees must have graduated at least 50 years prior. Criteria includes reflection of Christian values and ideals promulgated by DSHA, strength of character, social and/or individual progress, strong awareness of human problems and measurable contributions to alleviate such problems, and leadership in her community of field. In addition, nominees must be an inspiration for other women and believe in and be loyal to DSHA and its mission.

Divine Savior Holy Angels High School is sponsored by the Sisters of the Divine Savior. Divine Savior High School was established in 1948. Holy Angels Academy, established in 1892 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, affiliated with Divine Savior in 1970. Combined, they have a long and successful history of educating young women as attested to by an alumnae association of over 13,000 women. Enrollment for the 2005-2006 school year is 655 in grades nine through twelve.

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