In Memoriam
It is with a heavy heart that we say farewell to outstanding alumna and beloved
benefactor Frances M. Maguire, who passed away on February 12, 2020.
Frances, more commonly known as "Frannie," was always drawn to health
care. Inspired and encouraged by her parents, Frances enrolled in the Medical
Secretary degree program at the then Gwynedd-Mercy College and graduated in
1955. She later returned to study nursing in the mid-1970s.
Frances M. Maguire
August 31, 1935 - February 12, 2020
Along with her husband James J. Maguire, she has demonstrated a deep
commitment to our University. The Maguires’ contributions have paved the way
for generations of GMercyU students who have achieved great success. In 2012,
Frances endowed the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Thanks to her
generosity and Mercy spirit, they have funded numerous scholarships, faculty
support, and state-of-the-art technology and facilities. Additionally, Frances
is the namesake of the Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health
Professions and the Frances M. Maguire Hall. She has established a lasting
legacy for educating generations of nurses and health care providers.
Through the work of the Maguire Foundation, Frances has supported a broad
range of educational efforts throughout the region and was one of the most
respected humanitarians in the Philadelphia area. She has impacted thousands
of individuals by giving selflessly and showing tender courage.
Nicholas E. Gannon '10, of
Philadelphia, Pa., passed away on
July 26, 2019. Catherine Sinclair Jeffries '97,
of Hatboro Pa., passed away on
December 15, 2019.
David A. Gordon '05, of
Harleysville, Pa., passed away on
September 2, 2019. Patricia Ann Rogers Mahoney '60,
of Clifton Heights, Pa., passed away
on September 6, 2019.
Sharon Walsh Guarino '80, of
Plymouth Meeting, Pa., passed
away on January 3, 2020. Janet Carmichael Malatesta '93,
of Ventor City, N.J., passed away in
September 2019.
Roberta “Betty” McClements
Robinson '80, of Mansfield Center,
Conn., passed away on October 2,
2019.
Evelyn Rapee Murphy Schmitt
'73, of Peterborough, N.H., passed
away on October 2, 2019.
Barbara Ann Tournier '93, of
Horsham, Pa., passed away on
November 14, 2019.
Joel Ziff’s Mercy connection spanned decades. Joel joined the Gwynedd Mercy
University’s Board of Trustees in 1982, a position he held until 2002. His dear
wife Roseanne graduated from GMercyU in 1955. Together, Joel and Roseanne
were inducted into the University’s Founders’ Society, which honors benefactors
who have donated $50,000 or more in lifetime gifts.
Joel was a Retired Partner of Arthur Anderson and Company and former
executive at Mercy Mid-Atlantic, where he retired from in 2012. Joel was
ordained a permanent Deacon in 1990 and his permanent Deacon assignment
was at Epiphany of Our Lord Church in Plymouth Meeting and St. Titus Parish in
East Norriton. He volunteered for numerous medical missions in Peru and Haiti
and served on multiple advisory boards for non-profit organizations in the area.
Joel Ziff
October 1, 1932 - November 20, 2019
In addition to his contributions to GMercyU, Joel was a devoted supporter of
his alma mater, Saint Joseph’s University. He was named to the Saint Joseph’s
University Hall of Fame in 1995 and named the Ziff Carriage house at Saint
Joseph’s University in 2011.
TODAY
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