LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sister Alvera O'Grady for 62 years of
dedicated teaching, and touching the lives of many children in New York
State

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those illustrious individuals of distinguished purpose whose
lives have been committed to educating our youth and teaching the word
of God; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor
Sister Alvera O'Grady, who having taught for 62 years, touched the lives
of many children in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Sister Alvera O'Grady, who was the last Franciscan sister at
Bishop's Academy at Holy Family in Camillus, New York, retired on June
23, 2009, after teaching her final first grade class; and
WHEREAS, Sister Alvera O'Grady grew up in Syracuse, New York, during
the Great Depression, when her mother was a seamstress at the House of
Providence orphanage; as a teenager, Sister Alvera O'Grady began volun-
teering at St. Joseph's Hospital which was staffed by many Franciscan
sisters; and
WHEREAS, Sister Alvera O'Grady decided to become a sister in 1945, and
within two years she was teaching in a school in Albany; the profession
brought her to many schools including St. Mary's in Baldwinsville, New
York, where she said a single class in the 1950s sometimes exceeded 50
children; and
WHEREAS, Sister Alvera O'Grady joined Bishop's Academy at Holy Family
in 1990, where, in addition to teaching the children with patience and
care, she made it her primary job to bring the children "closer to God";
and
WHEREAS, In retirement, Sister Alvera O'Grady plans to occasionally
volunteer at the school, and also increase the amount of time she spends
at St. Joseph's Hospital comforting patients, a skill that her friends
say rivals her abilities in the classroom; and
WHEREAS, Sister Alvera O'Grady has served tirelessly over the past 62
years; she will be greatly missed by all of the teachers, staff and
students of Bishop's Academy at Holy Family, where she taught for 19
years; however, her presence will remain and a sign above her classroom
door will soon remind visitors they're entering the "Sister Alvera
Room"; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to Sister Alvera O'Grady for her many years of dedicated teach-
ing; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sister Alvera O'Grady.