The newly established Catherine Stenderhoff 10465 Scholarship, sponsored by Annmarie (Stenderhoff) Hawkins ’78 is in honor of her beloved mother, Catherine Kellachan Stenderhoff. Mrs. Stenderhoff, a proud Aquinas alumna, valued Catholic education and worked to send her daughters to both St. Frances de Chantal and Preston High School in the Throggs Neck neighborhood of The Bronx. That was a very important value for Mrs. Stenderhoff, and was much appreciated by her daughters.
“We are very grateful to our loyal alumna, Annmarie Stenderhoff Hawkins ’78, for establishing this scholarship to honor her beloved mother, Catherine Stenderhoff,” said Mrs. Jane Grendell, principal of Preston High School. “Mrs. Hawkins’ generosity will help to make a Preston High School education more affordable for an incoming freshmen residing in the 10465 zip code, the same area where Preston is located.”
The Catherine Stenderhoff 10465 Scholarship in the amount of $25,000 will fulfill its mission with the distribution of $1,250 yearly to one incoming student for four (4) years who resides in the 10465 area. Each year, over the next 5 years, the admissions committee will select a freshman who meets the scholarship criteria. Five students will receive the $5000 scholarship, paid across four years of Preston education.
The awardee will provide an annual letter with updates on her ongoing Preston experience. The $25,000 will only be expended on scholarships for students from the donor’s neighborhood of origin.
In Memorium
The PRESTON HS Community Honors the legacy and memory of our sisters.
Sr. Lucille Coldrick
Sr. Lucille Coldrick, RDC (Mary Compassio) a member of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion for nearly 66 years, died peacefully July 3, 2025 after a long illness at St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, New York.
Sr. Lucille was born in New York City on October 29, 1936. She entered the Sisters of the Divine Compassion on September 3, 1959 and made her final vows on March 30, 1967. Sr. Lucille earned her Bachelor's degree in History from Good Counsel College in 1958 and her Master's degree from Fordham University in 1967. She began her ministry as a history teacher at Good Counsel Academy and remained in that position until 1976. During that time, Sr. Lucille was also the Director of Novices, responsible for the formation of new Sisters.
Sr. Lucille was admired for her standards of excellence and professionalism as an educator and administrator. Under her leadership as principal of the Academy of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (1978-1985) and Preston High School (1991-2008), both high schools were well-known for their academic excellence and the spirit of compassion that permeated each one.
Sr. Lucille had a keen sense of humor and a gift for public speaking. Sr. Lucille was gracious, pleasant and unfailingly polite. She had the gift of providing her undivided attention to whomever she was speaking with in any given situation. While 'outdoorsy" might not come to mind when describing Sr. Lucille once listed her interests as "running, cycling and aerobic dancing." Over the years, running, cycling and aerobics fell by the wayside, but her love of reading, music, the ballet and especially her love of opera endured.
As we give thanks to Sr. Lucille's vibrant and gifted life among us, we remember in prayer her devoted family and friends, and the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, all of whom mourn her loss. Please join us in prayer for the repose of her soul and in gratitude for her life of faithful service.
Sr. Patricia Hannan
Sister Patricia Hannan (Mary Aurelia), a member of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion for 77 years, died peacefully after a long illness on May 26, 2025 at St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, New York.
Sr. Patricia was born in New York City on June 22, 1930, the daughter of Norman and Mable Ford Hannan. Raised in Port Chester, NY, Sister attended the Academy of Good Counsel High School (GCA). After graduating from GCA, she entered the Sisters of the Divine Compassion on September 8, 1948 and made final vows on March 6, 1954.
Sr. Patricia began her ministry in education in 1950 as an elementary school teacher in Elmsford, the Bronx and Brewster. In 1955, Sister earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Good Counsel College, and was assigned to Preston High School in the Bronx, NY. At Preston, Sr. Pat taught math for ten years, was the Assistant Principal for four years, and Principal for 16 years.
Sister returned to full-time studies in 1985, earning a Master’s of Science degree from St. John’s University and Pace University in Math and Computer Science, respectively. She also received a Graduate Fellowship in Computer Science from Pace University. From 1988 to 2002, Sister Pat worked in higher education at Pace University and at Dominican College in Blauvelt, NY.
When Sr. Pat had the opportunity to take a well-earned retirement in 2002. She opted instead to place her considerable math and computer skills at the service of the Divine Compassion Congregation in the finance office, where she served as Assistant Director of Finance. She retired only when she was unable to make the trip from the Bronx to White Plains, NY.
Sr. Pat was an avid reader, talented seamstress and a loyal New York Yankees fan. Sister’s gift to her Sisters, friends and colleagues was an unassuming presence that was deeply appreciated. She was a woman of few words who spoke from experience and wisdom.
Sr. Lucille Bridgetts, RDC
Known to most alumnae as “Ma Sœur”, Sr Lucille Bridgetts, Preston’s beloved French teacher, died peacefully age 97 at Wartburg Residence on April 24.
Sr. Lucille came to reside in Throgs Neck, in the PHS mansion and taught at St. Frances de Chantal in 1953-57.
We were blessed to have her as French teacher and department chair at PHS since 1957, educating each generation of students to love and excel in languages and cultural literacy.
Upon retiring from teaching, Sr. Lucille worked tirelessly in the Main Office every morning doing necessary tasks and greeting the students when the doors opened at 7 am.
Generations of former students will remember her as a woman of deep fidelity, compassion, wisdom and faith.
Please hold Sr. Mary Lucille, her family and all the Sisters of the Divine Compassion in your prayers.
If you would like to make a donation to the RDC Memorial Fund at Preston High School in honor of the life and service of Sr. Mary Lucille Bridgetts, RDC, please do so here:
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Sr. Susan Greene, RDC, Preston’s beloved art teacher from 1977 through 1994, passed away on April 17. Sr. Susan was a contemplative artist in residence while at Preston and then shared her talents with Good Counsel and St. Cabrini Nursing Home.
Sr. Susan created and developed the art program at Preston and enjoyed helping students find their artistic talents. Her smile was genuine and her heart was welcoming. She is remembered as a woman of deep compassion who worked for social justice, peace and equality in our world.
Please hold Sr. Susan, her family and all the Sisters of the Divine Compassion in your prayers.
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If you would like to make a donation to Preston High School’s RDC Memorial Fund in honor of the life and service of Sr. Susan Greene, RDC, please do so below: