Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,
Last Thursday Mary Caterson gave us the sad news that it was her last meeting as an official member of our club. In this week’s message, I’d like to recognize Mary and her legacy in the community.
Mary has spent the last thirty two years in the community at Rock Brook School. She retired as the Executive Director at the end of the 2019 school year. Rock Brook School educates and improves the lives of children with challenges that include Autism, Seizure disorders, Hearing Impairment and many more developmental and communicative issues.
Mary joined our Rotary Club in 2014. She was sponsored by our very own legendary Rotarian, Doug Merritt.
Mary’s college career was spent at Syracuse University and Teacher’s College Columbia University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology. She is a licensed speech pathologist and also has earned her certification as a Principal.
From September 1981 – July 1987 Mary’s professional career began as a Speech Language Pathologist in the Pediatric Rehabilitation department at JFK Hospital.
From August 1987 – June 2019 Mary has continued her career at Rock Brook School, retiring after thirty-two years as the Executive Director.
Over the years, Mary has made a difference in the lives of thousands of children and their families. Her commitment, dedication and genuine caring at Rock Brook School have been inspiring. As a Rotarian, Mary’s contributions have been outstanding. She has been ever present year after year at our flagship event, Run with Rotary. She has also put in enough time to become an expert at Funnel Cakes at the annual 4H Fair! Whenever our club needed help at an event, Mary Caterson was there.
Mary, on behalf of your Rotary family, I’d like to thank you for all that you’ve done for our club and for the community. You leave behind a legacy of kindness and caring. You’ve touched thousands of lives and you’ve spent your career helping other people who’ve needed it the most. In the truest, purest sense, you’ve spent a lifetime of “Service above Self.”
“It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.”
― Leo Buscaglia
We wish you all the love and happiness that you deserve. Congratulations on your retirement…
Yours in Rotary,
Tony Parziale