‘Baskets’ of Fond Memories

FLORENCE BRASZO | MOUNT ASSISI ACADEMY 1954

Our alumnae honor members of the School Sisters of St. Francis who touched their lives
back then and who they consider to have been especially influential in who they are now.

THEN

I attended St. Mark’s Grade School in McKees Rocks and then attended Mount Assisi Academy, where I graduated in 1954. Throughout those year, several Sisters were an influence on me. They encouraged me and gave me self-confidence and, of course, I received a wonderful education.

Sister Assumpta (Genevieve Mary Jurick) taught me in both the fifth and sixth grades. She was a great comfort to me as my father was dying. In addition, Sister introduced me to her younger sister, Bernie, who became a very close friend of mine.

In seventh and eighth grades, Sister Marita (Vrsansky) taught us basketball. It influenced me to attend ‘The Mount,’ where I played all four years. During  a square dance at The Mount, I meet my future husband, Steve, who was the brother of Sister Norberta (Kralosky). 

I will always have a love of all the Sisters who dedicated their lives to nurture the future young women who went out into the world well-prepared.

Now

Just after graduation in 1954, one of the Sisters reached out to Flo to alert her to an interview for what would become her first job. Her career as an office manager carried her to several other jobs where, she says, “I used my skills learned at The Mount. I believe each Sister — from grade school to The Mount — has given me a gift that has remained with me.” Flo is now retired, lives in Glenshaw, Pa., and remains in regular contact with Sister Norberta.

Sister Marita left the community in 1974, but continued teaching in secular life.

Sister Assumpta — who later returned to her baptismal name, Sister Genevieve Mary Jurick — went on to teach at schools throughout Pennsylvania before returning to Pittsburgh to teach at Mount Assisi Academy from 1968 to 1973. She then spent many years caring for the elderly, including her own ailing family members. She was well known for the colorful clown dolls she crafted and raffled at the Sisters’ spring festivals over the years. Sister died in 2017 at age 95.

read more then & now features

A Soft-Spoken Voice Still Echoes | Setting a Fine Example | ‘Angel’ Among Them
Home Away from Home | A Critical Lifeline | Eye-Opening Influence
Laughter That’s Lasted a Lifetime | Before the Parade Passes By
The ‘Type’ of Teacher She Needed | Women of Strength & Influence
Stirring Her Skills & Self-Esteem