It’s been 75 years since one class walked out of Toronto’s St. Joseph’s College School donning white gowns while crowned with gold wreaths. Now, women from the same group of peers will gather once more to connect, reminisce and celebrate an unbreakable bond. 

On June 4, 13 of the original graduates of the St. Joseph's College School Centennial Class of 1951, now all in their 90s, will join together at DelManor Prince Edward Retirement Home in Toronto's west end for a special anniversary celebration. Leading this year’s cumulative celebration is Irene Perfetti Debono, a 92-year-old St. Joseph’s alumnus who has quietly but determinatively helped keep the Class of ’51 connected through decades of newsletters, phone calls and gatherings.

For Perfetti Debono and her fellow classmates, this year’s milestone carries special meaning, even though their graduation on May 22, 1951, had already been cemented as unforgettable. As she reflected their graduation class coincided with the centennial anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Toronto, in a day she still recalls as vibrantly as ever.

Advertisement

“There were 60 graduates total, and I remember the day being very full from the start. It began with Mass in the chapel, at which we wore our school uniforms, followed by breakfast in the school gym. There was a gallery all around, and the students from the following years were looking down, looking forward to their big day, as we had done before,” she said. 

“We returned in the afternoon in our long white gowns, gold wreaths on our heads, and we carried red roses as  we processed up the aisle of the chapel for benediction with our principal, Sr. Saint Stephen, who was just beaming.”  

Cardinal James McGuigan also attended, with each graduate receiving a diploma from their own pastor. That night, an evening formal was held at the prestigious Simpson’s Arcadian Court, with parties and a week of luncheons hosted by the girls' mothers.

From that day forward, the task of keeping the all-girls' class connected has had its ups and downs. The Class of ’51 missed its 25th reunion, but for the 50th anniversary, Perfetti Debono stepped forward to help organize a gathering at Merrill Park. After another gathering a few years later, what began as occasional reunions grew into something of a more established connection project. 

Using the idea of fellow classmate Jan Merrell Crowle, the two launched twice-yearly newsletters to the class while attempting to track down graduates across Canada and the United States.  

After Merrell Crowle’s passing 10 years ago, Perfetti Debono continued the newsletters on her own, supported by voluntary contributions from the ladies. Through the decades, the class with graduates now living across the GTA, Ottawa, Kingston, Brighton, London,  Detroit and beyond have gathered for smaller reunions at homes and restaurants, lifted virtual toasts during the COVID pandemic and comforted one another with notes when news of classmates passing surfaced. 

Advertisement

Now, for the class's 75th year, Perfetti Debono’s quiet dedication has brought them together once more.

“I wanted to do something special, and so when I contacted the ladies this time, they were very pleased and excited. There will be 12 or 13 of us attending, and in addition, three daughters and one son accompanying their mothers,” she said. 

Jennifer Correia, the current principal of St. Joseph’s College School, shared her best wishes with the alumni. 

“The enduring sisterhood and strong sense of community at St. Joseph’s College School are among the school’s greatest strengths, and so it is especially meaningful to celebrate the Centennial Class of 1951 as they mark their 75th anniversary since graduation, a remarkable reflection of the lifelong friendships formed within our community,” she said. 

“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to this group of remarkable women who continue to show us the importance of faith, shared values and a commitment to one another. Thank you for inspiring the next generation of St. Joseph’s College School graduates.” 

Perfetti Debono has gotten a head start on reflection as well, looking back on all the avenues her peers have taken over the years. Even as some of the girls’ current careers and lives remain unknown, what she knows for certain is the place where it all started. 

“ We have had six of our classmates become nuns; four joined St. Joseph's Convent, and two others became missionary sisters in the Philippines and Bangladesh. We've had many nurses, teachers, and many went into the business world, Sr. Margaret Myatt was prominent with St. Joseph’s Hospital, while Sr. Ellen Leonard went on to become a respected theologian,” she said. 

“ It was a wonderful experience to be classmates together back then, and all of us were so fortunate to have been taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph.” 

Advertisement

Now, she looks forward to a joyful celebration of friendships that have endured for 75 years.

“This is something I really wanted to do, and I’m thankful for the opportunity for it to happen,” she said.