Holy Moly!
If you grew up in South Boston, you might have had Sister Evelyn as a first-grade teacher at St. Brigid School (now South Boston Catholic Academy). She taught for decades and eventually retired to Kentucky a few years back. (She taught yours truly back in the 70s.)
Well, Sister Evelyn recently celebrated her 109th birthday! Wow, 109!
Happy Birthday, Sister Evelyn! Keep on doing what you do!
One of our favorite photos of Sr. Evelyn was captured by legendary Boston photographer Bill Brett back in 2014 and appears in his fifth book, Boston Irish. Sr. Evelyn hand-made this beautiful outfit!
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
Hi! I’m a mom of 2 dancers at Woods school of Irish Dance. We are running an amazing raffle right now to get our girls to Nationals this Summer! Hoping you could share on your caught in Southie page!
I can email you the flyer…it’s for Taylor Swift tickets!
Happy birthday SisterAlice Williams!
Fond memories from 1st grade in 1956
You taught an incredibly large class of girls well.
Many thanks and well wishes to you!🎂🎉🎉
Same class, 1956- idolized her!
Happy Birthday Sister Alive Williams.
I had Mrs.O’Brien for 1st grade in 1963, However I certainly remember you and have many fond memories of you at St. Brigid’s
Thank you for your wonderful service to your students
Best wishes
Kathleen Grealish Lorina
As someone who works in Southie and owns a local yarn store, you have no idea how amazing I think Sister is–for her longevity, her knitting skills, and her commitment to service.
HAPPY BRITHDAY SISTER EVELYN!!! Recently I was with a group of priests. We were talking about our early childhood grammar school memories. I shared that my 2 First Grade Teachers were STILL alive. I am 70 and a Retired Priest. My Teachers were at NAZARETH SCHOOL SOUTHIE. 1958: Gr. 1 Boys: Sister Mary Luke AKA Sr. Angela Hicks and Gr 1 Girls: Sr Alice William: AKA Sr Evelyn Hurley ( BELLE OF SOUTHIE) both currently residing in Nazareth KY. The priests were shocked. They asked me what I thought about the reason for their longevity and I said ” I believe they were waitresses at the Last Supper.” A good time was had by all. Blessings to these dear Sisters!
Wow, hello kathy, I too remember Mrs. O Brien, and little bit of sister Evelyn. My name is pinky, I grew up on broadway. I have been having trouble remembering my childhood and my old friends and started looking on line saw your name on your post and remembered we were friends and played together.
If I am correct or if you remember me, please post me back. I would love to catch up and talk. Pinky santini,
The redhead. Or anyone else that reads this and remembers me.
Thank you
Sorry, I almost forgot to wish sister Evelyn a big happy birthday.
Pinky santini
Dear Sister Evelyn, AKA Sister Alice Williams,
Happy Birthday and wishing you many more!
Your Chocolate Fudge from Phillips Candy house is on its way. Enjoy!!!
You taught all the Bickford girls and I can’t thank you enough for your friendship and prayers these past years and present ones!
With lots of Love ❤️🥰🙏
P.S. I still love it here in Arizona
Happy Birthday SisterEvelyn!
Happy Birthday Sister Evelyn!
You visited Sisters Ann Francis and Ann Virginia in San Jose. My mother and I lived upstairs in the apartment above them. Both have gone to God and I miss them. They introduced me to you because I was from Southie. So nice to have met you and now, after many years ago, I wish you continued good health.
God bless you!
Peggy
I had Sister Alice William for first grade in 1960. I remember the class of all girls was huge but she kept us all in line.
Sister came to my mom’s wake in 2001. She remembered all of my family. She looks great!
In 1956 – 1964 each classroom had a minimum of 40 Students. 1 Nun and No Aide. There was never any major/serious discipline issues at NAZARETH SCHOOL. I wonder why? LOVE GOES A LONG WAY!
You need to love Teaching and the Students you teach. They can tell if you really love them or not.
For the Sisters it was not a job but a VOCATION. In 1958 I was in 1st Grade. Sr. Alice William taught the Girls and Sr Mary Luke (Sr Angela Hicks in KY now) taught the Boys. We knew these 2 Sisters loved us. We often stayed after school to help them clean up and actually walked them home (but 1st making a Visit at Church) on the way to the Convent caring their bag etc. We even stayed after that to wave to them as they made their way to the Chapel via the connecting hallway with glass windows. I was ordained a priest in 1984 at St Brigids and Sr Evelyn attended. I am now a retired priest.