Kay Heerey Sullivan, Interview with Laura Carroll, 2001
Item
Kay Heerey Sullivan, Commencement, 1968. Pictured left to right: Alumni with daughters: Mary Ann Ryan with mother Marian Jeffers Ryan, class of 1934; Gretchen Finn with mother Gretchen Kretchnar Finn, class of 1933 Martha Nesbitt with mother Elizabeth Brehme Nesbitt, class of 1939; Marepat Sullivan with mother Kay Heerey Sullivan, class of 1938. (WLA, Mundelein college Photograph Collection)
Interview Audio Side A
Interview Audio Side B
Interview Transcript
Title
Kay Heerey Sullivan, Interview with Laura Carroll, 2001
Summary
Member of the Mundelein Class of 1938, Kay Heerey Sullivan begins her interview by recollecting her early educational pathway from Chicago’s Siena High School to Mundelein College. Heerey Sullivan was an Economics major and she relays her fondness for Sister Mary Pierre Flynn who taught in the department and became a lifelong friend to her students. Heerey Sullivan was on the staff of the student paper, The Skyscraper and was involved with the Chicago Inter-Student Catholic Action, CISCA. Heerey Sullivan reflects on cooperation between Loyola and Mundelein which enriched their students’ social and educational experiences.
Date Created
2001
Biography
Kay Heerey Sullivan was born November 8, 1917 and grew up in Chicago where she attended Siena High School. Heerey Sullivan graduated from Mundelein College in 1938 with a major in Home Economics. In 1977 Heerey Sullivan was the first woman to be awarded the President’s Medal by Loyola Academy for twenty five years of service. In 1980, Heerey Sullivan founded Kay’s Kookbooks, which helped people across the world to locate out of date or vintage cookbooks. Heerey Sullivan passed away in 2006.
Time Log
Kay Heerey Sullivan
Interview with Laura Carroll, December 12, 2001
Chicago, IL
Time Log
Side A
0-5 minutes
Introductions: Kay Sullivan went to Siena High School and graduated in 1934. Graduated Mundelein in 1938. Had received a scholarship to Mercy College but did not go. Her parents watched the Mundelein skyscraper building under construction and wanted her to attend. Had received a scholarship to Mercy College but did not go.
Changed sophomore year to the Home Economics Department.
Loved Sister Mary Pierre… Loved the department.
5-10 minutes
Sister Mary Pierre [Flynn] was a good friend. When her students left school and married, their children were Sister Mary Pierre’s babies. Sister Mary St. Remi [McNamara] was in clothing. The president, Sister Mary Justicia Coffey was tremendous. The students knew who was in charge. Sister Mary Evangela was a lovely sweet woman.
Sister Mary Pierre doesn’t figure strongly into [the book] Mundelein Voices, She was just the tea room manager. But she did everything. She was one of the last ones left.
10-15 minutes
Describes the Home Economics Department. The students felt like they were there all the time. They still meet.
Discusses financial hardships of the 1930s. The students in the 1930s were mostly commuters. Discusses other colleges in the area, including Rosary College. Lived in Mundelein’s Philomena Hall where she lived with her roommate, Jane Malkemus.Some lived on the fourteenth floor of the skyscraper.
Sullivan was on the staff of the Skyscraper and was involved with the Chicago Inter-Student Catholic Action, CISCA where the students served as secretaries and participated in planning activities.
15-20 minutes
Some of the activities were: Summer School for Catholic Action. The summer schools were located in different parts of the country and worked with the “Queen’s Work” who had charge of the summer schools.
Father Lord was in charge and I read proof for the publications he was doing. He had a staff of ten Jesuits and some lay people.
Mundelein’s relationship with Loyola was close. We had priests that taught philosophy and theology including Father McGlaughlin and Father McCormick, Father Kelly. The students had ten dances.
Foods and Nutrition was really what Sullivan loved. It wasn’t an easy course. It is different now and it should not be. At Regina Dominican they were pushing out Home Economics because of a lack of interest.
20-25 minutes
After Mundelein, Sullivan ran a catering department in an Oak Park hotel. Now has a business selling books.
Other Mundelein people recognize one another.One person referred to Mundelein alumnae as “Mundle-Bundles”
25-30 minutes
Sister Mary Bernarda was many of the student’s favorite teacher. Sister Mary Evangelina was Sullivan’s favorite dean. Sister John Michael was a superb teacher in education. Sister Mary Justicia Coffey was president for most of the time Sullivan was there. Sister Consuela was there president for a short time. Sister Donald was a great teacher in education.
Describes the deprivations that the nuns suffered and the harsh rules they lived by.
30-35 minutes
Begins to discuss the “Model Apartment.”
Side B
0-5 minutes
The model apartment was lovely and the Sister Mary Pierre often entertained there. The interviewer read that Sister Mary Pierre established the the Master’s Program in Home Economics at St. Louis University.
Involvement with the Alpha Omicron, Home Economics Honor Society and the Kappa Gamma Phi sorority.
Discusses sorrow regarding Mundelein’s closure.
5-10 minutes
Was attending an Alumni board meeting where the closure was announced. Sister Rosetta was the moderator and made the announcement.
There were brilliant teachers at Mundelein like, Sister Basiline in philosophy.
Discusses alumni meetings and the sixtieth reunion. Claims credit for all of the reunions.
Discusses Sister Ann Ida Gannon and her tenure during troubled times of the 1960s.
10-15 minutes
Admire’s Ida Gannon and her presidency.
Discusses work for the Skyscraper as an assistant editor. Took the proofs to Parkway Press, owned by Peter Petrando who was helpful and patient. Annamarie Masterson and Jean McKeever also worked for the paper. Children were involved in Regina School for seventeen years.
15-20 minutes
Discusses the lasting friendships she made at Mundelein.
Interview with Laura Carroll, December 12, 2001
Chicago, IL
Time Log
Side A
0-5 minutes
Introductions: Kay Sullivan went to Siena High School and graduated in 1934. Graduated Mundelein in 1938. Had received a scholarship to Mercy College but did not go. Her parents watched the Mundelein skyscraper building under construction and wanted her to attend. Had received a scholarship to Mercy College but did not go.
Changed sophomore year to the Home Economics Department.
Loved Sister Mary Pierre… Loved the department.
5-10 minutes
Sister Mary Pierre [Flynn] was a good friend. When her students left school and married, their children were Sister Mary Pierre’s babies. Sister Mary St. Remi [McNamara] was in clothing. The president, Sister Mary Justicia Coffey was tremendous. The students knew who was in charge. Sister Mary Evangela was a lovely sweet woman.
Sister Mary Pierre doesn’t figure strongly into [the book] Mundelein Voices, She was just the tea room manager. But she did everything. She was one of the last ones left.
10-15 minutes
Describes the Home Economics Department. The students felt like they were there all the time. They still meet.
Discusses financial hardships of the 1930s. The students in the 1930s were mostly commuters. Discusses other colleges in the area, including Rosary College. Lived in Mundelein’s Philomena Hall where she lived with her roommate, Jane Malkemus.Some lived on the fourteenth floor of the skyscraper.
Sullivan was on the staff of the Skyscraper and was involved with the Chicago Inter-Student Catholic Action, CISCA where the students served as secretaries and participated in planning activities.
15-20 minutes
Some of the activities were: Summer School for Catholic Action. The summer schools were located in different parts of the country and worked with the “Queen’s Work” who had charge of the summer schools.
Father Lord was in charge and I read proof for the publications he was doing. He had a staff of ten Jesuits and some lay people.
Mundelein’s relationship with Loyola was close. We had priests that taught philosophy and theology including Father McGlaughlin and Father McCormick, Father Kelly. The students had ten dances.
Foods and Nutrition was really what Sullivan loved. It wasn’t an easy course. It is different now and it should not be. At Regina Dominican they were pushing out Home Economics because of a lack of interest.
20-25 minutes
After Mundelein, Sullivan ran a catering department in an Oak Park hotel. Now has a business selling books.
Other Mundelein people recognize one another.One person referred to Mundelein alumnae as “Mundle-Bundles”
25-30 minutes
Sister Mary Bernarda was many of the student’s favorite teacher. Sister Mary Evangelina was Sullivan’s favorite dean. Sister John Michael was a superb teacher in education. Sister Mary Justicia Coffey was president for most of the time Sullivan was there. Sister Consuela was there president for a short time. Sister Donald was a great teacher in education.
Describes the deprivations that the nuns suffered and the harsh rules they lived by.
30-35 minutes
Begins to discuss the “Model Apartment.”
Side B
0-5 minutes
The model apartment was lovely and the Sister Mary Pierre often entertained there. The interviewer read that Sister Mary Pierre established the the Master’s Program in Home Economics at St. Louis University.
Involvement with the Alpha Omicron, Home Economics Honor Society and the Kappa Gamma Phi sorority.
Discusses sorrow regarding Mundelein’s closure.
5-10 minutes
Was attending an Alumni board meeting where the closure was announced. Sister Rosetta was the moderator and made the announcement.
There were brilliant teachers at Mundelein like, Sister Basiline in philosophy.
Discusses alumni meetings and the sixtieth reunion. Claims credit for all of the reunions.
Discusses Sister Ann Ida Gannon and her tenure during troubled times of the 1960s.
10-15 minutes
Admire’s Ida Gannon and her presidency.
Discusses work for the Skyscraper as an assistant editor. Took the proofs to Parkway Press, owned by Peter Petrando who was helpful and patient. Annamarie Masterson and Jean McKeever also worked for the paper. Children were involved in Regina School for seventeen years.
15-20 minutes
Discusses the lasting friendships she made at Mundelein.
Index
Kay Heerey Sullivan 2001 Index
KEY
KHS2001=Kay Heerey Sullivan 2001 Interview
INDEX
1930s financial hardships, KHS2001 A 10-15
Alpha Omicron, KHS2001 B 0-5
Chicago Inter-student Catholic Action (CISCA), KHS2001 A 10-15
Father Kelly, KHS2001 A 15-20
Father Lord, KHS2001 A 15-20
Father McCormick, KHS2001 A 15-20
Father McGlaughlin, KHS2001 A 15-20
Foods and Nutrition class, KHS2001 A 15-20
Home Economics, KHS2001 A 15-20
Home Economics Honor Society, KHS2001 B 0-5
Home Economics Masters Program at St. Louis University, KHS2001 B 0-5
Jesuits, KHS2001 A 15-20
Kappa Gamma Phi, KHS2001 B 0-5
Loyola, KHS2001 A 15-20
Malkemus, Jean, KHS2001 A 10-15
Masterson, Annamarie, KHS2001 B 10-15
McKeever, Jean, KHS2001 B 10-15
Mercy College, KHS2001 A 0-5
Model Apartment, KHS2001 A 30-35, KHS2001 B 0-5
Mundelein, closure, KHS2001 B 0-5
Mundelein Alumni, KHS2001 B 5-10
Mundelein Home Economics Department, KHS2001 A 0-5, KHS2001 A 10-15
Mundelein Philomena Hall, KHS2001 A 10-15
Mundelein Skyscraper building, KHS2001 A 0-5, KHS2001 A 10-15
Mundelein Voices, KHS2001 A 5-10
“Mundles Bundles,” KHS2001 A 20-25
Oak Park, KHS2001 A 20-25
Parkway Press, KHS2001 B 10-15
Petrando, Peter, KHS2001 B 10-15
Queen’s Work, KHS2001 A 15-20
Regina Dominican, KHS2001 A 15-20, KHS2001 B 10-15
Rosary College, KHS2001 A 10-15
Siena High School, KHS2001 A 0-5
Sister Basiline, KHS2001 B 5-10
Sister Mary Ann Ida Gannon, BVM, KHS2001 B 10-15, BVM, KHS2001 B 5-10
Sister Mary Evangela, KHS2001 A 5-10
Sister Mary John Michael Dee, BVM, KHS2001 A 25-30
Sister Mary Justicia Coffey, BVM, KHS2001 A 25-30
Sister Mary Justicia Coffey, BVM, KHS2001 A 5-10
Sister Mary Pierre [Flynn], , KHS2001 B 0-5, KHS2001 A 0-5, KHS2001 A 5-10
Sister Mary St. Remi [McNamara], KHS2001 A 5-10
Sister Rosetta, KHS2001 B 5-10
Skyscraper student newspaper, KHS2001 B 10-15, KHS2001 A 10-15
Student life, KHS2001 A 10-15
Summer School for Catholic Action, KHS2001 A 15-20
KEY
KHS2001=Kay Heerey Sullivan 2001 Interview
INDEX
1930s financial hardships, KHS2001 A 10-15
Alpha Omicron, KHS2001 B 0-5
Chicago Inter-student Catholic Action (CISCA), KHS2001 A 10-15
Father Kelly, KHS2001 A 15-20
Father Lord, KHS2001 A 15-20
Father McCormick, KHS2001 A 15-20
Father McGlaughlin, KHS2001 A 15-20
Foods and Nutrition class, KHS2001 A 15-20
Home Economics, KHS2001 A 15-20
Home Economics Honor Society, KHS2001 B 0-5
Home Economics Masters Program at St. Louis University, KHS2001 B 0-5
Jesuits, KHS2001 A 15-20
Kappa Gamma Phi, KHS2001 B 0-5
Loyola, KHS2001 A 15-20
Malkemus, Jean, KHS2001 A 10-15
Masterson, Annamarie, KHS2001 B 10-15
McKeever, Jean, KHS2001 B 10-15
Mercy College, KHS2001 A 0-5
Model Apartment, KHS2001 A 30-35, KHS2001 B 0-5
Mundelein, closure, KHS2001 B 0-5
Mundelein Alumni, KHS2001 B 5-10
Mundelein Home Economics Department, KHS2001 A 0-5, KHS2001 A 10-15
Mundelein Philomena Hall, KHS2001 A 10-15
Mundelein Skyscraper building, KHS2001 A 0-5, KHS2001 A 10-15
Mundelein Voices, KHS2001 A 5-10
“Mundles Bundles,” KHS2001 A 20-25
Oak Park, KHS2001 A 20-25
Parkway Press, KHS2001 B 10-15
Petrando, Peter, KHS2001 B 10-15
Queen’s Work, KHS2001 A 15-20
Regina Dominican, KHS2001 A 15-20, KHS2001 B 10-15
Rosary College, KHS2001 A 10-15
Siena High School, KHS2001 A 0-5
Sister Basiline, KHS2001 B 5-10
Sister Mary Ann Ida Gannon, BVM, KHS2001 B 10-15, BVM, KHS2001 B 5-10
Sister Mary Evangela, KHS2001 A 5-10
Sister Mary John Michael Dee, BVM, KHS2001 A 25-30
Sister Mary Justicia Coffey, BVM, KHS2001 A 25-30
Sister Mary Justicia Coffey, BVM, KHS2001 A 5-10
Sister Mary Pierre [Flynn], , KHS2001 B 0-5, KHS2001 A 0-5, KHS2001 A 5-10
Sister Mary St. Remi [McNamara], KHS2001 A 5-10
Sister Rosetta, KHS2001 B 5-10
Skyscraper student newspaper, KHS2001 B 10-15, KHS2001 A 10-15
Student life, KHS2001 A 10-15
Summer School for Catholic Action, KHS2001 A 15-20
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