After a special Mass at Â鶹ÊÓƵ Chapel celebrating the life and memory of Eleanor Kelly Hartnett, wife of Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s alumnus Bernard M. Hartnett, Jr. \u201951, friends and family gathered at the Office of Campus Ministry in the Mac Mahon Student Center to witness the dedication of the associate director of campus ministry for community service\u2019s suite named in her honor.<\/p>\n
While not a graduate of the University, Eleanor attended many functions and events at Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s as a guest with her husband of 60 years. Through these events, she got to know many of the Jesuits and administrators on campus, and formed strong relationships with each and every one of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe loved Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s,\u201d said Bernard. \u201cShe particularly loved the Jesuits. I think she would be thrilled to have an office named in her honor in campus ministry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eleanor\u2019s son, Edward A. Hartnett, describes his mother as a \u201cgraduate of the \u2018School of Hard Knocks,\u2019 rightly claiming more common sense than many with fancy degrees. She was a good, strong and loving woman who was fiercely loyal and tough as nails. Never one to be materialistic, she was an incredibly generous woman who was always warm and welcoming, tough but forgiving.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt might seem odd to have a room in campus ministry named for her,\u201d said Edward. \u201cShe was always skeptical of those who advertised their religious commitments too loudly\u2026but she was a faithful and prayerful woman, and what she did in taking care of others was ministry. You might say she was engaged in lay ministry before most of us had ever heard the term.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Rev. Rocco Danzi, S.J., director of campus ministry, blessed the room with holy water and prayer, attendees gathered for a reception of light refreshments, where stories and memories of Eleanor were recalled and shared amongst those present.<\/p>\n
Naming opportunities remain throughout the Mac Mahon Student Center. To learn more, contact Leah Leto at lleto@saintpeters.edu<\/a> or (201) 761-6110.<\/p>\n\n\t\t