THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT. MIND. BODY. CORDECHO 9 TIME AND DISTANCE Are No Match for the SHA Sisterhood For 27 years, Karen Kukoda ’86 lived in California, raising her family and building a career in cybersecurity. While this put many miles between her and her SHA sisters, it did nothing to diminish their close bond. In fact, when circumstances brought Karen back to live in Buffalo in 2023, classmates Jackie McGuire Gurney and Julie Picone DeGlopper enthusiastically greeted her at the airport. In addition to Jackie and Julie, Karen regularly sees Lauren Kenny Porter, Jenny Cuddy Lantzas, Tracy Mangione Zito, and Eileen Holler Jarosz. She reflects on their relationship in this way, “Here is what I love most - we are all still family to one another. We walk into each other’s houses, spend time together doing anything, and have reaped so many benefits of knowing, supporting, and loving each other for 40 years. Not many friends have that longevity or span so many parts of your life.” Karen was not surprised to learn that “supportive friends” are a key element of the Sources of Strength program that SHA recently adopted. She has found her own SHA sisters to be a tremendous source of strength in her own life. Nearly four decades after graduation, these friends continue to show up for one another on their worst days, celebrate victories together, and help each other see and understand things from different perspectives. Most importantly, they continue to make time for each other and provide a “safe space” where they can each be their most authentic selves. And, as today’s students are learning, when they are with their SHA sisters, there is no shortage of laughter. Members of the Class of 1986 Tracy Mangione Zito, Jenny Cuddy Lantzas, Julie Picone DeGlopper, Karen Kukoda, Eileen Holler Jarosz, and Jackie McGuire Gurney celebrated their 50th birthdays together with a trip to Sullivan’s Island. Julie Picone DeGlopper and Jackie McGuire Gurney greeted Karen Kukoda at the airport when she moved home after 27 years on the West Coast. They have been exploring all Western New York has to offer ever since! The Class of 1965 celebrated the 60th anniversary of their graduation and their enduring friendship at Alumnae Weekend in June 2025. Events planned by Kathy Cuccia Alessi, Debbie Botorick Diebold, Kathy Finaldi Federick, and Cheryl Patterson gave the class a perfect opportunity to celebrate the gift of friendship they share. You can see pictures of other reunion years on the Alumnae Weekend page of Sacred Heart’s website (www.sacredheartacademy.org).
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