It was a labor of love

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Nancy McGinity ends career at St. Bede

By Kelly White

Nancy McGinity dedicated her life to a school she loves in the neighborhood where she lives.

For the past 17 years, she has worked at St. Bede the Venerable School, 4440 W. 83rd St., showing a face of welcoming care and daily comfort within the elementary school community.

“I enjoyed working at St. Bede because I was able to build relationships with our staff, students and their families,” McGinity said. “I have met so many wonderful people throughout my 17 years at St. Bede School.”

For 12 of those years, she served as the school librarian, and for the past five, she has been the administrative secretary for Principal Sherry Stewart.

“Nancy McGinity has been an asset to St. Bede the Venerable School,” Stewart said. “She is the first person that our parents meet and speak with. She is the face of our school, and she knows every student by name.”

The job also holds personal ties for McGinity, who has lived in St. Bede Parish for 32 years. It was not only a place of work, but also a place of education for her three children who attended the school: John, ’04; Tim, ’07; and Molly, ’10.

“St. Bede has made an impact on my life because it offered me the unique opportunity to watch my own children grow and learn at the beginning of my career there,” McGinity said. “Since then, I have had the pleasure to witness and take part in creating the care and support that St. Bede has made on the community.”

A staple at the school, McGinity was declared the January School Hero during the pandemic by the Office of Catholic Schools through the Archdiocese of Chicago. However, that was not her only recognition over the years.

She also received St. Bede’s Heart of the School Award in 2020.

The Heart of the School is awarded the end of January during Catholic Schools Week. St. Bede acknowledges one person who has made an impact and truly is the heart of the school. The principal makes the final decision regarding the yearly recipient, but may survey staff for input. The identity of the year’s recipient remains a surprise until it is announced during Mass on Catholic Schools Week.

Both recognitions were well-deserved, Stewart said.

“Nancy is adored by our staff and community,” she added. “She has been the rock of our school and my rock as well. Her service was instrumental with keeping me updated concerning changing protocols during the COVID pandemic. I could not have had a better partner and friend. Nancy is a servant leader and truly cares about the entire St. Bede community. I hope she gets to relax and enjoy her retirement.”

McGinity reflected fondly about her time at St. Bede and what she will miss most about her career at the school.

“I will miss everything about St. Bede,” McGinity said. “Mrs. Stewart, the teachers, the aides, maintenance, rectory personnel, students and all of the families I have met over the years. I am grateful for all the time I have spent with everyone and the ability to create lasting friendships through my time there.”

McGinity plans to spend time at home during retirement, with her three children and traveling with her husband, John.