Monarchs in our Prayers

Prayers for comfort and healing for those who are ill:

 

Harrison Schaen '03 - suffered a brain bleed and has undergone two emergency brain surgeries. He is in a medically induced coma. Read More.

Michael Rssch '98 - is undergoing treatment for colon cancer.

 

Susie Bennett '84 - suffered a stroke in May 2025. 

 

Jennessa Payne Davis '07 - lost her home in the devastating January 2025 fires in Los Angeles.  Please keep Jennessa, her husband and her son in your prayers as they rebuild.

 

Chetna Desai - former MDHS Librarian - a note from her son:

"Mrs. Desai was recently diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia. The last couple years have been pretty tough for her, but I know that her work at Mater Dei, especially with the many students who came through the library, was a highlight of her life. I know everyone has moved on from high school, they have their own lives, families, children, jobs, etc. but it would mean the world if you could reach out and share stories, give her a call, or stop by to see her. She still has random ceramics projects and paintings students gave her, but if you have any photos, stories, crafts, anything from your time at Mater Dei High School you think might have fond memories, please send me a message.  We do not want anything monetary. No gofundme, nothing like that. I just want her to remember and know how loved she is before she isn't able to at all. If you have any questions or would like to try and arrange a time to visit, send me a message."  If you would like to visit or share a messages for Mrs. Dasai, please reach out to [email protected].

 

Rob Dust - husband of Susie Otis Dust '83 was diagnosed with brain cancer. Read More.

 

Tom Kelly '67 - was diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment.

 

Juanita Vasquez '77 - was recently diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment. 

 

Aaron Cross '13 - was in a devastating car accident in March 2023.  He suffered major injuries and is hospitalized at Vanderbilt Hospital. Read More. 

 

Jeremy Roberts '10 - was in a motorcycle accident on December 7, 2022 and sustained multiple major injuries.  Read More. 

 

Maricela Pena-Iglesias '91 - is battling a recurrence of breast cancer. 

James Tobin '73 - was diagnosed in 2005 with a rare tumor cancer. He continues to undergo constant treatment. He is grateful for your prayers. Read More.

May They Rest in God's Eternal Peace.
Prayers of comfort and healing to the family and friends of the following Monarchs who have passed away:

 

Michael Alaniz '70 - passed away unexpectedly on August 3, 2025. 

Anna Halloran Jacob '80 - Passed away in July 2025.

Mary Billinghurst Cory '58 - passed away peacefully on July 15, surrounded by her loving family. Obituary.

Richard Reimann '61 - passed away on July 15. Obituary.

John Markel '62 - passed away on June 28, 2025 surrounded by his loving family.

Anthony Stella '84 - passed away on June 6, 2025 surrounded by his family following a battle with cancer. Obituary.

Deborah Cheney Varos '83 - passed away on May 29, 2025. Obituary.

Arthur Milan '72 - passed away on May 9, 2025.  He will be laid to rest on Friday, June 27, 10:30 a.m. at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery. 

Mary Ann Bonkowski Duderstadt '64 - passed away on May 6, 2025. Obituary.

Art Milan '72 - passed away on May 8, 2025 following a long battle with cancer. 

Pat Chamberlain '94 - husband of Nicole Mira '94, father of Kelli '20 & Gracie '24 and brother of Chrissy '01, passed away on May 12 following a battle with NUT Carcinoma.

Susana Ulloa Partida - Mater Dei parent of Cassandra '25 and Natalie '29 passed away in May 2025 following her battle with cancer.

Michael Lewicki '80 - passed away on April 20, 2025. 

Tony Witkay '64 - passed away on April 20, 2025. Tony's funeral will be held on May 7, 11 a.m. at San Antonio De Padua. Obituary. 

Sterling O'Hara - wife of Brendan O'Hara '06 passed away on April 16, 2025. Obituary.

Kathy Devaney Edwards '62 - passed away on March 3, 2025.

Ross Smith, lifetime parent of Yvonne Smith Wasson '84 and grandfather of Kate '18, Lauren '20 and Olivia Wasson '22 passed away in March 2025. 

Betsy Brennan '72 - passed away on March 19, 2025.

Jude Kaufman '76 - passed away on January 15, 2025. Obituary. 

Brian Lapworth '62 - passed away  on January 15, 2025. 

Herb Garza '62 - MD graduate, parent and grandparent passed away in January 2025 after a battle with cancer. 

Cole Constantino '22 - passed away on 12/9/2024. 

Tiffany Terry '84 - passed away on 11/26/2024 from a rare form of cancer, HLRCC. 

Mike Meoli '70 - passed away on 11/13/24 due to injuries incurred following a traffic accident. Read More.

Tom Haupert '59 - passed away on December 8, 2025. Obituary.
Bonnie Haupert - wife of Tom '58, mother of Christy '89, Amy '86, Pam Sullivan '83 passed away on October 16. Obituary.

Patrick Woepse '12 - passed away on October 10 following a battle  with a rare form of aggressive lung cancer, NUT Carcinoma. Read More and funeral information.

John O'Connor - Mater Dei parent, grandparent, supporter and super fan, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2024. 

Luzzie Rose Milliante '91 - passed away on September 3, 2024 due to cancer complications. Obituary.

April Quigley '61 - passed away in August 2024.

Senta Bergdhal '86 - passed away late August 2024. 

Timothy Sandel '83 - passed away on August 24 after battling kidney cancer. 

Marcos Corona - MDHS World Languages Teacher, father of Mia '25 and Alessandro, age 11 and husband to Nancy passed away on August 21.

Andrea Magallanze Garcia '55 - passed away on August 18, 2024.

Carolyn Marie Guerra '83 - passed away on July 22, 2024.  She is survived by her 2 sons as well as her sister, Cathy '93 and her mother, Bernadine Perez. 

Monica Behrens Stein '73 - passed away on July 6, 2024. Obituary.

 

Jeanne Little - mother of Emily '93 and Greg '95 and the Mater Dei Library director, 1987-1995, passed away in early July 2024.