Name: Joanne Ford Brezette
What year did you graduation from STA: 1958
After STA, you graduated from: St. Agnes Academy, 1962 & St. Vincent School of Nursing, 1965
Where do you live now? Near Nora in Indianapolis
Please tell us about your family: Both my parents and my grandparents helped form my spiritual life as they led by example. I never questioned or felt the need to question my Faith. I enjoyed even making short visits into church before games. To me, though, it was always a private matter; whereas, now, they want us to be more like evangelizers. I’m getting more comfortable saying Grace before meals while out in public now (and that’s a good thing)!
What is your favorite STA memory? My favorite STA memory probably involves representing STA in the Times Spelling Bee; however, it ended embarrassingly when I said the word I heard and spelled it correctly, but they said that wasn’t the correct word!! While I hated going back to STA and telling the principal, Sr. Thomas Carson, that I was out in the third round, she and my parents both supported me and made me feel better about it. By the way, the word they said I was given was ‘gallon’, and I spelled a harder word ‘gallant’!
Other favorite memories include going to my brother’s games of football, basketball, and baseball, where my father coached along with one of his best friends, who happened to be the father of my best friend. I also loved kickball
What do you like to do in your spare time? In my “spare” time, I LOVE following whatever the grandchildren are doing, and visiting with family and friends! I enjoy doing crosswords, watching ducks and geese and many birds and deer (just outside my window)! My routine includes enjoying Jeopardy, Hallmark movies, western shows, and comedies. I also enjoy cooking and baking.
What words of advice would you offer a current STA student? My advice would be to develop your own opinions about your positive traits and learn to be self-confident and assured of your decisions, even if they differ from your peers!
Is there any other information you would like to share about yourself? I married another STA graduate, who was 2 years older and in my brother’s class….Fran Brezette. As a nurse, I worked several places, the first was in the old St.Vincent ER, the last place at St.Vincent Stress Center. I was a stay at home mom while I had 5 children in 7 years, then another baby 8 and 1/2 years later. I grew up being loyal to Cathedral H.S., where I was a cheerleader and my father and older brother attended. My children all attended St.Luke grade school and Bishop Chatard H.S. One brother is Athletic Director there, and another brother is the Golf coach. 2 sisters live in Charleston, S.Carolina. All of my children live within a few miles from me, so I’m very lucky all my grandchildren are close by! One grandson now attends STA and that’s very special……HE’S very special (Louie Collins)! Another granddaughter plans to attend BCHS next year!