CAMDEN — Faith Whalley’s ministry in the Diocese of Camden’s Office of Catholic Schools is an elementary lesson in numbers.
Three — the number of Camden’s buildings she has worked in (719 Cooper Street, 1845 Haddon Ave., and 15 North Seventh Street).
Five —the number of bishops she served under (Bishops George H. Guilfoyle, James T. McHugh, Nicholas DiMarzio, Joseph Galante and, now, Dennis Sullivan). Also, the number of popes during her ministry (Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis).
Six — the number of superintendents she reported to (Msgr. James Tracy, Msgr. Thomas McIntyre, David Coghlan, Sister Dawn Gear, Mary Boyle and Bill Watson).
And, the most important ones: 49, 11, 19 — respectively, the years, months and days of Whalley employment as secretary for the Office of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Camden. That’s a half-century of answering phone calls, transcribing correspondence, preparing teacher materials, paying bills, helping her colleagues locate files, and so much more.
Her first day on the job was July 13, 1970 and her last was July 1, 2020. A model of stability and dedication for the Catholic schools of South Jersey.
“I was 19 when I started, and I took a bus to work every day” from her Maple Shade home, Whalley said, in an interview a day before she cleared out her desk.
A product of Catholic schools herself (Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Maple Shade and Holy Cross High School in Delran, both in the Diocese of Trenton), she wanted to be a part of the church’s mission.
“With its discipline and teachings, Catholic schools add a different dimension. The students get a different perspective on the world,” she said.
For nearly 50 years, Whalley has been the point of contact between school parents, faculty and administration and the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools.
She will be missed, most profoundly by her colleagues.
“Faith has been a beacon of consistency,” said Bill Watson, Superintendent of Schools for the diocese. “Nobody will be able to do it like Faith. Not only will we miss her efficiency, but we will miss her welcome every morning, her sense of humor, and the personal, unique touch she brings to everything.”
Marianela Nunez, Field Consultant for the Latino Enrollment Program, said the “wealth of knowledge” of her “good friend” can’t be replaced. “Her memory skills are such, that she can pull any file. I’ve admired her work ethic, and perseverance,” she added.
The Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Sister Rose DiFluri, has spent the longest time working with Faith in the Schools office of anyone presently there — 25 years — and she recalled a dedicated and dependable co-worker who “had your back.”
“It will be strange not seeing her sitting at her desk,” Sister Rose said.
Mary Beth Peabody, Communications and Marketing Manager for Catholic Schools, called Faith a “walking encyclopedia of school and parish history. You can mention any school or parish and she knows what it used to be called. Who it merged with. Who was pastor or principal when….”
Whalley also helped to foster fellowship and camaraderie in the office, said Rosemary Schamp, School Business and Enrollment Management Specialist for schools.
“Faith was the best at keeping the office decorated for holidays and holy days. It was always cheerful to walk into the office throughout the year,” she said. “She especially went all out for our birthdays with matching decorations.”
During her time, Whalley has been present for the evolution of technology, from typewriters and carbon paper to Dells and photocopiers, and the advancements in education, from VHS to Zoom.
She has witnessed school closings, teacher strikes, mergers and, now, a coronavirus.
In retirement, she said, she will miss her diocesan colleagues. “They’re the best part of this place. They made the work environment a happy place,” she said.
What she won’t miss are the 5:30 a.m wake-up calls and Route 42 traffic.
The paperwork, meetings, and coffee break chats are behind her.
Ahead? Phone calls with friends (for now, until restrictions are lifted to accommodate physical visits), and shopping mall walks. School is out.
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