HFI Board Chair to Compete in Charity Challenge

On March 3, Holy Family Institute’s Board Chair, Mr. Allan P. Woods, will participate in the 16^th Annual Bulldog Challenge at the Citadel. His four-person team will complete a 6-mile United States Marine Corps obstacle course while lugging 25-pound sandbags.

Mr. Woods and his team members, John Feldman, Tom Peck and Frank Zaubi are committed to fitness and conditioning, as well as raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project. All four men, who are being trained by Lake House Director Nic Porter, are over age 60 and determined to win the 60+ Division in record time.

Good Luck to Mr. Woods, his team, and the other supporters of this worthy cause. For more information about the event or the Wounded Warrior Project, please visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Holy Family Mourns Loss of Longtime Friend and Supporter

We are very saddened to announce the passing of our longtime friend and former board member, Thomas J. Murrin, who died on Monday, February 6 at his home in McCandless with his wife, Dee, and their eight children at his side. He was 82 years old.

Mr. Murrin was guided by a strong Catholic faith and was active in several parish communities. He became involved with Holy Family Institute shortly after our organization experienced a devastating fire in 1984, and he was a key player in helping to raise funds needed for the rebuilding effort. In 2000, he joined the Holy Family Institute for Learning Abilities Board of Trustees, with a focus on working to help children overcome learning disabilities. In 2002, the board became Holy Family Learning and Mr. Murrin was appointed chairman, serving a total of nine years. Sister Linda Yankoski remembers Mr. Murrin with fondness, recalling that no matter where he was dining, he always made it a point to acknowledge and thank every restaurant server he encountered. We are incredibly grateful for his friendship and longtime dedication to our organization and the children and families we serve.

Born in New York City, Mr. Murrin worked as an elevator operator as a teenager before attending Fordham University on a football scholarship. Mr. Murrin had a long and noteworthy career as president of Westinghouse’s energy and advanced technology group, and after retirement, he was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to serve as deputy commerce secretary. Additionally, he was named dean of the business school at Duquesne University, where he had served as chairman of the board. He served on numerous other boards and organizations, including the Allegheny County Airport Authority and Mercy Hospital.

Mr. Murrin is survived by his wife, Dee, who he married in 1951, and eight children, twelve grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

His full obituary may be found here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12034/1207818-122-0.stm#ixzz1mHPvgKni

Calling All Female Artists for Celebration of Women’s History Month!

Join us for an evening honoring Women’s History Month with artwork created by the female residential students of the HFI Cathy Pelusi Art Studio and regional female artists. The event is free to the public.

Thursday, March 29, 2012
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
August Wilson Center
980 Liberty Avenue (Downtown)

The evening will include musical dance, poetry, a raffle and food, and is free to the public.

We are seeking original art for donation (drawings, paintings, fabric art, sculpture) created by Holy Family staff, sisters or volunteers. Please have submissions labeled with artist’s name, the title of the piece, and thoughts on the creative process. Any female artist is invited to create an original piece of art with the students on Tuesdays at the trailer.

Donated work will be given to terminally ill women at the hospital. All other work will be returned if desired. Please make a note of this when submitting your work.

Please call 412-766-9020 x268 or contact Amy DiMichele for more information.

WOMEN IN ART 2011 HFI CALL FOR ARTISTS WILSON CENTER 2012_1