Sheila McHenry's Gift Impacts Our Girls Into the Future

Several years ago, after learning about alternative ways to give, Sheila McHenry '62 and her husband, Bill, designated Notre Dame Preparatory School (NDP) as a beneficiary of life insurance policy. As the parents of four children and the grandparents of 14, they wanted to give back to NDP in a way that did not require a large cash gift and would not compromise their ability to help their family.

Sheila and Bill's gift will one day fund the Catherine Joan McDonnell Scholarship Fund, named in memory of Sheila's mother and designed to benefit middle-income students who otherwise would be unable to afford an NDP education.

Looking back fondly on her 12 years at NDP, Sheila wanted other young women to have the same NDP experience she has valued throughout her life. She appreciates not only the academic and moral foundation she received but also the way she was encouraged to express her opinions with confidence. The lessons she learned about teamwork through Gym Meet, and the way students lived the mission through service work, have stayed with her. She also developed lifelong friendships.

While appreciating NDP's new programs and opportunities, Sheila knows the mission has remained constant. "I still remember Sister Helen Marie telling us 'to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with God,'" she says. "Although it is not always easy to follow these words, they have stuck with me for my entire life."

Thanks to Sheila's love of her alma mater and generous planned gift, future generations of young women will have the opportunity to attend NDP, where they will learn—and learn to live—the words of the prophet Micah, words that continue to echo throughout our halls on Hampton Lane.

Like Sheila and Bill, you can also impact our students in the future. To learn more, please contact Roxanne Fiddler at 410.583.8797 or fiddlerr@notredameprep.com.