LYNN — St. Mary’s inducted nine new members into the school’s Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the school Thursday night.
The St. Mary’s Hall of Fame honors alumni and friends who have exemplified St. Mary’s pillars for success: Catholic, excellence, integrity, and respect. Inductees are chosen for their service to the St. Mary’s community and their altruistic generosity toward others.
Inducted this year were: Michele Durgin (posthumous); Roger Ennis ’72; George Essery; Kevin Maguire ’88; the Mitchell Family: Kevin Mitchell, ’65, Dr. Brian Mitchell ’66, Jeanne (Mitchell) McDonald ’68, Chris Mitchell ’70; and Patrick Reddy ’06 (posthumous).
Michele Durgin came to St. Mary’s when the middle school was starting, serving as both a classroom teacher and lead administrator as the enrollment grew by more than 400 percent in 14 years. The school was more her home than her job, and she was a constant presence at sporting events and other extracurricular activities. Durgin, who worked at St. Mary’s for 23 years, also taught in Lynn Public Schools and did some writing for the Daily Item.
As the eldest of the siblings, Kevin Mitchell helped lead the way for his brothers and sister. After St. Mary’s, he studied Hotel and Restaurant Management at UMass, preparing him for a career that combined leadership and hospitality. He later managed the Harp and Bard Restaurant for 12 years. Mitchell worked for the Archdiocese of Boston and enjoyed a 30-year career in the gaming and entertainment industry.
At St. Mary’s Brian Mitchell was co-editor of the Mariscope, served on the Student Council and ran track. He graduated from Bowdoin College and the University of Pittsburgh Medical School, and worked as an internal medicine specialist in North Carolina for almost 50 years. In 2022 he received the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, the highest honor the governor can bestow.
After graduating from St. Mary’s, Jeanne (Mitchell) McDonald continued her education at Cardinal Cushing College, American International College, and Boston State College. She dedicated 35 years to teaching special education. McDonald spent 16 years helping run the family’s restaurants, the Harp and Bard and the Jaunting Car. She helped co-found Family Partnerships of the Northeast and the New Hope Coalition.
Chris Mitchell has served 23 years as a correspondent for the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in the Middle East. Based in Jerusalem, he has also reported from the Vatican, Turkey, and Libya. He has covered numerous conflicts between Israel and its neighbors, including the most recent Israel-Hamas confrontation in Gaza. Having received numerous awards for his work, Mitchell has also authored several books and is host and producer of the weekly news show “Jerusalem Dateline.” He and his wife, Liz, have three adult children.
A multi-sport athlete, Roger Ennis excelled in and out of the classroom and went on to attend Bridgewater State University. Ennis’ biggest victory in life came when he conquered addiction and became a servant for recovery programs. He has been in recovery for more than 30 years and has helped others choose positive alternatives to drugs and alcohol. After earning an associate’s degree later in life, he received his bachelor’s degree from Salem State University at the age of 64. Ennis worked for the City of Lynn for more than 25 years, retiring as the chief building inspector in 2019. He coached in West Lynn Little League and Sacred Heart CYO basketball.
George Essery is a lifelong Lynn resident, U.S. Navy veteran, and dedicated member of the St. Mary’s parish and school community. After serving in World War II, he built a 64-year career at General Electric, rising from the drafting department to management, where he led engineering teams on critical aircraft engine programs. Essery and his late wife, Violet—also a longtime GE employee—were married at St. Mary’s Church in 1949 and remained devoted to the parish throughout their lives. In memory of Violet and their shared commitment to education and faith, Essery donated to St. Mary’s to support student scholarships.
After graduating from St. Mary’s, Kevin Maguire went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at Merrimack College and an MBA at Mercer University’s Stetson School of Business and Economics. He is a principal at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Boston, where he has worked for 23 years. Maguire, whose father, Terrence, was a member of the St. Mary’s Class of 1952, is a longtime supporter of the St. Mary’s Golf Open, Varsity Club, and Cushing Society celebration. He served on the board of trustees and is currently a member of the board of advisors. Maguire’s three children graduated from St. Mary’s: Jack ’19, Owen ’20, and Riley ’25. After his wife, Terri, passed away in 2018, he established an endowed scholarship in her memory, the Terri Maguire Memorial Scholarship. Since 2019, it has raised more than $50,000 and the scholarship has been awarded to 27 students.
In the 145 years that St. Mary’s has been educating students, there have been few sadder days than the one in January 2007 when word came that Patrick Reddy tragically passed away in a car accident in Maine, where he was attending Bridgton Academy as a post-graduate student. Reddy was an outstanding student-athlete, serving as captain of the hockey team that made it to the sectional final. Reddy’s family established the Patrick Reddy ’06 Memorial Scholarship, which goes to students who have demonstrated academic improvement while at St. Mary’s, as well as a positive attitude and pleasant demeanor. The scholarship fund has raised more than $160,000 and supported St. Mary’s students for almost 20 years.
