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“The friendships I made at
Christine Kucharski Abell ‘83 Cor Jesu were really special,
and it was very evident while
DONOR HIGHLIGHT my mom was sick,” Chris said.
Sandy passed away in March
1997. Chris honored her
In 1997, Christine (Chris) Kucharski Abell ‘83 established The
Alexandra Kucharski Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory with the scholarship, giving
of her mom. The scholarship provides financial assistance to more young women and
Cor Jesu Academy students in need, helping fulfill Alexandra’s parents the opportunity to
(Sandy’s) wish that every girl who wants to attend Cor Jesu is experience CJ, just as the Sandy and Ray Kucharski
given the opportunity, despite their financial situation. Kucharski’s did. Twenty years
later, Ray reunited with his
Alexandra and her husband, Ray, always put education and faith wife in heaven and his name was added, making it The Alexandra
at the center of their family’s lives, and Cor Jesu was the perfect and Raymond Kucharski Endowed Scholarship Fund.
fit.
“My four years at Cor Jesu were some of the most impactful
“They became just as involved at CJ as I did,” Chris said. “I loved years of my entire life, and my parents valued that,” Chris said.
coming home from school and telling my parents about my day. “They not only loved the experience I had, but they loved the
They knew the teachers, friends or archrival schools that I would experience they had as CJ parents - watching my friends and I
talk about. CJ was so much a part of our lives that while my grow into confident young women, ready to take on the world.”
brother was ill, we prayed to the Sacred Heart for his recovery.
Once he did, in fact, recover, we dedicated our house to the Chris is proud to have her parents’ legacy carried on at CJ
Sacred Heart. Sr. Theodore came to help with the dedication, because education was such an important piece of their lives.
which made it extra special.” After high school, she attended Saint Louis University, double
majoring in accounting and finance. Chris and her siblings are
While Chris was a student participating in choir, the musicals, first-generation college graduates, and she is grateful for how
or attending Charger sporting events, Sandy was volunteering hard her parents worked to give her a solid foundation in high
with Sr. Theodore in the library and was the Food Chair for the school that helped her not only get into college, but also excel in
auction during Chris’ senior year. Ray spent his free evenings college and in her career.
with the Father’s Club performing general maintenance around
the school. Today, Chris is a partner at CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP and lives in
Phoenix with her husband, Pete, and dog, Fred. Prior to settling
Even after Chris graduated, Cor Jesu was a family to the in Phoenix, she served as President of the Cor Jesu Academy
Kucharski’s. When Sandy became sick with cancer, the CJ Alumnae Association, and even from afar, Chris continues to
family jumped into action. Whether it was a well-wishes card support Cor Jesu. Like all CJ alumnae, Chris will be part of the CJ
from a classmate, a prayer, a visit or a home-cooked meal, the family forever.
Kucharski’s felt the love of the CJ community.

9|Sacred Heart of Jesus