Grand marshal for St. Patrick’s Day parade: Sister Virginia Lake

Sister Virginia Lake, director of alumni at Bishop Kearney, has been granted the honor of serving as grand marshal for next year’s Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s parade, taking place on Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Lake, a Bay Ridge native, who grew up on 81st Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues went to Bishop Kearney, and returned years later to work in her alma mater.

“She’s a great choice,” said Donald Tremblay, spokesperson for the school, who worked over the years with her, noting, “The girls love her; they only have great things to say about her.”

Linda Mary Gallagher, vice president of the parade’s committee, knows Sister Virginia personally. She attended Bishop Kearney from 1988 through 1992, and described Lake as “an inspiration not just to her students, but to Catholic young women.

“I’m thrilled,” Gallagher said. “We hope to get all of Bay Ridge out, that day.”

Cathy Marra, a Kearney alumna, entered the school the same year Sister Virginia did. She was among the women to speak fondly of her. It was 1970, and shared a “special bond,” Marra remarked. “She has been an inspiration to so many Kearney women,” Marra commented. She considers her to be “the perfect choice, who always has time for you.

“Once a Kearney girl, always a Kearney girl,” Marra laughed. Both of her daughters, Lauren and Kristen, now 30 and 26 years old, had the pleasure of knowing Sister Virginia.

“She gets mobbed by graduates!” Marra added.

Frankie Marra, the president of the Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, agreed. “She’s an amazing role model,” he remarked.

On Sunday, October 21, Sister Virginia will be presented to the community as the parade’s grand marshal at a fundraiser, which will be taking place at the New Wicked Monk, located at 95th Street and Third Avenue. Canny Brothers, Brian Monaghan and the Narrowbacks will provide the entertainment of the afternoon, starting at 3 p.m.