St. Agatha Alumni Biographies

James M Beaner
Born in Washington D.C. on November 16 1944 to Gloria and James Beaner. Jim, raised by his maternal grandmother Helen Trott, was sent to St. Agatha's due to his grandmother's illness. He spent 10 - 15 years at St. Agatha's, then moved into a rooming house in Nyack. He graduated from Nyack High School in 1962, then attended Rockland Community College, then a Salon/Beauty School in Nanuet. Jim married Susan Tomajko of Nyack in 1968. They had one son, James Jr. Jim started his career as a hair stylist out of his apartment, then later bought his own shop "Village People". He was an active collector of African artifacts and original works. He was deeply involved in many community associations including the "Rockland Coilition to Undo Racism" to name only one. Jim died on October 23 2004 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY. following a brief illness. He was at St. Agatha in the 1940s and 1950s. Jim leaves to mourn him, wife Susan, son James, three grandchildren, One sister, Gloria Daniel Ani-Agyei, three nephews, one niece, seven grandnieces, Five great-nephews, and a multitude of loving friends and acquaintances. James Beaner was a good person and will be sorely missed.

Ernest Lawson
St. Agatha from 1930 to 1936. Worked in NYC until he joined the Navy in Feb. 1944. Served in the South Pacific and received many many battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. Discharged in 1946. He joined a traveling carnival, which became his livelihood until his death in 1992. He never married.

James Lawson
St. Agatha from 1930 to 1936, then St. Agnes. Joined the Navy in May 1941 and served in the South Pacific. Discharged in 1946 and settled out West. Managed a commercial laundry. Married Shirley Johnson, no children. Jim died in 1966.

Julia Lawson Pandolf
St.Agatha from 1930 to 1936. Went to live with Aunt. Entered teachers college with her sister Margie. Met Bill Pandolf, married, and had a son, Bill, Jr. Julie died 1944. Her son lives abroad today.

Margaret Lawson Cross DiGennaro
St. Agatha from 1930 to 1936. Joined her sister Julie in teachers college. Met John Cross, married, and had a son, Mickey. Her second husband was Rudy DiGennaro, and they had a son, Steve, and a daughter, Carol. Margie died 1986. Son Mickey died 1987. Son Steve lives today on Long Island with two children and two g-children. Daughter Carol today lives in Nevada.

William Lawson
St. Agatha from 1930 to 1935. Banged around NYC, working in garages, spent a year in the CCC's in Oregon, worked in a defense plant, went to night high school, joined the Navy December 1943, saw no action, learned electronics, discharged in 1946. Used the GI bill to get an electrical engineering degree. Married Elizabeth Puckett, no children. Worked on government electronics, like radar, missiles and satellites. Retired since 1974. Beth died in 1998. Now I'm 84 yrs old. [Nov. 2003]