St. Thomas Council Names Gannaway Family as November 2021 Family of the Month
-
November 28, 2021The Knights of Columbus St. Thomas Council has selected the family of Steven and Mary Gannaway as family of the month for November.
Steve was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. He went to St. Mark’s Catholic Elementary School. He attended the Crosier High School Seminary and then went on to obtain a Batchelder’s degree in theology and history at the University of St. Thomas.
Steve was the director of Adult Religious Education for the Fargo Diocese of North Dakota and taught theology and coached basketball at Shanley High School.
He earned a master’s degree in religious education at Providence College where he met Mary Gillings, who was beginning her pre - requisite classes to earn a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry.
After arriving in Maine, Steve earned a master’s in computer science from USM. He was a computer professor at USM, taught math and computers at Windham High School and math at Sanford Adult Ed.
Steve lectored at St. Therese Parish and taught religious education. Steve is also a knight in the St. Thomas Knights of Columbus Council 13861.
Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from UNH and a Masters in Exceptionality from USM.
She taught music in the Sanford Schools for forty-three years, taught flute lessons and was an adjunct theater professor at York Community College.
Mary directed the youth choir at St. Ignatius, taught religions education and a was a lector.
Steve and Mary have been married for thirty-six years. They have three children, Rick who is a computer engineer in Portland, Brigid Mary who is waiting for them in Heaven and Soriya who is a cook and personal care attendant.
In the Sanford community Steve coached little league baseball and soccer and Mary taught youth theater.
They also have done humanitarian work for Cambodian refugees and other projects in our community.
Steve and Mary are members of the ACTS program, as well as Maine Right to life.
What is most important to Steve and Mary is receiving the Sacraments, praying the rosary, the St. Bridget’s prayer, Divine Mercy Chaplet, St. Gertrude’s prayer, spending time with their children, friends, family and trying to live their faith.
The St. Therese of Lisieux Parish is grateful for the many contributions that Steve and Mary Gannaway have made to our faith community. We are blessed to have them as part of our family!
Left to right: Steve and Mary Gannaway