Ladies of Charity
Of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
Making a Difference
Our Mission: We provide practical and spiritual support to those facing life’s challenges: illness, isolation and unmet immediate needs through member and volunteer efforts and donor generosity
Rosemary Assenso
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Our Board of Directors
Dorothy Bertucci
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Veronica Darcy
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Kate Duffy
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Mary Duffy
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Debbie Keogh
Debbie Keogh serves several roles with the LOC. She is the creator and founder of the ASK Ministry and was named the Manhattan Deanery Chair in December 2018. She has been an LOC member since June 2016 and became a Board member in September 2017. She is a native of England, and moved to NYC with her husband and two daughters in 2007.
Debbie was introduced to the LOC through her service work at the Epiphany Parish in Manhattan. When asked why she devotes her time to the LOC she replied, “I love that we have a opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sister in our local community. Whether it be, knitting for the layette ministry, or providing information for seniors on what help and resources are available to them in NYC, or delivering Gifts of Comfort to residents at nursing homes, I want us to strive to be the face of Jesus to all those we meet, and that through our actions, however small they may be, that people know that they are known and loved.”
Debbie’s message to you, “Because we are called to be Christ’s disciples, and we have a responsibility to share our time, talent and treasures with those who are in need. Being a Lady of Charity provides a wonderful opportunity to serve God and to serve others… what could be better than that?”
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Have questions? Email Debbie at debbiej.keogh@gmail.com
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Therese Meany
Therese Meany joined the Ladies of Charity in 2008, after attending a number of LOC events, at the invitation of the head of the Manhattan Deanery at the time, Gloria Gannon. Therese was drawn to the mission of helping mothers with newborn babies and stays engaged as the ministry outreach of the Ladies of Charity has expanded.
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Therese is a very active and “hand on” member of the Manhattan Deanery. She volunteers her time assisting parishioners at ASK and packing and delivering Gifts of Comfort to the homebound and residents of nursing homes. Her dedication comes from a deep belief in the mission of the Ladies of Charity and a desire to be of service in her community, in a very personal way. She also appreciates all the opportunities for social interaction the LOC provides. Her reasons for being so involved are the same reasons she would encourage prospective members and volunteers to get involved.
Therese is a very involved parishioner at Epiphany Parish in Manhattan where she is both a lector and Eucharistic Minister. In addition to her work on behalf of LOC ministries, Therese Meany serves as the Secretary of the LOC Board of Directors
Joann Pastore
Joann joined the Ladies of Charity In 1999, She had recently attended a meeting at the invitation of a friend and was immediately moved. Of that first meeting she recalls, “St. Vincent DePaul’s words in our Act of Consecration prayer awakened in me a spiritual desire to fulfill acts of charity. A desire to commit myself to a spiritual, prideful, and most worthy organization is a privilege.”
From her earliest days of LOC membership, to her present position as Staten Island Deanery Chair and member of the Board, Joann has been committed to growing our ministries, expanding the outreach of the LOC and working towards the revitalization of the Ladies of Charity.
Joann’s message to prospective members or volunteers, “Dedicating oneself to LOC in our ongoing pursuit of assisting the less fortunate through our various ministries will bring everlasting joy to your heart, as it does mine.” She looks forward to welcoming new members and volunteers as we strive to offer meaningful help to those in need.
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Susan Marie Grady
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Catherine Lenihan
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JoAnn McGrane
JoAnn McGrane joined the Ladies of Charity in 2015 after a member of her parish encouraged her to join. JoAnn had just suffered the loss of her husband and both the volunteer activities and the opportunity for social interaction were of interest. Given her past experience in volunteer work she felt it would be a good fit.
Leveraging the expertise she gained over a very successful business career, JoAnn quickly took on increased responsibility within the organization, resulting in her becoming a member of the Board of Directors. Today JoAnn is a Vice President of the Board and the Chair of the Finance Committee of the Board. In addition to those responsibilities, JoAnn also serves as the Chair of the Layette Ministry, where she works with deanery representatives to coordinate the procurement of layette items, the assembly of layettes and the delivery of layettes to our partner organizations.
Reflecting on her experience with the LOC she says, “When I first joined LOC, I thought it would be my time to give back. However, I find the time I spend as Layette Chair and Vice President, working with other members to accomplish our Mission, is more rewarding than I could have imagined.”
When asked what she would say to a prospective member or volunteer, JoAnn says, “The LOC provides its members with opportunities to truly make a difference in the lives of those in need. It also provides a wonderful level of support and friendship for members. I would encourage anyone who seeks to make a difference, if only on a small personal level, to join us; together we can accomplish much.”
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Kay Ryan
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Ellen Stein
Ellen Stein joined the Ladies of Charity in 2001. She was director of volunteers at Cabrini Center for nursing and was recruited to join the LOC by one of her volunteers. Ellen gets a deep sense of satisfaction in being with like-minded women of faith doing good works.
Ellen joined the LOB Board in 2014 and has recently become the Chair of the Gifts of Comfort ministry where she coordinates all aspects of this ministry for the homebound and residents of nursing homes who are so in need our help and company.
Ellen’s message to someone considering joining the LOC pr becoming a volunteer: “Do it for yourself and for the organization. You will strengthen the LOC and reap many benefits for yourself.”
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