Memorial and Honorary Fund Highlight

Over the years, the menu of memorial and honorary funds established at Mater Dei has greatly increased, extending the volume of support we provide our current students while honoring the life of a loved one who was passionate about a Mater Dei education. Through the Mater Dei Monarch Foundation, the memory and legacy of the funds’ namesake will live into perpetuity through our endowment. In this year’s impact report, we are pleased to highlight two special funds. For more information about our memorial and honorary fund giving program, please contact Kathleen Kelly ‘94, Director of Alumni & Estate Giving at (714) 850-9536 or kkelly@materdei.org.

TED AND JOSIE LUMARDA SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Joe Lumarda ‘78 is forever grateful for the gift of his Catholic education at Mater Dei High School. A few years ago, he established the Ted and Josie Lumarda Scholarship Fund as a tribute to his late parents (pictured left with him in 1987 the night before his graduation and commissioning ceremonty at Aviation Officer Candidate School at Naval Air Station Pensacola).

Ted and Josie Lumarda were immigrants from the Philippines and spent decades in service to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. His father served as a gardener, driver and all around “guy” while his mother worked as a housekeeper. Growing up across the street from the convent (“or motherhouse”), “I had a one-of-a-kind family: one father, two mothers and hundreds of sisters. My parents were not just employees, but valued members of a community,” Joe said.

The Ted and Josie Lumarda Scholarship Fund provides need-based financial aid to current Monarchs who are the children of parents working in the service industry. Joe feels passionately about the sacrifice his parents made to provide him with a Catholic education and wants to ensure the same opportunity for current and future generations of Monarchs.

MICHAEL MOTHERWAY ‘86 FINANCIAL AID FUND

Michael Motherway ‘86 was a beloved father, husband, friend, and classmate whose life was cut short by ALS. As ALS slowly stole Mike’s physical strength, his unshakable faith, courage, humor, and humility became a source of inspiration and awe to those around him. His spiritual transcendence is the legacy he leaves to his wife, Julia; their children, Billy ‘18 and Cecilia ‘21 (pictured left); and countless others who knew and loved him.

During his illness, Michael’s Mater Dei family came together to support him physically, spiritually, and financially. A fund was created to help with mounting medical expenses as well as fighting to find a cure for ALS. Following Mike’s passing on May 7, 2015, the Motherway Family created the Michael Motherway ’86 Financial Aid Fund to continue his legacy at Mater Dei and support Monarchs who otherwise may not be able to attain the Monarch experience Michael loved so very much.

As a student at Mater Dei, Michael was a member of ASB, a standout football player, a lead in the Senior Musical; and an outstanding Monarch loved by all. Following graduation, he went on to Princeton. After Princeton, Mike earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and became a successful entrepreneur.

Michael’s legacy lives on through this fund as well as the annual Motherway tailgate fundraiser. For the past eight years, this fund has grown to support many Monarchs in need. In addition, an endowment has been created that is very near to allowing this annual grant to being self-sustaining, which will ensure Michael’s memory lives on at Mater Dei forever.