Montini Catholic librarian and alumni parent, Estelle Soger (Lombard) is celebrating thirty years at Montini Catholic as she announces her retirement.

"Thirty years ago I read an ad about a job opening for a librarian at Montini," recalls Estelle, who, at that time, had three daughters* attending St. Pius X Parish School in Lombard. "We wanted them to attend Montini for high school, but weren’t sure if we could afford the tuition. I had been a stay-at-home mom, but it was time for me to head back to work full time." Estelle, a parishioner at St. Piux X, had been subbing at St. Pius school and knew Mr. Rick Cronquist (principal) well. "Mr. Cronquist was also on the Montini School Board. I asked him if I could use him as a reference. My interview with Brother Chris went really well and after he talked to Rick, he called to offer me the job."  And, so began a new, 30-year chapter, in her life at Montini Catholic.

"My first big job was taking the print card catalog and putting it into a digital form. The library's first three computers had DOS programs with CD ROM drives," she recalls. Since that first year, Estelle has witnessed a constant and exciting evolution of Montini's library - accommodating updated/modern needs with each new generation of Broncos.

A big change during her tenure occurred in 2005 during Phase II of Montini's Capital Campaign and the design of the new library, renamed the Ed & Pam Mack Learning Resource Center.   "How exciting it was to choose things that were important to me as a librarian!" After the renovation, Estelle was made a member of the Technology Task Force to help facilitate Montini's move from computer labs to one-to-one iPads (2014). "My daughter Shannon was already working for Apple corporation and helped us transition into this new phase of education. It was so neat to see my daughter who had been a student here, teaching some of her former teachers this new technology." It was after this phase that Estelle began the move to purchasing more on-line resources for Bronco students. "I still love physical books and help pull books for the many student research projects when required."

The next vision for Montini's LRC, which Estelle is happy to have been a part of, happened in 2020 with the reimagining of its interior space into a more collaborative and modern student area. "The new design allows our students to work on group projects more easily. During this phase, six Apple TV’s were added to the LRC as well as moveable, comfy seats." 

In addition to being Montini's librarian, Estelle has fulfilled many other roles throughout her thirty years in the Montini Catholic family. "When you work at a Catholic school - you don’t do ‘just one thing,'" she said. "I helped Br. Joe Seiler before taking over his role as locker director. Every summer, I changed locker combinations and put in new locks. Back in the early days, only half the students got long lockers; the rest would get two half lockers. Students were hard pressed to get their coats, their backpacks and their books into these half lockers. So when Driscoll closed, I was able to get their long lockers moved over - meaning all our lockers had to be renumbered. Flip (Kathy Filipiak, Montini's former Assistant Principal) also remembers taking on that huge task with me! I then assigned lockers to all the students. (Montini Catholic dean) Anne Westerkamp ('84) remembers when many students would switch lockers on us to be next to their friends. My solution? I would try to put groups of students together who were friends - or at least involved in the same activities." 

Estelle also worked as Montini's yearbook moderator for several years. "Our good friend, Sue Musil, died unexpectedly and there was no one to take over the yearbook moderator position. I knew nothing about producing a yearbook, but I’ve always loved taking pictures. I talked (former Montini Art teacher) Wanda Drabik into co-moderating this huge task, while teaching me the ropes. From Wanda, to Sue Martin and from Sue to Jessica (Sippel) Rodriguez we produced eleven awesome yearbooks with indexes and supplements."

With the death of her daughter, Megan (2013), Estelle stepped out of her yearbook moderator role. "The Montini family was so supportive to our family during this very difficult time. My faith has always been important to me which I feel is why the Lord led me here." 

Perhaps as a way to nurture her own faith-life after daughter, Megan's, passing, Estelle took an active leadership role in Montini Campus Ministry's Kairos Retreat program. "When (Assistant Campus Minister) Kelly Davis first came to Montini seventeen years ago, she was looking for leader help. I told her I had helped out on a couple retreats and could help her. Our first retreat was held on a weekend and had just a few participants. This program has now grown into two solid senior retreats each year; of which I’ve attended at least one ever since."  Estelle continues to assist Montini's Campus Ministry program, chaperoning Junior Retreats as well as the annual Sophomore Day of Service event. "For a few years, I would even drive our minibus out to LaSalle Manor to rake leaves!" 

She is also honored to serve as a Eucharist Minister at school masses. " Being a Eucharistic Minister here has also been a way to connect with students."

Montini's Theatre Department has also benefited from Estelle's services and her dedication to touching hearts. "I’ve always loved the theater and when (teacher) Gina Gasbarre left Montini, Dr. Di Matheson asked if I could help out in the role of House Manager. So for the past several years I’ve created and sold tickets to Fall Plays, Spring Musicals and concerts! When the theater was upgraded I created a new seating chart too! I’ve worked with many National Honor Society students in their role as ushers for these events. And when (alumni parent and lunch coordinator) Chris Ernat left, I also took over the role of selling concessions. I’m so happy I’ve gotten to work with (Montini's Theatre Director) Jackie Martin in her new role. The plays this year have been awesome!"

For the past several years, Estelle has acted as co-moderator for Montini's National Honor Society. "Art Stuart had been in charge of this program for many years and when he needed a co-moderator I raised my hand. We worked together for a couple of years, before he stepped down. And then (teacher) Mike Dailey came on board with me. We’ve been in charge of choosing the new members, hosting the induction, keeping track of their extra service hours, sponsoring blood drives, getting students to sign up for the many programs where students are needed to help out and volunteering at Feed My Starving Children."

After thirty years, special memories have been 'too many to count' for Estelle. "I think the ones that are the most important to me are the ones that involve my daughter’s high school years at Montini. Denny, my husband, was the Softball Coach with (teacher) Elise Barth for 13 years and can boast of 9 Regional Championships. All four of my girls were softball pitchers for Montini. Jenny played volleyball and was a Broncette and went downstate twice. Shannon ran cross country and played basketball. She was a member of the Spanish Honor Society and a member of Homecoming Court. Erin played volleyball and basketball, was a member of the National Honor Society and was on the Prom Court. And Megan had roles in several plays during her time here and worked on the yearbook with me. All three of the older girls were also in Montini's annual San Miguel Fashion Show, which meant I also volunteered! Even after they graduated, they were asked to come back and model as alumni! The last time I got to model too! And Jenny has come back several years to do hair, and make- up for these shows.! I’m not sure if the girls were always happy I was here - but I loved being a part of their high school experience!" 

Estelle also appreciates 'the unexpected' situations that occur throughout her life as librarian at Montini Catholic.   "Have you heard my duck story? Our first library was in the area the nuns lived (now DeLaSalle Hall), and there was a courtyard. Mommy duck would lay her eggs every spring there, but then the ducklings couldn’t fly out. Wanda (Drabik) and I would gather up the ducks and put them in a box, as mommy duck sat on the roof and squawked at us. Then I would climb a ladder on the outside of the building, holding the box with the ducklings, so the mommy duck could hear them. I would climb down the ladder and dump the ducklings out of the box. Mommy duck would fly down and lead them off to water. I never knew what ‘extra duties’ would come along to enliven up my day!"

Estelle is also proud to have been a part of Montini Family Networks, and having the opportunity to help build houses with Habitat for Humanity. She also fondly remembers participating in the Lasallian Youth Retreat Program in Minnesota with Campus Minister, Mike Blanchette. She helped chaperone a summer trip to France and he worked with (former teacher) Joan Considine† to start a book club for Montini faculty and staff; she has also kept score for Volleyball games. "I got to ride in the Montini float for the Lilac parade a few years ago and chaperoned Montini dances - "until my daughters asked me not to anymore - a bit embarrassing, I guess.  My four daughters were all able to graduate from Montini, and some of their best friends are those that they met either at St. Pius or at Montini."

As much as she will miss Montini, Estelle is really looking forward to the next chapter in her book. "Starting with sleeping past 5:45AM! I’ll keep my job at Glass Courts teaching water aerobics. I’ll continue in my roles at St. Pius’s St. Vincent de Paul Society. I’ll be in charge of my grandson, Vinnie, as he attends half-day pre-school at St. Pius. I want to catch up with friends that I don’t get to see. And my retirement gift is a trip to Alaska with (friend) Mary Ellen Spokas in June!"

"As I look back on 30 years as the librarian, now known as the Library Resource Center Director, the first adjectives that come to mind are ‘faith & flexibility’ (borrowed from Brother Tom Harding). Who knew what would transpire from the time I graduated with my MLS in 1978? I do want to thank my Montini family for the incredible memories over these past 30 years. Live Jesus in our hearts, Forever!"

"We are so happy to have had Estelle as a member of our Montini Catholic family for thirty years," said President Jim Segredo. "She has been a part of our history for quite some time now and will be greatly missed. We do wish her well and hope she creates even more happy memories upon her retirement. And, of course we hope she comes back to visit often!"

(Daughters/Montini alumni: Jenny Benka ‘99, Shannon Osheroff ‘01, Erin Ciavarella ‘03 and Megan Soger ‘08†)