ELAINE BENNETT DAVEY '65
Since her graduation in 1965, Elaine Bennett Davey has been the consummate volunteer for Chestnut Hill College through her spirited involvement in the Alumnae Association.
She guided her class as its president during the 1970s and chaired Reunion Weekend in 1974, 1976, and 1977. Elaine also participated in planning the gala events celebrating the College’s Golden Jubilee in 1974, its 60th Anniversary in 1984, and its Diamond Jubilee in 1999.
Other festivities have benefited from Elaine’s organizational skills and creative input over the years: she involved herself with the Golf Outing committee in 1999 and 2000; graciously hosted an Autumn Soiree cocktail party and joined in planning other Association raffle events as well; assisted in arranging the dinner to honor Sister Matthew Anita; and finally, chaired the Auction Gala committees in the late 1980's.
Elaine’s versatility extends to the Alumnae/i Association’s Board, where she has served in several capacities, from being a member during the decades of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, to devoting her energies to the demands of the Board Presidency in 1979 and 1980. Elaine continued to serve the Board as a member-at-large from 1997 to 2000. She also chaired the Nominating Committee of the Board in 1997 and 1998, and helped to create the Honors and Awards Committee, of which the Eleanore Dolan Egan Award is one outcome.
“Ellie Egan would certainly have given the nod to Elaine if she were here today,” asserts Patricia Parrella Orlando ’68 in her nomination. “Elaine has always given 100% effort and dedication to whatever job she has undertaken in alumnae affairs. Over the years, she has exhibited great leadership and vision. She is selfless, generous, loyal, and charming.”
That endorsement is echoed by other alumnae, such as Mary Fran Pié ’44, who describes Elaine’s credentials for the award: “In everything Elaine did in her quiet, gracious manner, her loyalty to Chestnut Hill College was evident in her selfless devotion to the ideals of faith, charity, and knowledge.” Adds Ellen W. “Sperky” Byrne ’56, “Working with Elaine is always a pleasure. She is always ‘upbeat.’ She probably is one of CHC’s biggest boosters.” “Elaine’s contributions have benefited the Alumnae Association in many differing areas,” states Jane Wilson Dunne ’50. “She has worked in an official and unofficial capacity whenever and wherever she was needed. She is a woman of deep faith and generous spirit—qualities that were encouraged and reinforced in her four years at Chestnut Hill College.”
Margaret Jackson Quinn ’64 sums up the qualifications of Elaine Bennett Davey for the Egan Award: “Elaine epitomizes the spirit of Chestnut Hill College. She is intelligent, kind, generous, and fun to be with. She gives freely of her time to alma mater, family, friends, and even strangers, as exhibited in her hospice activities.”
Elaine Bennett Davey’s family outside of the CHC Alumnae/i Association includes husband Frank, a lawyer, and children Beth Davey Rosso CHC ’88, Frank Davey, and Laura Davey. She has three sisters who also attended Chestnut Hill College: Maryagnes Bennett Geib ’62, Regina Marie Bennett Fleming ’64, and Ruthann Bennett Davey, a former continuing education student. In addition to her CHC activities, Elaine is a certified, instrument-rated pilot who flies both for business and pleasure, a Eucharistic minister at her parish, and a long-time volunteer for the Wissahickon Hospice.
The Alumnae/i Association is proud to name Elaine Bennett Davey ’65 the 5th recipient of the Eleanore Dolan Egan Award for Outstanding Service to Chestnut Hill College.
