Sister Lynn Winsor, BVM, was recognized by Bishop John Dolan (pictured) along with the entire Xavier community for her 50 years of service to the school (photo by Rylee Weaver).
Xavier College Preparatory hosted a jubilant, two-part April 4 celebration honoring Sister Lynn Winsor, BVM, for her extraordinary 50-plus years of service to the school community.
“A beloved coach, mentor and leader, Sister Lynn’s legacy was honored by hundreds of students, faculty, alumni and friends during a day filled with gratitude, laughter and surprise tributes,” the school said.
The festivities began with a morning assembly in Xavier’s courtyard, where the entire student body, faculty and staff gathered to recognize Sister Lynn’s remarkable contributions. The student executive board opened the program with a heartfelt musical tribute. In a moving announcement, Xavier renamed its Activity Center the Winsor Activity Center, a permanent reminder of Sister Lynn’s profound influence on generations of students.
That evening, more than 400 guests attended a festive Hawaiian Aloha-themed reception and dinner. Emceed by AZFamily’s Sean McLaughlin, the event featured reflections from Bishop John Dolan, Sister Joan Fitzgerald and Sister Carol Marie Baum, vice president of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM). Sister Carol Marie and five fellow Sisters traveled from the BVM Motherhouse in Dubuque, Iowa, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
Professional athlete and Xavier alumna Cheyenne Woods Hicks reflected on Sister Lynn’s powerful mentorship, while assistant athletic director Tui Selvaratnam shared touching stories about Sister Lynn’s impact on student-athletes across decades. Sister Lynn’s brother also made the journey from San Francisco to celebrate his sister’s lasting legacy.
In her closing remarks, she spoke warmly of her love for the Xavier community and her lifelong commitment to service – a commitment she made clear is far from over.
