Marian Awards Gala

At St. Mary's Academy, we take pride in our alumnae who model excellence and service in their personal and professional lives.

2023 Marian Award Recipient

Constanca (Connie) Magalhaes

The St. Mary's Academy Foundation is honoured to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Constanca (Connie) Magalhaes with a 2023 Marian Award.

Connie was born in Portugal, raised in Mozambique, and settled in Winnipeg. She was deeply committed to both family and faith, and it was important to her to provide her five daughters with a faith-based education. The Magalhaes family connection with St. Mary's Academy began in 1985, when their eldest daughter, Ana '91, enrolled in grade 7. Following that, daughters Cristina '93, Guida (Maria) '95, Luisa '98, and Connie '01 attended, culminating in a legacy of all five daughters graduating from SMA. At present, two of Connie's granddaughters, Meaghan '24 and Téa '25, are continuing the family's education legacy at SMA.

Connie’s devotion to service was evidenced throughout her life. Besides teaching at the University of Manitoba, she could frequently be found ferrying her daughters and their friends to various athletic games and tournaments. When a coach or the SMA Athletic Department needed something done, Connie was always there to lend a hand. Connie also supported the school by being an active member of the Parents’ Guild. She volunteered with the Portuguese Pavilion at International Day in 1985 and went on to become the lead pavilion organizer until 2001. Additionally, she was devoted to Girl Guides as a unit leader, commissioner, and camp organizer, volunteered many summers at Folklarama, and was a committed president of the Resident’s Association at South Park Estates.

Family and religion were central values in Connie's life and those of her husband, Luis, which they instilled in their children and thirteen grandchildren. During Christmas in 2020 when the family could not gather, Connie wrote to each grandchild, “We have two important values that we would like to pass on to you: family and religion. Avô prays the rosary every day. I have a deep love for Our Lady, the Mother of Jesus. I often pray a Hail Mary, and when life's challenges become overwhelming, I turn to Our Lady for help. It always brings comfort and strength to endure the pain."

Connie returned home to God on November 15, 2021, leaving behind a profound legacy of love, family, faith, and service. It is an honor and privilege for SMA to bestow the Marian Award posthumously upon Connie. Her daughters will accept this recognition at the Marian Awards Gala on October 28, 2023.

Tickets

Individual Tickets

Enjoy an evening of celebration, dining, and community building while raising funds for the Academy. Each individual ticket is $200. A portion of the ticket price is eligible for a charitable tax receipt after the event. Your gala ticket includes admission to the After Party that takes place immediately following the gala. Tickets are available for purchase below or call 204-478-6031.

For seating and table requests along with any dietary restrictions, please email advancement@smamb.ca once the ticket has been purchased.

After Party Tickets

Enjoy music, dancing, and good fun after the gala. The After Party kicks off at 10 PM and concludes at midnight. After Party tickets are $50 each and are not be eligible for a charitable tax receipt. After Party Tickets are available for purchase below or call 204-478-6031.

Purchase Tickets and/or Sponsorships

Event Details

Saturday, October 28

Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Formal Program Begins: 7:00 PM
After Party: 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Bonnie & John Buhler Hall, Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Contact:

For questions regarding any element of the Marian Awards Gala, please contact advancement@smamb.ca.

We hope to see you on October 28!

Sponsorships

A variety of sponsorship levels are available. To view sponsorship opportunities, please click the button below or call 204-478-6031. Your sponsorship includes admission to the After Party that takes place immediately after the gala from 10 PM to midnight.

Marian Awards Gala Sponsorship Package