Sister Ann Carmel Badalamente, SNDdeN, says that her first exposure to the Notre Dame Sisters was as a student at Sacred Heart Elementary School in downtown San Jose and later, at Notre Dame High School.
When several of her friends were entering the convent after high school, Sister Ann chose instead to work in the family grocery store. As one of seven children, she stocked shelves, took orders, and also delivered them.
After three years, Sister Ann decided she wanted to enter the Notre Dame de Namur community.
After the Novitiate, Sister Ann's first assignment was to Moreland Notre Dame School in Watsonville.
Later, one of her challenging experiences was merging Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Santa Barbara with Dolores School in the same city—known today as Notre Dame School.
One of Sister Ann's most energizing assignments was as a “foundation stone” for St. Thomas More School in Lynnwood, Wash., which started with grades one through three. She helped the school develop into the elementary and junior high school it is today.
“It’s still going strong!” she comments. “I felt the affirmation and privilege of being entrusted with beginning this school and being named its principal. I loved the community and the children.”
While serving as principal at St. Lucy School in Campbell, Calif., Sister Ann recruited Sue Grover, a former student, for a teaching position.
“Sister Ann and I met and I instantly liked her," remembers Grover. "Being a naïve first year teacher, I was grateful for her guidance. Her humor, kindness, and willingness to help are the special gifts that I will always treasure.”
Grover went on to teach eighth grade, then became principal, where she serves to this day. Sister Ann Carmel is proud that Sue continues to emphasize the teachings and spirit of St. Julie.
Sacred Heart Elementary School—where, as a child, Sister Ann first met the Sisters—closed in the 1970s. It eventually became the Jesuit-run Sacred Heart Nativity School, and for several years Sister Ann volunteered in the library with fellow-alumna Sister Yvonne Bondi, SNDdeN.
This coming full circle appealed to Sister Ann Carmel.
In 1992, Sister Ann Carmel began serving as the Office Manager at the Provincial House in Saratoga, Calif. When that property as sold in 2003, she assisted with the monumental task of moving from Saratoga into the newly constructed Province Center in Belmont, Calif. Because of Sister Ann Carmel’s warm and friendly presence, she was asked to serve as the receptionist in the new Province Center—a position she held for many years. Again, Sisters Ann Carmel and Yvonne would work side by side as volunteers there—another full circle!
Over the course of her long and varied career, Sister Ann received her master’s degree in administration from San Jose State College. She has also served for 35 years as the Coordinator of the Car Committee, which involved procuring, registering, maintaining, insuring, and selling the vehicles driven by the Sisters.
In 2019, With family and friends, Sister Ann celebrated her 90th birthday. She now assists the Province Development office, along with other special projects. She enjoys life at the Province Center, and thanks God for her good sense of humor—and so does everyone who knows her!
“When I started as a Sister of Notre Dame, I did not imagine that life as an SNDdeN would be so interesting. I could go on and on about all the amazing things I’ve experienced over the past 70 years!”
Sister Ann Carmel's Ministries
Educator
1953-54 Moreland Notre Dame School, Watsonville, CA
1954-56 Sacred Heart School, Salinas, CA
1956-61 Guadalupe School, Santa Barbara, CA
1961-62 St. Dunstan School, Millbrae, CA
1962-65 St. Stephen School, Portland, OR
1965-66 St. Mark School, Seattle, WA
1966-72 St. Thomas More, Lynnwood, WA (Founding Principal)
1972-74 Guadalupe School,Santa Barbara, CA (Principal)
1974-78 Notre Dame School, Santa Barbara, CA (Principal)
1978-86 St. Lucy School, Campbell, CA (Principal)
2007-10 Sacred Heart/Nativity School, San Jose, CA
Other
1986-87 Property Manager, Notre Dame High School, San Jose, CA
1987-91 Bookkeeper, St. Lucy School, Campbell, CA
1991-92 Administrative Assistant, Notre Dame High School, San Jose, CA
Service to the Sisters
1992-2003 Office Manager Provincial House, Saratoga, CA
1992-Present Coordinator of the Car Committee, Belmont, CA
2003-07 Office Manager, Province Center, Belmont, CA
2010-Present Development Special Projects, Belmont, CA
