2022 St. Agnes Academy Outstanding Alumnae Hall of Fame

The St. Agnes Academy Outstanding Alumnae Hall of Fame was established in 2001 on the school's 150th anniversary. The Hall of Fame honors those exceptional individuals who command respect within their careers, civic, or charitable endeavors, and are devoted to the mission of St. Agnes Academy.

Four outstanding women were honored during the school's 21st Annual Outstanding Alumnae Hall of Fame ceremony in January. The 2022 inductees are Mary Ellen Jones McDow ('67), Laura Katherine Nelson ('71), Kelly Hamilton Bottcher ('79) and Dr. Catherine Chidester Weber ('96). Each of the 2022 inductees has gone above and beyond to make a difference in their communities. They are women of outstanding character that our deserving of our recognition.

2022 St. Agnes Alumnae Hall of Fame Honorees:

Mary Ellen Jones McDow '67:

A positive role model for others who stands fast and true to the Dominican Pillars – that is how our Mary Ellen Jones Hobeck McDow is described.

While at St. Agnes, Mary Ellen was active in many organizations including Sodality and Pep Club. She was a 4-year member of the Glee Club and French Club. Mary Ellen followed her mother’s footsteps by attending St. Agnes – Catherine Jones is a member of the Class of 1932, her sister, Cathy, is a member of the Class of 1962 and she continued that tradition by enrolling her daughter Jessica – a member of the Class of 1999.

Mary Ellen, a Dominican Associate, is a devout Catholic attending daily mass at St. James as well as being active at St. Louis where she volunteers with The Room in the Inn. She has served on the Boards of Madonna Circle, Circle Arts, Josephine Circle and Brooks Museum League. Mary Ellen is a Lifetime Member of the Memphis Symphony League as well as Give 365, a program aimed at building a greater Memphis.

Mary Ellen was selected to be the first 3-year-old teacher for the Early Childhood Program here at St. Agnes and has taught 4k at St. Francis as well.

Mary Ellen’s devotion to her church, family and friends is undeniable and with good reason she is now a member of the St. Agnes Hall of Fame.

Laura Katherine Nelson '71

Laura Katherine Nelson is the third of four generations to graduate from St. Agnes. Her grandmother Katherine Zanone, Class of 1903, her mother, Margaret Zanone Nelson, Class of 1947 and her sister, Nancy Nelson, is a 1979 graduate. Laurie’s daughters are the 4^th generation graduates – Marly, Class of 2003 and Elizabeth, Class of 2005. During her 4 years at St. Agnes, Laurie was active in Sodality, Crusades and Glee Club. She was also a member of the Honor Society.

After graduation, Laurie went on to earn her degree in Office Administration from Memphis State University. She began her career in banking and attained the designation of Certified Professional Secretary. Later, Laurie returned to school for training and became a Certified Medical Transcriptionist and after holding that position for 10 years, retired from St. Francis Hospital in Memphis in 2008.

As a woman of character and devoted to her faith, Laurie became a member of Madonna Circle, Circle Arts, St. Peter Villa Nursing Home and participated in the Women’s Guild and Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at St. Louis Catholic Church. Since moving to Cincinnati in 2021, Laurie has joined Immaculate Conception Church in Norwood, Ohio and supports the parish’s Sodality named in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. She is known for always giving of her time and is described as a shining example to others.

Kelly Hamilton Bottcher ('79)

Throughout her time at St. Agnes, which began in grade school, Kelly Hamilton Bottcher proved herself to be a leader. She was a member of the Fine Arts Club and Pep Club all four years, a CBHS cheerleader and on the Homecoming Court her Junior and Senior years. Kelly was active in Student Council including becoming her Junior Class President and her Senior Class Vice President. Kelly was inducted to the National Honor Society, voted to be on the Miss St. Agnes Court and her classmates voted her Most Outgoing in her class Hall of Fame.

Kelly went on to attend and graduate from the University of Alabama. Right out of college, she began her career at Proctor and Gamble and soon became manager and Senior Account Executive.

Kelly and her husband, Charles, had 4 children which led her to serve in the PTA. She was elected as President of the PTA Council for Vestavia Schools as well as serving on the Alabama State PTA.  Because of her significant contributions to her community, Kelly was awarded Vestavia Hills Citizen of the Year in 2004.  For more than 20 years, Kelly has been an active member of the Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. Her enthusiasm and love of sharing God’s word led her to teach Sunday School and Bible Study – making a difference in the lives of both children and adults.

Kelly is the mother of 4 and proud grandmother of 5 grandchildren. Her oldest son followed in his father’s footsteps by marrying a St. Agnes girl – Grace Rickman Bottcher, Class of 2007.

Dr. Catherine Chidester Weber ‘96

As a thirteen-year student of St. Agnes, Catherine learned early on what hard work and determination meant. While at St. Agnes, Catherine was involved in many organizations and clubs. She was a 4-year member of the Key Club, Spanish Club, Light and Student Government. Catherine was inducted into the Spanish National Honor Society and the National Honor Society. As a senior, she was the Vice President of the Student Government, on the Miss St. Agnes Court and voted Most Likely to Succeed for the Class of 1996.

Catherine attended UT-Knoxville to pursue a degree in Chemistry, graduated and returned to Memphis to start Medical School. She is a Board-Certified Pediatrician and has a successful practice – Monarch Pediatrics in Germantown. Monarch Pediatrics partners with Madonna Learning Center as one way of giving back to the community.

Catherine also volunteers at St. Agnes-St. Dominic- giving her time to school events and fundraising efforts. She was recently elected to the St. Agnes Board of Directors and serves on the Development Committee, Recruitment Committee and Capital Campaign Cabinet. She is a member of the LeBonheur Task Force and works closely with the St. Agnes-St. Dominic Health Team guiding the school through the pandemic.

Dr. Weber has been described as an exceptional doctor, mother, stepmother, wife, and friend. She believes in the mission of St. Agnes and proved that by enrolling her daughters – ranging in age from 2K to 9^th grade - which also means she will be around this campus for a very long time!