Welcome to the Rachael M. Ali Library!  Literally and figuratively located in the center of the School, the Library serves as an information resource and a quiet place to read and study for students and faculty alike. 

About Rachael Ali

The English poet John Donne observed in 1627 that ‘Our critical day is not the very day of our death; but the whole course of our life.’ If there is accuracy in Donne’s words it can be seen in the life and accomplishments of one of our founding leaders, Miss Rachael Marilyn Ali.

Miss Ali, an associate of Saint Mark’s High School since the School’s opening in 1969, died on 28 August 2000 at the age of 60. At the time of her death she served as the School’s Associate Principal. Born and raised in northern New Jersey, and at the time of her death a resident of New Castle, Delaware, Miss Ali was a member of Saint Peter the Apostle parish. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee and her master’s degree in theater from the Catholic University of America. In addition, she did post-graduate work at Chestnut Hill College, Glassboro State College [now Rowan College], Columbia University, San Jose State University, and the University of Delaware.

Her teaching career began in 1961 at Our Lady of Sorrows School in Glassboro, New Jersey. It also included assignments at Queen of Peace High School in Arlington, New Jersey and at Sacred Heart High School in Vineland, New Jersey. Miss Ali’s service to Saint Mark’s began in 1969, though she was known then to her speech and drama students as Sister Rose Louise of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill. She served as Chair of the Drama Department and a teacher of Social Studies before being named Assistant Principal in 1976. She became the Associate Principal of Saint Mark’s in 1992. Her responsibilities included supervision of the academic program, scheduling, curriculum design, teacher supervision, and admissions. She was recognized as Delaware’s Assistant Principal of the Year in 1992 and was inducted into the School’s Hall of Honors in that same year. Miss Ali was a site visitor for both the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and for the U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Schools Program. She was a member of Zonta International, the National Catholic Educational Association, Phi Eta Chi [the Catholic Service Sorority], and Delta Kappa Gamma [the international service society for educators].

Miss Ali was a valued member of the Saint Mark’s family who was just beginning her 32nd year of service to the School community, and her legacy to Saint Mark’s will include the school’s unmatched academic program, a tradition of gracious service to students, faculty, and parents, and a spirit of dedication, generosity, and grace. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, 2 September 2000 at the Church of the Holy Spirit in New Castle. The Most Reverend Michael Saltarelli DD, Bishop of Wilmington, presided, and the Mass was celebrated by Reverend Monsignor J. Thomas Cini, the Vicar General of the Diocese, the second Principal of Saint Mark’s, and a close friend of Miss Ali’s. A homily was offered by Reverend Gregory Corrigan, the School’s Director of Pastoral Care, and some reflections on her life and service were offered by Mr. John Hannagan, Saint Mark’s Assistant Principal for Support and Supervision.

A visitor to her office would see literally hundreds of pictures of family, students, colleagues, and friends that lined the walls and adorned her desk. Among the photographs, awards, and certificates, one that stands out is an inscription written by the Most Reverend Thomas A. Boland, former Archbishop of Newark, which reads as follows:

If I issue directives, I am considered authoritarian; if I do not, I lack leadership;   If I urge and exhort, I am not acting strongly enough; if I order, I am not acting democratically.  Therefore, I must follow my conscience and do what I think is right and just.

As a leader, teacher, and friend, Rachael Ali lived and led by following her conscience and by doing what she believed to be right and just. To paraphrase Saint Theresa of Lisieux, she lived a good life and she died a holy death, and that is everything.