Reputation of tireless kindness

For more than 40 years, students at the Catholic St. Bonaventure School have known never to fear the principal’s office when Sister Carmel Lynch is there.

“Every time you walk past her office, she’s handing out candy to the kids,” said Eileen Johnson, a parent of two students who was once a student herself. “If you don’t like one flavor, she’s like, ‘Oh no, of course dear, you don’t want the purple one. Take two others.’ Talk about killing ‘em with kindness.”

But beyond simple kindness, the woman who the St. Bonaventure parish knows as Sister Carmel has a reputation for tireless work on behalf of her parish and a knack for bringing people together.

She’s been tied to the school as long as it has existed; she was appointed as its first principal in 1966 when it took up a single room, and with some interruptions she’s been around ever since. Her retirement, announced recently, marks the end of an era.

Sister Carmel’s gone a long way from her beginnings in County Meath, Ireland, but she said she regretted nothing in her assignment from the Sisters of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, and it’s Huntington Beach she calls her home now.

“I just work in the present situation,” she said. “You accept what comes, and I have no regrets. I love the children for getting out of bed every morning.”

The retiring principal was reluctant to speak about her own accomplishments, repeatedly turning to praise the community instead, or speaking warmly about Father Bruce Patterson, the church’s pastor.

“He’s been extremely supportive of our school,” she said.

At a reception and Thanksgiving Mass Sunday in honor of her retirement, the packed church watched a DVD full of testimonials praising their beloved principal. In addition to dozens of classrooms full of kids, the 10-minute video featured a chorus of children singing “Thank You Lord for Sister Carmel,” Bishop Tod Brown of the Diocese of Orange wishing her well, and effusive praise from former Mayor Dave Sullivan.

“I don’t know if you know it, but you are a living legend,” Sullivan said.

It was only then that the humble educator said she had an inkling of her effect on people.

“The church was filled to capacity, and people were out the door,” Sister Carmel said. “At that moment, I think I realized how much I was loved and accepted here.”

Asked what her fondest memories are, she replied, “First communion Masses, graduation Masses, Grandparents’ Day, volunteers’ Masses — all those family events. This is one very big happy family here.”

“That’s no accident,” Vice Principal Carole Inzitari said, looking meaningfully at the woman she’s stood behind for years.

PRAISE AND GRATITUDE

“[Sister Carmel,] you are one of the leading citizens of Huntington Beach”

Dave Sullivan

Former Huntington Beach Mayor

“She’s like a pied piper, a great visionary that she can foresee the trends in education. She’s thinking about them before we have a clue what’s going on.”

Carole Inzitari

St. Bonaventure vice principal

“There’s such a sense of community here, like a small town. Sister Carmel’s presence speaks a lot toward that community. She’s kind of a rock in the center of that.”

Eileen Johson

school parent and former student

“Thank you for 29 years of selfless devotion given to St. Bonaventure.”

Bishop Tod Brown,

of the Diocese of Orange

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at michael.alexander@latimes.com.