Mary Gioco wins annual Seton Award

Mary Gioco, award in hand, with Bishop Kicanas, Sister Rosa Maria Ruiz, superintendent of Catholic schools, and Kay Sullivan, Salpointe’s president.

The winner of the 20th annual Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, given in recognition of significant contributions to Catholic education in the Diocese of Tucson, was Mary Gioco, executive assistant in the diocese’s department of Catholic schools.
Gioco, who has served the schools department for 30 years, plans to retire in June.
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, who attended the award presentation at Salpointe Catholic High School last month, said Gioco has been “the steady right-hand person…for five of our superintendents of Catholic schools.
“She is a woman of deep faith who cares about people and is always willing to lend a hand. She has a marvelous sense of humor and a way with words. I am delighted that Salpointe is recognizing Mary’s many gifts as an exemplar of the kind of person we hope our young people will become.”
Gioco said she felt “extremely humble” to receive the award. “I just did my job and I loved my job, so it wasn’t like it was a sacrifice or anything.”