Nancy Goudemant was born in New Haven and has lived in the area most of her life. Her parents were George and Theresa Goudemant of Northrop Rd in West Haven.  Nancy also has a sister, Claire and family, as well as a daughter, Gretchen, who is the light of her life. Nancy also has a fur daughter/dog named Becky, who is her best friend and keeps her company.

Nancy’s mother Theresa was first generation Irish, her mother being from Tuam, County Galway and father from Navan County Meath and Nancy still has ties with family there. Nancy’s father George took on Theresa’s Irish heritage as his own and Nancy’s parents were involved in the WHIAC during the 1960’s and 70’s where Nancy marched in the New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade as a child. Nancy has been marching in the parade as a Marshall since 2014 and marches with George’s blackthorn walking stick.

Nancy grew up in West Haven and attended St. Mary’s High School in New Haven. She competed a Bachelor of Science in Education from Central Connecticut State University and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Media from Southern Connecticut State University. Nancy did post graduate work in remedial reading and earned her 6th year in Storytelling and Oral Traditions.

Nancy taught in West Haven schools and participated in many after school, Saturday, and summer enrichment programs from 1975 to her retirement in 2012.  Upon retirement, Nancy began working for West Haven Adult Education in the evenings and did permanent subbing in elementary schools during the day. Nancy eventually took on a position as a math tutor at Forest School in West Haven and still maintains that position. Nancy has also been very involved with the West Haven Federation of Teachers filling several positions over the years including Vice President of Communications. She was also a delegate to the Connecticut American Federation of Teachers and the National AFT.

In addition to education, Nancy loves the arts. She taught tap, ballet, and jazz at Kicks Unlimited Dancing School in West Haven and at Pizazz in Branford, CT. Nancy is an avid knitter and crocheter. She regularly donates handmade items to the unhoused and shelters and has made hats for chemo patients and infants.

Nancy has been involved in many organizations over the years including but not limited to the West Haven Irish American Club, the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, the Savin Rock Fireworks Committee, the West Haven Historical Society, the West Haven Retired Teachers Association, the West Haven Counsel for the Arts, Folks on Spokes, and the Shubert Star Program. With these organizations Nancy has facilitated, organized and/or participated in events and fundraisers, generated publicity, and ran raffles benefiting them.

Nancy’s involvement with the parade committee is very near and dear to her heart and she is honored to be selected for this award.

Saundra (Sandy) McCauley was born and raised in Huntington, Indiana.  She graduated from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in 1965 and moved to West Haven, CT in 1966.

Sandy has two children: a daughter Terri, and a son Sean.  She is the proud grandmother of three grandsons.

Shortly after moving to West Haven, she became involved in writing a newsletter for the development she lived in, which introduced her to local and CT history. That eventually led her to the West Haven Historical Society where she is currently treasurer and actively involved in fundraising events.

During her child raising years, Sandy was a Brownie and a Girl Scout leader volunteering many summers at a local Scout day camp.  She was active in the WHHS band parents club, treasurer of the West Haven Park Rec. Swim Team Parents’ Club, and actively involved in the St. John Vianney Ladies’ Guild.  She also taught CCD for about five years.

Sandy has been working in West Haven for over 30 years as a school nurse, often volunteering to work enrichment activities after school hours.  She is a member of the West Haven Federation of Teachers’ and School Nurses’ Union and is past president of the School Nurses’ union.  In 2012, Sandy was recognized by the American Federation of Teachers as an “Everyday Day Hero.” She is a member of the CT Association of School Nurses and was School Nurse of the Year in 2000.

Currently, Sandy is Co-Chair of the Savin Rock Fireworks Committee, whose goal is to raise money and obtain required permits for the annual West Haven fireworks show. She is also treasurer of the West Haven Carousel Committee and a proud member of the West Haven Irish American Club.  That membership eventually led her to the Greater New Haven St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee where she has been involved in several fundraisers and has greatly enjoyed marshaling in the parade the past few years.