75 Years Ago, She Couldn’t Afford the Bus to Notre Dame. Now, She’ll Get Her Diploma.

In 1934, Margaret Ann Koeninger was offered a four-year scholarship to attend Notre Dame Academy.

 

But, she wasn’t able to take advantage of the opportunity.

 

In fact, she never earned a high school diploma.

 

That will change, 75 years later, when Notre Dame makes a surprise presentation to Margaret Ann, whose last name is now Zink-Fritsch, at Rosedale Green Senior Care facility in Latonia.

 

NDA President Dr. Laura Koehl and principal Jack VonHandorf will make the presentation.

 

Zink-Fritsch graduated from St. Stephen’s Catholic grade school in 1943 but her family could not afford the transportation to Notre Dame. It would have cost a nickel to rise the bus from her Newport home to Notre Dame, but her father was out of work at the time.

 

At 15, Zink-Fritsch took a job at Wadsworth Electric in Covington as the secretary to the purchasing department president.

 

The oldest of eight children, she was expected to help out at home. She worked there for seven years.

 

Zink-Fritsch later married and had twelve children of her own.

 

But she has long lived with the disappointment of not earning a high school diploma.

 

The Sisters of Notre Dame and Notre Dame Academy heard of the story and decided to award Zink-Fritsch an honorary diploma.

 

A ceremony is planned for Monday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Rosedale (4250 Glenn Ave., Covington).

 

“Like many NDA graduates, she has spent her life as a servant leader dedicating herself to family, church and community,” Dr. Koehl said. “Margie is a woman who has made an impactful difference in the world and we are proud to have her join our 10,000 plus alumnae around the world.”