She first came to Servite as a mom, when her oldest son Matthew ’94 began his journey as a freshman in 1990. Deborah Blashaw saw the power of the Servite community in her son’s life. In 1994, Barbara Messerle encouraged her to apply for a teaching position. Then, she found the power of the Servite Community in her life. She taught Literature, Composition, and Drama. She was always interested in the student who is smart but not reaching his goals. She began a tutoring program in math and English and became the tutor for the football team. She started the Peer Assistance Leader program to train brothers to help brothers who were struggling with depression and substance abuse. She earned a Masters in Counseling and was the first freshmen counselor. Her interest in guiding students with challenges led her to become Director of Student Support Services. She was active in Kairos and part of the first team in 2000. She learned the history of the Servite Order, who were guided and inspired by Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows. This grace led her to become a founding member of the Servite Secular Order, Our Lady at the Foot of the Cross. “In my 20 years at Servite, that’s where I saw Servite’s greatness – at the foot of the cross of fellow Friars,” she said. Her two other sons also graduated from Servite, Jonathan ’97 and Thomas ’00.
