Alumni Stories

by Dana Larkin Sauers ’74, HOH '26, P ’99, P ’03, P ’03, P ’09

Teresa (Bennet) Gibbons ’86 sought and found many valuable lessons from her student years at Delone Catholic High School. The same lessons continued through her brief professional return to Delone Catholic as an English teacher for two and a half years, from January 1991 to 1993, and have expanded throughout her life.

Moving from California to Maryland, then to Pennsylvania in 1976, along with her seven siblings, brought the Bennett family to Delone Catholic’s doorstep, from which six (including Teresa) would graduate: Maureen (Bennett) Keenan ’77, Elizabeth (Bennett) Hadfield ’79, Thomas Bennett ’81, Matthew Bennett ’90, and Marianne (Bennett) Boyle ’92. Teresa’s siblings Mark and Patrick graduated from high school before the family moved to Pennsylvania.

After high school, she attended college and became an educator in English and writing. Students from DCHS still speak of her energy, creativity, winsome personality, and imaginative lesson plans. Her former chairperson, Dana (Larkin) Sauers '74, recalls working with Teresa as one of the happiest times she experienced in her department.

“Teresa, as both student and new teacher, was always eager to learn new things. She challenged herself to be her very best for her students and within the dynamics of the faculty. I always thought she was the best of ‘team players.’ Her humility and enthusiasm were inspiring. Her personality lifted others to a higher level of professionalism and charity.”

Soon after being hired by DCHS, she and Patrick Gibbons were married in a memorable wedding celebration in Gettysburg. After 35 years, they have three children: Celia, a lawyer; John, in the finance industry; and Lucie, who works in health care.

After leaving DCHS, Teresa taught from 1994-1997 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Jersey City, N.J., and from 2013-2019 at Morris Catholic High School in Denville, N.J. She then began a career in publishing as a senior content editor and analyst at Clarivate (2019-2023) and is now a Senior Author Tools and Support Associate at IEEE.

In her most recent position, Teresa says, “I use my technical skills testing features and my teaching skills for an audience of academic journal editors and authors, teaching and demonstrating how to use new peer review tools and systems.”

When asked what she carried forth from Delone Catholic, Teresa shared these ideas: “A faith-centered life is a content life; being a ‘Doer of the Word’ is important but not easy; it is important to appreciate all the gifts and opportunities given and to use them for others.” 

Her experience in the drama club with Mr. Charles Glessner challenged her. “I signed up to overcome my reluctance to speak in a group. I received so much from the experience -- growing confidence, friendship, belonging, and so many fun memories.”

These skills factored into her professional and personal life, allowing her to truly give of herself to others with excellence. That caring was modeled well by her teachers at DCHS, according to Teresa. “When my father passed away my sophomore year, my teachers were very supportive. They let me grieve in my own quiet way, and they lent extra help when I had trouble concentrating.” 

Fun times were filled with “football games (walking and chatting with my friends more than watching!) The community and camaraderie were wonderful! And the dance marathon is still an exciting high school memory. Dances in general were a favorite social activity,” Teresa said.

While Teresa has spent some time traveling in car trips around the USA and Canada, she recently visited the United Kingdom. Most of her time, though, has been dedicated to service. Teresa taught religious education at her parish for 10 years. She volunteered with the faculty at the Catholic schools where she taught and “at track meets and other events in which my children participated. Over the years, I also helped organize a drive for a women’s shelter that helps unwed mothers.”

Her hobbies include reading, hiking, and baking - especially bread. No surprise.