March 21, 2026

St. Thomas principal reflects on role as Springfield Parade Marshall in St. Patrick’s Parade

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Carolee McGrath

Beth Hawley poses for a picture with her nephew John Sullivan and longtime friend Sister of St. Joseph Patricia Hottin.

SPRINGFIELD — Beth Hawley, principal of St. Thomas the Apostle School in West Springfield is getting ready to lead the city of Springfield in the 73^rd annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade. Hawley, who was named Parade Marshall at a ceremony in December at Nathan Bill’s Restaurant in Springfield, will be marching Sunday, March 22, with family and friends through the streets of Holyoke.

“I was overwhelmed with the honor,” Hawley told IObserve.

Hawley has 41 years of teaching in the Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Springfield under her belt. Hawley was named the principal of St. Thomas the Apostle School in 2023. She received several awards including the Grinspoon Teacher of Excellence. She was also a longtime coach.

“When I was a little girl, my mom would celebrate St. Patrick’s day. Throughout the year we would talk about our Irish heritage. He mother came from Ireland. We were Simpson’s. Growing up it was part of our daily lives,” she said.

Hawley grew up in East Forest Park with her six siblings. She attended the former Holy Cross School and Cathedral High School. She graduated from Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, where she played basketball and field hockey. She later earned her master’s degree in education at Our Lady of the Elms College.

“The thing I love about Beth is her family. She is so in love with her family, as I was, so I get it,” said Sister of St. Joseph Patricia Hottin. Sister Hottin is the former principal of St. Thomas School and Hawley’s longtime friend.

“Then she gets this big award and it’s like unbelievable. She deserves it and she would say it’s for her family,” said Sister Hottin.

Hawley, a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, will be marching with her family including her grandnieces, Autumn and Willow Sullivan, the daughters of her nephew, John Sullivan.

“We couldn’t think of a more deserving person for this award, especially representing the Irish community in Springfield,” said John Sullivan, owner of Nathan Bill’s Restaurant in Springfield. “It’s a lot of fun being able to support her after all the years of her supporting us and our family since I was a kid.”

Hawley said her Catholic faith is at the center of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

“Your heritage and your faith are so intertwined on a daily basis. In the month of March, we start our celebration with Mass at Sacred Heart. So our faith is very important. I grew up in a very Irish Catholic family. My mother was very devout. My father was a convert. We went to Mass every Sunday. During Lent, we walked with my mother to church. I’ve been in Catholic schools all my life. So, it’s not a part of me, it’s who I am.”

Hawley said she has great hope for young people, and encourages them to follow St. Patrick’s example.

“I believe our young people need the faith more than ever. I see more and more young people coming to the church on weekends. I see our youth rally, which is amazing. It’s great to see our youth part of the church again,” she said.

A video version of this story will be featured on Saturday’s edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS.