1943 Class Notes for 2014

Greetings Classmates,

Although we don’t have too much to report, I am sure that we will all enjoy hearing the news from our ’43 grads.

Peg Metzger O’Donnell ’43 with Trinity students at Reunion

News from our only classmate to get to our 70th Reunion came in a letter from Peg Metzger O’Donnell, who wrote: “I had the privilege and honor of being the lone representative of the Class of 1943 at Reunion in June 2013. Two of my children and a nephew made sure I was able to attend the lovely luncheon and the very moving Mass in the chapel where there was a much-deserved tribute to Sr. Margaret “Peggy” Claydon, SND, ’45. Peggy and I have been friends for decades, so it was especially rewarding to have some personal time reconnecting with her. It was wonderful to be back on campus. Much has been changed since we were on Michigan Avenue 70 years ago, but it was so heartwarming to witness Trinity thriving and the campus looking so beautiful. The Trinity family truly went out of their way to make sure the class of 1943 had a memorable experience; my sincere thank you for the hospitality.”

Peg Metzger O’Donnell ’43 and Sr. Margaret Claydon, SND ’45 are surrounded by Peg’s family at Reunion.

My first letter was from Fran Maguire Brannon, who says that there is nothing new to report – no weddings or births to talk about. At the bridge table, she likes a “weak two opening,” even though there are not too many games now. Her family comes around often, so that makes them all happy.Peg is still residing in a nursing care facility in MD and is fortunate to have regular visits from family and friends. Her eldest grandchild, Siobhan O’Neil (daughter of P. A. O’Donnell O’Neil ’70, who passed away in 2011) is getting married in September in DC. Peg is hoping to join in the celebration and is going to be a great-grandmother for the first time this fall. Two exciting things to look forward to, Peg! Peg reports she is still getting over Notre Dame’s loss in the national championship to Alabama, but is looking forward to following another season of Irish football.

eg Metzger O’Donnell ’43 with Sr. Margaret Claydon, SND ’45 at Reunion

Kathryn “Kay” Bernatz Meihaus is fortunate to remain well and is enjoying her home in Pasadena, CA. She manages to keep everything going with loving assistance from others, including several children living fairly close by. Kay is still involved in several bridge groups and often makes daily Mass. She expresses that the expansion of Trinity into a successful university is great news and that the memories of our happy years in the ’40s mean so much.

Marjorie “Marge” Monagan Kelly reports that the event of the year for her was her brother’s 100th birthday party. It was a great family event and her sister Joan Monagan Clinton ’49 and she were lucky to be a part of the celebration. About 70 people were in attendance.

Marge gets along nicely at the retirement home. Still drives a bit, but gone are the days when she could drive back to CT. Speaking to how fortunate she is to have so many nieces and nephews and their children in the area, Marge closes her note by saying “I don’t know how I got so old!”

Well-wishes are extended to all the ’43ers from Helen Bronzo, who reported that she had a difficult year health-wise and was so sorry that she was unable to get to Reunion. She was fortunate to have good medical care and is recovering slowly, but well.

I had a nice phone call from Abigail “Gail” Hoye Meury, who is well but less active now and is still busy with church, health club and many friends. She even occasionally gets into Manhattan. Gail relates how fortunate it was that her apartment building was so high up in Brooklyn Heights that she escaped the damages of Hurricane Sandy.

A recent phone call with Gloria Pignatelli found her still in Newport, RI. Although the sight in one eye is failing now, she is still able to drive to the store, etc. Gloria enjoys gardening and time with good friends who are close by and who help out quite a bit.

I enjoy frequent phone calls with Diana Diaz de Zorrilla, who is 90 years old now and wishes she were much younger! She still remains in her own home with lots of help. Daughter Diana Maria lives next door, and daughter Christina lives in Miami. Christina’s son is an American Airlines pilot stationed in NYC. Diana’s son Patrine left his grandfather’s dental practice and teaches in a school of dental medicine in Puerto Rico.

To wrap up the news from the ’43 grads, I keep busy with work at our family business two or three days a week and a bridge game about once a week with friends. My family all resides in PA, with three in the local area. As I write this letter, I await the birth of my eighth great-grandchild. I stay active with exercises, walking, reading and crossword puzzles. I enjoy vacationing in Ocean City, NJ, with 34 immediate family members! Later in the summer we spend a little time in Dennis, MA.

Many thanks for your calls and letters. It was good to hear the news from so many of us. My best wishes to all of you. Trinity has been such a dear part of our lives; may God continue to bless us and our families.

Monica Quirk Bubser