1951 Class Notes for 2016
To my class of gold,
No matter how many times I’ve started or rewritten your letters, I seem to be all over in time, sequence and geography. My own response is that correspondence has been far less than in previous years with an undertone of sadness because so many of our classmates have gone home to Heaven. Many of you have shared how much the yearly letter means to you, and this is greatly appreciated. Change is always good and so beginning in 2017, Nancy O’Connell Giffin (our former scribe) and I will alternate bringing you the news.
And from Nancy, “With a family trip to Italy planned, I decided my right knee wouldn’t walk too far so I had it replaced in April. The Italy trip in June was fabulous; the new knee took the hills just fine and three of my kids and their spouses did all the planning and legwork. Alaska and Boston are kid destinations for August. (Keep moving or rust). A son-in-law has a serious health challenge – prayers! The grandchildren are going off to China and Idaho; the great-grandchild is starting first grade and writing me notes. Life pushes on with mystery and majesty. I often have to decide whether to lie down or keep moving, but always happy that there’s a leg under me for another day, and very thankful for the countless blessings.” Nancy’s visits to Boston are always made easier because of her daughter being at the ready to drive.
Always one of the first to reply is Doris Michels Edwards whose interesting and colorful life is centered in the world of theatre, in the Costume Shop of the Hippodrome State Theatre. Two sons living in Gainesville, FL, two book clubs, bridge and friends balance her life. After many years of non-attendance, Doris was able to be at the Reunion and said none of them stopped long enough to be heard and that she never anticipated so much fun.
Paula Hanrahan Connolly, Terry Shea Pitt and Muffi Ford Bowler have been very helpful in answering my questions or concerns. I’ve just finished a three-day boot camp for improvement in computer skills, so my own communication will hopefully be greatly improved.
Together Muffi and Terry researched and followed through in contacting you regarding fund raising efforts to develop the Residential Scholarship. This scholarship, which is a very unique gift to Trinity from the class of ’51, will be given to a senior who meets the qualifications.
From Muffi Ford Bowler’s daughter, Katie Vitali is a note: “Life is good. Reading is still my favorite pastime. For morning prayer I recommend Jesus Calling; for fiction writers, Anna Quinlan and Margaret Atwood; for history, David McCullough, The Wright Brothers. Our recent reunion was more than we expected. Our 65th Class Reunion and, the dedication of the Academic Center helped us to create many special memories. Blessings!”
Last August, Paula did an amazing job orchestrating Campus on the Cape. Afterwards, several of us were invited to her home including: Anne Marie McGovern ’50, her daughter Susie and my daughter Mary Wolfe Sullivan ’79. The notes I took that day add to the memories I have of Joan Horrigan and Libby Fissell Griffin who both recently passed away.
Libby came with her caretaker and was so excited over the wedding of her daughter. Libby cherished the closeness in proximity to her daughters and the joy she received from their relationships. I was always so envious of Libby because she was one of the first to be engaged and had so many bridal magazines. Through the years, Jean Carey O’Neill and Libby remained very close friends.
Joan Horrigan and her brother Jack, traveled with Paula and others on several trips. His participation in alumnae gatherings, earned him an honorary membership in the Campus on the Cape group. Joan was active in civic undertakings and was a very talented bridge player. Alice Boyle Duffy, a cherished friend of Joan, was with her during the last few days of her life and attended her funeral.
This has been a busy summer for Jean Carey O’Neill with so many of the family coming and going including the Arizona contingent. In total, Jean has 14 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Trips to California give her time with Ed’s family. Many of you have been very committed to golf, but Jean is the only one who mentioned playing.
In attendance for the Reunion were: Mary O’Neill Dorger, Timmie Harrington Jensen, Doris Michels Edwards, Sister Mary Paula (Cathy McCarthy), Betty Ann Scileppi Yanity, Mary Anne Bogley Corr, Mary Lou Ford Bowler, Alice Boyle Duffy and Terry Shea Pitt. The program included class meetings, liturgy with stirring voices and dinners in the social hall. Terry, Betty Ann, and Sister Paula attended the President’s dinner on Saturday evening. Dedication of the new Academic Building was outstanding.
Within two weeks of attending our Reunion, Mary O’Neill Dorger suddenly died. Although she was only able to be present for a brief time, Mary called me to tell me how much she enjoyed being there and like many others was so impressed with the improvements. Mary was in my wedding and we remained very close friends through the years.
Of great interest to me and out of my realm of knowledge is that Terry Shea Pitt is now a psychic medium meeting with a group on a weekly basis. She is preparing a lecture to be given at the Yale Botanical Gardens, “Spirits in Our Gardens”, based on a theory concerning the watchfulness of fairies for all growing things.
For over 60 years, Joan Lauck Conroy maintained a constant friendship with Judy Schweinler Moser, speaking twice a week by phone and always furthering their study of the Summa. It was with a heavy heart that Joan wrote me of Judy’s death and her admiration of all the qualities Judy possessed. Reflective of Joan’s loving ways was her request of all who knew her would go to their places of worship and pray for her. Days for Joan are spent in quiet joy reading scripture, Pope Francis, St. Thomas and history. She plays the piano in duo groups. To quote, “Our golden years are quite different from golden days at Trinity.”
Since George’s death in 2013, Kathleen Brennan Saffian’s horizons have been somewhat limited, with travel fitting in this category. She says to all of you to remember the Kathleen Brennan of long ago. She shares great happiness with her seven children, 22 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. I know 7 children have kept Kathleen very busy and she says, “I am prepared to slow down while still determined to keep going and doing.”
Barbara Pahls Thompson divides her time between Evanston, IL and Marco Island, FL, and will continue this arrangement of moving back and forth until it becomes too difficult. I’ve been impressed with the ease that Barbara drives between here and FL. Many of you said the same as Barbara – a wish to see family more often.
Mary Alice Coogan Neylan has a anew address, so please contact the Alumnae Affairs Office to get it. Within a relatively short time, Mary Alice’s life changed: no more driving, selling her home, and moving to assisted care living. Her children were of immeasurable help. The most difficult aspect of these adjustments was disposing of “95% of the stuff.” She has always enjoyed the arts, theatre, opera and classes at Northwestern University.
Anne Libbey Meldrum has also died, but unfortunately I do not have any details. I do remember her as always being so kind and caring to everyone.
Five minutes from my home is Nancy Dolle Busch whose friendship has been like a forever sister over the years. Her husband Bill passed away after 3 days at home in hospice care. He was surrounded by their entire family (seven children, 20 grandchildren and spouses, and yes five great-grandchildren) who wandered in and out and sat with him holding his hand. What a true celebration of life!
Peter Baker, husband of Carmen Albanese Baker sends a note saying that she is still an accomplished pianist and gets great pleasure from playing. They hope to visit the US with their daughters Carmen, Rosa, Mary and Elizabeth. Peter recalled his many visits and one in particular to Alumnae Hall with Carmen’s brother Salvador to hear her play.
From Ann Finucane McDade a quote by Andrew Marvell, “At my feet I always hear Time’s winged chariot drawing near.”
An eventful year of health problems has caused Kathleen Donoghue Woodland to need assisted care living at home with her older son. Her daughter lives in Philadelphia. She was very complimentary about the fundraising efforts for the residential scholarship.
In November, Mary Ann Bogley Corr fell resulting in a broken wrist and fractured bones in her back. Everything is healed and she is able to pursue activities which are church based as well as social action courses. Nearby family members include a grandson who is planning a Navy career and a granddaughter at St. Mary’s University. Referring to the Reunion, “We were a remnant of ten at our reunion luncheon. Terry updated us with information from classmates absent because of health issues or caring for spouses. All were missed.”
The years disappeared when Rosemary Reedy Lanzisera called (during a visit with her daughter who lives here) and joined Nancy Busch and me for tea and long overdue conversation. We’ll get together again when she is here at Thanksgiving.
Just under the time line, Lynne McCarthy Heider called in the midst of moving from her Hartford home while still maintaining their Florida and Cleveland homes: facing all the decisions involving years of collections of family treasures. My count may be incorrect, but I think Fred and Lynne have 12 grandchildren.
As for myself, the highlight of the year is the birth last week of my newest great grandchild, a little girl. Sharing so much with my 27 grandchildren and now 11 great grandchildren is such a joy in my life. All of this because as a freshman, I met the water boy for a team at Georgetown.
Just as raising my family has given me immense pride, being one of the founders of Wellness House 25 years ago has been a constant source of gratitude and humility. This is a place – a house – a home – where cancer patients and their families can come for whatever is needed. They are never alone when dealing with a diagnosis and all services are provided at no cost. It has been a blessing to have been touched by so many who walk the through the doors of Wellness House. What we have is an epicenter in the Chicago area.
Never having been an outstanding athlete or even a poor one, I’ve found my area of expertise to be exercising in the pool three times a week which enables me to continue to get the most out of everything I do in light of Paula’s quote, “I may be old, I may be slow, but otherwise I’m fine.”
Even though several of our classmates are no longer with us, be grateful there are still so many of us within our golden chain.
With love always,
Lorraine Rosedale Wolfe