1951 Class Notes for 2018
Dear Golden Girls,
Our first response, from Lola Blank Sullivan, was a beautifully written vignette of the joys and sorrows of so many of our age, characterized by an attitude shared by many of us as well; “Last year tested our strength and resolve, but never our faith.” Last May, Lola fell in the office of her husband’s doctor (little irony there) and broke a bone; she spent more than six weeks in rehab, during which time her daughter Lola (class of ʼ77) suddenly passed away, leaving a husband, four children, and four grandchildren. Meanwhile, the family scrambled to settle Lola and her husband Jim in assisted living in Boonton, NJ, near three of their nine children. Lola and Jim are now addressing concerns about their former home. “At our age, it cannot always be what we want, but instead, what we need, right?”
Naturally, Lorraine Rosedale Wolfe was happy to hand the scribe pen to me (what did I drink at that luncheon anyway, to volunteer to do this?). I know the whole class would like to thank her (as I do) for doing such a great job as scribe for so many years. She reports that she is doing well and enjoying her seven children, 27 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. She is happy in her smaller space, adores her home, and enjoys her family and friends. Lorraine occasionally sees other Chicago area people, like Mary Alice Coogan Neylan and Nancy Dolle Busch.
Mary Alice says that retirement in assisted living reminds her of TC – meals together, classes to take, games and lectures. Even though Mary Alice has lost one of her five children, one son lives in Chicago, and those that live in SF and Boston visit often. Nancy Busch reports that she writes bad poetry (not so!), belongs to three book clubs and, now that she is no longer a caregiver for her husband, has been able to travel to visit family. They join her summers in Harbor Springs, MI.
“When writing ’bout ladies of ’51 Gold,
Remember our ages ʼcause weʼre really old!
Our limbs may be creaky,
Our memories leaky,
But we’ve been so blessed with graces untold”
After that inspiring poem, Nancy says “I nap more than I like to admit, but I am well and God is good.”
After a career as a dress buyer in NY, Adele McGreevey Fialcowitz, married and had Patricia and John; between them she has five grandchildren. She enjoys her retirement in Amsterdam Life Care, where she has many activities and friends. About Amsterdam, she says, “It’s the best decision I ever made.” Adele keeps in touch with Joan(Candy) Kane Aufiero, who lives in a facility similar to her own. Zilpha Bozone reports that she has never had a headache! (Did Zilpha never marry? I could have sent her some of my headaches.) Seriously, her secret must be that she has done jazzercise three times a week for years, takes pottery lessons and produces saleable pottery, mows and trims her own yard, and stays active with friends. She didn’t mention her PhD or her rewarding career as a speech therapist. Since I’ve discovered that Zilpha lives near my son in VA, I may visit her for inspiration.
Another creative sister (we’re in New England now) is Mary Theresa (Terry) Shea Pitt. Terry is writing stories based on her childhood memories of ME. She helps at her library and likes to read, among many other activities. Terry is busy with her large family of children, grands, and greats, and tries to enjoy each day. However, she’s not too busy to help me gather news and make calls. (Thank you, Terry!) Paula Hanrahan Connolly says she has a quiet life, also enjoying each day. Paula’s daughter is a practicing physician who has four children, one of whom recently sang with a group at Carnegie Hall. Terry and Paula were at the Cape Luncheon where I acquired this, ahem, job. I saw Alice Boyle Duffy at the Cape as well, and can report that she remained active in the theater into her 80s and that she lost a dear daughter (This theme is ubiquitous and egregious).
Mary Louise (Muffi) Ford Bowler celebrated her 88th with a family party with her four children and their families, telling stories that are often repeated and always providing many laughs (Many laughs go with Muffi, we know that). She resists her children’s efforts to overprotect her by not admitting to her failings of health; she does not want to lose her car keys to them.
Helen Chambers Toomey sends news via her daughter Lily, the middle child of Helen’s 11 children, with whom Helen has lived for ten years. Helen is very happy with her home and family, although experiencing our common problems of aging. Her daughter’s proud claim that her Mom was one of only eight women lawyers admitted to Georgetown Law, later receiving an honorary degree, reminds us of how dramatically times have changed, especially for women (Now they do it, but seldom with eleven children, right?). Mary Ann Shrider Babendrier lives within two hours of five of her 15 children, and says she and her husband of 68 years are “hanging in there.” They live in a retirement community where they enjoy their lives: “It’s good!”
Marjorie Marran Doan is recuperating from a recent surgery, very painful! She remains active in spite of arthritis and hip (three and one!) replacements, and is able to take care of her small home in NH and lots of plants. If either of us gets near a magnet we’ll be gone, as I also (four hips, one knee) am worth quite a bit on the scrap titanium market. Margie says she looks just the same, and I told her I did, too. On the phone, Elizabeth Anne (Betty Anne) Scileppi Yanity sounds just the same, bright and perky and happy. Several times a year she travels from her home in CT to SC (Hilton Head) and FL to play golf with her much younger friends. Her six girls and a boy and their families keep her busy the rest of the time. Rosemary Torrens Tagliarenis is surrounded by girls as well, with four daughters, three of whom she visits in Boston and one in Chicago, and six grandchildren. She goes to FL in February each year and would like to catch up with any other snowbirds in the area.
Barbara Bytniewska Niesyn reports that she is grateful for her wonderful education, which is sifting down to two granddaughters who are teachers. She thinks of her classmates often and fondly. Sadly, Barbara recently broke her hip. Another casualty isLynn McCarthy Heider,who is going through a bad patch, but supported by a caring husband Fred. Lynn has been in touch with Ann Jean Carey O’Neill, who is doing well, and Janet Robbins (in my fond memory so clever and funny). Your news invariably included love to all your classmates, both living and lost to us. Our most recent loss was Catherine (Timmie) Harrington Jensen.
My news is good, it’s all good. Our family earned two master’s degrees last year and will finish two more this May. An Eastern Bluebird perched outside my kitchen window this morning, beautiful! I am blessed with fantastic family and friends, good health (is this as good as it gets?) and, like all of you, the gift of an abiding faith in His mercy. What a privilege and joy it was to get your news; I hope this letter makes your heart smile. You are remembered in a bright aura of gold, with much love.
Anne (Nancy) O’Connell Giffin
nancyogiffin@gmail.com