1951 Class Notes for 2021
Terry Shea Pitt, our faithful leader and my reliable informant just called with the sad news of Catherine “Lynn” Spath Heider’s death. Not knowing her well, I can only remember a huge smile, a hearty laugh, and incredulous delight in her marriage. We are diminished; such painful losses, family and friends. Terry’s life remains peaceful, but quieter than previously. She sees one neighbor daughter very often and other family members more sporadically as they take turns visiting and helping out. Recently, her son from LA spent a week with her while his late-night TV job was dark. Terry remains in her home in CT (no more gardening, though) and gets out when she can get a ride. She still misses Bud terribly after ten years.
Mary Ann Schrider Babendrier made it easy for me, classifying her news as “good” and “sad.” Her sad news is the loss of her husband last year, bittersweet because he was miserable with diabetes. Her son Bernie in Valatie, NY, is suffering from brain cancer. Considering her sad news, Mary Ann’s upbeat “I still like to cook” touched my heart. To that end, with four children living in her area, she always has company for dinner! The other “good” news is her oldest son, Joe, a priest for 26 years in Nairobe, Kenya, visited her in February, and her fifteenth great-grandchild was born in March.
Lola Blank Sullivan’s hopeful and philosophical letter voiced similar life circumstances. Her husband died in January and 25 of their 26 grandchildren attended his funeral, one all the way from Japan. Her retirement community has been isolated since then, although irrepressible Lola managed to burn palms and anoint her Rosary group with ashes on Ash Wednesday. “How fortunate we are that TC taught us to stand tall and strong, trusting always in the Blessed Trinity. Little by little, life will come back to something recognizable but, meanwhile, our faith and memories keep us going.”
Another classmate from NJ, Adwina Honchar Arends, checked in with the news that she is still active in her parish yearly musicale, dreading the day she won’t be able to participate in activities she loves. She is phasing out of her long- time position in public relations for Aruba tourism (why didn’t we ever go there when she invited us, and we could walk?!) but enjoys many activities including church and theater work. She finds comfort in family and regrets that her children aren’t nearer.
So many classmates sent news of a subdued lifestyle because of Covid. Elizabeth Scileppi Yanity gave me a good word, ”prisoners” is what we are! BettyAnn remains in an apartment in her home town of Ridgefield, CT, although most of her children are scattered except Janet and Kathleen who visit and help with chauffer duties. She finds lack of such control is a nuisance because she still is gifted with lots of energy and would play golf every day if she could.
Ann Jean Carey O’Neill is back in Marco Island from Indiana. “Going Covid crazy like everyone else even though we’re fairly open compared too many places. I can’t get Barbara “Barb” Pahls Thompson to play yet, until her shot. Ann Jean talks to Lorraine Wolfe, Nancy Dolle Busch and Marilyn “Lynn” Heider before she passed. She misses Mary Alice Coogan Neylan and now that missing friends a reality for all of us, she will miss Lynn too.
Joan Lauck Conroy keeps in touch with Ann Jean Carey O’Neill, Patricia “Pat” Dunsmore, and Lynn. Joan is very content in her Vero Beach home on the water, enjoying virtual masses, especially from the Basilica of Notre Dame, her home parish, Holy Cross, and St. Thomas More in Baton Rouge, LA. “I have my books to read, word puzzles to do, and piano to play. Life is good but the hole in my heart is from the loss of my life’s love and partner Bill, who passed away ten years ago.”
Zilpha Bosone echoes those ‘life is good’ sentiments. She is totally independent in a fairly large house and suffers no pain of any kind (may I share a little arthritis?). Covid has caused her to cut out temporarily her jazzercise, but she still gardens some and mows her own lawn. She has close friends and neighbors and looks forward to socializing more.
Paula Hanrahan Connolly at her Cape Cod home, is resigned to her limited ability (no mountain climbing, no dancing) to enjoy physical activity. She is grateful for friends, a game of bridge, and frequent visits from her doctor daughter and growing grandchildren.
Joan “Candy” Kane Aufiero says, “I am grateful that there are good friends here at Messiah Village and lots of activities. Three of my four children live nearby and that is a big plus!”.
An uneventful life is the similar message from Adele McGreevy Fialcowitz. She is duly vaccinated and cared for in her retirement home, looking forward to Spring when she can enjoy her daily walk.
Lorraine Rosedale Wolfe is also grateful for her good life, living near four of her seven children. She says she can’t be sad with so much activity going on around her; 26 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren! (What’s your name again?) “My life is filled with many blessings; the family, of course, is the best. Can you believe we’re all getting older? How does this happen?” Can’t you just hear Lorraine saying that, with big questioning eyes? She lives near Nancy Dolle Bush and is so lucky to keep in touch.
Nancy Dolle Bush sent me an email that my computer lost (it hates me) but we caught up by phone. Nancy fell last summer and has endured the wheelchair, crutches, cane, stages of rehab and is now lurching about on her own wonderful wobbly feet. Otherwise, her situation remains peaceful and stable. IL in the winter and Northern Michigan in the summer, enjoying family in both places. Acceptance is her word, for living a nice long life and having a deep faith that keeps us content.
I was sad to hear that Barbara Bytniewska Niesyn is another recent casualty (more titanium over here!). She broke her hip, but wouldn’t recommend it! She lives with her son, who works from home since Covid, and is grateful for the help. Barbara obviously keeps her sense of humor; she reminded me that Nancy Pelosi graduated from Trinity.
Margie Marran Doan hunkers down (no snowbird here) in New Hampshire, appreciating the beautiful mountains and landscape. She keeps herself content with her plants and knitting and quiet pursuits. Margie acknowledges some aches and pains in such a jovial way. “We are a stalwart group!”
I moved this year from GA to VA (had to get rid of all my good stuff); my housemate daughter moved out (for a man, what a loser) so now I enjoy the lovely attention of another daughter and son. Also, this year our family was sad to lose a very dear son-in-law who, thoughtful as ever, died a week before a grandchild’s wedding so the extended family was together in GA for both events. Add a new great grandchild, no friends, and a fantastic new church, and that’s my news.
I’ve saved the best till last, Cathy McCarthy (Sister Paula) has also moved this year because of diminished numbers in her order, and sends her news in rhyme: (She is replacing me as poet…. Good! )
What fun, at ninety-one, to hear from Nancy, a little fancy
You might know it, she’s still a poet.
Now, as for me, who was Cathy:
As nun you’d call her Sister Mary Paula.
Closed Monastery: (down to three!)
Still Visitation, New destination!
St. Paulites shiver to cross the river, Mississippi,
But I’ve made the trip.
Minneapolis is where I make my prayer.
No school labors; outreach to neighbors.
I, however, get the last word: Oh good Jesus, this I pray, a happy death, Just not today.
Your messages to each other are an inspiration to me; they make me truly grateful for the grace that brought us together seventy years ago and sustains us today. As Margie says, “We are a stalwart group!”
Everyone sends their love to everyone.
Nancy O’Connell Giffin
nancyogiffin@gmail.com
1-770-543-8041