1957 Class Notes for 2018
We had a fine Reunion. The 60th Reunion Class gift was $19,385. With the help of Sr. Mary Florence Hayes, we were given the Faculty Lounge for gathering and class discussions. In attendance were: Marie Badaracco-Apolito, Bernadette Wortman Bailey, Sr. Carlotta Bartone, Elizabeth Ross Berg-Jackman, Agnes Renehan Collins, Joylene Rocereto Dalzell, Mary Lyn Graf Furth, Mayan Kiernan Herr, Myrtis Mixon, Mary Lou Hurney Oswald, Nancy Brick Savarie, Sr. Margaret Scanlan, Eleanor Wilson Sopkovich, MaryJane Handler Stanton and Gloria Hewitt Wills, and of course, Sr. Mary Florence Hayes. Several husbands were present and they helped with the heavy work.
As the Reunion started, we heard that Julie Collins had died. More recently I found out that Dr. Mary Carroll Smith died on Cape Cod. I heard from Wilda Marraffino Vanek that her husband Jaroslav died in November 2017. Our prayers are with their families.
Since last year we celebrated our 60th Reunion, many of you wrote or emailed me about being 80 years “young” and the experiences you and others are having. I’ll quote some and add others.
From Nancy Rubery, I heard that she and Paul went to Ireland, then to weddings and to Paul’s 60th law lchool reunion at Cornell. Nancy keeps in touch with Pat Souhan Karpinski, Wilda Marrafino Vanek, Joann Yeip Hanley and Maryan Kiernan Herr.
Marilyn Dinkel Fry wrote of problems of aging; sounds familiar? She has a daughter from Iowa who helps her, when needed. Marilyn wasn’t back for Reunion. Mary Donahue Merrill wrote that all is fine in NH and was not back for our 60th either.
From Kathleen Meehan Smith (Herbie): Her husband John died in 2016. She has moved from South Carolina to Hamilton, NJ, not far from family who keep her busy with sports, etc. One granddaughter, a high school freshman, was one of 150 lacrosse players selected by Under Armour to play in Baltimore in July 2017.
Joann Yeip Hanley wrote of a long illness, and I quote: “Anyway … I am much better. I just don’t have much ENERGY!!!! I feel good and I know that I am a miracle!!!!!!!! You just never give up!!!! How do I spend the week??? I go to exercise class two times per week, I go to art school downtown once per week and I fill in with other things the other two days. I moved to a nursing home for one year and left there for my daughter’s, last November, where I am very HAPPY! I was released from hospice last October and felt it was time to move on. I am reading a LOT, lot, lot. (I felt AWFUL when I first got it. I had two months of absolute agony, not from pain but absolute exhaustion.) So you have gotten an earful. I am ready to go to GOD at any time. I look forward to it even though I am not in any pain. I have been very blessed. Thank God! P.S. my kids are good! Irene is here working four days a week. Larry still in Oakland, CA, and teaching at UC. Andy is still a lawyer in Wilmington, NC with two kids in college and two still at home. Lots of LOVE. … jo.”
Sister Mary de Sales died last February 2, 2016. She had a brilliant mathematical mind and enjoyed teaching math, computer science (a pioneer!) and physics. We miss her cheerful presence among us but know she is now reaping the rewards of a life well lived. Blessings.
From Mary Gill Bowman, I share this letter: “The person who termed ‘Senior Years’ as the ‘Golden Years’ was nuts! Getting old is tough. Our generation has experienced many changes…computers, cell phones, iPads, and gadgets galore. The list goes on and on. Most of us have mastered enough to get along, but there is always something new in the wings. Who ever thought the home phone would become obsolete, or going to the bank or post office would seldom be necessary? In my defense I must admit I still have my home phone line and my 20-year-old Jeep (which looks like new and runs like a top). Like many our age, down-sizing has become a priority. What a surprise it was to discover that most of my prized possessions are not wanted by our children or grandchildren. Silver, linens, fine china and crystal are not part of their lives. They have no time for formal entertaining as we knew it. Raising a family, plus a full-time job, takes all of their time. The children are involved in extracurricular activities since they can no longer play outside without parental supervision. I find it sad but necessary as society changes. Thank God for Goodwill! While I detest the aging process I am very blessed. The kids and their families are all healthy, (as am I) and holding their own. Harold died last fall, but I have adjusted and try to keep busy. I plan to stay in the house until ill health takes over (whether physical or mental). Travel is difficult, but I do manage to visit the children as often as possible. Much as I would have enjoyed our 60th Reunion, I had to decline the invitation. Our classmates will forever be as sisters to me and my days at Trinity will always be among my treasured memories. What a wonderful time it was! Many thanks for your endeavors on our behalf! Continue to get well and I will keep you in my prayers. Affectionately, Mary Gill Bowman.”
From Myrtis Mixon, I quote: “I am a ‘certified laughter yoga’ leader and try to keep laughing because it is the best medicine. I am still working. … In the summer, teaching a class that always has a few English teachers from other countries, and teaching ESL to university students in the fall at the U of San Francisco, and a Jesuit school. I am really big on Social Justice, so there is always a good lecture to go to, just a few blocks from my house. When I am lucky I get little jobs overseas … one in April: a week in Belgrade, Serbia, and a week in Budapest, working with English teachers whose areas are impacted by immigrant movement … about prejudice, stereotypes, etc. I also chose to go work ‘in the trenches’ … in a language school in Sousse, Tunisia, because I have a good friend who stayed in Tunisia after her Fulbright … still there 8 years later. … It was interesting and a month working in any country makes one feel almost native (ha ha). Sue Faherty Fannon died, and so did Paula Collins Mazzio … my two Trinity roommates. I saw Zoe Marhoefer Keithley at a Trinity party here in San Francisco, and mean to see her when I go past Sacramento, CA to Fulsom (the prison town) where my daughter moved.”
From Kay Chandless Hoffman: “Have no interesting news to relay. I’ve been back living in my family home in New Jersey with my brother for years. I’m in good health, enjoy gardening, managing the tiny town newspaper, and watching my children, grand- and great-grandchildren become interesting people. My hardest job is to keep my opinions to myself.”
Mary-Jane Handler Stanton celebrated her 80th birthday in Vero Beach, FL, with Betsy Ross Jachman and John Jachman. She also joined Robyn English for Robyn’s 80th birthday.
I’ve heard from the travelers: Denise Mulaney White has been to Dublin recently. Glad so many of you are still able to travel. It sounds like others such as Eleanor Bebe Wilson Sopkovich have been on the move, too. She wrote that she and Nick attended a family wedding in Toms River, NJ. From there they boarded a ship in Manhattan for a trip to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island via Bar Harbor. In January, they will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in Newport Beach.
From Margaret Shawn Scanlan, SND: As a coordinator of adult faith formation, she left her 14 years of offering RCIA and scripture classes at a Washington Archdiocese parish this past year to join four other Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in community in Baltimore, MD. Her email is: MSScanlan@aol.com
I received Shirley Wong’s Christmas letter. In it she described her and her family’s extended trips around the country. One trip to DC included a White House tour arranged by a family member working inside for Obama.
Love,Last year, I received a phone call from Mary Lou Kenney Duncan. She told me of a Netflix documentary, directed and produced by Mary Maggio, the daughter of Polly Collins Maggio, “I Am Jane Doe”, a film about human trafficking of middle school girls. It was very well received and is available on Amazon and Netflix. Mary Lou talked about seeing Sheila Dwyer Wilson, who still lives on Cape Cod.
Melissa Twigg Hyland