1975 Class Notes for 2014
Deborah Walter Balaban writes that she is knee deep in packing and moving.
Mary Ann Francis wants us to know that she still lives in N. VA in the beautiful Lake Barcroft neighborhood. After a short stint in government consulting, she is back to her professional “home,” mortgage finance technology, as an independent consultant. She is into competition BBQ cooking for fun and teaches classes every so often. She would love to hear from Class of ’75 friends anytime.
Linda Esker wasn’t able to be at the opening of the chapel because of business travel. She said she always loved the atmosphere inside Trinity’s chapel. It is so cool and you feel protected there. Linda has been doing a lot of business travel this year for a NASA project. She has always loved working with NASA. It is so forward-looking and full of possibilities for the world, although working with the government can be frustrating now that everything is such a political intrigue and game for the people who should be leading this country into a bright future. Her life has settled down a bit personally after going through the illnesses and deaths of her parents over the last five-plus years. She is looking forward to her 60th birthday with a little more peacefulness in her life and wondering how she ever got that old. Linda shares she had an image when she was in college of “elderly” ladies over 60 and that surely doesn’t match how she looks, or how she feels, now. However, she is reminded of her aging status every time a friend retires or is laid off. Her husband, Bill, has survived about five rounds of layoffs during the past year. They wonder if they’ll still be employed next spring when both their projects are dying down; they will have to find other projects within their companies. They don’t have pension plans so are trusting the financial system to keep them going throughout retirement.
Linda says she’s not ready to be put out to pasture yet; she’s too busy enjoying what she’s doing. Besides work, they are also busy with golf, travel and home remodeling. “We’ve owned our home for almost 30 years now and so many things are looking rather tired.” She must be watching too much HGTV! By God’s grace she feels fortunate that she is doing well this year and she prays that every one of the Gold Class of ’75 is able to say the same.
Martha Zito GaRey writes that she and Dan just celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary! Still working four days a week, in theory they have more time for fun, like hiking, snow shoeing and gardening. But, in reality, “it gives us an extra day to finish the laundry or pick up the items we need at work.” Life is less hectic, though. Martha is still in the Rogue Community College Band, playing clarinet. She reports, “still working to improve my technique and sound better. We are a community band and have players from teens to 80s. This makes it a lot of fun for me. After listening to just my practicing, Dan enjoys the concerts.” Martha’s garden is in and she says it has been enjoyed by hungry, hungry robins and possibly raccoons. “They have eaten almost all the fruit and broken and bent the raspberry plants. I think my mistake was making the garden more inviting by actually weeding and making some wood-chipped pathways.” They visited their children, Seth and Julia, around Mother’s Day and were treated to one of those special hikes in the hills overlooking the Columbia River. Beautiful wildflowers, wide open vistas and good conversations accompanied just a little puffing to get to the top.
For Cora Darragh, it has been a difficult year after losing her mom and then her uncle, Fr. Paul Savage, suddenly. “He was a huge part of our family, and was just taken away so soon after losing my mom. Now we are experiencing closing out the family home that has also been so much a part of our family’s lives. It has been an eye opener to go through all of the pictures and artifacts of our parents’ lives before they met and married and to reminisce with family of all those early years; lots and lots of good memories.”
Cora is still working as a PA for WVU Hospitals in Morgantown. She has been there 18 years now, and although it continues to be stressful and challenging, she does feel fortunate to be able to be skilled at taking care of people. She feels privileged to be part of so many families’ lives. Cora does yearn for the days when she doesn’t have to work as much and can travel more. Hopefully, she can keep her health to enjoy that time in the future. Cora’s children are young adults still trying to find their niche. Carmelita (28) lives in Charlotte, NC, and Lucas (25) recently moved to Ashville, NC. Cora will spend her 60th birthday in Asheville with both of them. She sends good thoughts and wishes to our classmates, is looking forward to our next Reunion and hopes everyone can make it.
Linda Cunningham writes she really doesn’t have much to report. She’s in her 38th year of her career at FTC and plans to retire in 2015. She’s still unmarried but feels abundantly blessed that her aged parents are well and that her sister won her fight with myeloma a decade ago. She also counts her time spent at Trinity among her immeasurable blessings. “My most important blessing is being a Christian and my lifelong quest has been to share the God-kind of love (agape) for all.”
Paula Kielich ’75
Paula Kielich writes that earlier this summer she vacationed with her sisters Andrea ’71 and Chris ’73 at their condo in Ketchum, ID. Not long after the visit, wildfires ravaged the area. The fire was stopped a mile from their home, but the trails they hiked were totally burned. “The town was saved and no lives were lost; everything else will come back over time.” Paula sees Marianne Horstmann English often as she is the manager of the local Pet Valu store. Paula’s nonprofit organization, Pals For Life, continues strong in its 28th year. “We are fostering a feral kitten that was living in the engine of a car. She has come a long way from very scared and skinny and now supervises me by lying on my shoulder.”
Terry Smalls Murphy ’75 and Linda Lefemine Juliano ’75
Terry Smalls Murphy writes that all is well. Jeff is still commuting to NY every day. He is a partner at a global law firm which has had many reinventions. Their son (26) is about to begin his last year at Fordham Law School. Kate (22) just graduated from Gettysburg College with a degree in computer science and will start working for Deloitte and Touche in September. She’ll be in their consulting area and will be a tech risk consultant. She and her college roommate will be living in Arlington. Terry reports, “We were able to have lunch with Kathleen Talty and Maria Mahon Stallings in June when we were scouting out apartments and enjoyed dinner the same day with Ann Courtemanche and Susan Flood Burk ’76. I’m happy to think there are many Trinity women who might influence Kate or, at least, provide her with an occasional dinner.” Maggie (19) is returning as a sophomore to Skidmore College where she is a lacrosse player. She spent two weeks in Vaalwater, South Africa this June with a group out of Baltimore called the South African Lacrosse Project. She was one of about 20 college students who acted as lacrosse coaches at a camp for the children of the townspeople. It was an amazing experience and one she hopes to repeat. Terry is busy with family but says her job description is changing. She feels highly engaged over the summer months but will see an increase in time when all are away. She sings in the Huntington Choral Society, her parish church in a small group or alone, and with a small Episcopal choir on Sundays. She has been studying voice for the past 15 years or so and reports it is her passion. Often during the summer months, Nantucket Terry visits with Linda Lefemine Juliano and her family and Catherine Leary Bradley and her family.
Ellie O’Brien Sylvan writes all is well at her end and not much has changed since last year. Most importantly, her sons are doing well. Older son, Zachary, is working on his PhD in math at Berkeley. Younger son, Gideon, graduated from college last year as a Chinese major. He is currently working in Seattle in real estate investment, but Ellie suspects there is some travel/work in his near future. Both are in great cities to visit! Ellie’s work at Mobile Mark continues to go well. The company is growing, with new products and markets, so her job continues to be interesting. Ellie enjoys sailing and kayaking in the summer.
Marianne Horstmann English is the manager of Pet Valu in Wayne, PA. Work, work, work! Bridget is happy at National Geographic as an editor in the book division.
Kathleen Talty writes with a very heavy heart to share the news about the passing of Mary T. Connor who died on Tuesday, October 8, after bravely and privately battling cancer for almost two-and-a-half years. Mary lived in NYC with her husband, Mark Gallagher, and their four beautiful children. Alex is a recent BC grad, Catherine attends GU, Carolyn attends Columbia and Laura is a freshman in high school at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Kathleen has also been very busy with her parish and with work.
Mary Surano Conaway ’75 and family
As for me, it has been a year of highs and lows. We celebrated my 60th birthday in style with a big party, and then John suffered a heart attack one week later. Luckily we were right around the corner from Reston Hospital where he had a catheterization and a stent put in. I am happy to say John is doing great and has a new lease on life, as do I. As we are all getting older, unfortunately many of us are facing medical challenges. Most importantly we have to remember that each day is a gift and each moment is precious. So, my fellow Trinity Sisters, take the time to let your family know how much you love them.
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is though nothing is a miracle. The other is though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein
Love to all,
Mary Surano Conaway