1980 Class Notes for 2015
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I gather based on the fact that a number of us saw one another at the 35th class reunion that not many felt the need to send back an update to be included in this newsletter. So this year’s newsletter is short. Wonderful to have seen those who could join us; and we missed others who could not be with us for the lunch and parties.
Kathy Dowd-LaMuraglia wrote to say that the empty nest was invaded last summer. Child #3 (Peter) graduated from the Citadel in Charleston last May and has moved back home “until he finds a job” and child #4 (Mimi) was home just for the summer and then headed back to Queens University for her second year. Child #1(Bridget) completed her Masters in Teaching and is living in Charlotte and loving teaching, and Child #2 (Mathew) is living and working in Atlanta. Kathy and Pete were planning a trip to London for the Rugby World Cup, with tickets in hand to see the Ireland versus Italy match up. Then they went to Normandy to do some research on Pete’s dad’s tour of duty when he was a pilot in the War. Kathy really enjoyed seeing classmates at the last reunion and reports many laughs and great memories.
Mary Sue Twomey reports all is fine with her in San Francisco. She gets the gold star for sharing a Dean Coleman story. Here goes: in our senior year, when we were decorating for red class day, some of us thought it would be a grand idea to utilize the red carpet that had been used for the Pope’s visit earlier in the year to decorate the Marble Corridor. At about midnight, we were in the act of unrolling the purloined carpet when someone spotted Dean Coleman and Sr. Margaret Clayton coming in the front entrance. Our merry band scattered to the four corners, but I knew I had been spotted, so I stayed behind. I didn’t know what to expect. Was this an honor code violation? I mean the carpet had just been sitting down by the gym for weeks and we were going to put it back at the end of the day… Anyway, I just stood there hoping that I wasn’t going to be expelled because my parents would be really upset with me. “Good evening Mary Susan,” said Dean Coleman as she approached me. “Decorating for class day, I see.” I stammered some response. She looked at me intently and then she and Sr. Margaret exchanged a sly and silent look. A moment later, they both walked off. I remember standing stock still and not knowing what to do. Then, over her shoulder and with a wave of her hand she said simply “Carry on then.” So we did. Thanks for sharing that memory Mary Sue!
Holly Hubler also wrote with an update. She lives in Norfolk, VA and is involved in various organizations: the Alliance Francaise, Sister Cities of Norfolk, Tidewater Arts Outreach, and the Muse Writers’ Center. 2015 saw or will see three international trips: one a wedding in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in May. She was planning a trip to Toulon, France with the Sister Cities Exchange Program, as Norfolk hosted its French counterparts here in Norfolk in April, and now it’s Norfolk’s turn to go to France! Holly and her mother, Milly Hubler (Trinity Alumna, class of ’49) were planning a trip to Italy and tour the Amalfi Coast, Pompei, Assisi, Capri, Rome, Naples, and Florence. Holly notes that her foreign language major has served her well, as she is forever traveling to foreign countries. She is learning Italian online and enjoying it immensely. Holly has transitioned out of her full-time career with the State Department Foreign Service. She accepts free-lance Foreign Service assignments for U.S. Ambassadors in Europe. Last summer she had a four and a half month stint in Luxembourg. She reports she will probably go back out in 2016 as it is a fantastic opportunity both to work and to explore more of Europe. In Norfolk, Holly is a culinary food tour guide. She can tell anyone whose interested about the battleship USS Wisconsin and other points of interest along our walking route! She lives across the street from the Harrison Opera House and the Chrysler Museum of Art that showcases one of the largest collections of glass pieces in the U.S. She also lodges opera musicians to give back to the community. Her area of Norfolk is walkable, and she likes that, as she is one of the very few that gets by without a car.
Marti Barbella Price wrote to specifically thank Lynn Delaney for her efforts in getting the elusive class of ’80 together as well as to thank Laura Phillips, once again, for letting us hang out in her lovely home for the class party. It was a really nice evening with great food and company. Marti was glad she made the trek to DC.
Maureen O’Leary Brown wrote to report that she and Dave were going to be empty nesters when Cara goes to college. Cara chose to attend Misericordia University in Dallas, PA, where she will be studying occupational therapy. She wanted a direct admit program bypassing applying for graduate school in four years, so she will have her masters in a bit over five years if all goes well. Cara’s parents think it is a perfect fit for her as it is a small, Catholic, rural and service-oriented institution. She will be only a couple of hours from Maureen’s parents and siblings who still live in or around Sparta, NJ, so Maureen hopes that means she will be in Sparta more as well. Older daughter Corrine was already back to school last August; where she is a Resident Assistant at Miami University in Oxford, OH. Her parents are very proud of her; she is a stellar student. Corrine plans on traveling and studying abroad next summer. Maureen notes that only time will tell if she will home again for any extended time. Dave is thrilled that he does not travel for work anymore. He is working for a small company – back to his roots, where he has control of the services provided, customer service and real relationship building. Dave trained and certified as a USA swimming official, so he will be officiating at a number of meets. He also joined The Singers Club of Cleveland and has enjoyed it so much, he is now on the board. He will be busy even without the girls around. Maureen is still working with Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland, part of a staff that is young and energetic and she is hoping they will keep her that way too. At the very least Maureen is up on the latest trends in fashion, music, technology, etc., so that’s a good thing. She continues to scrapbook and to make cards. As local schools in Solon, OH are almost back in session, Maureen says is it a bit unsettling not to have curriculum nights to attend, school swimming meetings on her calendar or dance classes to sign up for. But she’s ready.
I myself am slowly moving towards having an empty nest. My daughter is a senior in high school and we have had some great trips to look at prospective colleges. Now we just need to get some applications submitted and acceptances under our collective belts. It all seems so unreal to me. My son is a mere year behind starting his junior year in high school. Jerry and I had a couple of weeks last summer to be on our own as the kids had camps and programs away at the same time. We discovered there is a whole different social life available to you when you have free time and engage with other adults while also not in the midst of raising kids. Work is work for both of us. I do wonder at times how I can have had nearly 30 years as a lawyer under my belt and still be thinking there has to be something out there more engrossing to do day in and day out. Ah well. Life has second and even third acts sometimes.
Thanks to Dottie Donnelly McCarthy and Lynn Delaney for all the camaraderie and logistical support on the always fun class party; they ensured we had a beautiful night. These two classmates are just fun people who also really know how to throw parties. Thanks also to Ann Marie Kelleher Pitkin and others who brought stuff and, to Marti, who made amazing frozen margaritas for the whole crew. I am so glad to know you all.
Your class scribe,
Laura Phillips
laurahathawayphillips@gmail.com