1983 Class Notes for 2021

In this round of news sharing, most of the Women of the Class of ’83 were silent, but the few who wrote offered a glimpse of their life experiences during a worldwide pandemic. These entries show how similar yet different those experiences were.

When COVID hit, Susan “Sue” Sheehan Bassett (Barefoot Bay, FL) was considered highly vulnerable because of her congenital heart disease. Needing to restrict her activities, Sue was allowed to work from home; however, her chief concern was obtaining groceries. She eventually discovered Walmart In-Home Delivery Service, on which she’s relied since March 2020. In January, Walmart’s marketing department asked Sue to participate in a Zoom interview about their service. A week after her interview, Walmart asked her to be in a video. In February, an entire LA crew filmed a commercial featuring Sue and Walmart’s In-Home Delivery Service in her home!  Having her hair and makeup done and a craft services truck serving hot meals was a thrill. The commercial will be shown on streaming services soon. Sue said, “It sucked …to have dinner for one on Christmas Day, but I’m not complaining because I’ve stayed COVID free and filmed a TV commercial!”

For Maureen Callahan Gottfried (Midland, GA), 2020 was a year of change and adjustment. Last May, she’d planned to attend her daughter Colleen’s graduation from law school at Catholic U. Instead, Colleen graduated in her cap and gown while lying in bed. Meanwhile, daughter Claire completed her master’s in Early Childhood Education and works at a parochial school in Atlanta. Son George will graduate this May and hopes to be employed soon. Work for Maureen has been interesting.  The courts experienced a shutdown, but after much effort at state and local levels, they started operating again – all by Zoom.  This past March, after a yearlong shutdown, jury trials were reinstated with masks, social distancing, and closed circuit TVs.  While Maureen works, husband George is enjoying retirement and they hope to start traveling soon.  Outside work, Maureen has enjoyed catching up with several classmates in a chat group.

The pandemic posed some interesting dilemmas for me.  How do I stay safe and social distance when relying on others for my most basic needs?  How do I keep my assistants safe?  What happens if one of us tests positive to COVID?  Fortunately, I had a dedicated team who was comfortable supporting me and covering for each other.  Our action plan proved successful when one assistant contracted COVID and the rest of us remained well.  Through it all, I’ve maintained a high degree of isolation and am grateful to Zoom, Teams, and Messenger for keeping me connected.  Drives around the Finger Lakes and walks in parks have staved off cabin fever while volunteering as Grant/Fundraising Coordinator for Keller’s Kats Rescue has given me a fun focus and three cats – Koni, who has radial hypoplasia, and Abbott and Costello, bonded brothers with cerebellar hypoplasia.  They’ve lightened the mood this past year.

Thanks to Sue and Maureen for sending news.  I hope that the rest of the Class of ’83 is staying healthy and safe!

Ann “Krash” Kurz
1983 Class Scribe
27 Greig Street
Rochester, NY 14608
(585) 820-2663
kurz.ann@gmail.com