Welcome to the Trinity Class of 1953 page! This page will be updated with class notes, memorials, and information about reunion and class gifts when relevant.
As Trinity celebrates its 125th anniversary and we approach our 70th reunion year (How can this be so??), I was delighted to receive your update letters.
Mary Rossiter writes that she is still at home with her son and a caretaker who helps her immensely.
Shonnie Hall Finnegan shares that after all the restrictions brought on by the pandemic, she’s been glad to get back to some outside interests- Taoist Tai Chi classes, church groups (Social Justice, Feminist Theology, Book Club), occasional concerts, plays and art exhibitions. She was particularly honored to receive an award from the Buffalo History Museum last fall for contributions to local history. Congratulations Shonnie!
Joanne McGuire Haffner and Jack are plugging along, not doing a great deal but enjoying life just the same. They have nine great grands so far, four who are temporarily living in Germany. Their children are spread around CA and FL; however, son Thomas comes frequently to help with things around the house.
I had a lovely note from MC Elward Halvorsen who is proudly still in her home, still driving and still in good health! Her oldest grandson is graduating from college in June, two granddaughters are in college as well, and the youngest grandson heads to college next year. She continues to keep busy working on her passion with the EPA trying to educate environmentalists on tidal actions.
My daughter Kerry (’80) and I recently had a delightful lunch with Adelene Cowhig Quigley, her daughter Anne, Corinne O’Neil Wood’s daughter Lisa Wood Gregoire (’78), and Kate Farrell Mayne (’78). Lisa brought one of Corinne’s photo albums from Trinity and we laughed and cried and shared wonderful memories.
I know we all sorely miss our departed classmates – Cathy Claydon Lightfoot, Corinne O’Neil Wood, Pat O’Neal Schmitt, and Jan Dempsey Largay. I am also certain we will always remember how fortunate we were to enjoy their friendship and good cheer all these years. May they, and any others I am not aware of, rest in the eternal peace of the Trinity.
Bless you Trinity Ladies. Be Well. Be Safe. Be Happy.
As Trinity celebrates its 125th anniversary and we approach our 70th reunion year (How can this be so??), I was delighted to receive your update letters.
Mary Rossiter writes that she is still at home with her son and a caretaker who helps her immensely.
Shonnie Hall Finnegan shares that after all the restrictions brought on by the pandemic, she’s been glad to get back to some outside interests- Taoist Tai Chi classes, church groups (Social Justice, Feminist Theology, Book Club), occasional concerts, plays and art exhibitions. She was particularly honored to receive an award from the Buffalo History Museum last fall for contributions to local history. Congratulations Shonnie!
Joanne McGuire Haffner and Jack are plugging along, not doing a great deal but enjoying life just the same. They have nine great grands so far, four who are temporarily living in Germany. Their children are spread around CA and FL; however, son Thomas comes frequently to help with things around the house.
I had a lovely note from MC Elward Halvorsen who is proudly still in her home, still driving and still in good health! Her oldest grandson is graduating from college in June, two granddaughters are in college as well, and the youngest grandson heads to college next year. She continues to keep busy working on her passion with the EPA trying to educate environmentalists on tidal actions.
My daughter Kerry (’80) and I recently had a delightful lunch with Adelene Cowhig Quigley, her daughter Anne, Corinne O’Neil Wood’s daughter Lisa Wood Gregoire (’78), and Kate Farrell Mayne (’78). Lisa brought one of Corinne’s photo albums from Trinity and we laughed and cried and shared wonderful memories.
I know we all sorely miss our departed classmates – Cathy Claydon Lightfoot, Corinne O’Neil Wood, Pat O’Neal Schmitt, and Jan Dempsey Largay. I am also certain we will always remember how fortunate we were to enjoy their friendship and good cheer all these years. May they, and any others I am not aware of, rest in the eternal peace of the Trinity.
Bless you Trinity Ladies. Be Well. Be Safe. Be Happy.
I was thrilled to receive so many calls, emails and letters from you! I know that during this unprecedented time of COVID, we are all yearning for and valuing contact with family and friends and it is my pleasure to share your news. I hope you find this renewing of our special friendships as a comfort.
Our first responder was Betsy Staat Romson who wrote from AZ to say that she and Jim were planning to stay there for the winter and then return to NY after Easter. No pleasure trips were planned but all her family was well.
A wonderful newsy letter arrived from Christine Kennedy O’Connor, who last year celebrated her 62nd wedding anniversary. She and Dan have four children and ten grandchildren. Four years ago, they moved to a golfing community in NC. While Dan still enjoys the golf, Christine enjoys the watching.
Ann Cronin Scheelar says the lockdown in New York state has produced three more great grandchildren, now totaling eight. They all hope to get acquainted this summer but till then it’s shared photos, texting and the “old fashioned” phone!
Mary Gies Commins reports that she has finished her third book on her father’s ancestry and is now working on her mother’s side of the family. She remains living in the home she and Bill shared and has five of her six children nearby. So even though she and her kitty, Cherie, are hermits, they are well cared for. Mary reminded me of our “secret visitor” at TC – a bat joined our class for a brief, but exciting, visit. We fifth floor ladies felt it was only proper to give him a formal send-off and so we did. We dressed in our senior robes, including graduation caps, marched around the fifth floor with forlorn expressions and musically flushed him away to his final resting place. Mary shared that MaryLou Condon O’Brien had married a friend of her Bill and the couples saw each other many times. MaryLou’s daughter has reached out to Mary to talk and remember and Mary will send her some pictures of happy times together. It’s so wonderful to have our Trinity relationships continued with and between our children!
Shonnie Hall Finnegan wrote a very touching letter about Marie Noonan Sabin, who died last October. She spoke affectionately about her friendship with Libby Kilbourn Birdsall and Martha McGill Thornley. Libby was invited to speak at Marie’s online service, which I attended as well. Shonnie also keeps in touch with Cathy Claydon Lightfoot. I know we all send Cathy our warmest thoughts as we, and all of the Trinity community, mourn the loss of her sister, Sister Margaret Claydon.
I had a wonderful phone call with Pat and Rosemarie Battistelli Altieri. Rosemarie had a pacemaker implanted in early winter. She sounded and says she feels great. They have a grandchild in graduate school in Chicago studying electrical engineering. We made tentative plans to get together when COVID restrictions are lifted.
Mary Rossiter sadly lost her husband, John, last year. While she has lots of arthritis pain, and has a caretaker helping her during the day, she happily lives with her son and her daughter is just a few minutes away so she feels well cared for and safe.
Joan Payden continues to be an active CEO of Payden and Rygel, her global investment management firm. At her writing, they have been in lockdown for over ten months but says that working from home has proven to be very successful. Collaboration is the key! She occasionally sees Elaine de Montigny Donovan back east but not many others on the west coast. Joan has become quite involved with Trinity and its future. Over the past 10-15 years, women’s colleges have had a tough time, with Trinity being an exception. Joan attributes this to President Pat McGuire. She notes specifically the increased enrollment, competitive programs in science, nursing and pre-med, and the receipt of prestigious corporate grants that recognize the excellence of education. We should all be proud.
Claartje Rathjens Bertaut shares that her full schedule of exercise classes, walking, Chinese lessons and weekly dinner with family came to an abrupt halt due to COVID. Slowly some of these activities have returned but still no Chinese lessons! Her cats, Tessa and Lucy, keep her company while she tries to stay sane. Claartje has discovered, as I’m sure many of us have, that she already has lots of interesting books in her house, and has been slowly reading through many of them.
Betty Harkins Creamer is well and finds herself living in a cocoon. She feels outplayed by her electronic devises; aka alien beings. The fridge warns her to replace its filter, Alexa talks back to the TV, her robot vacuum wanders aimlessly over rugs bumping into things and her cell phone and Kindle require more attention that her kids or pets. Otherwise, all is going great. I’m sure we all are experiencing similar tugs of war with our devices!
Joanne and Jack Haffner
Joanne McGuire Haffner and Jack live in a retirement community in OR. Joanne has learned to do all her shopping on the computer and everything is delivered two hours later. It’s a great time saver and she plans to continue shopping this way. Joanne and Jack have nine great grandchildren and they are all being home schooled. This is working out very well for all. Their dog, Luci, is an 11-year-old Maltipoo and is a joy to have around.
MC Elward Halvorsen called one night in the middle of a rare blizzard in WA state. Sadly, she lost her brother, Frank, a year ago and the family is still waiting to have his funeral. MC continues to drive and live in the same house. She keeps busy with environmental projects and like all of us, is wearing a mask, reading a lot and looking forward to the world getting back to normal as she dutifully waits for her vaccine shot.
Jane Dunning Ford now understands why isolation can be considered a form of torture. She and Bill are comfortable and their children take good care of everything for them, although she worries about them as they are exposed to the virus every day. Jane says she believes the pandemic will be over when she can finally go to Mass again. I imagine many of us feel that way! The only classmate she is in touch with is Cecile Dreyfus Fleming who seems to have adapted well to her new life with her daughter in SC. Jane mentioned how hard it was to watch the insurrection at the Capitol in January and how very fortunate we were to see it free and open when we were students.
Adelene Cowhig Quigley, Pat O’Neal Schmitt and Nancy McCormack O’Connell
I had a delightful call with Adelene Cowhig Quigley one day. Her year of COVID started in Naples, FL where she had a great visit with Jan Dempsey Largay. Since then, she has taken turns staying with each of her three daughters and their families. She met Corinne O’Neil Wood for an outdoor luncheon last summer and then I joined her for lunch at Pat O’Neal Schmitt’s home. Pat is well and had just returned from a three-week family tour, which provided her with a new appreciation of the busy lives her children and grandchildren lead.
My daughter, Kerry (’80), and I have weathered the pandemic beautifully. We haven’t seen other family members, except to briefly exchange food and presents with my daughter Lauren (’84) at a parking lot on the border of MA and NH when travel restrictions were in place, but we do have frequent Zoom calls.
The year of the pandemic has been nothing that any of us have ever experienced but we are thankfully approaching a return to normalcy; albeit likely a new normal. As many of us celebrate our “BIG” birthday this year, may our family and friends continue to give us love and strength.
Once again it has been my pleasure to hear from so many of you with news of you and your families.
Before I start sharing this year’s news, I want to mention the passing of Pat Shannon McDonough, which happened just as last year’s letter went to press. Pat and her delightful husband Edwin (who died in 2016) had a wonderful, if too short, marriage. They both loved to travel and did so very frequently. Pat Schmitt and I, and our daughters, attended Pat’s very beautiful funeral Mass in Newton, MA.
Mary Gies Commins writes that she is happy to be able to stay in the house she and Bill lived in for so many years. Five of her children live in the area and her youngest is in Charlotte. Mary’s 14 grandchildren range from some college graduates to a sixth grade grandson who knows everything about dinosaurs, prehistoric creatures and all the birds in the backyard! Mary has developed a group of young female college students who live with her for a semester to a full school year at a time. This has worked out wonderfully for all concerned. Mary sends out an email every morning to check in with her children and keeps busy with her new cat, Mon Cheri, and researching and writing family genealogy books – three to date!
Betty Harkins Creamer sent a great note, much of it about Pat Furlong Smith. Betty had just spoken to Pat and said she sounded wonderful over the phone but that she had lost both Ken and her sister last year and this has prompted a move to be closer to her son. She is still active playing bridge at the Master’s level and she also recently enjoyed an extensive cruise with a close friend. Betty says she and her friends are immersed in the national news as well as their local news and she takes comfort in good health and close family and friends. She hopes we all can do the same!
Isabel Roedel Bull wrote from Peoria where she and George continue to live. They are still relatively healthy and were looking forward to their yearly visit to Wyoming where they visit sisters, brothers and cousins.
Marie Noonan Sabin’s letter began with the sad news of Pat Carr Bruckman’s death in early February. Pat had been very ill for the last two years and had kept putting off a visit from Marie until she was feeling better- their last conversation was in November. Marie remembered how she and Pat would travel to Trinity together on the sleeper from Boston. They would board at 9pm and ask to be awakened the next morning in Baltimore just in time to get ready for debarkation at Union Station. I’m sure we all have similar travel memories! Marie had more sad news, though, with the death of her oldest brother, John. Marie was grateful that some amazing grace brought her near John in California for the last two years of his life. Marie’s good news was that her third book, Evolving Humanity and Biblical Wisdom, was published last April. Marie has developed a retreat based on her book called Everyday Mysticism that she would gladly offer anywhere she is asked!
Joan Maloney struggles with the computer (you’re not alone!) but says all is well with her, although she had a miserable summer last year. She was attacked by a stray dog and lost most of her thumb! She most definitely agrees with Darwin who thought that thumbs were what made us superior to monkeys! Joan is back to “writing” articles of historical research, using her surgically rebuilt digit.
Claartje Rathgens Bertaut always writes her letter on the back of her family’s yearly New Year epistle, so I feel quite up-to-date with all the family news. With renewed energy following heart valve surgery, Claartje mixes weekly Tai Chi, Yoga, and senior exercise classes with long walks in the neighborhood. She continues to read and research the events of WWII from a non-Nazi perspective and enjoys lunches and dinners with family and friends. And she welcomed her first great-grandchild, Walter, in February and hopes to travel to San Francisco to meet him soon.
An exceptionally lovely letter arrived from Diane Ryan Kunkler’s daughter, Katrina, telling us that Diane passed away last November. Diane’s husband, Bill, had died last year as well. Diane left seven children, their spouses, 22 grandchildren and her sister, Katherine Calnan.
Mary Catherine Elward Halvorsen writes that she had to be rescued by her son from a “once every 25 year” snow storm this winter. She is still in her house and still drives but no longer cuts her own grass! MC continues to fight the local radical environmentalists who spend their days proposing dangerous plans such as putting picnic tables in the middle of a tug and barge operation at the end of a street where 40 freight trucks a day pass by. All is well with her family and she hopes the same is true of all her classmates.
Martha McGill Thornley shares that she has had to cut back on travelling somewhat, but keeps in touch with Marie Sabin, Shonnie Hall Finnegan, Libby Kilbourn Birdsall, Betsy Statt Romson and Kathy Claydon Lightfoot. She still manages an occasional concert and was looking forward to taking a class offered by her local center for lifetime study. Her husband, Bill, uses a walker to get around but their children are faithful and attentive.
Betsy Romson sent a short but newsy note from Phoenix telling us that last year she was recovering from spinal surgery to correct lower back pain. The procedure worked well until last October when the pain returned. She is now back to PT and aqua-therapy and says prayers will be gratefully received. She and Jim are planning to return to Rochester and look for a smaller condo. Betsy keeps in touch with Martha McGill, who was about to celebrate a wedding anniversary. She also told us of the death of Lore Carlisle Sheedy (TC ’55) last year.
Joanne McGuire Hafner and Jack are doing remarkably well, although, Jack had a trans aortic valve replacement two years ago. They are planning a trip to their former home, the Sea Ranch, to see old friends and the beautiful winter ocean that they enjoy so much.
Mary Conboy Rossiter and John moved back to Massachusetts in 2015 and John fell the following year and has never fully recovered. Four of the five Rossiter children live nearby and they help Mary and John in so many ways. They lead a quiet life but feel so blessed to have their health. Mary closed by saying she treasures beautiful memories of our days at Trinity – how fortunate we all are to be able to recall those wonderful days!
Ann Marie Cronin Scheelar tells us that she has retired after 32 years of teaching second grade in a Catholic school (which she loved!). Her husband, Earl (GU ’53), passed away last April but Ann Marie has eight grandchildren who manage to keep her busy and occupied. She still does a bit of tutoring and counseling, but not so much that it interferes with lunch or dinner with friends.
Jane Dunning Ford writes that she had been having problems with old bones and a lumbar disc and Bill needs a walker to get around but they are bumbling through and their children are very helpful. They will miss their annual family vacation to the Outer Banks and had hoped to make Reunion but just couldn’t make that happen.
Shonnie Finnegan also wrote about the passing of our classmate Pat Bruckman. She attached an impressive tribute of Pat from a Toronto newspaper and believes that Pat’s notable career as a literary scholar and citizen of the world reflects well on the College. Before Shonnie had a chance to send her note, she had a fall in her home and needed a partial hip replacement and a vacation in a rehab facility! She is much better now.
Corinne O’Neil Wood’s husband, Henry, passed away in January. Their son, Michael, Michael’s wife Emily and their son-in-law Rich Quitadamo all preceded him in death. Corinne and Henry raised their three young grandchildren, always providing them with love, affection and devotion. This summer all three will marry and surely Henry will be looking down on them all with love and pride.
Adelene Cowhig Quigley joined the bionic club receiving a new hip last summer. She is really amazing! She happily lives in a retirement community, Kimball Farms, in Lenox, MA, the town of her birth. She would love to see classmates who might come by and she would love to conduct tours of her lovely town. Adelene is spending time this winter in FL and hopes to see Pat O’Neal Schmitt. Pat arrived in FL and immediately caught a severe cold and also an infection in her leg but she was able to report real improvement on all fronts after two weeks of FL sun. Pat hosted a lovely luncheon last summer in Marion with Corrine and Henry Wood, Adelene and myself as well as many of our daughters. It was a delight to be with the entire group.
Diddy Dreyfus Fleming with her dog in Aiken, SC
A last-minute letter and grand photos just arrived from Diddy Dreyfus Fleming, who has moved from busy Annandale, VA to her daughter’s farm in Aiken, SC. Diddy’s little house is filled with southern sunshine and has a big variety of large, lovable animals nearby to keep her on her toes.
Jan Dempsey Largay, Pat Glunz Spencer, Nancy McCormack O’Connell, and Pat O’Neal Schmitt at Big Sand Lake, WI
As for me, the past year has been good, except for our annual family vacation at the Cape when six of the seven of us came down with a flu bug. An experience we all would have rather missed! Kerry (TC ’80) and I live in a comfortable little house in Worcester, not far from where Larry and I started out together so many years ago. In September, though, Pat Schmitt joined me and my daughter, Kerry for a visit to Jan Dempsey Largay’s summer home in northern (very northern!) Wisconsin. Pat Glunz Spencer also joined for part of the week and we had a wonderful time! One highlight was when the Largay’s Portuguese Water Dog, Henry, enjoyed a ride in their new golf cart – alone! He had accidentally stepped on the gas pedal and then just sat back and enjoyed his ride until Jan’s daughter, Julie, stopped him just short of the lake!
It was absolutely a delight to receive so many letters this year! It always is but as time goes by the news in each letter becomes more important and personal. So many sent their love and were treasuring beautiful friends and memories of our days at Trinity. I will close by sending my wishes and prayers for a happy and healthy year to come for us all!
Thank you all for dusting off your devices, pens and telephones in order to communicate with college friends! It’s been such a pleasure to hear from you all!
A warm and affectionate letter arrived from Shonnie Hall Finnegan, whom I had last seen at Leah Stephens Snyder’s funeral in July 2016. She joined Adelene Cowhig Quigley, Pat O’Neal Schmitt, Jan Dempsey Largay and me and it was so meaningful for us all to laugh and cry together. Leah’s loving friendship is sorely missed. Shonnie told us she was moving to a first-floor condo and although it was emotionally wrenching to find a new home for sentimental treasures, she and her three daughters managed to get the job done.
A delightful phone call from Diddy Dreyfus Fleming (whose voice I recognized immediately!) contained so much info that I’m having a problem keeping it all straight! She is looking at retirement locations in both the SC and Atlanta areas, each where she has a daughter living.A lovely note arrived from Joan Payden. Joan lives by the beach in Santa Monica and as she is the CEO of Payden and Rygel, an international money management firm, she travels extensively to their offices in Boston, Los Angeles, London, Paris and Milan. She occasionally sees Elaine de Montigny Donovan and Gerry Shea McVay, all former residents of 3rd North. She would love to see any member of the Class of ’53 who may be traveling in CA.
Christine Kennedy O’Connor wrote that she would try to make our Reunion. She and Dan have moved to Pinehurst, NC. They are active in their community and really enjoy the lifestyle. Betty Harkins Creamer says she still answers “Yes!” to the two most frequent questions: “Are you still in your home,” and “Are you still driving.” She also cuts her own grass – so much for accommodating the wisdom of age!
Mary “Met” Thurin Freeman sent a wonderful photo of her entire family – 25 people and everyone smiling! Met’s husband Dick passed away just before the holidays last year. He had served with the Marines and was given military honors at his funeral Mass. Met sent along her love and good wishes to her classmates.
John and Mary Conboy Rossiter moved back to MA in 2015 and although they do miss their FL life, it has been a good decision. Four of their children are nearby and that has been both a pleasure and blessing. They live a quiet life with old and new friends nearby. Rosemarie Battistelli Altieri and Pat are well and living a quiet life in CT. They have four grandchildren who are doing well in school and looking ahead to college. A brief note from Betsy Staat Romson shared that she had surgery in January and was waiting for permission to resume traveling. Betsy and her husband live in AZ, and they have a Jesuit son who is stationed in the Caribbean.
It has been a quiet year for Mike and Florence Sullivan Christ so they celebrated by fostering a 52 lb. Siberian husky who was rescued from the flood in Houston. He is very active, very strong, very friendly – and always hungry. Florence and Mike challenge themselves with the NY Times Sunday crossword puzzle and the hard level Sudoku puzzle. The Sullivans have one last grandchild in high school. Another granddaughter, Miranda, is a sophomore at Brown, majoring in computer science and is a teacher’s assistant. Two grandchildren are out of college, one working in NY and one in DE. Alice was in Tajikistan last year on a Fulbright Fellowship and afterward she and Mary flew to China and Tibet.
Pat Glunz Spencer sent clippings of the Catholic Charities 2017 Mandatum Award presentation, which was given to the Glunz Family for their living example of fulfilling Christ’s mandate to serve the poor through sustained acts of charity. The mother of eight children, Pat was a founding member of the IL Right to Life Committee and was invited to be in the first class of Dames of the order of Malta.
Julie Cohalan Eichenberger wrote a short note filled with good news. Two of her four sons will retire this year, two of her eight grandchildren (seven of them are girls) will marry in July and two more are engaged. All in the family find their work challenging and productive, including her youngest son John, who is an attorney and carries on that Cohalan tradition.
Just as I was pulling my notes together to type, a great letter arrived from Martha McGill Thornley. Her children (ages 50 to 62) are well and her two grandchildren are a special blessing. Her prison ministry has ended, but she does continue to write to an inmate at a NY maximum prison. Martha had lunch recently with Marie Noonan Sabinand reports that Marie’s new book should be published in February – she is an amazing biblical scholar and friend. Martha had also spoken recently to Betsy Romson and Shonnie Hall and had heard of the death of Yvonne Guertin Christopher – what a gentle and faith-filled person she was. Larry and I would warmly agree.
Pat Schmitt had been driving along peaceably in her almost antique station wagon this past summer when she was hit head-on. Pat’s car was totaled. She has recovered well and she, Corinne O’Neil Wood, Pat Shannon McNally-McDonough, and I, along with all our daughters, convened for a lively and laughter filled lunch in the fall. Sadly, we recently learned that Pat Shannon McNally-McDonough passed away in March 2018.Mary Catherine Elward Halvorsen wondered if anyone from ’53 was planning to attend Reunion this year. She reports that her children are fine and her grandchildren, as well. Sadly, M.C.’s sister, Anne F. Elward, died on Christmas Day last year. During her long life, Anne had won many awards for her teaching activities.
Last January Kerry and I spent some time in FL and were happy to join Pat Schmitt, Adelene Quigley and Jan Largay as guests of Barbara Jenneman Mack and Dick at their club for dinner. It was a delightful time. Imagine our shock to learn then in early May 2017 that Barbara had unexpectedly died and then that Dick (who had not been in good health) had passed away in early June. Their losses were certainly a big blow to the Trinity group in Naples.
This winter, the same TC ladies gathered at Pat Schmitt’s apartment for dinner and they were joined by George Snyder, Leah Snyder’s husband, who could not resist “the call of the wild” and came to join the group for plenty of reminiscing and laughter.
One of my most exciting communications was a phone call from Claartje (Clair) Rathjens Bertaut. Claartje has begun to write the story of her family’s escape from Nazi Germany at the beginning of WWII – the tale is so gripping I could hardly bear to put down the phone!
My own year has been largely uneventful, for which I’m thankful. My daughter Kerry (TC ’80) and I enjoyed our visit to FL last year so much that we spent this January there (with various family members coming and going) and have already reserved another condo for next year. We are also looking forward to the wedding of my other daughter Lauren’s (TC ’84) oldest son in May.
Several letters this year really pleased me a lot – some of which said the writer only wrote (very) sporadically or had not written in decades, but always read the Journal updates with great enjoyment. Thanks to all of you! And for all of you planning to attend Reunion this year – have a wonderful time celebrating the 65 years of friendship and memories we share!
Joanne McGuire Hafner and Jack start off with news of the trip they took to celebrate their 60th anniversary – a two week Viking river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, with extra days added to both ends. They loved it! In September of 2013, Joanne’s sister, Clara, TC ‛55, passed away- she didn’t know she was sick until three months before she died. Jack and Joanne moved to Medford, Oregon in 2004 and are delighted with their present choice. The Hafners have three great-grandchildren and their own youngest child, Tom, is retired and has started his own business doing sound work for large parties and large bands.
Bill and Diane Ryan Kunkler feel very blessed that their extended family is well and all continue to visit regularly. Everyone is planning to be with Diane and Bill for Christmas 2015, including the four grands who are currently enrolled at Boston College, Georgia Tech and Notre Dame. Diane and Bill planned a trip to Bermuda and hoped for a hurricane-free season.
Claartje Rathjens Bertaut took a nasty fall in her kitchen last January and is now leading a safer life, dictated by her personal “committee of five” children. These include a lifeline pendant for in the house, a road ID bracelet for walking and a rule about not climbing on chairs to reach something. Prior to her fall, Clare traveled to Chicago with her son to attend the funeral of Ed’s sister. And after her fractured wrist had recovered, she flew to Portland, OR for a visit with her daughter, Nanette. Clare finds that she is gradually phasing out “bereavement” groups and replacing them with fun activities like yoga classes and cookouts.
Barbara Jennemann Mack writes that she and Dick are thoroughly engaging in community living and have plenty to do. They are both very much involved with Catholic Charities and Barbara volunteers in a literacy program for four year olds and their mothers. Barbara met Adelene Cowhig Quigley, Leah Stephens Snyder and Julianne Dempsey Largay at the Trinity Luncheon in Naples last February. Leah and George continue to shuttle between Naples, Buffalo and Canada. Leah’s daughter, Adair, visited Colorado Springs, CO and unexpectedly found herself at a memorial park for victims of the 1961 Boston Skating Club plane crash. She recognized the bench that honors our classmate Nathalie Kelley and her brother, Greg, who was a member of the team. What a special thing to be able to share that experience with all of us who knew Nat.
Adelene wrote with her typical enthusiasm about the Trinity Luncheon and about all the successes that are happening on Michigan Avenue. Trinity certainly occupies a unique place in the history of Catholic women’s colleges! Adelene spent the month of February in Naples and a week in Avalon, NJ with her entire family. George and Leah are back “up North” but not quite settled as usual – they are constructing a new bathroom in their Canada beach house and finding it a good deal more complicated that doing the same construction in just one country with one set of laws and regulations to follow.
Rosemarie Battistelli Altieri had spoken to Pat Furlong Smith during the severe winter rainstorms in Tennessee. Pat and Ken were safe but it was a frightening time and they were looking forward to a much calmer summer. Rosemarie, Pat and I are planning a lunch together once this letter is on its way to DC.
Helen Talbot Hitselberger, moved last year to an independent living community in Charlotte and two of her sons live nearby. It’s quite a change after living in the same house for grammar school, high school and college! She is the mother of five daughters and two sons and has 21 grandchildren. Her husband, Joe, died several years ago. Helen mentioned Christine Kennedy O’Connor and said they had been in each other’s weddings many years ago. Helen also mentioned Tardy Thayer McGregor and said that both Tardy and her husband had passed away many years ago. The McGregor’s had a large family, eight or nine children. Helen also spoke of Jack and Ginny Woods Greene who have long been happily settled in Florida. Helen said she had recently come across a football team picture of her husband Joe standing next to Pat O’Neal Schmitt’s husband Harry. Pat called after the 4th of July to report that she had happily survived a family party of 13 overnight guests over the holiday weekend. Pat drives or flies all over the USA to attend various family weddings, baptisms and graduations but she confesses it’s not as easy to do as it had been 20 or 30 years ago!
A phone call from Helen Martin McKenna brightened up a rainy July day and rolled back 60-plus years of memories. Who else remembers earning gym points by roller skating to and from Brookland?? After a generation of granddaughters, Helen was happy to announce the recent arrival of their first great grandson. Helen now lives on Connecticut Avenue in DC and she (and others) referred to the wildness of DC traffic.
A lovely letter came from Sr. Sarah A. Fahy, who had looked forward to our 60th Reunion, and then was laid low by a very aggressive virus. She hopes to attend our 65th! The death of her sister Agnes is a deep sorrow for Sarah and the prayers and the Mass our class had said for Agnes meant a great deal to her. Sarah’s own journey of faith has been a long and complicated one, and continues to be a transformative one for her.
Ginny Woods Greene refers to her home in Winter Haven, FL as “paradise”, so I am assuming she and Jack are quite content there. They have lived in Winter Haven for many years and always write quite glowingly. Shonie Hall Finnegan wrote upon her return from Damariscotta, ME, where she had attended the charming wedding of Marie Noonan Sabin’s daughter Margaret. Pat Carr Bruckman also was a guest at the wedding and the three members of the class of ’53 had a great time catching up. Shonie is active in the Social Justice Committee and a Feminist Theology book club in her parish. Shonie’s three daughters live nearby. Sarah is a child neurologist at the Univ. of Buffalo Medical School, Kate is a patient advocate at a local health insurance company and Lizzie is an Assistant Professor of English and Film at D’Youville College in Buffalo.
Betsy Staat Romson wrote last April as she and her husband were preparing to leave for Phoenix. They were able to spend an evening with Jim and Martha McGill Thornley. Yvonne Guertin Christopher writes that she is adjusting much better to life in the retirement home her children found for her – much better than living alone! Martha sends word that all of their children live within 45 minutes traveling time, except for one of Jim’s sons who lives in Texas. For many years Martha greatly enjoyed volunteering in a local prison ministry but that facility has closed, so Martha now brings communion to the nearby Episcopal Church. Martha and Jim take courses at the local Center for Lifetime Learning. Martha feels that there are events of great concern in the world but also great signs of hope. Martha’s own sons have brought three different cultures into their family – China, Belize via Africa and the Philippines.
Just prior to deadline, Pat Glunz Spencer called full of news about the arrival of her 31st grandchild! The majority of her family is planning a huge party in October when Pat’s daughter, who has been working with Opus Dei in India, returns home for a brief visit.
Florence Sullivan Christ reports that she and Mike are happy at their retirement community where Mike serves on the Residents’ Council. She describes the community as approximately 200 grumpy old men and demanding old ladies!
After surviving the worst Boston winter in two generations, Pat Shannon McNally-McDonough and Edwin just returned from the high seas, cruising first to Bermuda and then to Alaska. They are still very busy with church, exercise classes and the Boston Symphony and Boston Chamber Music Society.
My daughter, Kerry ’80, and I met Pat and Edwin in the spring for a wonderful tour of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, followed by lunch and much catching up and laughter.
I close this letter while encased in a bright green cast after suffering a “boxers’ fracture” on my right hand. I’m slowly learning how to brush my teeth with my left. I hope you all have enjoyed a happy and healthy summer with your families and friends.
Florence Sullivan Christ passed away on May 1, 2020.
Julie (Cohalan) Eichenberger
Julie Ann Cohalan Eichenberger. Passed away peacefully at home in Sea Cliff, NY on May 20, 2020. She is survived by her sons Stephen, Joseph, Thomas and John and her grandchildren Sarah, Emily, Sean, Nicole, Lauren, Cara, Katie, Emma and Eva. Her husband Thomas predeceased her in 2004.
Anne Ellis Geiger passed away on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 in Brookeville, Maryland. She was the daughter of the late Dr. George J. Ellis and Katherine Johnson Ellis. She was preceded in death by her husband Gerald Lewis Geiger and former husband John “Jack” Gallagher, father of her children. She is survived by her siblings George J. Ellis, Jr., William M. Ellis and Robert M. Ellis and Karen E. Barbee. Her sisters Catherine M. Dirlam and Mary Lousie Wilson preceded her in death. She is also survived by her sons Sean Gallagher and his wife Mary, Michael Gallagher and his wife Susan, her daughter Anne Jones and her partner Jay, and her stepson William Geiger and his wife Marie. She leaves behind ten grandchildren whom she adored: Grace Gallagher, John Gallagher, Patrick Gallagher, Christiana Gallagher Oatman, Liam Gallagher, Michaela Gallagher, Morgan Jones, Robert Jones, Marcus Geiger and Marian Geiger.
Mary K. Hetlyn, 87, Blue Gill Trail, Fairfield, PA died Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the Gettysburg Hospital.
She was born October 5, 1931 in Washington, DC the daughter of the late Thomas and Florence Keefe. Her husband of 61 years, Alfred W. “Al” Hetlyn died earlier this year.
Mary was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fairfield, PA. In her early years she worked at both the Department of the Treasury and the CIA. But after marrying her husband, Al she became a full time homemaker. Mary enjoyed crossword puzzles and sewing, but most of all spending time with her family.
Mrs. Hetlyn is survived by a granddaughter, Erika C. Hetlyn, a great granddaughter, Emma T. Hetlyn-Thorne. She was predeceased by a son, Thomas J. Hetlyn and a brother, John Keefe.
On Saturday, October 16, 2021, Helen Talbot Hitselberger passed away peacefully with family by her side. She was born in Brooklyn, NY to Francis X. Talbot and Mary D. Talbot. Along with her older brother, Frank, the Talbot family moved to Washington, DC in 1940, where Helen graduated from Blessed Sacrament elementary school, and Holy Cross high school. She then earned a B.A. degree in economics from Trinity College. In 1955, she married the love of her life, the late Joseph G. Hitselberger. She and Joe had seven children: Joe (Sue) Hitselberger, Mary Helen (Dave) Kanitz, Peggy (Tom) English, Frank Hitselberger, Ann (Scott) Fell, Kathleen (Tim) Culver and Theresa (Nate) Clark. Together, Helen and Joe worked hard to raise their family and sacrificed to ensure that all seven of their children were educated in Catholic schools through high school and that all seven of their children earned college degrees. They were loving parents who were very proud of the family they created together.
Helen was proud of her Irish heritage and known for her interest in current events. She was also known for her keen interest in all the activities of her children and grandchildren. There was nothing she liked more than a good chat and a good laugh.
Helen is survived by twenty-two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Joan Marie Holmes passed away Saturday, the 31st of August, at her residence in La Jolla, CA.
Born in 1931, in New York City, NY. Joan received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Trinity College in Washington, D.C. She continued her education at the Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh, PA, from which she received a master’s degree in Chemistry.
She met her future husband, Robert Holmes, at Carnegie Institute of Technology where he was a Professor of Chemistry. Joan worked as his research assistant for many years while also raising a family of three children
Indian River Shores – Katherine C. Lightfoot, of Indian River Shores, Florida, died peacefully on November 16, 2021, at home with family by her side. She was born the fifth of six children to Susan Murray and George Claydon in New Rochelle, New York on August 28, 1931. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College in Washington DC, in 1953.
Family and her faith were most important to Kathy. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter and sister. Kathy relocated throughout the country many times, and took great pleasure in creating a warm and elegant home. She was an accomplished and enthusiastic tennis player. She was a devoted member of the Catholic Parish wherever she lived. Kathy had a knack for developing lifelong friendships.
She was predeceased by her first husband, William F. Hoffmann, her son Billy Hoffmann, her daughter Mary Kate Hoffmann, her three brothers Buddy, Murray and Peter Claydon, and her two sisters, Sister Margaret Claydon and Ann Claydon Keefe. Kathy is survived by her husband John, step-daughters Susan, Cathy, and Carrie, fourteen nieces and nephews and numerous grandchildren.
Alice Daley 81, died Friday September 14, 2012. Preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Stephen Markey. She is survived by two sons, Hugh (Sharon), Thomas Jr. (Theresa); One daughter, Alice Ford.
Charlene Mariott Phelps passed away on August 28, 2020.
Marie (Noonan) Sabin
Marie Frances Noonan Sabin, 88, passed away peacefully at her home in Bristol, early on the morning of Oct. 18, 2020, in the company of her daughters, Margaret and Kate.
A biblical scholar and author of three books — “Reopening the Word: Reading Mark as Theology in the Context of Early Judaism” (Oxford, 2002), “The Gospel According to Mark” (Liturgical Press, 2006), and “Evolving Humanity and Biblical Wisdom: Reading Scripture through the Lens of Teilhard de Chardin” (Liturgical Press, 2018) — she was drafting a new book when she suffered a stroke in late September.
Shonnie Hall Finnegan shares that after all the restrictions brought on by the pandemic, she’s been glad to get back to some outside interests- Taoist Tai Chi classes, church groups (Social Justice, Feminist Theology, Book Club), occasional concerts, plays and art exhibitions. She was particularly honored to receive an award from the Buffalo History Museum last fall for contributions to local history. Congratulations Shonnie!
My daughter Kerry (’80) and I recently had a delightful lunch with Adelene Cowhig Quigley, her daughter Anne, Corinne O’Neil Wood’s daughter Lisa Wood Gregoire (’78), and Kate Farrell Mayne (’78). Lisa brought one of Corinne’s photo albums from Trinity and we laughed and cried and shared wonderful memories.
