Class of 1959

What a treat, especially in this horrible year, to get all your notes.  Thank you all.

Sheila McHugh Barnwell and Jack split their time between MA and FL. They and their five children and their families have avoided the pandemic and have not had any family celebrations which would have included their 60th wedding anniversary.

Elaine Clark Moynihan remembers, with a smile, the (mostly) stress-free fun we had at TC. All of ‘59 will be in her memories along with trips to B’land and Gusti’s and GU basketball games with Steve. She and Steve have stuff but are still happy and blessed to be together.

Marjorie Marilley Ransom started 2020 with a trip to the UAE and Oman with daughter Katherine and family. She and a grandson were supposed to go on to Cairo but canceled because of COVID 19. When she studied traditional silver jewelry in Yemen 2004-9, she collected photographs of her collection and they were included in her book, Silver Treasures from the Land of Sheba. Her next challenge is to place this sizable collection in an American Museum. A highlight of the quarantine was several family readings of The Christmas Carol on Zoom.  Marjorie’s three daughters and six grands are the light of her life.

Caryl Rivers Lupo started 2020 with a trip to Puerto Rico with her frequent co-author, Roz Barnett, for swimming and snorkeling and a wonderful visit in March to visit her daughter, husband and two kids in SF, and lovely trips around the bay area. By the time she got home, COVID was spreading and she switched to teaching her BU classes remotely. She was supposed to spend Thanksgiving with her son, his wife and daughter (and Caryl’s great granddaughter) in Houston, but COVID took care of that. Her son is an FBI agent and is on the SWAT team. They were deployed tp Texas after the Capitol riot, but things stayed calm. His daughter was married a few years ago and they all took a cruise as the wedding was on a beach in the Caribbean. Caryl is working on a new book about the new forces facing women, including neosexism, tribalism, white male supremacy and COVOD. Her three earlier books are e-books online by Diversion Press.  Like most of us, she can’t wait to see kids and grands. Winter was so tough that she thought of dragging out her cross country skis, but a second artificial hip vetoed that.  She has great memories of TC and looks forward to being under the red roof.

Carol Sullivan Spong’s husband, Fred, died after an awful fall on an up escalator. She suggests we all learn where and how to turn an escalator off. In the fall of 2019 she visited NY to see her grandson, Taylor, who designs and makes custom men’s clothing.  Taylor showed her his NY and they had great fun walking the Hi-Line and just spending time together. His girlfriend also works in the fashion industry. Then to Northampton, MA to see daughter Beth and her family and then to Lowell to see old friends. She had lunch with Frances “Fran” Pandolfe Burns who lives in CN. They had a wonderful time catching up. Carol has joined the NAACP and is working to eliminate her own racism. She recommends “Walking with the Wind” about John Lewis. She belongs to a church served by women priests for 15 years. That must be a story in itself.

 Bernadette “Bizi” Waters Reidy is doing well and is lucky to be doing Jazzercise, bridge and book club online…all helping to keep her sane. Her family is well…a grandson’s wedding in July was streamed but beautiful, grands with hybrid schooling, a granddaughter at GU Med, and her own children adjusting to new ways of living. She talks with Mary Kay and Julie regularly.  For all this and for her life and friends at TC she is so grateful. I think we all echo that.

Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Killoran Shigley and Dick planned to take several trips in 2020 as they figured they didn’t have many more years they would be able to travel. The first two were cancelled because of the pandemic. The third, in June, to the British Isles and Ireland hasn’t been cancelled yet. Since they are taking their children and their spouses, she hopes this trip goes. Liz is just grateful she and Dick have each other and are healthy and sane.

Mary Kay Wantz Reber and George have been pretty healthy and blessed. She keeps busy reading, walking, playing bridge online and doing quite a bit of cooking. They haven’t seen their grandchildren who live in CA in a year and a half and are looking forward to seeing them, and just people, again.

Agnes Fitzgibbon Murdock and Fred have moved to a retirement home in downtown Evanston which is very convenient to shops, the lake and Northwestern U. Once COVID is over and things are back to normal it will be great. They still go to Santa Barbara for two to three months in the winter. Their last grandchild, no. 13, will enter college in the fall.

After nine moves in five years, Patricia “Pat” Lynch and Cliff arrived in Annapolis in 1965, built their home and she is still there. She retired from IBM in 2002 and is heavily involved in Community Advocacy at all levels of state and local government. Pat is president of a 10K member council and VP of a larger 20K member advocacy organization. Life is a swarm of daily Zoom telecoms and ongoing efforts to preserve her lovely environment next to the Chesapeake Bay. Her two daughters and families live nearby; they are blessed to be together. During COVID, they enjoy virtual wine time daily and share the family news. Armed with her 2^nd vaccine, Pat will soon take great joy in just walking through a grocery store. Her grands are all adults, pursuing new careers and some in graduate school. She is waiting for the slowdown but she’s healthy and has gotten both vaccine shots. She used to get excited about going to the Kennedy Center for a concert and now gets excited if she can go to Trader Joe’s to view fresh veggies.

Sarah “Sally” Finnegan Harrs and Leland have lived like hermits this year, watching out their window with excitement about the flora and fauna passing through. The hummingbirds have been scarce this year, but the deer visit regularly as do little rabbits who are fleet footed enough to avoid birds of prey including eagles which nest along the river. She’s an avid reader of the NY Times which keeps her on her toes and the New Yorker which opens up worlds far beyond hers in Arlington. Sally has read with pride of two people who share her world. Nancy Pelosi has taken on an incredible task as Speaker of the House and has kept order where there isn’t any [wits in the House remark about her similarity to an elementary teacher] and Dr. Fauci has provided leadership where there was none, comes from our heritage. The 80 year old doctor is a Regis boy and he has carried his heritage with pride. One of Sally’s sons bumps into him regularly during special occasions at Regis. Nancy Pelosi and Dr. Fauci have carried the aspirations and achievements of the world we share and the anxieties that have come into our lives these days.

Julia “Julie” Moran Hall sold her house in Colts Neck, NJ in July and has been blessed to be living with her daughter Julie’s family including son-in-law Ted and grandson Teddy who is 10 and in 5th grade. It has taken her since July to find “the perfect house” which she recently did. Happy to say the closing will be done before this is printed and after some renovations she’ll be moving in. It’s a one level in a 55+ community in Holmdel, NJ and is near three of her five kids which is so important to her. Julie could write a book about trying to buy a house in a pandemic. She’s survived the devastating loss of John in 2018 and her house catching fire in 2019. Thanks to her five wonderful kids [she calls them her ‘parents – who can be strict at times] she’s been spoiled with constant kindness and care.

Ellen Jo Connelly Langreth is fairly close to her two children, seven grands and one great in NJ. She tries to help support them as they wind their way through colleges. Taking care of her summer house in MV and volunteer work against gun violence keeps her busy.

Diane Bush Miller had been living in Sarasota/Nokomis, FL for 21 years and is now living at Aston Gardens in Venice. She and her husband are very happy and healthy.  They try to fill the hours of the day with really not much: walking [she tries to get 10,000 steps each day], reading, watching reality shows on TV, and movies at night. She misses her family and hopes and prays to see them again in the near future.

Elizabeth “Buffy” Driscoll Corr has moved to Naples with her son John after living with him and his wife in Maryland for 10 years. They bought a dog training business in Naples then went to Denver for training. John does most of the training but Buffy does some, but mostly does the office stuff.

Sylvia Murray Hutter thanks heaven that all of the Hutters are well. All the MDs were working throughout, a couple of them at the large convention center massive hospitals.  Lots of quarantining, quite sobering. They all had vaccinations when they became available. Quite a year! The weather added to the turmoil. The snow has been abundant and gorgeous. Now spring is in the air and is most welcome. Three of the 13 grands graduate from high school this year both on the east and west coast. Still not determined if real or virtual. Dolph is still involved with teaching the Cardiac Fellows at MGH, but has lightened his schedule tremendously.

Kathleen “Kathy” Bruton Murphy’s and Bob’s family are keeping them a little busy and aware of the changing world.

All my family is doing fine, thank heavens, and I have kept busy with OLLI and OneDayUniversity, both of which I love. Mail sent to Sister Josephine Minhan, Mary Ann Reiss Norton, Constance “Connie” Sommer and Carolyn Brick Solomon has been returned as undeliverable. If anyone has information on these classmates, please send it to the Alumnae Association. Everyone sent good wishes to all of us, remembered happy TC days and good friends, had their second vaccinations, and hoped for better days ahead.  Again thanks for all your responses.

Sheila

Dear all of ’59,

Thank you for all your letters and emails. I love hearing from you.

Jane Gallagher Solomon and Dave’s big news is that they retired from their catering business in NH and moved back to their hometown of Johnstown, PA, and hope to really enjoy their leisure.

It’s almost three years since Jo Anne Ibanez Yionoulis moved into Erickson’s Wind Crest Sr. Community in Littleton, CO. It offers everything to keep a senior engaged and is only 10 minutes from Tom, Taylor, Max (7) and Victoria (5). Max is into soccer and basketball and Jo enjoys watching both. Victoria is more the ballet and tap dancing type. Jo loves being the enthusiastic abuela. Jo has taken wonderful trips with Kay Gallagher Lavey and her friends: China, Iceland and Norway. Each trip offered a different perspective, especially China. From the airport to the hotel she saw modern buildings, high-priced autos, etc. Could have been NYC. Jo’s favorites to keep her mentally active: bridge, walking and spending time with an interesting group of dear Wind Crest friends. Jo welcomes all suggestions for our 60th.

Margot Schlieckert Titmus sends greetings to all and spent her big birthday with her two boys, their wives and her granddaughter Lily. She is busy taking classes at her church and painting oils. She keeps in touch with Mary Ann Revel Alberti.

Caryl Rivers Lupo sold her house on the water and moved closer to BU where she is still teaching full time. All her novels are now online with Diversion books and several are Audible books on Amazon. Her son is an FBI agent in Houston and her daughter is a Shakespearean actor living in San Francisco.

Patricia Lynch is still involved with community, political and government organizations in Annapolis. She is taking her two daughters and their husbands to AK in July and all are excited about this trip. Pat sent news of Patti IgoeO’Connor’s death on Christmas.

Ellen Jo Connolly Langreth has been busy with seven grands as official cake maker, basketball attendee and college and school supporter. A new great grandson Noah adds to life’s wonders.

Sylvia Murray Hutter is busy traveling with Dolph (still working at 82) to random places, volunteering, family visits and both are playing golf and tennis. Thirteen grandkiddos and a grandson’s wedding this past year. Offer still out there for anyone coming to Boston area to stay with them in Needham. Bar and kitchen privileges included and close to train into town.

I keep busy with OLLI and visiting kids and grands.

Sheila Kelleher Haberkorn

Dear all of ’59,

Thank you for all your emails, notes and generous checks for the Class Fund.

Connie Brown Guild lives in rural Connecticut, halfway between Boston and New York, and spends time in both cities. She has her own art studio and keeps busy with that, volunteer work and grandchildren.

Kathryn Glavin Gagliardi reports a status quo year. Children and grandchildren are well with two more graduating from high school. She plans to meet Sue O’Neil Flink, Mary Kay Wantz Reber, Julie Moran Hall and Bernadette “Bizi” Waters Reidy in NYC in the spring.

Mary Ellen Amberg Graham is hoping to step down as president/executive director of My Place Germantown and is teaching research writing at Philadelphia Community College. She loves it. Sons, daughters and grandchildren are thriving.

Ellen Jo Connolly Langreth has been a little slowed down this year due to health issues. She is still taking care of her summer house and seven grandchildren. The oldest has started college and can always use a little extra book money. The four-year-old at the other end is fun to teach.

Jo Anne Ibanez Yionoulis spent the required number of months to establish residency in Colorado (she still has her condo in Maryland). Interacting with her grandchildren Victoria (2) and Max (4) has been a wonder. Son Tom and his wife are established in their careers and doing well. The five of them took a Disney cruise and loved it so much that they have already planned another. Jo’s condo in Colorado is completed except for hanging all the beautiful pictures Steve took.

Kay Gallagher Lavey convinced Jo to join her and some dear friends on a Mediterranean cruise – a great trip. Jo and Sarah “Sally” Finnegan Harrs continue to hold their Sunday “Board Meetings” at Tysons Corner, where they discuss life and solve the major issues of the day.

Patty Rizk’s health appears to have stabilized. Sam, her older brother, passed away in 2014. Now only sister, Larisse (94), and a niece and nephews are there to support her. Her spirits remain high. Jo commented on our Reunion, “18 of us attended with a couple of husbands. I am again struck by the fact that when we meet time melts away: we are so comfortable with each other talking about our lives and catching up on news of classmates. Of course, no one can tell we are in our 70s by our looks or our enthusiasm.” I’m sure all 18 agree with that.

Sylvia Murray Hutter is moving along exceptionally well on a new knee. She still volunteers at the Museum of Fine Arts and for various local services. She plays golf, tennis and swims. Dolph is fine and working full time. They have 13 grandchildren: two out of college and working and various ages down to a four-year-old. They drastically downsized a year ago but still have rooms to welcome any visitors to Boston.

Mary Ann McNulty D’Adamo got together for a few days in NYC with Martha Bennett Williams and Vivian O’ConnorMalloy. Her oldest grandson just returned from an adventurous junior year of high school in Beijing. While he was there, her mornings started with pictures or an email from him. She and the family felt that they were having an adventure as well.

Bizi Waters Reidy wrote while watching snow fall on the Jersey shore. She likes summers the best as the children and grandchildren take advantage of “chez MaBizi.” Her oldest grandson, Jimmy, is working in New York. His sister, Mary Claire, will graduate in May from Franklin and Marshall College. Ellie is a sophomore at Cornell and is on the swim team. Andy is a high school junior.  Annie (10) Jack (7) and Sean (4) live in NYC. Bizi’s sister, Maureen, has moved back to New Jersey after 25 years in Phoenix. Bizi gets to see her cousin, Julie Whelan Considine ’56 often, but not often enough. She has seen Mary Kay, Julie, Kathryn, Sue O’Neill Flink, Sally and JoAnne on some quick visits or lunches. Bizi still does jazzercise every day and walks the boardwalk on the weekends. She plays bridge several times a week and loves her once-a-month book club. Judy Zazzalie Hughes ’61 belongs to the same book club. Bizi also raved about our Reunion and her trip down and back with Jon and Julie Hall.

Eileen “Dugan” Haney Romano’s latest news is the arrival of her new granddaughter, a thrill after two boys. Both Dugan and her kids got started late and she now has four grandchildren under five. Dugan still manages to keep the international airlines in business with travel abroad, most recently Uzbekistan and Italy. She will do an art trip to Brussels and the Netherlands soon.  Her US travels focus mostly on NYC, where she plays with Mary-Louise Kissling Flood, making use of her National Gallery of Art ID to get them into museum shows. She is into her 24th year at the National Gallery and has added the Kreeger Museum to her roster of docent duties.

Marjorie Marilley Ransom believes the nicest thing about retirement is having the time to be with family, in her case her three daughters and their families. Her oldest daughter, Elizabeth, Elizabeth’s special friend, Jose, and Marjorie took a really inexpensive eight-day trip to Turkey. They were traveling with a group of 41 people who turned out to be an interesting and dynamic group. They found Turkey to be an easy place to visit with wonderful ancient sites, museums and excellent food. In July, she spent four days in Paris with her youngest daughter, Sarah, and her family. They rented an apartment near the Seine, walked and went to parks, took boat rides and ate well. Then they joined all the rest of the family at a chateau in the Loire Valley to celebrate her middle daughter Katherine’s 20th wedding anniversary. Marjorie admits the most exciting event of 2014 is the final appearance of her book, Silver Treasures from the Land of Sheba: Regional Styles of Yemeni Jewelry. By mistake, her publisher sent the first copy to a friend in Baltimore. When Marjorie finally held it in her hands in June, she was relieved and pleased. “It has a wonderful design, good binding, high quality paper and, most important, good quality pictures. It has nine reviews on Amazon if you are curious.”

Mary Ann Revell Alberti’s children are well and successful. She and Paul are fortunate that Karen and Margaret and their families are nearby. Paul Jr. is in Maryland, about two hours away. His son is married and lives in New York. Two of Karen’s children are still in college at Drexel and University of Deleware. Her other son is in grad school at Stanford. Margaret’s daughter is in eighth grade.  Retirement has been active with time to travel, volunteer and relax at the beach. Hurricane Sandy was an unwelcome visitor at the Alberti house on Long Beach Island. The entire first floor had to be stripped to the beams and redone. The house was finished in September. Visitors are welcome.

Mary Ann just heard from Margot Schlieckert Titmus that her husband, Wayne, died. Margot is holding up as well as can be expected. Her sons, daughters-in-law and granddaughter are very supportive. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Margot.

Mary Louise Kissling Flood has had several visits with Dugan Haney Romano and they always follow the museum viewing to-do list. Mary Louise had worked in the north tower a few years before the tragedy, so was not sure how she would feel about the 9/11 museum, but she was favorably impressed. She hopes to travel to Europe in June with her sister.

Pat Lynch had foot surgery in February ’14 and could not walk for several weeks. Surgery was followed by months of rehab, and she is now trying to get motivated to start an intense cardio routine at her gym. Bizi’s daily jazzercise is inspiring her to get going while she has the energy and intent. Her family is well after a troubled flu season. They got through Christmas but most were dragging with several verified cases of flu. Pat is still very involved in Annapolis/Anne Arundel County, MD, community service. Her organization was heavily involved in sponsoring several “Candidates’ Nights” and working to support the campaigns of those from both parties who represent the district. Now they are working with council members and state delegates to support local interests and bring the county back to sound fiscal controls. She spoke with Patti Igoe O’Connor who is living in Garden City in an apartment near the street where she and Mike raised the six O’Connor children. Patti is dealing with shoulder problems due to some fractures from a minor accident in her apartment.

Connie Sommer has been in Santa Monica for five years and loves it. Her daughter Kate is in Palo Alto with Beckett (1). Connie’s daughter Anne is in Santa Monica and has three children (9, 7, 5). Connie went back to Africa for the 20th time in November. She loves Botswana.

In June I gave up teaching two math courses a semester at the local community college.  I loved doing it, but now love my new freedom. In September I spent several weeks in Italy and Germany with daughter Susan and her husband. In November I visited Tyrell in Cambridge, babysat for BJ’s girls in Seattle and spent turkey time with BJ, his family and his in-laws in FL. In December, Susan, Kurt, their two children and I spent a week in North Conway, NH where they skied and snowboarded. I spent Christmas in Fairfax with Susan, her family and Tyrell. I received a holiday card from Sheila McHugh Barnwell with a picture of her handsome family. Many thanks to Sally for her help with this letter.

Sheila Haberkorn
Shaber4496@carolina.rr.com