Class of 1983

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, Sue Sheehan Bassett in 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 in 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.

Jean Campbell wrote that she partnered with a colleague and opened a retreat center in February, 2020, and then a month later, as Lin-Manual Miranda said in Hamilton, “The world turned upside down.” They quickly pivoted to working virtually, and now since both of them are vaccinated (because they’re both psychotherapists), they’re beginning to plan in-person workshops again. Finally! She is incredibly grateful for all the somatic, emotional and spiritual tools I’ve acquired over the years, because they have gotten me through this pandemic. She was active in Black Lives Matter protests last year – and contrary to what our class scribe’s letter to us said, they were protests, NOT riots. According to an article in Time Magazine, “The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) analyzed more than 7,750 Black Lives Matter demonstrations in all 50 states and Washington DC,” and 93% of the Black Lives Matter protests were peaceful, so please don’t call them riots. As a social worker, she feels very passionate about the importance of language to appropriately describe the events. In contrast, she was deeply disturbed by the violent insurrection that occurred on January 6th, and simultaneously hopeful that the tide has turned with a new administration, and that we are on a better course moving forward. She offered a Trinity Talk in February on tools to help stay calm and grounded in difficult times, and some of her former classmates attended, as well as former professor, Lori Shpunt, which was wonderful. Subsequently, Donna Harrington (’83), Cathy Sullivan Cipressi (’83), Tammy Brown (’83), Sue Harrington (’85) and she had a Zoom call together and talked for over three hours, reminiscing about our TC days, and catching up on one another’s lives. They’ve planned another Zoom call, as the five of us live in five different locations all around the country, and it’s been so wonderful to reconnect after all these years.

Sandee Kurtz writes that not too much to report due to COVID. She was one of the unlucky ones to get COVID, but is fully recovered. She was fortunate to see Mary Ann Wall who was in south FL for a month. They had a nice social distanced visit. Besides that she’s been hoping the pandemic ends soon. She did her part and got my vaccine, yay.

Annemarie Sheehan Steimel wrote in that 2020 started out wonderfully with the birth of her ninth grandchild. Parker Joel was born on Leap Day (just like his uncle and godfather Tommy!) to Jillian and Winton and four-year-old sister Kelsey. Then came March. Elizabeth and Bart started working from home – and are still here. Caroline finished JMU and graduated at home. She decided to get her Masters in Social Work and started virtually in January. They didn’t see Tommy until July last year when he flew from Seattle to come on the annual beach trip in North Carolina. It was a lot more stressful trip with mask wearing and no going out or spending evenings with the rest of the family. Kimberly and Melissa’s oldest children had virtual first grade and kindergarten this year. None of their younger children could go to preschool. Victoria’s one-year-old Leo went back to daycare in August but then daycare had several incidents of COVID causing them to close for a while. Kevin started a new job but with all his exposure at work, he kept his distance from all of them. In fact he eventually had a positive test but was symptom free.
Who would think 2021 could bring worse news? In March my brother Terry was in a car accident and died from his injuries. We are devastated. We are trying to help each other and his family through this tragedy. Please pray for us. Thank you.

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 for 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
kurz.ann@gmail.com

Gold Class of 1983

Greetings, fellow ‘83ers!  Based on the news of the few who wrote, I think that we ‘83ers are in the thick of living busy but fruitful lives.

For Maria “Cristy” Loza (Ponce, PR), 2018 was a year of reconstruction after Hurricane Maria created a major disaster for Puerto Rico.  However, despite great difficulty, Cristy and her family have moved on and are very happy!  Cristy’s eldest, Francisco, works as a high school English teacher in San Juan.  His band “Nutopia” was invited for the second time to perform at the SXSW Festival in Austin, TX.  Daughter Cristina moved to San Antonio to finish medical school, and daughter Juliana is a junior at the U of Dayton.  Cristy and Jose spent New Year’s in beautiful San Antonio and are doing fine, working and enjoying life.

Cristy surprised Mary Gutowski Schlitzer (Cold Spring, NY) by visiting her in January 2018 when Mary was hospitalized for a kidney stone and ended up with sepsis.   After her week-long stay in ICU, Mary is extremely grateful not only to be alive but also for Cristy’s heartfelt support during her illness.  In March 2017, the Morgan Library & Museum wooed Mary with a job offer that she couldn’t refuse, so she left her previous position to become the Morgan’s Controller, a job that she loves.  On a lighter note, Mary has knitted over 100 pink Pussyhats (a symbol of solidarity for women’s rights and political resistance)!  She knitted 20 for the first Women’s March and then continued knitting them to keep the visual message alive. She asks that anyone who receives one pays it forward in return.

Sandee Kurtz now lives in Fort Lauderdale, doesn’t miss the cold weather, and loves wearing shorts most of the year.  She’s learned that DC summers are worse than Floridian summers.  Sandee enjoys living closer to Joyce Vorbach (Naples) with whom she’s had fun taking fishing lessons.  She also had a delightful dinner and cruise with Lee Pendergast and Mary Ann Wall (NYC).

Elizabeth Kirby Fullerton’s (Athens, Greece) family had a year mixed with great sadness and great joy.  On January 12, 2018, they lost her brother William to liver cancer.  The sadness of the cold January funeral in NY was brightened with Liz Moss Silva (Little Silver, NJ) and Gretchen Van Dyke (Scranton, PA) at her side.  That April, son Kirby married the wonderful Jessica in Lexington, KY.  Son Avery deployed to Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division and returned safely.  Daughter Clare and her children visited Elizabeth and husband Bill in Greece.  Son Henry spent a delightful summer in Europe and took Elizabeth to Lithuania.  Last August, Elizabeth had a fantastic evening with Liz Silva and Anne Marie Desaulniers (Bethesda, MD) in NJ.  Elizabeth and Bill enjoy living in Athens and plan to be there until December 2021.

On the bench for 24 years, Maureen Callahan Gottfried (Midland, GA) has been a Superior Court Judge for the past five years.  Additionally, in August 2017, she became an Adult Drug Court Judge, a role that has led her on quite the journey, learning to be patient with people struggling with addiction.  Husband George retired a few years ago, and last summer, he and Maureen celebrated their 25th anniversary by visiting Whitefish and Glacier National Park in Montana.  At home, they are part-time empty nesters!  However, Maureen always looks forward to her children’s return during college breaks.  Daughter Colleen is a second-year law student at Catholic U.  While in DC with Colleen last fall, Maureen and George visited Donna Dooley Rye.  This May, daughter Claire graduates with an early childhood education degree from the U of Georgia.  Luckily, attending training sessions in Athens has given Maureen chances to visit Claire at school.  Finally, son George is a sophomore marketing major at Georgia Southern U.  Maureen reports, “They are all doing well!”

Annemarie Sheehan Steimel (Jeffersonton, VA) and husband Bart gained two more grandchildren in 2018:  Kimberly, Paul, and Alexa (4) welcomed Veronica Jane on May 2, and Melissa, Kenyon, and their sons Owen (4), Declan (3), and Colin (2) greeted Calista Rose on September 10.  Kevin helped his sisters during their recoveries so that Annemarie didn’t have to visit them every day.  Jillian and Winton celebrated daughter Kelsey’s second birthday in March.  Bart celebrated the new arrivals by getting Annemarie a “Nana 007” license plate.  Last July, Victoria and Brett moved from Hoboken to Arlington to be closer to family when their first baby arrives this September.  Tommy is working for Google in Seattle but comes home often to meet his new nieces and nephews.  Graduating from UVA this May, Elizabeth has performed in several plays.  A junior at JMU, Caroline participates in a sorority, show choir, and the SGA.  All the kids plan to travel to Vegas for Melissa’s 30th birthday.  Annemarie is thankful that she and Bart will babysit for only four of the grandchildren – although Bart claims that he’d love to watch all seven.

Ellen Farris has been the Director of Student Services in Lenox, MA, for four years and often pulls from her Trinity training when facing challenges in her position.  In August 2017, she and her beau bought a house and love renovating and entertaining there.  In 2016, daughter Lindsey, having two sons, decided to try for a girl and instead added twin boys!  With four grandsons nearby, Ellen reports that there’s never a dull moment and instant pool parties have become the norm.  Always aiming for adventures, Ellen spent two weeks walking the El Camino in Spain last summer.

Laurie “Draz” Drazek (Paxton, MA) is cruising along just fine.  She had a blast at our 35^th reunion and loved seeing everyone!  Sadly, she lost three of her fur baby cocker spaniels last year to old age and medical issues, leaving her with two pups, two horses, and three chickens.  She still teaches in the Social Work program at Anna Maria College, and partner Kristine continues to run Care One at Millbury, a long-term care/rehab facility.  Laurie and Kristine are looking to buy a farm.  Believing that animals can do magical, amazing things, Laurie wants to start a therapy/healing farm, integrating her rescue animals and social work.

Squeezing in before the scribes’ deadline, Tamara “Tam” Zúñiga-Brown (Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan) helps the Chaldean Church retain the dwindling number of persecuted Christians, fleeing ISIS from the Nineveh Plain.  Her work supports Archbishop Matti Warda’s herculean efforts in the field of education.  In September 2016, Tam assisted with the curricular and program development of the Preparatory English year at the first Catholic U.  Their classes continued despite the Mosul liberation battle that raged 25 miles away.  Currently at a K-12 International Baccalaureate school, Tam is involved with faculty observations and teacher training, individual academic coaching, and teaching writing skills.  Lastly, she requests that we ‘83ers, their families, and the Sisters of Notre Dame pray for our Christian sisters and brothers facing extinction.

2017 and 2018 were whirlwinds of sadness and joy for me.  In spring 2017, cousin Michelle Davenport passed away unexpectedly, and uncle Charles Morphy and dad Richard Kurz died from lymphoma.  While watching Dad slip away was difficult, I was honored to care for him during his final days.  I’d hoped that 2018 would bring a relief from grief, but sorrow returned when my cat Tia passed from old age in April and cat Dover from cancer in November.  Yet, happy days also abounded.  My parents and I were presented CP Rochester’s 2016 Founders’ Award, which recognizes our long-time agency support.  Last year, I received my 30 years of “incredible service” pin from Wegmans Food Markets.  This April at the Rochester Press-Radio Club’s Day of Champions Dinner, I was the recipient of the Christine Wagner Welch Inspiration Award honoring individuals for their strength and courage.  Since 1949, the annual dinner has raised over $1 million for local charities.  Finally, for Christmas, I adopted a small orange tabby cat, whom I named “Zuzu” – after George Bailey’s youngest daughter in the movie It’s a Wonderful Life.  Although cat Kamea has doubts, Zuzu has brightened our days and returned cheer to our home.

I enjoyed seeing several of you at our 35^th reunion last May and hope to see many more at our 40^th.  Until then, keep my inbox full!  Thanks to all who shared their news!

Ann “Krash” Kurz

27 Greig Street

Rochester, NY 14608

kurz.ann@gmail.com

A reflection:

October 2015 is the 30-year anniversary of Meg Connors’ death. Many of us think of her today and wish that we could have had the opportunity to grow old together. She will always be remembered for her fun spirit, sense of adventure and imagination. As with Meg, we will forever cherish the memories of those classmates who have passed. They will live on in our Gold Class.

In the past year and a half, the women of the Class of ’83 faced several blessings and hurdles but have persevered through it all, showing that life really does go on.

Our hearts broke for Sue Sheehan Bassett (Barefoot Bay, FL) when her husband, James “Jimmy” Bassett, lost his battle on August 20, 2014. Sue misses him dearly but is grateful for the 14 years that she spent with him after he received his diagnosis. Sue praises Facebook for enabling her to not only share information with, but also receive comfort from, so many people. Hearing especially from her Trinity classmates meant the world to her. While Jimmy dealt with his illness, Sue also had some health crises. She has since become involved with Breast Friends of Florida fundraisers and their survivorship program. She loves being an admission representative at Everest University. and is grateful for all her coworkers’ understanding during this past year. Looking ahead and leaning on her furry companions for support, Sue remarks, “2015 has to be MY YEAR…My life has been crazy and my new journey has started!”

2014 proved challenging for Jean Campbell (San Diego), who needed to resolve some health issues and move twice, so, to say the least, she’s very glad that it’s a new year. She continues to teach psychodrama to clinicians and consult with organizations providing team building and conflict resolution. Jean’s biggest news is that she’s started a PhD program at San Diego University for integrative studies. She’s only taking one or two classes per quarter so that she doesn’t have to take out any student loans. It may take her 10 years, but when finished, she’ll have a PhD in Psychology with a focus in expressive arts therapy. She looks forward to exploring a variety of modalities, such as music therapy and sand tray therapy, and seeing how she can integrate those into her work. Jean also helped launch a new intervention model called action intervention that integrates psychodrama with the systemic model of intervention. This approach gathers the entire family system together from the start and helps the family change so that everyone moves towards recovery and growth. Lastly, Jean began a blog called Action Insights, where she ties her insights in life to the theory of psychodrama practice. You may read her blog at
actioninsights.wordpress.com.

Annemarie Sheehan Steimel (Jeffersonton, VA) and family also had a tough year. On May 31, 2014, husband Bart’s father, Dr. Robert Steimel, passed away after a long illness.  During that same month, Annemarie’s mother, Mary Parker Sheehan, was diagnosed with cancer and died a month later on June 29. Their deaths were a shock, and the families are still grieving their losses. Nevertheless, as Annemarie states, “there is always something that brings joy to us even in sad times.” For Annemarie and Bart, joy arrived in the births of their first granddaughter, Alexandra Erin Howard, to daughter Kimberly and Paul on March 6, 2014, and their first grandson, Owen Michael Wells, to daughter Melissa and Kenyon on October 16, 2014.

Also relishing her role as a grandmother is Mary Mehr Lange (Atlanta, GA). Daughter Kelsey, who works in institutional investment sales for Invesco, gave birth in late January, 2015, to a baby boy named Finn. Meanwhile, son Brett, who plays professional golf on the mini tours, hopes to make the PGA as soon as possible, and with the housing market on the upswing, husband Joe has returned to building high-end homes in Buckhead. Commuting to her job in San Francisco, Mary leads a sales development academy for SAP, recruiting and training recent college graduates from all over the world for a role in sales. She loves working with 21-25 year-olds who are so excited and eager to learn. Lastly, Mary recently moved her octogenarian parents to Atlanta, filling her plate with happy responsibilities.

Retired from the field of education in June, 2014, Elizabeth Kirby Fullerton (Atlantic Beach, FL) is moving into her second passion, wellness for women over 50. Her children are all busy: Kirby is an immigration lawyer in Lexington, KY; Clare is a civil engineer and mother of the two most perfect grandchildren; Avery is at Georgia Tech on an Army ROTC scholarship; and Henry has finished one year at the local state college. In December, Elizabeth and Bill celebrated 32 years of marriage. Last May, Elizabeth’s 89-year-old parents moved down the street from her, and for the first time in her life, she has her parents, sister, brother-in-law, niece, and great-nephew within walking distance of her home, for which she’s grateful beyond measure. Elizabeth loves seeing her Trinity friends on Facebook and thinks that they have grown into a wonderful group of women. She has seen Anne Griffith Hennessy (Atlanta, GA) twice this past year and keeps me in touch with Liz Moss Silva (Little Silver, NJ), Anne Marie Desaulniers (Bethesda, MD) and Lizzie Whelan (NYC).

Another Floridian, Kathy Curran Molino (St. Petersburg Beach) finds her consultant job rewarding and loves the traveling that it entails. Son Justin, a high school senior, has been touring universities, and Kathy and husband Mark eagerly await his decision as to where his future path will take him. Stepdaughter Alyssa graduates from nursing school this June, so the Molinos are looking forward to some “totally awesome” celebrations! Kathy and Mark spend as much time as possible at their cabin in the Adirondacks. They love every season and hope to one day be snow birds, which, Kathy admits, is a definite sign of getting old!

Maureen Kennelly Nolan (Annandale, VA) sent news of her family’s exciting year. Riordan (24) graduated from the Naval Academy in May and is now stationed in San Diego. Bridget (28) became engaged in June and will be married in July 2015. Kiera (26) is a librarian in Fairfax County and Brenna (30) is a Pilates instructor in New York. In December, Maureen received her PhD. in Curriculum and Instruction from Capella U. and continues to teach world geography in Arlington County. She and her husband Joe celebrated 31 years of marriage last October. Maureen exclaims that life is good!

Kathleen Ryan (Highlands Ranch, CO) shared three facts: Her son is a junior at the Air Force Academy; her daughter is a sophomore at Regis University; and she and her husband are well.

Life in Paxton, MA, is cruising along for Laurie Drazek and spouse Kristine. Last February, they took their first cruise to the eastern Caribbean to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary – although they’ve been together for 23 years! Kristine received a promotion where she now oversees five nursing home facilities. Meanwhile, Laurie continues as an adjunct professor at Becker College and Quinsigamond Community College and as a clinician at a mental health clinic for children and families. At home, Laurie and Kristine still have their pet menagerie. Recently Laurie rescued Sophia the horse from going to the slaughter house. Sophia joins another horse, four cocker spaniels, two cats and ten chickens! Laurie is grateful to be happy and healthy and wishes all of her Trinity sisters the same.

The 2014 highlight for Mary Gutowski Schlitzer (Cold Spring, NY) was a trip to Belize with her youngest brother’s wife who’s from that country, so Mary saw the “real” Belize as well as the tourist areas. Mary would return in a heartbeat. Mary has been in touch with Francine Donohue Harrington ’84, and dearest friend Cristy Loza Santiago (Ponce, PR) and had a fun dinner with Cristy’s sister Lizy Loza Diaz ’84 and daughter Isabel in NYC. Since our 30th Reunion, Mary met Anne Marie Desaulnier ’83 for lunch twice on Cape Cod. They hope to make this an annual event.

In August, Sandee Kurtz (DC) will celebrate her 20th anniversary at the Association of American Medical Colleges, which, she exclaimed, “is pretty much a life time.” When not at work, she likes spending time with her dogs and taking a cruise or two. Sandee keeps in touch with Joyce Keane Vorbach (Naples, FL), who, along with husband John, has begun hunting and camping, thanks to a new RV. Joyce has also started Zumba, which she enjoys very much.

Amy Lloyd Cornelius and family have moved to Philadelphia and are having fun acclimating to city life!

2014 brought health challenges to my sister Lyn, my mom and me. We pray that Lyn and Mom will be given clean bills of health for a long time to come. Last summer I participated in cycling and outrigger canoeing sponsored by SportsNet, a program providing sporting activities to people with disabilities in an inclusive community setting. By summer’s end, I was hand-cycling about three miles per week.  I felt fit until my last canoe outing when I strained my neck from paddling too much. As of mid-February, I’m almost fully recuperated. I’ll definitely be more careful next summer! On a happier note, a University of Rochester writing project, pairing students with adults with disabilities, made my winter fly by quickly. Over spring semester, the pairs worked on a creative writing piece chosen by the person with a disability. The students not only scribe for the adults but also interview and encourage them to delve deeper into their ideas. My final play entitled Gaining Relevance is a true collaboration between my partner and me. Lastly, after attending a NYS CP Conference in Albany, I crossed the Massachusetts border to meet Ellen Farris (Monterey, MA) for dinner. Ellen continues to teach in special education and was excited about working with students who use assistive communication devices. When not in the classroom, she loves her role as a grandmother, and any fair-weather free time will find Ellen joining husband Mike on their sailboat.

Thanks for writing, ladies! A happy and healthy year to all!

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