from the XEO 2000 Newsletter

Class News 2000

Class News compiled and edited by Carol Castorina Reid '66

1927 and 1939

We received news that Doris E. Sinnott Mayo '27 and Regina Murphy Gates '39 passed away this year. Our condolences to their families and classmates.

1952

Florence (Kitty) Klosser Irons writes: "My husband, Marty, and I had a marvelous time on a trip to China in November, '99. We visited six cities and received a good taste of the country. I loved the sights, the food and the people." ...Florence volunteered to be the official Class of 1952 Counselor. Jeannine Burke Elder writes: "I live in Scottsdale, AZ and am Program Director and Webmaster for The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, which stages educational conferences for mental health professionals. I look forward to seeing my Chi Sig sisters again at our 50th reunion in 2002."

1955

Donna Hughes Lynch according to Lee Hughes Farrell 1957 "is teaching for a second year [as of 1/2000] on the Marshall Islands with her husband. Living conditions there require significant adjustments, and the lack of teaching materials pose significant challenges, but they are hoping they will be able to make a difference with some of the native children. The US Postal Service is in charge of delivery in the Marshall Islands, but due to Donna's isolated location mail takes weeks to reach her."

1957

Lee Hughes Farrell and her husband have relocated to a new home in Anthem, Arizona. She writes: "I somewhat reluctantly left our kids and grandchild and wonderful aquatic exercise classes I had been teaching in Massachusetts to move to AZ. I'll be teaching some land-based exercise classes at Anthem until the pools there are completed. I founded and directed New England Aquatic Professionals in MA, and while AZ would likely benefit from such an organization, I think I'll leave forming one to someone else!" Lee and her husband met with Sidge Duffy '57 and her husband Chuck Willsey '57 in Phoenix in December, '99. The Willseys live in Tucson. Mary Stowell Hilderbrand writes: "I retired from teaching math June 28,1999. In October my arm was "twisted" and I went back part time. I am tutoring math two days a week. It's a wonderful job ...but I am enjoying the rest of the week in retirement. We are going to spend February [2000] in Pompano Beach, FL."

1958

Arlene Murphy Adel-Posses writes "My husband, Norm, and I enjoyed a wonderful cruise to Alaska last year. We also met with Ellie Rooney Wilcox '57 on the west coast of Florida; I last saw her in 1957! We winter in West Palm Beach, FL and in the summer we are still on Long Island." Arlene would love to see any Chi Sigs in the L. I. area. Mary Crawford Huehn writes that "Bill and I are both retired. Two of our three sons are married; we have 3 grandchildren. Both [of us] are very busy with volunteer activities in church and community. Greatly enjoyed two week Elderhostel in Assisi, Italy in September, '99."

1959

Winnie Youngs Jacobs says "Hi Betsy and Don." She writes that she is "looking for other chile-loving Chi Sigs here in New Mexico. Ed and I celebrated 35th anniversary this Thanksgiving [1999], headed for Hong Kong for the Chinese New Year, and await first grandchild in June [2000]. Life is good!"

1960

Ann Foley Baldwin was scheduled to retire from teaching primary special education on June 19,2000. Nancy L. Ryan Gnau and her husband John (Union College '59) retired in 1994. They split their year between Rochester, NY and Melbourne, FL. Son Bill's family lives in nearby Orlando which makes visiting their two grandsons easy. "Katie, our daughter, is a RN in Philadelphia. Loved being back to State and the XEO Reunion!" Terry Kerwin Lehr writes that she is "teaching full time at SUNY Brockport where I'm also Undergrad Advisement Coordinator in the English Department." Terry also writes books and articles about local health care history. Marcia Cavanaugh Meaney taught 20 years at Adirondack Community College, has 5 grown children, and 4 grandchildren. She is busy as a travel agent along with her other "hobbies." Before Joan Cali Pecore retired after 32 years of service, she taught social studies including AP World History and English. She volunteers a great deal and travels with husband, Vic (RPI '59). All these Class of '60 sisters came to the June, 2000 Reunion and, in keeping with tradition, delighted us with their memories about campus life and Chi Sig experiences during their time at Albany: Joan Cali Pecore, Marcia Cavanaugh Meaney, Ann Foley Baldwin, Doris Hische Brossy, Terry Kerwin Lehr & Nancy Lou Ryan Gnau.

1961

Joan Heywood Valesente writes "My husband decided to retire from football coaching after 37 years. We plan to enjoy playing golf and walking the beach" in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

1963

Mary Lynaugh Belleville loves retirement, since she can travel and visit her children and grandchildren. Her daughters had babies two days apart in May of 1999. Mary continues that she sees Frieda Rapp Steinjion [sp?] often as their camp is near us! Would love to hear from everyone. Mary's e-mail address is on the fifties page.

1964

Susan Van Horn Shipherd continues as Secretary on the University's Alumni Association Board of Directors.

1965

Carolyn Brower Barrette writes: "Bob [APA] and I have become grandparents: two grandsons. Our four sons are spread from Washington State to Washington, D.C. We do a great deal of traveling and look forward to retiring to Virginia in the next few years... I can't believe it is 35 years for our Class of '65." Kathy Betro Carroll who attended her 35th Reunion said, "Great to see everyone today!... I retired in June '99 from teaching Business Education at Saugerties HS. Husband Skeets (Potter Club '64), retired in 1997. We enjoyed traveling to Hilton Head SC, Charleston SC, and Savannah GA this past summer ['99]. Daughter Michele graduated from Villanova in '95, is a sales account executive and lives in NYC. Son, Brian, is a senior at SUC at Oneonta majoring in elementary education. I strongly recommend retirement. It's great!!" Sally Smith Cook writes that daughter, Kari, who is in her 3rd year of law school at Suffolk in Boston, was married on August 12, 2000 to Richard, who is a stockbroker. Sally continues, "I am still a Probate Judge in Manchester, VT, took the bar exam and passed the essay and ethics portions but will retake the Multi-State multiple choice exam ...ugh. Husband John had bypass surgery and a scary re-surgery last year ['99], but is fully recovered and has taken a new job as general manager of Pro-Corp, and corporate senior consultant for PMC Group. We love company, I love Chi Sig, and I think we all keep getting 'younger.' " Cindy Rydell Lane writes: "I remarried on January 4, 1997 to Robert Lane. My middle name is Elaine, so...I go by Cynthia E. Lane-the same name mymother gave me when I was born." Cindy's other news: daughter Cheryl Moore and Rob Cote, who were married on May 22, 1999 live in Arlington, VA; daughter Melissa Moore lives in Brooklyn, NY; Cindy retired from teaching math at Kingston HS on June 30, 1999. Anne Christiano Lapinski's news: "Len [APA] and I are alive and well...living in Voorheesville, NY. We have two sons, both Union College graduates." Anne's older son was married in July, 2000 and she will update us when grandchildren arrive. Susie Falkenbach Welch and her husband, Don (APA '65) just bought a condo on St. Augustine Beach where they will spend the winter months of January, February, and March. "We welcome visitors! We're renting it out, also." Their oldest daughter, Christie, was married on Maryland's Eastern Shore on July 8, 2000. Mary Margaret Welker Young writes: "I am still working for the Topps Co. Inc. as a National Accounts Manager, Confections. My husband, John, and I live in Springfield, MA. My son, Paul Gresens, has recently relocated to Washington, DC and is working in a military position (1st Lt. Army Reserves) as Deputy Director for DFAS (military accounting system)."

1966

Michele LaRocca Nigriny and husband, George (Potter), visited with Sandy Cappella Governanti and her husband, Mike (Potter), in Middletown, Ohio where Mike is an Executive Director at Miami University, Middletown Campus. Michele writes: "Sandy is going to Italy for 3 weeks beginning April 22 on a Rick Steves Tour with Bonnie Ferrari. We visited Gover's on the way home from Kansas City MO where I spent a month while George worked." Carol Castorina Reid: "I would like to see some other Class of 1966 Chi Sigs at our 35th Reunion this June! Contact me if you need a place to stay or a ride. After 31 years with Mohonasen Central School District in Rotterdam, NY I retired in 1999 and am enjoying the freedom and flexibility away from teaching responsibilities. 'Doing lunch or breakfast' has been a wonderful way to reconnect with friends and family such as Michele LaRocca Nigriny who retired from teaching in 2000."

1967

Kathleen Brown Hay tracked down Chi Sig's Alumnae meeting in June, 2000 through the University's website! She had a busy weekend renewing Chi Sig connections and attending her son's graduation from Union College. Editor's note: You are viewing Kathy's website work. Dianne Gregory is going to China with the Freeman Foundation this summer.

1969

Jane McElroy Roth writes: "I'm working as an assistant high school principal in Catskill and absolutely delighted not to be commuting. Ron Jr. is 32 this year [2000], married and living in Ithaca. Alexander is 28, married, living in Nassau and working for the Ways and Means Committee [NYS]. He is working on his Masters' degree at RPI. Ron Sr. keeps talking about retiring."

1971

Cathy Bertini had a full page article in the February 19, 2001 issue of Time Magazine. She is in her ninth year as CEO of the World Food Program, the largest UN agency. She is receiving bipartisan praise for reorganizing the WFP to better serve the needy areas of the world and setting goals to increase relief food deliveries to women in third world countries when their governments show an increase in the number of girls attending school.

1972

Vickie Parshall writes that she loves Alexandria, VA where she moved this last year. She and Pat Areno, who lives just 20 minutes away, had their own reunion just before Easter. Vickie would love to hear from any sisters. Vickie's e-mail address is on this web page.

1974

Elaine DeSorbo Gervais writes: "I left teaching after 17 years (PS-got graduate degree at Sage in 1992 in Special Education). Now working at NYSED/VESID as an Associate in Special Education. I work in the Personnel Development Support Services Unit; develop and deliver training on NYS Special Ed Initiatives. In May 2000 I am also retiring from 30 years of service to the Albany Symphony Orchestra, 15 of which were in the 2nd violin chair (music was my major at SUNYA). I still keep in touch with Linda Birnbaum Friedman '73. Special greetings to Jackie Mendini, who I had no idea was a sister in XEO. We used to teach in the same school. I became a mother-in-law on June 10, 1999, courtesy of my daughter, Cherie, a nursing student at East Carolina U in Greenville, NC. Her husband John is a corporal-USMC. Son Marc is a graduate of SUNY-Plattsburgh. Husband Richard works in NYSED, Office of Colleges and Universities. We are married 27-1/2 years [in 2000]. Wow!!! All the best to all sisters." Marjorie Altman Tesser volunteered to be a class counselor. "I would love to hear from XEO sisters." Marjorie's e-mail address is on this web page.

1975

Lesley Maeby has often been in the news in her role as Aide to Govenor Pataki.

1979

Sally Burch Haskell writes that "my husband, Terry (APA, 1978), has taken a new job and we have relocated to Saudi Arabia. We moved here in October, 1998 and are quite happy. Although hot, living here is nice, almost like a country club. I would love to hear from my old friends. Sally's e-mail address is on this web page.



NEXT REUNION:
Mid-October, 2008

    2008 is the...
  • 50th Reunion for '58s
  • 45th Reunion for '63s
  • 40th Reunion for '68s
  • 35th Reunion for '73s
  • 30th Reunion for '78s.

E-mail Webmaster, Kathleen Brown Hay '67, with e-mail addresses, news, photos, etc.