from the XEO 2001 Newsletter

Class News 2001

Class News compiled and edited by Carol Castorina Reid '66

1938

Lucille Zak Grattan writes that she has great memories when she attended Albany State College and Chi Sig had a sorority house on Madison Avenue. She remembers Chi Sig as a strong, positive force known for its members and college activities. She is widowed, has 6 children and 7 grandchildren, and still plays some golf.

1942

In an e-mail Margaret Furey Holden who was president of Chi Sigma Theta when the sorority house was located at 678 Madison Avenue sends this message, "Here's to all the good times and wonderful XEO sisters."

1952

Jeannine Burke Elder writes that she lives in Scottsdale, AZ and is Program Director and Webmaster for The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Phoenix, AZ. She looks forward "to visiting the website often and to seeing some of my Chi Sig sisters again at our 50th reunion in 2002."

1955

Wilma Baker Thorton writes: My husband, Bob, who attended SUNY in our freshman year (51-52) and was a member of SLS, passed away in September, 2000. In July, 2001 she attended her 50th high school reunion in Ogdensburg, NY. Ann Tobey e-mailed the following: The website is wonderful! It does seem like a good way to communicate with the alumnae, but whether that comes to pass or not, just going through the site makes one feel all enthusiastic. Kathleen Brown Hay has to be very dedicated as well as creative and skilled to produce such a great site. Would you tell her that this long-time alum whose graduation present was a portable electric typewriter is very impressed.

1956

Thomasina (Tommie) Pagan Hannum writes that she has worked for many years as a Spanish teacher in New Mexico. Since retiring (sort of) in 1993, she still does some short teaching stints every year, usually a total immersion program at NM Highlands University every summer. She was thrilled to find email addresses on the website and would love to hear from old friends @ thannum897@aol.com

1957

Mary Stowell Hilderbrand reports, "...that I went back teaching full time last September and October [in 2000]. It was fun. Glad they found a math teacher, however. We got very tired getting up at 6 AM every day. We spent another 5 weeks in Pompano Beach this winter (2001). Will be going back again in 2002. My e-mail is m_hilderbrand@hotmail.com Would love to hear from sorority sisters. I take a laptop with me. My husband is able to conduct business with it and be away from his law office that long. I am also teaching computers at our local public library a few hours every week. It is my goal to get every female over 75 on the Internet. They do very well. They love it." Sara (Sidge) Willsey reports that Lee Hughes Farrell is holding her own in her serious battle against cancer and that Lee was able to attend her son's Boston wedding in December. Click here for the email addresses of 1950s sisters.

1958

Arlene Murphy Adel-Posses would love to hear from anyone in the West Palm Beach, Florida or in Rockville Centre, Long Island areas. Click here for the email addresses of 1950s sisters.

1962

According to Sally Smith Cook '65, Shelley Kellerman Pollero escorted a group of students to France during the summer of 2001, and she plans to attend the University's Alumni Weekend in 2002. Alice Harron Orr writes about several major changes. "I have retired from literary agenting; moved to Vashon Island, Washington; and am working on a book titled, How to Stop Shooting Your Writing Career in the Foot: A Cautionary Memoir of a Writing and Publishing Life to accompany an anticipated tour by the same name. Anyone interested can e-mail me at AOrrTalk@aol.com

1963

Mary Robb Mansfield declares that Grandma-hood is absolutely great! First, Maclean Mansfield Parisi (He can run for office anywhere!) and now, Dane Frederic Mansfield." Mary and her husband, Dick, flew to California during the summer of 2001 to meet the family's newest addition. The Reverend Mary Robb Mansfield continues that her assignment at the Parish of St. John's in the Mountains, Stowe [Vermont] is hard work and a joy."

1965

Sally Smith Cook missed the 2001 reunion because as a Vermont state judge she was scheduled to perform a wedding ceremony. Her daughter, Kerri, graduated from Suffolk Law School and was studying during the past summer for the bar exam. Elaine (Val) Valentino Tagler is still living in Briarcliff, NY near Pleasantville and working at IBM in White Plains. Son Jason is 27 and living in San Francisco. She would like to hear from the other IBMers who are Chi Sigs. Sue Falkenbach Welch reports that she and husband, Don (APA), have sold their Glenville, NY home and are busy enjoying the beach and social activities in St. Augustine Beach, FL. They will still be spending summers at their place in Nova Scotia.

1966

After spending 20 years in Hawaii Maria Maniaci Rawe and her husband, Fred moved in 1991 to Acworth, Georgia. Both are working at The Lovett School in Atlanta where Maria teaches Spanish, (She had been a department head and wanted to return to the classroom full time.) and Fred is upper school vice-principal. Their younger daughter, Dorien (28 years old), is a physician's assistant, married to an architect, and is living in Eugene, Oregon. Older daughter, Allison (30 years old), who is married and living in California, graduated from Boston University with a master's degree in physical therapy. She has made the Rawes the proud grandparents of two girls who are 23 months old and a newborn as of July, 2001. Maria visited with Allison, the daughter of Margie Tucker Weeda '65 when Allison was attending Atlanta's Emory University. Maria sends special hellos to Carol Darby Siver '65 and Ro Vairo Rosen '68 and her husband, Stan. Several sisters from this class have reconnected with other Chi Sigs. Michele LaRocca Nigriny recently saw Jane McNairy Carusone several times. Jane and her husband leave the Glens Falls area for Florida during part of the winter. Michele also lunched with Donna Baffino O'Higgins the day before Donna was returning to her Florida home. On September 11th, Donna was seated on a plane which was awaiting take-off at Albany International Airport when all air traffic was grounded due to the terrorist attacks. Knowing Donna's travel plans, Michele left messages and was relieved when Donna phoned that she was OK. Michele also had breakfast with Naomi McElrath Woolsey who finished four years as an elementary principal at the International School of Bangkok and has started a similar assignment in Luxembourg. Naomi's daughter, Megan, who works in a building next to the World Trade Center is OK. Carol Castorina Reid in recent months has had the pleasure in meeting fellow Chi Sigs in unexpected places. Ro Vairo Rosen '68 and her husband, Stan (SLS), attended the same July performance of a Capital Repertory production as Carol and her daughter, Andrea. In August she and Donna Baffino O'Higgins found themselves on a 32-passenger plane traveling from Boston's Logan Airport to Albany. At the Electric City Cruise Out, a car show, held in September the top 20 favorites from the previous year included the car of Grace Summa Del Signore '68 and her husband, Frank, which was parked next to Bob (APA) and Carol's vehicle. In October, Diane Gray Christianson '69 and Carol wore their pink shirts as breast cancer survivors at the Albany Komen Foundation's Race for the Cure Family Walk. Diane was accompanied by several family members including her grandchildren.

1967

Karen Hoz Matteo is planning to teach one more year, spends a lot of time with her two grandsons who live less than two miles away, and enjoys a vacation home in Vermont. Husband, Rick, left teaching sixteen years ago, is a manager with a large computer firm. Stephanie DeSimeone Bollam and Kathy Brown Hay got together twice last year in Chicago where Stef's daughter, Hillary, is studying to be a doctor and expecting Stef's first grandchild at the end of January.

1968

Lee Finkle Pinchuk just moved to Manlius, NY after spending eleven years overseas in Singapore. In an e-mail she writes, "I look forward to catching up with old friends."

1969

Barbara Misiano Fairbanks has been teaching 8th grade Spanish and French at Olean Middle School for the past 16 years.

1970

Debra Weitz Kahn reports that she is still living in Delmar, NY and working as a speech/language pathologist and CPSE Chairperson in Guilderland Central School District (31 years!). Husband Phil (STB '69) is VP(CIO) at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. Daughter Alyssa (25) is living in Santa Monica, CA and using her business degree from Indiana University. Daughter Abby (21) will be a senior ballet/business major at Indiana University. I've been in contact with Karen Frank and Gail Drexler Filiberto , but would love to be back in touch with any other sisters from the Class of '70.

1972

Joyce Lynch Barocas writes that she moved outside of San Francisco in September, 2001. Her husband, Alan (KB '71), has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Real Estate for GAP Stores which includes Old Navy and Banana Republic. In 2001 her son, Jason, graduated from Villanova Law and daughter, Annie, graduated from the University of Georgia. Annie is teaching 4th and 5th grade special education in Atlanta. She continues, "I still keep in close contact with Jane Cornell MacCorkindale. Last summer we met in Ireland. Any West Coast XEOs and gals visiting the San Francisco area, please call." In her new location, Joyce plans to continue her active support and connections to the Alzheimer's Association.

1976

Susan Eckstein Homans writes, "Married in 1992 to Philip (Bud); one son (1993) Zachary." Susan also reports that due to surgery performed in March, 2000, she has permanent disabilities and is staying at home.

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.