OA-Spring 2023

Katharine “Katie” Gibson had two goals for college: to leave Oklahoma and to make college different from high school. When she received the SMWC Alumnae Scholarship, her mother’s alma mater, Katie, achieved both goals. The first time she saw the campus, after a long, nervous train ride, she found Its beauty comforting. Susan “Sue” Wise says, “It was the ring!” A fellow parishioner in Jefferson, Texas, sported an amazing black onyx and gold ring! She told Sue it was her college ring, and they “didn’t let just anyone enroll there!” Well, Sue’s mom overheard that “insulting remark,” and this “anyone” applied, was accepted, and got her ring! Patricia “Pat” Langley Bray, from Birmingham, Michigan, decided to go to The Woods because her sister Barbara Langley ’61 was there, and she loved it very much. Pat says she soon loved it too, even though traveling home was challenging. She appreciates the friendships made. Nano Cloghessy Dubish says Bishop Noll High School, Hammond, Indiana, conducted a College Night. The presentation, given by an SMWC student and Noll graduate, was so inspiring. Her slides of the beautiful campus convinced Nano to enroll with six other classmates, all taught by Providence nuns in grade school. Anne Lenhard Benington says her father enjoyed visiting his cousin, Marie Angele, SP, at The Woods and loved the College. Also, Anne’s pastor, Msgr. Curt Suelzer, Mishawaka, Indiana, had two sisters at The Woods, Mary Josephine Suelzer, SP, ’30 and Alexa Suelzer, SP, ’39 . All urged her to visit, and she soon knew it was her choice. Her two suitemates were, Nancy Wilson Owen from Mattoon, Illinois and Barbara Unger from Chicago. Mary Eppig Kelling relates that she knew a lot about The Woods, having attended a Providence high school and also having a sister there. Mary used to spend many weekends at The Woods. She is glad she made the decision, especially since future husband, Mike Kelling was nearby! Deirdre McBride Radanovic says her choice of SMWC was by chance. She searched for a journalism program, which many colleges did not have, and saw that The Woods offered one. She enrolled at SMWC never having visited, but “approaching the campus walled by trees seemed like finding an oasis.” Kathleen Crone Koepele , from a Cleveland suburb, says she was not given a choice for college, but being supervised by Aaron Levine was a profound gift, as were important friends there who expanded her world. After one chance meeting with Adele Stanton Croft , who was listening to the classical meeting, she found a friend with a common interest. Linda Hahus was taught by Sisters of Providence in Evansville, Indiana. During summers, she often visited nuns at The Woods with her parents. After freshman year, memories she treasures, Linda “crossed the bridge,” entering the novitiate of the Sisters of Providence, where she stayed for 21 years before marrying. Mary Jo Carney Johnson applied to The Woods because her cousin, Joanne Cote Christie ’54 , attended. She loved her two years at The Woods, the traditions, the campus and most of all, friends! One of them, Kathleen Farrell Zink ’59 and Mary Jo, decided they wanted to experience a bigger school so transferred to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where they roomed together. She says, “memories from The Woods are priceless!” Jane O’Rourke Anderson ’s sister, attended The Woods, but coming from New York City, Jane knew would be a big change. Getting off the train at Terre Haute, taxiing to the Woods, and passing the town

Constance “Connie” Kramer, SP The Class of 1964 loves to gather for our very own mini-Reunions every autumn at the Hellmann’s. This year included Beverlyn “Bev” Snyder Thompson, Juliet Muro Oeffinger, Gay Gallagher Scherrer, Barbara “Babs” Reder, SP, Joyce Schumacher Toothman, Mary Ellen Bires Natonski, Lois Fenlon Brinkman, Mary Ann Kelly Hellmann and Jerry. It was the last opportunity for our class to have time with dear Jerry, who died just weeks later. Jerry was devoted to The Woods and shared his time, talent and treasure with a loving heart. Mary Ann Kelly Hellmann is grateful for all the support she has received after the death of Jerry. It meant so much for her to have so many of her Woods classmates with her for Jerry’s funeral Mass in Terre Haute and inurnment in Providence Cemetery at The Woods. Classmates who came to Terre Haute for Jerry’s funeral included Juliet Muro Oeffinger, Pauline Gattie Busby, Noreen Gorman Perrone, Mary Ellen Bires Natonski, Barbara “Babs” Reder, SP, Constance “Connie” Kramer, SP, Gay Gallagher Scherrer, Gretchen Stipher Cain and Anne Longtine. Later, Giannina “Gini” Lombardo Hofmeister Connolly and Gay Gallagher Scherrer spent a weekend with Mary Ann. In December, Juliet Muro Oeffinger joined Mary Ann for vacation in Aruba. Tom Deputy and Tad, the husband and son of Margaret “PK” Kelly Deputy , celebrated PK’s love for The Woods by refurbishing the Le Fer small parlor. Attending the dedication were PK’s classmates: Rachel Eberle Ambrose, Barbara “Babs” Reder, SP, Juliet Muro Oeffinger, Rebecca “Becky” Caufield Peloff, Gay Gallagher Scherrer and Anne Longtine. Tom insisted that we come and stand with him as he honored PK. It was renamed PK Parlor in her memory. It is with sadness that I report the death of Victoria “Vicki” Hartke Bencze . Her husband, Dan, shared that Vicki slept away peacefully on January 24, 2023. Miriam Wanjiru Chege sends word from Nairobi that she is doing well, all things considered. She shares that she has memory problems, but that has not caused any alarm to her family. She still drives around her neighborhood and to church. Two of her daughters and their families live very close to her. She sends her love to all of her Woods classmates. Susan “Suzz” Maxheim Carter shared the pain of husband Peter’s death and her own cancer surgery. However, she’s now had two clear CT scans. She had a wonderful time with her daughter for her great nephew’s wedding. Rachel Eberle Ambrose joined Suzz on the CHOC Walk as well as several other Woods alumni. Her month in Paris with her sister Elizabeth “Leas” Maxheim Kamieniecki ’69 included meeting Anne Longtine and Marco in Paris for lunch. Maribeth Albers Smith and her husband brim with pride over their three “children” and their incredible grandchildren. All are making their way successfully in the world of finance. Maribeth comments that they are all wonderful parents and “we couldn’t be prouder of them.” Maribeth continues as the Chairman of Maribeth Smith & Associates and closes by saying, “Faith, Family and Health are the three most important qualities to aspire to. Mary “Meg” Smith Schroeder said, not me, but my husband had a mild heart attack. Thankfully, he seems to be doing OK, taking his medicine, and doing therapy. Meg counts her blessings with having three of their four children close by, but it takes a trip to Switzerland to visit one daughter. Meg asks for prayers for her grandson who is undergoing brain cancer treatment. Therese “Terri” Grein Bivona shares great news that after months of doctor visits for bacterial tracheitis,

dump, she remembers asking, “what did I get myself into.” As soon as she went through the gate, she “loved it from the start!” Joan Costanza Meister transferred to SMWC second semester freshman year from the College of St. Francis. Many of her Bishop Noll High School friends were already at The Woods as well as her brother’s fiancé, Aurelia Duralski Costanza ’60 , so it was an easy transition. She was surprised that her roommate, Louise Treadwell Conlon , came from California! Anne “Dee” O’Donnell came to The Woods from Chicago, Illinois. Her cousin, Carole Marzano Bersinger ’58 , attended, and, on a weekend visit, Dee was impressed with the camaraderie of the students in the dorms, singing in the dining hall, and activities in “The Lounge.” She stayed at the Woodland Inn and went to Sunday Mass. Also, several high school classmates at the Academy of Our Lady were planning to attend: Patricia Clancy, Barbara Collins Brosnan, Rosemary Lawler Wong, Mary Luby, Norrine Lyman Mack, Maureen Steed Sullivan and Diane Tiberi Hughes. Sarah Joeris Alcorn recalls a very enticing brochure from The Woods while living in San Antonio, Texas. She was seeking a Catholic college in a new environment. But after spending two enjoyable years at The Woods, her father became seriously ill, and Sarah returned home, transferring to a local college, and receiving a degree in Biology/Chemistry. Suzanne “Suzy” Metrailer Ginty was six years old when she learned of The Woods. A friend’s mother had attended the College, and Suzy was impressed by the elegant woman. Years later, Suzy made a campus visit for a journalism weekend and was offered a full scholarship. Elise Schirmer George writes that she and Barbara “Barb” Clemento Savino attended a presentation at an SMWC Chicago Club dinner. She enjoyed the range of classes offered and the good Italian food! Janice “Jan” Ems Wilson , from Clarksville, Indiana, says seven nuns and her high school principal finally convinced Jan’s parents about her college attendance, the first in her farm family. Her mom went only through eighth grade and didn’t believe in education. Jan studied hard in high school, doing homework in the barn loft on a bale of hay. Suzanne “Suzie” Weiers McKay from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, never left the state before deciding to attend a small Catholic women’s college out of state. The research drew her to The Woods, “the decision changed my life forever!” Her eyes were opened, meeting students from all over the country. Suzie wanted to explore the world, so as a senior, she and Dwynn LaFountain Coury hopped a bus to Maryland, and were hired immediately for teaching jobs, leading to a lifetime of travel. I am sure other stories are just as memorable. How glad I am that these amazing women chose The Woods!

’64 Anne Longtine 6613 Quail Ridge Ln

Fort Wayne, IN 46804-2875 (260) 432-3470 (260) 450-1228 annelongtine2012@gmail.com

The Class of 1964 gathers for occasions both happy and sad. The husband and family of Judith “Judi” Lewis Albert honored Judi’s love for The Woods by having her cremains interred in Providence Cemetery during Reunion 2022. Attending the ceremony, along with Judi’s family, were her Class of 1964 classmates Mary Ann Kelly Hellmann and Jerry, and

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