OA-Spring 2023

C L A S S N O T E S granddaughter, born to son Danny and wife Meghan. Born with acute myotonic muscular dystrophy, their beautiful little “Siena” faces serious physical challenges. Let us all offer prayers for her positive progress. Ella Joan Fenoglio continues to be happy in Albuquerque. Her law practice is now “reduced to adoptions of foster children. Love it!” She chairs the church social justice committee and urges children’s rights, environmental responsibility, reduction of gun violence, and prayers for our health! “See you in June at Reunion!” Ella Joan has a story too uplifting not to share! Visiting Torino, Italy, “just up the hill from Dad’s house,” Ella Joan saw the Raschiotti family chapel in 2001, sitting run-down and overgrown. She dreamed of renovating it herself! Last fall, 2022, after stops in London and Milano, Ella Joan returned to Torino to a beautiful surprise: neighbor Mario, a retired veterinarian, had undertaken the chapel’s restoration and made video of his two-year renovation work and of the community’s dedication Mass. Come to Albuquerque to visit --and let Ella Joan show you the video presented to her at the end of her pandemic delayed trip back to Italy! Ann Stephens Gries and her husband, Michael have been travelers since he retired as a federal judge. After seeing Spain, visiting Worralls relatives in Iowa and taking a National Parks Tour out west, plus a music cruise to Mexico, they are spending some winter in Florida. Michael has resumed school to study “Biblical Exposition.” Jo Ann Reitz ’s favorite news is the pleasure her family has received in having 16-month-old Sadie Jo close by. (She’s Jo’s great-niece, daughter of Patrick and Abby). In July, the family heads to Colorado, near Denver, for the wedding of Jo’s niece Sara Stone and Sam. Anne “Annie” Cawley O’Rourke and Skip are anxiously awaiting the February arrival of their first granddaughter, Baby Quinn, and are thrilled that she’ll be close now that Matt and Ayn have moved back to Maine from California. Though retired, Annie does development for Brunswick’s downtown association, which is working towards a Naval Air-station Museum. Maureen Whelan Jugs and husband Andrjes joined the O’Rourkes last fall for a terrific trip to Quebec City and Reen’s youngest daughter and husband flew up from Atlanta to meet them. In October, Lynn Morrow Slegel and daughter Deidre ventured to Venice, Florence and Rome. Lynn and Wayne enjoy pickleball, shuffleboard and “seeing little personalities grow” in great-grandchildren Annabelle, Barry and Elliott. Lynn is excited that grandson Gabriel (the Dad) is entering SMWC next fall, and happy that grandson Wyatt, a high school graduate and proud golf cart owner, is also working. After 42 years in Lexington, Kentucky, Virginia “Gia” Poppleton Phelps has downsized and moved to Louisville, where the families of their son and one daughter live. Two other daughters live on the east coast, one family in Brooklyn, New York and another in Charleston, South Carolina. “We feel very blessed.” Bernadette “Bernie” Shonka cleared her house in Washington State, moving two pianos and 70 years of collections to Indiana. While “reliving forgotten beautiful persons and times, God has topped this off with two wonderful fur babies. Did I say I got my dog a cat for Christmas?” Pepper and Lil’ John are on Bernie’s Facebook.” Cecilia “Cec” Maurath Svetic spends every morning in Pilates class or aqua aerobics. Her husband is more content to putter around, as he’s still recovering from a stroke. Cec’s daughter’s career has expanded to include “nurse esthetician.” Her son-in-law works as a manager in anesthesia at Munster’s Community

Hospital, and her son is “striving for a partnership at his software company.” Her grandchildren are exploring possible colleges. Mary McBride Knueven and Al celebrated their 10th anniversary in December. Snowbirds in Fort Myers endured Hurricane Ian and are grateful that being on the third floor saved them from severe damage. “We’re praying for everyone who suffered great losses during the storm.” In February, when daughter Julie goes on vacation, Mary and her sister Rose anticipate “co-babysitting” in Indianapolis, taking granddaughter Abby to after-Kindergarten activities. Jane O’Brien Argento welcomed her seventh grandchild in June 2022. She and Phil visit daughters in Oregon— and travel “a little less often” to the Netherlands, where son Crispin and family have lived for five years. Post-pandemic, Phil teaches law classes on Zoom; Jane is slowly re-entering the volunteer world. “I look forward to our June Reunion, although it is hard to wrap my head around the number 55.” Yvonne Shepard loves walking and plays golf whenever possible, greatly appreciating her opportunity to winter in Palm Desert and to enjoy Martha’s Vineyard in summer. Her mission to inspire Latino students keeps her busy. Yvonne has joined the local League of Women Voters to help promote their non-partisan program to “Energize the Youth Vote.” Mary Delker Loney retired from teaching English Literature at Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne four years ago. She and Dan are staying active, helping care for grandkids and daughter Shelley’s horses. Mary hosted Marilyn Beckman Ward for a catch-up chat when she came to town with her grandson, who had orientation at Fort Wayne Purdue. In August, I fell jarringly flat on my face, two black eyes’ worth! Two weeks later, cellulitis from an animal bite put me in the hospital on double IV antibiotics for a full week. Thankful for the care I received at St. Vincent’s and Rehab; it was answered prayers that the bite just missed penetrating my radius bone. A fine celebration approaches for the Class of 1968, our 55-Year Reunion, June 2-4, 2023. Ella Joan Fenoglio, Ellen Morley Matthews, Virginia “Gia” Poppleton Phelps, Jane O’Brien Argento, Yvonne Shepard, Cecilia Maurath Svetic, Cheryl Van Zetten and Midge Maroni have stated their intent to make it. To everyone who is physically able to travel, do COME! ’69 Karen Erazmus McNeal 66 S Country Squire Rd Palos Heights, IL 60463-1227 karen.mcneal@comcast.net It’s been four years now since we had our Golden Reunion, and had a wonderful time reminiscing about our years at The Woods and renewing old friendships. Now it’s only one more year until our next official Reunion. Start thinking about 2024 now so our class can come together again and get renewed by that Woods’ spirit. The class of 1969 has once again had a busy year working on hobbies, traveling, enjoying grandchildren, volunteering, working part-time and relaxing during retirement. Although life has been good for most of us, I do have a few sad items to report. On January 24, 2023, Theresa “Terry” Curran Constantine passed away. Terry and her husband, James, had recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. Our condolences to her four daughters and sisters. Daughter Ann Marie Constantine ’98 and sister Barbara Curran ’62 are Woods graduates. Lucille “Jenny” Broussard Croy recently lost her husband on what was supposed to be a cruise celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They were

cruising down the Mississippi River when he had a cardiac arrest and died. Jenny is really at a loss without him after almost 51 years of marriage. Let’s keep her in our prayers and thoughts. Her daughter, Denise Croy Keiningham ’98 , has moved in with Jenny, and her adult children and 12 grandchildren have been checking in with her. Georgette Harber Schraeder has lost several relatives in the past two years, two sisters, a brother in-law and a nephew. Her oldest son is receiving dialysis and she had a slight stroke this past summer. However, Georgette is still enjoying life and is active in her Franciscan fraternity and working to move forward synodal church practices and women’s full participation. Mary Fran Roberts Bennett and husband Richard have returned to travelling. Since the pandemic, they have visited Northern Italy, the Dolomites, Tuscany, Lombardy, Croatia and the Dalmatian coast. In Spring, they plan to visit the Netherlands and Morocco. Both Mary Fran and her husband are in good health, and their children are doing great. Judith “Judy” Curtin traveled to Ireland for six days in September. The Curtins are a full-fledged official clan in Ireland. Every four years, people from different parts of the world get together in Ireland. There are genealogy workshops during the long weekend. Judy has dual citizenship since at least one of her grandparents was born in Ireland. Patricia “Pat” Bihl-Miranda and husband Fernando had a full house this holiday. It was the first time in three years that the families of all three of their children were able to get together. With all the grandchildren, the place was exceptionally busy. Fernando was able to travel to the Holy Land this past year, but unfortunately, he got COVID in Jerusalem and had to quarantine for 7 days. Judith “Judy” Staszak Peterson and husband, Don, have been busy with family, friends and travel. Two of their grandchildren are vocal majors, just like Don and their daughters. This past year, Judy and Don have enjoyed trips to Hilton Head, Branson and a Viking River Cruise. Due to COVID, they got to enjoy a little bit more of Germany than they were expecting. Mary Romanyak Brown ’s family welcomed a new granddaughter in July. The adorable little one is Talia Ruth. Mary’s son Jeff directed another movie which will be released in March. The title is, “The Unheard” and the movie is a thriller. Mary has taken up drawing and watercolor painting. She’s looking forward to taking several trips this summer. Susan “Susie” Starr Tomaszewski is enjoying retirement and being at home. She “dog-sits” for her daughter’s dog and enjoys being outside for a quick walk. Both of her grandkids are in college, and her new project is sending treats and fun stuff in care packages for them. Mary Kay Campbell Watson and husband Al are enjoying life in Southwest Florida. Mary Kay will be doing taxes with AARP again this year and enjoys her canasta group. Al continues to take Bible courses and enjoys swimming in their club pool. They continued through the year with Board of Trustee meetings with SMWC and the Mission Advisory Board for the Sisters of Providence. In addition, they made several trips to Maine and also took a cruise from Montreal down the St. Lawrence River to Boston, luckily missing hurricane Ian while they were gone Jeanette Matthys Plisky and husband Clarence had a big 50th wedding anniversary celebration with family members and friends gathering in Valparaiso, Indiana. They renewed their vows at St. Paul Church, where they were married. Jeanette retired two years ago. However, she still substitute teaches, and although retired, Clarence is still in the business world. They have

20