Onyx Anneau Spring 2021

C L A S S N O T E S

’70 Karen Kelly Kiss 3 Highview Court Wandana Heights

will again visit with their four grandsons. Stay well and happy everyone. Maureen Deaver Purcell reports her daughter Anne who worked in Chicago moved back to Indianapolis. She was in the Chicago Tribune about young people who have moved home because of the pandemic. Sarah lives in England with their two granddaughters. They are double-vaccinated, well-read and writing daily. She would like to say “we cannot wait” but we must wait. Fingers crossed for more Zooms and pray for hugs. Pam Preisser Olin has had a rough year. Her husband, Rick had a heart attack in February. Since, they have had six ambulance rides, seven hospitalizations, a pacemaker and other cardiac procedures. They celebrated a wonderful 50th anniversary with 22 family members... and 16 of them together for Christmas/New Years! In the absence of Reunion, it was great to see classmates on Zoom. MaryBeth Rennells we better plan another one! Mary Elizabeth “Marybeth” Usher has been pretty stationary for the last year. Like Belen she has been vaccinated. She retired and has thoroughly enjoyed retirement and has not looked back. She has also found it fun reconnecting with classmates on Facebook and email. She has found our Facebook SMW ’66-’70 page. The Zoom sessions Marybeth arranged were amazing. Kathryn Kinley Roller has had a personal experience, regrettably with COVID, unfortunately. While they, like all of us, tried to avoid it, both Bob and Kathy both came down with it at Christmas time. She is fine now, but Bob is still recovering. Instead, they celebrated “Christmas 2.0” at their house on Jan. 31! Ruth Dilger Kelly felt in these times the need to connect. One each missed Confirmation, First Communion, grade school and high school graduation; five cancelled trips; five to six days each week swimming laps; 54 books read; cookies and casseroles baked and delivered; innumerable blessings and thanks given for good health and vaccine received! Love to all! Belén Capiel González acknowledges it has been a crazy year, but Jorge and she are fine. It has been three years since her heart ablation for A-Fib with no ongoing issues. Jorge is facing the same procedure. The grandkids are healthy; all have been face-to-face schooling with few exceptions. The oldest in her senior year of college at UCF. Their two children and spouses are doing great! Barbara “Barb” Brugnaux and Carl were lucky to have a week in St. Lucia before the pandemic hit. No other travel to report. Barb continues to work as a senior judge, although court is by Zoom. Carl keeps busy reading, playing Words with Friends and helping friends with electronic gadget issues. She is really tired of cooking, although she did start baking bread! Yung Hae Chung Lee pre-pandemic was working in retail but is now staying at home trying to keep busy. They celebrated 50 years of marriage. Her two grandchildren attend college at UNC, Chapel Hill. Her oldest daughter lives in LA with her husband and child. Their youngest son lives in

Korea with his two kids. The Woods keeps giving fond memories being part of Class of 1970. Christine “Chris” Seelman Rochetti is still living in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Rick retired April 30 and they’re navigating the pandemic with summer golf and walks outside. They consider themselves lucky to have one son living in the area and the other son living in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is looking forward to having a safe Reunion in the near future. She loved the zoom visits. Carolyn Gallogly says: 2020: the year from hell. 2021: the year hell froze over! It’s been cold in SMW heartland. Zoom saved the year, relationships and sanity. It was the year she retired, and the year she became a grandmother. Lucy Tess O’Neill arrived in October and brought hope. Everything is quiet on Long Island. They can’t use their apartment in New York City, but is enjoying renewing relationships, and garden, which thrived. Jeanie Rieme Heller reports COVID has been less stressful for them. Her office has been in her home for more than 30 years, so she had no adjustment. She misses travel and meeting with friends — but that will come soon enough. She looks forward to celebrating with 1970 classmates when they can safely reschedule their 50th Reunion. Jacquelyn “Jackie” Keoughan says adjusting to forced laziness was hard. She has accomplished household tasks that had been postponed. The highlight was the arrival of my fourth grandchild, first grandson. James Clayton Spitz, born healthy in April. She has been Zoom teaching French for the University of DE and for Delaware Technical and Community College. Through technology she has been able to watch James grow. Steve and Anne Kayser Lannert are keeping warm and in good health in Evansville. They have unpacked from their move, but Anne is still rearranging the house. They got the COVID immunization and are looking forward to seeing their grands in person. Three of the six will be celebrating golden birthdays this year. Zoom has been wonderful but misses warm hugs. Susan Dietz Zellers has family updates. Jennifer lost her husband, Jim, in October. Meghan and her husband, Kent, have two boys. Claire and her husband, Sergei, have two boys. Jim brought three children to our family. They are our bonus grandchildren. She hopes to see others, and all stay safe, healthy and strong. Karen Swartzlander Fountain has been riding out the pandemic at home. She has seen some family, and has connected through video chat. She is on the list to get an appointment for the vaccine. She is faring well. Her new knee is performing well. She never l at a loss for chores! She adores the fact that Publix and Costco takes her food. Karen has decided to resign as your class co- secretary. She said, “It’s been great fun to be in touch with you all, but after 25+ years, I’m ready to move on. I’ll be at Reunions when/if they happen and keep in touch via Onyx Anneau. But I’m lined up for three cruises beginning next April and ready to get my new knee and new hip out to see the world. My best wishes to you all. And continued blessings upon your heads!” Schwartz (Karen Swartzlander Fountain)

Victoria, Australia 3216 kkiss@iinet.net.au

Greetings to all our SMWC classmates! We survived 2020 and are hoping 2021 would have us turning the corner. Many of us have struggled in the absence of time with family and friends. I have to admit I have reminded a few friends with the words, “Welcome to my world!” With one daughter in California and the other in Sydney we had not seen either since February 2020. After three cancelled trips to Sydney since the onset of COVID-19, we are here to meet our second grandson, Harry Max! He is adorable. David and I are well, as are our girls, Michele, Lee and David in California. Maureen and Jamie are new parents to Harry. I celebrated my 47- year anniversary of my first arrival in Australia in February. I have no regrets with that decision. Marilyn Foley Stephen reports she and Scott are moving from Madison, Wisconsin, back to Michigan in March to be closer to family, which includes three little boys ages 6, 4 and 2. They have loved Madison, but the pandemic reminded them that family always comes first. Marilyn is hoping to see everyone at our next reunion. Jean Marcellus Ferrone is grateful her son lives within an hour’s drive, although they haven’t seen them much! They have three grandsons — Riley is finishing his sophomore year at Illinois State. Jack will graduate in May and is headed to Mississippi State and Devin is finishing his junior year in high school. We are ready to travel again. We hope to see everyone soon! Martha Crane reports there are two engagements and a wedding this year. Her son Alfonso will be married in August in Seattle. Luis is engaged but has no date set yet. Martha enjoyed Christmas with Simon. Elena and family are well in Spain. Martha is ready to travel. She thanks God for family, friends and her good health. She is still hiking. Mary Beth Rennels Strassel believes she and Ray are blessed their family are now living in their area. Pre-COVID-19, Jeanie Reime Heller and Mary Beth roomed together at the SMWC guesthouse to plan our 50th Reunion. Joining them were Barbara “Barb” Brugnaux , Maureen Deaver Purcell , Kathryn “Kathy” Kinley Roller , Mary Ellen Clark Kogge , and Nancy Voll Pietrangeli . It was fun to see everyone before everything closed. Life is good and technology keeps her in touch with Carolyn Gallogly , Julie Leek Sullivan , and Mary Pat Slevin Haley . In these strange times, “words of wisdom” from Carmen Hansen Rivera “Living during times of COVID-19, the big news is no news! Hope everyone is well, free of COVID! Mary Teresa “Tris” Terhorst Atkinson and her husband, John, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! They got their COVID shots. They have loved living in Cleveland for more than 25 years... except for when winter hit. They have both retired and only work part-time to keep busy. Soon they

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