'68 Reunion

Attending the '68 class reunion in Florida were (above), Front row: Maggie Ryan, Tonya Matarelli Sumpter, Priscilla Bantner McGuire, Mary Ague Hardy, Cindy Maletich Black, Linda Porth; Second Row: Emily Yehl Landers, Connie Comiano Kubik, Michelle DePatie Kirwan, Mary Jane Porter Blixen, Debbie Petty, Mary Swift Walsh; Third Row: Diana Gordon Clow, Patty Moffitt Matthews, Renee Carnes Algrim; Back Row: Marilyn Bayne Schroeder, Cheryl Costello, Pam Simmens Fogle, Linda Besenhofer Zapata, Fran Fraser Weisman, Mary Terando Ferrari.

'58 Reunion
When: Nov. 14-16, 2008
Where: St. Mary Monastery
For more information:
Bonnie Preuss Viviano 636-928-4111 nickbonn@charter.net
Sonya Freeberg Wiles 309-688-1685 howard.sonya@sbcglobal.net

'73 Reunion
When: Oct. 3-5, 2008
Where: St. Mary Monastery
For more information: ellenstaples@charterinternet.com

'75 Reunion
When: May, 2009
Where: St. Mary Monastery
For more information: Deb Castrey-King at powayglass@sbcglobal.net

1972 Reunion Planning Begun

Patricia Birtcher-Castor writes, "I thought that I would start to plan our 35th class reunion. It really is hard to believe that it is that time. Maybe I can get this going in time." If you can supply addresses - email or USPO - please post them on the Bulletin Board, or email us.

'77 Reunion?

Judy Lipuma writes, "I would sure like to get a reunion together with my class from 1977. If you could pass on my e-mail address, I would appreciate it." Contact Judy at PHDJudy@aol.com

'97 Reunion?

Janet Hayworth writes, "It would be nice to visit with everyone from '97. Contact Janet at janethayworth@msn.com.

Deaths

Dorothy Hutchens, mother of Sr. Susan Hutchens, SMA faculty member, died January 27, 2008.

Helen, mother of Mary Anne Liggett, '62, died March 27, 2008.

Albert Francque, father of Diane, '69, and Kathy, SMA staff member, died in January, 2008.

Sarah Bergschneider, mother of Sr. Rachel Bergschneider, '62, Mary Somerset, '65, and Joann Gardner, '67, died.

Dale Roman, brother of Sr. Marilyn Roman, '55, and Barbara Carper, '59, died Dec. 9, 2007.

Robert Gavin, father of Connie Gavin Rothacker, '75, died in April, 2008.

Helen Schreck, mother of Mary Ann Schreck Liggett, ’62, died March 27, 2008.

Gloria McBride, mother of Rosemary McBride Upton, '65, and Anita McBride Anderson, '70, died in September, 2007.

Robert Schmitz, husband of Sue Ann Schmitz, former SMA staff member, died in September, 2007.

Edwin Weber, father of Peggy Weber Siegfried, '65, died in September, 2007.

Beverly Jean Boddeker, '61, died July 12, 2007.

Father of Jaynie Flanagan Klene, '76, died May 15, 2007.

Margaret Peacher Gieseke, '51, died April 20, 2007.

Dorothy Hansen Weagley, '61, died April 27, 2007.

Mary K. Mullen Schmelter, '63, died July 11, 2007. She is survived by
Barbara Mullen Poppe, '63, Peggy Mullen Kraft, '64, and Gerri Mullen
Hillis, '67.

Marie McHarry's mother died in May, 2007. Visit the Bulletin Board for details.

Helen Cathelyn, mother of Diana Cathelyn Dilitkanich, ‘65, Sandra Cathelyn Vander Meersch, ‘68, and Katrina Cathelyn Irwin, ‘70, died in Jan. 2007.

Colleen Dries, '66, sister of Mary Dries Coates, '76, died in Dec. 2006. Visit the Bulletin Board for classmates' memories and a link to her obituary.

Heath Clayton Carpenter, son of Lori Lisko Carpenter, '85, died in Sept. 2006.

Barbara "Bonnie" Perkins Kehl, '57, died in March 2007.

Jim Wilson, father of Jane Wilson Rowley, '90, died in Feb. 2007.

Christina Lane, '98, was killed in a car accident May 19, 2006, leaving two young children.

Pat Colgan France, '48, died in May, 2006.

Mother of Mary Lou Hecks Goebert, '53, and Norma Hecks Smith, '56,
and Veronica Hecks Minmaert, '62, died.

Becky Mapes Wancket, '58, died.

Mother of Sr. Marlene Miller, '61 and Marguerite Svenson, '63, and
grandmother of Ingrid Svenson, '93, died.

Mary Ann Sejda, '61, sister of Barbara, '63, died.

Mother of Rita Shaunessey Downing, '46, died.

Letters and News from Alums

1958
Rosemary Boylan Woolley says she is looking forward to the Class of 1958 reunion at the monastery next November.

1960
Suzanne VanHootegem Thompson recently celebrated her 20 year anniversary with Universal Studios in Orlando. She also tells of visiting Barb (Mack) Kuglar in February in Venice, Fla.

1969
Leonora "Elly Zon" Holmes "I am working on the Bear Valley Young Musicians Camp. I love it because even though there are lots of money cuts in the schools, serious students can still come to camp. Check it out at www.bearvalleymusic.org. Click on Youth Music Camp. If there is an alum who has children or grandchildren in middle school or high school that would like to attend I would be happy to offer them a scholarship: Leonora5@mac.com."

1970
Teresa Davis Jones "My husband and I are currently living in Yorkville, Ill. We have 3 grown children and 1 grandson. I am a retired L.P.N. My husband continues to work for Caterpillar, now going on 36 years. He enjoys his work and I enjoy being his wife. I love being a grandmother most of all. Regards to my classmates!"

1972
Mary Alice Kenny Sinton "Three of my Japanese Embroidery pieces won 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons at the National Academy of Needle Arts (NAN) annual Exemplary. I have been certified to teach this embroidery since fall of 1999. I have traveled twice to Japan to study at the school Kurenai-kai of Togane City, Japan. I am also certified to instruct Japanese Bead Embroidery and find that my passion too. I just got off a 7-day cruise 2 weeks ago after teaching Hawaiian Quilting and Japanese Bead Embroidery. My embroidery keeps me traveling all over teaching."

1974
Barbara Anne Pijan "I live in Portland OR with my son Daniel aged 13 and two elderly cats. I teach English to U.S. immigrants and practice “Jyotisha,” a Sanskrit-based astrology which I learned while living in Nepal. My passion is writing professional journal articles, in two separate fields: in TESOL, I write on cultural competency in world religious ethics for global teachers of English. In Jyotisha, I write on historical & interpretive issues in this 3000-year-old tradition. My website = www.barbarapijan.com."

Kathy Mulligan Bailey is studying towards getting her license as a travel agent. She also volunteers at the county visitor's center.

1977
Leslie Olmsted Crone "I am going to Zambia in Africa 7/31/08 to 8/09/08. I will be working in the village of Kabuloonga. The purpose of my trip this year is to take a marketable trade to the women from two small villages. I am taking materials to train them to make cooking mitts. The women live with burns on their arms from open-fire cooking. They are going to like their new cooking mitts. I will leave materials for them to make more to sell. The other trade I am teaching is crocheting. I have been trying to learn crocheting. It’s not going very well. The women will do a “make and take” shawl project, and learn to make many different things to sell. I am looking for women to go with me."

1984
Sheyla Rannauro says her time at St. Mary's was the greatest experience!

1988
Sharon Mousavi "I’d like to share with my fellow classmates that I’m engaged to be married on 4-05-08 in San Diego to a wonderful man, Farhad Dormani, who is 44 and an electrical engineer. I have a Master’s of Public Health and work as a health educator for a company called Life Line Screening, which is a mobile preventive health ultrasound company. I have a 4 year old Silky Terrier named Bella. I love to kayak and hike and still love to learn about art history and painting. I enjoy cooking, baking, and scrapbooking. I am still in touch with Sarah (Breheny) Fedorko and Melanie (Wassenberg) McFadden. Please email me at smousavi2003@yahoo.com.

Kelli Evans McLaughlin "I am married with three children and living in Solon, Iowa with Dylan 17 yrs, Austin 13 yrs and Keegan 9 yrs. For the last 6 years I have been selling real estate in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor area. With the recent decline in home sales, I took a sales position with a company called Limolink. It is a premium provider of ground transportation services for corporations. Funny thing about the name is that we rarely do limousines. Please email me at kellimachomes@aol.com.

1990
Amy Jost currently lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., with her two-year-old daughter. She works full time during the day, and attends school full time at night to become an esthetician.

1997
Christina Crudden currently works for AMC Theatres as a Senior Manager in Minneapolis, Minn., having just moved there from St. Louis, Missouri.

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Sr. Rachel Bergschneider, OSB, '62, was honored for her service "Pro Ecclesia et Pontiface" (for the Church and the Pontiff), Sunday, Nov. 18 by the Catholic Diocese of Peoria during a special Mass and banquet. As pastoral associate at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Peoria, Sister Rachel is responsible for education, including adult education, sacramental preparation for parents and RCIA. She is also involved in liturgy and family formation in the parish.

Brother Bill, former SMA faculty member, sends a link for viewing photos of SMA, since it was completely razed this fall. Visit http://www.illinoishsglorydays.com/id286.htm to relive memories!

Tily Campa, '98, lives in Torreon, Coah, Mexico. She wonders if anyone is in touch with her roommate, Delia De Avila? You can contact her at tilyches@hotmail.com.

Yi Chin (Sandra) Chen, '77, works in Boston with "inner city teens who often remind me of myself not long ago. :)" She has her BA and MSW. She would love to get in touch with classmates. Write to her at sandrayc78@gmail.com.

Kaye Clarke Toland, '76, has lived in Kansas City, Miss. for 21 years and works as a bodily injury claim representative for State Farms Insurance. Her son is 24 years old. She is in touch with Judy Bushell, Pam Calcaterra and Jaynie Flannigan.

Mary Cree Kosmecki, '73, says her brother, Dan, died in October, 2007.

Deena Habboo, '94, welcomes alums to view her art at http://PeekHabbooArt.ebsqart.com.

Nicole Klaucens Manion, '97, misses all her sisters from SMA!

Cathy Lechner McDonald, '75, has two children and four grandchildren. She and her best friend/twin sister, Carol, see each other regularly since they both live in Indianapolis.

Sara Lindhard-Pirok, '96, lives with husband Ed in Chicago. She serves as vice president of the International Academies Division of Pivot Point International, the world leader in hair and beauty education. "I truly owe much of my success to the Sisters of St. Mary's. ... I am holding onto the hope that if Ed and I are blessed with a daughter, perhaps one day you will open a school again, so she can experience the same amazing education that I was able to experience!"

Debbie Murphy, former SMA faculty member, remembers St. Mary's fondly.

Barb O'Donohue, '60, has 24 children living with her in Pokot, Kenya, where she works as a missionary. Some are AIDS orphans, while others are escaping from circumsion or forced marriage. "Being with you in Nauvoo gave me the opportunity to change my life for the better. ... I ask for your prayers now. Kenya has elections coming up and they are usually accompanied by violence."

Tuija Pitour Laughlen, '83, lives with her husband and daughter in Toronto. She works as a product manager for a global chemical company. Write to her at tuija@laughlen.com.

Monet Rice Plummer, '94, works as a counselor at the University of Phoenix in Chicago. "I am married to a wonderful man with a wonderful child from a previous marriage." She hopes to put together a reunion for her classmates: "SMA truly changed my life (Sis Marlene!). I didn't know it at the time, but now as an adult I really appreciate it!"

Maria Isabel Rodriguez, '99, manages her import business with her sister, Gabriela, in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. She teaches 12th grade girls and will finish her MBA in Dec. 2008.

Tracey Sheen, '98, and husband are the new parents of Marie Elizabeth.

Marla Soto, '97, is working toward her BA in Health Information Administration near Chicago. She and her husband have three children. She stays in touch with Delia de Avila, Anna Perez, Sandra Martinez and Karen Hanrahan.

Rosemary Woolley, '58, spends summers in St. Louis and winters in the Cayman Islands with her husband. She hopes the Class of 1958 will have a 50th reunion!

From Barb O'Donohue:

I leave for Kenya, Africa tomorrow.  I ask for your prayers for safety.  Kenya has elections the end of the year and campaigning is usually accompanied by violence.  I trust God to keep me and my Pokot people safe.  It is difficult leaving my family to go so far away.  But when I arrive in Pokot my children will welcome me home enthusiastically.  I have 24 children living with me.  Some are Aids orphans, some girls who did not want to be forced to be circumcised or married, some who were given out in servitude.  There are many and we are crowded but I wouldn't change anything.  It is such an honor to be able to serve the Pokot and tell them about Jesus.

Bridgette Anderson Floyd, '91, lives in Bloomington-Normal, Ill., with her husband, Tim. She enjoys spending time on the Web site at www.smmsisters.org.

Bobbi Beavers Helmers, former SMA staff member, lives in Minneapolis with her husband, James. She says she still sees Paula Koshiol Kraus.

Deb Castrey King, '75, lives in Poway, Calif., and says business at her company, Poway Glass and Screen, is great. "Personal life has never been better. Just getting older and enjoying life a lot more!"

Lindy Collier Hartman, '94, welcomed a new daughter with husband Paul on April 26th.

DeAnn Dearth Fisher, '81, will celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary this fall. She lives in Bloomington, Ill., with her husband. Her daughter is studying music at Illinois State University, while her son works as a paramedic in St. Louis.

Tere Delgado Dessens, '76, practices Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina through the Contemplative Outreach Organization in Monterrey, Mexico. She has been married for 25 years and has four beautiful children. She loves the video of the Sisters that can be found at www.smmsisters.org.

Rosemary Greenwald Pancake, '62, writes, "Curtis, my beloved husband

of 32 years, died of ALS last December." She plans to study for another degree at St. Leo's University in Florida this fall. She would like to work for the US Park Service in Gettysburg, Penn., upon graduation. She hopes to hear from other '62 grads, and can be reached at cutler1915@peoplepc.com.

Deena Habboo, '94, says her art is online at http://peekhabbooart.ebsqart.com.

Joanna Jacyna Divakaran, '91, would love to get in touch with members of her class. She may be reached at syreneczka@hotmail.com.

Mary Alice Kenny Sinton, '72, invites everyone to visit her Web site at www.bluebonnetstudio.com to see her needle art. She says she and husband, John, are enjoying their new grandparent status.

Kazue Kuroda, '97, was married in 2004 and welcomed a daughter into her life earlier this year.

Tracey McGinn, former RA, enjoys her job as Housing Manager at a community college in Muscatine, Iowa. "It's kind of like being back in the dorms at SMA but without having to worry about people sneaking out!" She can be contacted at tmcginn@eicc.edu.

Mary Jane Miller Murphy, '62, writes that the Sisters' video at www.smmsisters.org is "so" St. Mary Monastery!

Jacki Paulson, '85, lives with her daughter, Jordan, in Crystal Lake, Ill., while studying to become a paralegal. Email her at jackieplsn@yahoo.com.

Cathy Sandy Crawford, '79, married Jim earlier this year.

Barbara Schimenz Peckham, '51, has been married to husband Jim for 54 years. They enjoy spending time with their three children.

Allison Siegfried Purtle, '96, will begin studying to earn a Doctorate in Naturopathy.

Pimra Suthichoti, '96, earned a BA in economics and Masters in business communication. She has been living in Japan for five years, but will move with her husband, after their wedding this fall, to London. She enjoyed spending a day with Erin Keenan in Tokyo last March.

Ann Zurawski-Scheiwe, '98, will finish her LPN in Sept. of this year, and begin working on her Bachelors of Nursing at that time. She lives in Lowell, Ind., with her three-year-old son, Evan.

Lindy Collier Hartman, '94, writes, " I wanted to announce the arrival of Hannah Collier Hartman, mother is Lindy Collier Hartman class of 1994 and father is Paul Hartman.  She arrived April 26th. She is a healthy and happy baby!" The family is pictured on the right, at Hannah's baptism.

David Adcock, former faculty, writes, "After 19 years as an elementary principal, I changed gears last year and became director of our school district’s (Urbana) Adult Education program. It’s been a real refreshing change! Lots of stories about both could fill a book, but I’ll probably never find the time to write it. Terry and I have been married 31 years, and our sons are 25 and 19. I’m in a little blues group here in Champaign ... The Painkillers! I play the harmonica and sing a bit."

Mayra Carrillo-Daniel, ’67, invites classmates to email her at

mayra.daniel@gmail.com.

Krista Clarke Landrebe, ’70, lives in Naperville, Ill., with husband, Mark.

Peg Colgan Bankie, ’44, says she and her husband will celebrate their 60th wedding aniversary in July.

Mariela Valdez Martinez, ’94, lives in Mexico with her husband, Renato, and sons. She invites classmates to email her at malivaldez@hotmail.com.

Debra Michelle Beltramea, ’91, writes, “I visit the website often & really enjoy reading about the Sisters of St. Benedict at St. Mary Monastery & all the alumni.  Thanks for posting all the lovely information!”

Paola Gonzalez Munoz, '95, lives in Monterrey, Mexico, with husband Marcelo Zablah. She is working as an artist, for which she thanks Sr. Veronica. Visit her Web site at www.chocolatte.com to see her work. Write to her at paogm@hotmail.com.

Kate Iglar Koehler, '95,  writes from Sacramento, Calif., that she and husband Jeremy had a baby boy in September, 2006.

Joanna Jacyna Divakaran, '91, says she is in the midst of working on seven new paintings, and invites everyone to see her work online at

http://asiajacyna.blogspot.com. 

Virginia Kratz Allen, ’54, and husband John celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year, writes daughter Susan.

Judy Lipuma, '77, says she is a P.A. working in Barrington, Ill., enjoying her three grown children and five-year-old grandchild. "St. Mary's Academy taught me that I could be anything I wanted to be. ... You all look great on the Web site. I'm thinking I'm going to have to join all of you so I don't age! Write me at PHDJudy@aol.com."

Lori Lisko Carpenter, '85, manages an office in North Little Rock, Ark, and would like to correspond with classmates. She can be reached at laclisko67@hotmail.com.

Mary Ann Mahaney Hall, '86, enjoys her three Carin Terriers and her new home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She writes, "St. Mary's taught me a lot about life, and because of the experience I became a better person. I also probably am responsible for most of Sr. Marlene's gray hair!"

Sue McLaughlin Martinson, '81, lives in Quebec, Canada, with husband, Jeff, and their three-year-old son.

Marcia McRoberts Daws, '75, writes, "I think of St. Mary's often. I know I almost drove some of you nuts, but I came out pretty good! Thank you for having such an important role in my life." She enjoys her two grown sons.

Rita Shaughnessy Downing, ‘45, says she and husband Bill celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last October. They enjoy life in their Adult Manufactured Home Park on the island of Pine Island, near Fort Myers, Fla.

Cecilia Alberts McLaughlin, '59, writes, "Greetings to Class of 59. Hopefully some of you are out there. Can’t believe it has been 50 years since we left St. Mary’s. How about a reunion next year at the Monastery?
Looking forward to some replies."

Kristen Anderson, '96, has been teaching English in Korea, and will move to South America to continue teaching next year. "I enjoy reading about my old classmates. I must admit, my semester at SMA influenced me greatly!"

Mary Bruhns Riesbeck, '87, writes from Tinley Park, Ill., that her oldest daughter will graduate in 2007.

Peg Colgan Bankie, '44, says she and her husband have four children. Brett works for the National Park Service in Calif., Margo just retired from Caterpillar in Peoria, Susan is an associate professor at St. Mary's College in South Bend, Ind., and Christopher teaches in Burlington, Iowa. "I was so pleased to read Rita Shaunessey's letter on the Sisters' web site ... I check your web pages frequently to see if there is a familiar name."

Charmin Horton, '78, lives in Houston, Tx., with her husband and two daughters, and will get her degree in the spring as a Family Nurse Practitioner. "I have thanked God and my parents many times throughout my life for the especially wonderful opportunity they gave to me with the Sisters of St. Benedict."

Carolina Loya Guenther, '86, had a baby boy named Pablo Antonio in October, giving her daughter someone to play with.

Donna Sue Sims Jackson, '64, "I only had one year at St. Mary's but it was the most wonderful and valuable year of my life. Sister Rose was our principal, and Sisters Jerome and Ambrose were our freshmen dorm prefects. Beverly Smith was my roommate and good friend. Her sister, Pat Smith, was also at the academy. My cousin Anna Jean Hoffman Bell, '58, also went there."

Crystal Sipes Stallman, former RA, welcomed her new son in September.

Rita Shaughnessy Downing, ‘45, writes, "I was wondering how can we reach out to those alumnae who don’t maybe know about the website and its email capabilities? Is it marketed big in your newsletter/bulletin? I know I saw it there on the back page and decided to check it out one quiet night. I’m sure in the day/age of information zoom-ology that many of us have computers now. Your website is easy to navigate and would not deter alumnae from wandering around it looking for news and connection."

Amparo Tonella, '93, lives in her hometown of Hermosillo with her husband and two girls. "I would love to hear from my SMA roommates."

Marina Veldin Lawson, '82, and her husband enjoyed several snorkeling and sailing trips this year. They continue to work and live in Puerto Rico.

Juliana Wegeng Kozik, '82, is the district manager of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in the St. Louis and Central Illinois markets. "Our son started high school this year. The day I went to orientation brought waves of memories of my first day of high school at SMA. I cannot wait to see everyone at our 25th class reunion!"

Janet Hayworth got married September 17, 2005, and has two beautiful girls who are  9 years and 14 months old. She received a college degree

as a Medical Assistantand an Associates degree in Applied Science.
She says she is enjoying the married and family life.

Charmin Horton writes, "I attended St. Mary's in 1975-1976. I came across the website that featured city of Navoo and the Academy. It seems hard to tell you of the wonderful memories that came over me as I read many of the students comments on the days of their lives while in attendence at SMA.   I would just like to share that the human character qualities that were instilled in me while attending St. Mary's Academy formed my life making me who I am today. I did not know this then but I have discovered those values taught to me by the Sisters of Benedictine at very special times in my life and at some of my most difficult life challenges.   I have thanked God and my Parents many times throughout my life for the especially wonderful opportunity they gave to me. Today, I live in Houston,Texas with my husband and 2 daughters. In the Spring of 2007 I will graduate from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston as a Family Nurse Practioner.   I will always have a special thought in my daily life as to the impact St. Mary's Academy made in my life."  

Amparo Tonella writes," I went to SMA from 1990 to 1992 for my sophmore and junior year. I have great memories from the academy.  I live very happy in Hermosillo my hometown with my husband Vladimiro and my two girls, Cecilia and Amparo. It´s always a pleasure to receive Connecting Point  and read about you and the students.  I would love to hear from my roommates from those years and from the people I met there. Thank you for keeping in touch." tonellac@prodigy.net.mx

Jennifer (Thomas) Juvingo, '95, says she and husband Jason just had a

baby girl. " We welcomed Jamisen Eun-Hae on August 2nd and she joins Jack, who's 20 months old."

Sheila Cain Butler, '53, writes "Thanks so much for the wonderful Web site.  I especially enjoyed the sisters visit to Nauvoo. I still think about SMA since graduating in 1953. Since then, I am married, mother of four, grandmother of six.  My husband and I live in Savoy, Illinois (suburb of Champaign) in the summer and Englewood, Florida in the winter.

I would love to hear about anyone who went to SMA while I was there.  So, hopefully, this will encourage others to write to your wonderful Wed site."

Tami Berger Lobdell, '88, lives with her husband in Freeport, Ill., and is an intensive care nurse at Rockford Memorial Hospital. She is working on an advanced degree as a Trauma Nurse Practitioner. "As I was browsing your Web site I believe that I saw a picture of Sr. Marlene Miller and Sr. Phyllis McMurray. It was comforting to see two familiar faces from the past that were both so comforting to the students."

Lindy Collier Hartman, '94, lives with her husband in a small Harbor Town on Lake Erie in Ohio where she works in a family physician’s office. "I’m in charge of scheduling, referrals, precertifications, etc. I’m also in charge of facilitating team building activities to all 19 physicians' offices. My husband is captain of the fire department in town and he’s also an adjustor for an insurance company. There is no way I would be where I’m at without SMA! I still wear my class ring. I hope those of you from 1994 who read this will get in touch with me. We missed our 10 year reunion, but I look forward to seeing everyone at our 20! Email me, call me and keep in touch!! lindyhartman@yahoo.com

Joy Cunningham, former SMA board member, won the Democratic nomination for a seat on the First District Appellate Court in the Chicago area. She is not expected to face a Republican opponent in the Nov. 7 general election. Currently, Joy serves as senior vice president and general counsel for Northwestern Memorial Healthcare.

Noppawan Iamchaichareon (Nan Iam), '98, says she lives in Thailand, where she owns and operates a clothing shop.

Kathleen Mulligan Bailey, '74, lives in Central Florida with her husband of 24 years, working as a volunteer at the local hospital. "Love to hear from anyone from SMA!"

Ann Schaffer, '85, married Joshua Kilroy on July 29, 2006 in Chicago.

Laura Vaninger LaMarca, '86, says her three "lively" children keep her and her husband busy!

Letters ...

From Mary Bruhns Riesbeck:

I am a graduate of St. Mary's Academy from 1987. I often think about Saint Mary's Academy. In fact I have found myself often talking and sharing my experiences, realizing that Saint Mary's Academy had given me the best education not only academically, but about who I am today as a mother and wife and a person with many positive values once taught not only by my parents but those who taught or worked with me at Saint Mary's Academy.  

Today I live in Tinley Park, Illinois raising my five beautiful children. I am a stay at home mom who works very hard maintaining my house orders. I believe Saint Mary's has lots of good influences in me today. As a young woman back in school I don't think I could have seen this, but I really would like to say many thanks to the Benedictine sisters who have taught me and helped form my life.  I went on to the site to show my children what Saint Mary's used to look like since they have all wondered where I went to school. I happened to come across a picture of Sister Mary Core who once taught me.

One final note: I am published on line at Poetry.com with a poem I have written about my life experiences. You may find it at Poetry.com under Mary Riesbeck  titled "Down The Winding Road."

From Darshana Subbaraju-Novick:

I recently received the St. Mary's newsletter and wanted to send a little update about my life since St. Mary's.

After graduation I attended Loyola University in Chicago, then I went to dental school at University of Illinois at Chicago. Upon graduating as a dentist, I married the love of my life on July 9th 2005. His name is Robert Novick and he had also visited me at St. Mary's several times during my senior year.

In August of 2005 I started an Orthodontic residency and work on my Masters also at UIC College of Dentistry. We bought a beautiful condo in the city and are enjoying married life as well as anticipating my graduation in 2 more years. As an orthodontist, I plan on working in the city in my mother's dental office as well as establishing my own practice in a nearby suburb in Chicago.

From Nancy Fox:

"Pots and Pans" was my board job and I loved the kitchen sisters.  Sr. Jozefa, who was recently profiled, always, always was cheerful, and she made the best sweet rolls and gave those of us who did pots and pans early on Saturday morning, a plateful for ourselves.  There was also Sr. Georgina with her fat dog Potrero, shy Sr. Elizabeth, and I hope I spell this correctly, Sr. Fidelius.  And of course, Sr. Norberta, who could never keep a straight face when she was trying to be strict with us.

And one day, after the sisters had eaten their fill, we pots and pans cleaners were offered what was left of the sisters' dish of morels swimming in butter.  Evidently the sisters found many to pick.  They were cooked in a huge pot and Sr. Norberta tipped the pot toward us and let us dip in to our hearts' content.

I remember once leaving for the park through the long hallway behind the kitchen that lead to a loading dock.  Of course I had to open one of the doors to see what was back there, and behind that door, were two little old sisters working what looked like a small waffle iron, but in truth, they were making communion wafers!  So that's how it is done!

I could go on and on but I will tell you one more thing.  I am in AA and I hear a lot about "recovering Catholics," a sort of bad joke, and Catholic school nuns with rapping rulers on sorry knuckles, but here's the truth about St. Mary's - those sisters really cared about us and took care of us and there wasn't a mean one amongst them.  Okay, okay, Sr. Dolores was chronically cranky, but not mean.  And you felt the care and the attention.

From Mona Seeger:

This is just a quick note to say hello to the class of 96!!

Just to let you all know that I do still think about you quite often!

Hope you are all doing fine and I really do hope that I will see some of you soon!

Summer finally gets started here in good old Germany and since we do have our own yard we already had several cook outs with friends, BBQs, …

Here is a picture of me and Mam Lert in Bangkok, Thailand! We had a great time over there!! Due to Mam´s great hospitality!!

From JoBet McKinney Kenney:

Yes, that really is my name now.  I am from the class of 1972.  I thought I would update what's going on. 

I have two sons, 28 and 26 years old.  I also have an 8 year old son that Jeff, my husband, and I adopted 2 years ago.  We are currently in the matching pool with Social services to adopt another child.  My parents live with us as do 3 dogs, a cat, and a ghecko.  I graduate from Cal State Long Beach this May with my Bachelor's degree and I start graduate school in the Fall.  (I took a long break after my first son was born).

I live in Southern California and would love to hear from any other alumni out here. But, I do have a question.  Does anyone know if Mary Balma is still alive?  I was in contact with her for a long time and then all of a sudden, nothing.  I am praying for her and would like to get back in touch with her if possible. 

Please also let Sr. Kathleen Aubrey know she had a tremendous influence on my life. All my love for wonderful two years at St. Mary's.

From Pat Foor:

I taught business at St. Mary's Academy for three years somewhere in the mid seventies and I still recognized some familiar faces on the website.  I enjoyed reading about the trip some of the Sisters made to the old academy as I have done the same.  I walked throughout the building with friends telling them what used to be. 

I've been widowed now for 14 1/2 years, took early retirement from teaching at Harmony High School, and now have way too much time on my hands.  I do travel some, spend a lot of time in Branson, MO and have given serious thought of moving there.  I just returned from a month's stay there in a beautiful condo overlooking a golf course, but it was getting mighty busy when I left this past weekend.

I do have some good memories of St. Mary's of both the staff and the students.  Have often wondered where many of the students are and what they are doing.

From Elizabeth Moha Marshall:

I am now working at Griffin Christian School in East Dundee, IL, as a substitute teacher, and in their office.  My husband John and I have two sons, Jeremy (9) and Justin (3). 

Lindy Collier's family

David Adcock

Krista Clarke, husband

Mariela Valdez's family