WCA continues to expand its ever-evolving community of friendship

By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator

We need friends to give our lives meaning, to enrich us, and to keep ourselves alive. ~ Rabbi Susan Nanus

Last month’s Federation Star WCA article featured stories about serendipitous ways women “discovered” long-time friends through WCA. After reading these stories, more women shared unusual experiences of connecting (or reconnecting!) with women, attributing them to their involvement with WCA.

WCA Advisor Barbara Suden credits her passion for WCA with reconnecting with a special friend. She explains, “Several years ago, my husband and I were on a river cruise and made friends with a wonderful couple. When we told them we lived in Naples, they told us that they were thinking of moving to Southwest Florida. My husband said, ‘Why don’t you consider Naples?’ I immediately told the wife, ‘If you come to Naples, you must join WCA.’ I told her about WCA and all it has to offer.

Sharon Russell and Barbara Suden are grateful to WCA for reuniting them.

“The next morning, I gave her a piece of paper on which I had written ‘Women’s Cultural Alliance’ and our names and phone number. When she saw it, she looked at me and said, ‘I know you.’ I replied, ‘What do you mean, you know me?’ I was really surprised! It turned out that her ex-husband and my husband were in the same dental school class, and she and I had spent two weeks together in Texas while our husbands went through basic training. That had to be 50 years ago. No wonder we didn’t recognize each other!

“They did move to Naples and, yes, she did join WCA. Sharon Russell and her husband have become dear friends. I often wonder if we would have developed this special friendship if it weren’t for my love of WCA.”

Harriett Kleinman

Hannah Goodman

Harriett Kleinman, WCA’s Membership Director, told me, “While visiting my daughter in Milwaukee, I always go to Zumba classes at the JCC. After returning to Naples, I was in line at Publix and thought that the woman behind me looked familiar. I immediately said, ‘Milwaukee—Zumba!’ This was the beginning of my friendship with Hannah Goodman. (She had already joined WCA.) Being Volunteer Coordinator at the time and learning about Hannah’s database and computer experience, I asked her to join WCA’s technology team. She agreed. Hannah’s assistance in WCA’s transition to our new membership management system continues to be invaluable — and so is our friendship.”

Phyllis Strome shares, “As WCA’s Couples Group Coordinator, I receive numerous emails from women who want to sign up for the group. One request came in with a comment that her mother’s maiden name was Strome. That was it — nothing else. I was not going to let this one go.

Phyllis Strome with new-found cousin Linda DuKatz

“After several emails, I discovered that Linda and Larry DuKatz lived in Massachusetts, which is where my husband, Steve, is from. There is a much longer story but, in brief, Linda DuKatz’ grandfather and Steve’s grandfather were brothers. Linda and Steve are cousins, although I am not sure if it is second, once removed or whatever — it really doesn’t matter. Larry and Linda have a son who lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is only 40 minutes away from our home up north. It sure is a small world!”

Ann Cowen (right) with college roommate Suellen Weiner

WCA Board Member Ann Cowen told me that she reconnected with Suellen Weiner, her college roommate from 50+ years ago, who now lives in Bonita Springs and is a WCA member! Ann says, “We met for lunch and the years just melted away. I would never have connected with her if not for WCA!” (Suellen is the volunteer who sets up the foursomes for WCA’s social 9-hole golf.)

When you read this article, many WCA members will have returned north for the summer. Not only will they reconnect with friends up north, but women who live in one of the nine areas in North America that has a WCA Summer Branch will also be able to “take WCA home with them.” The branches were formed to enable women to continue friendships that began in Naples when they return home for the summer. Information about Summer Branches – including how to join one – is on our website at wcanaples. org. Just look under “Groups.”

Those of us who are full-time residents of Southwest Florida will continue to enjoy our friends as well as make new ones through WCA events. Little did any of us realize the wisdom of the adage most of us learned when we were young: “Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold.”