alumnotes
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1960’s
Donna Degen McGourin ‘62 - “After living in Bend, Oregon for seventeen years, we moved to Broomfield, Colorado. We wanted to downsize and be closer to kids and grandkids. We sold our home in June, and while building a new home in a 55+ community, we lived with our daughter and her family. We’ve just moved in and are getting settled. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the Pioneer family.” Norma Brown Blunt ‘65 worked in food service for the movie studios, catering for the cast of some big shows, such as “Little House on the Prairie.” From there she moved on to teach Food Service Management at Pasadena City College, then opened a restaurant and antique store in Silverlake called, “Café Norma.” Intrigued by searching for antiques, Norma and her husband opened an antique shop with specialties in estate jewelry in the Melrose area. Later they expanded the business to Larchmont Village in the Pasadena antique center. It was a fullservice business offering art, sculptures, paintings, bronze, and many other types of items.
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“I’m finally retired but I’m busier now than ever,” said Norma. While the physical business has scaled down, she still runs an online version. “It feels like I’m working 24/7. But I like being busy,” she continued. “I like to talk with people, be engaged with life. It gives me purpose. All I can say is that it truly has been a fun life.” (PHOTO #1) Paula Cosko SP ‘65 celebrated her 50th anniversary as a Sister of Providence in July of this year in Burien, Washington. The theme, “Providence Alive in Us”, honored 15 Jubilarians for their faithful and loving service to the poor and needy. Ruth Shoemaker Cunningham ‘65 and Janis Russo Van Keuren ‘65 were among the many friends and family who joined in celebrating Paula’s service as a Sister of Providence. Among those who attended a reception for Paula were Sister Alexis Melancon, Sister Lucille Dean, and Marian Julum Weaver (formerly Sister Anne Therese). Paula has been the Lord’s hands and feet as a teacher, first in a small village above the Arctic Circle in Alaska. There she first learned the joy and love of serving people of different cultures. From there she went
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to Nome, Alaska where she taught religious education to the Eskimos. When she returned to Seattle, she taught children living in the city’s Central District. She also served as a cook for a short-term mission in Haiti. In 1991, Paula began teaching English as a Second Language to adults at North Seattle College. She has been in this mission field for the past 25 years. “It is truly a blessing to minister to immigrants and refugees, especially when they first arrive,” Paula said. “Most of my students have been in the United States for less than six months. Being with them is another Kingdom Experience.” The Mass and reception for the Jubilarians was held at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Burien, Washington. The joy-filled ceremony rung with praises for God’s Providence in providing for the needy through the lives of these women. (PHOTO #2) Janis Russo Van Keuren ‘65 - “This Fall my husband, Tom, and I traveled to the Holy Land with a group of 21 people from our church to see first-hand the Biblical history of Israel and parts of
Winter 2017
