62 class notes
to Carol! Maybe we will all be able to attend our 65th! Julie Work Beck is still running the family real estate business, Saucito (which means “little willow”). The company is currently building two large buildings in Monterey. Julie said the construction manager is Damon Felice, the nephew of our classmate, Clarice Borelli Felice. Small world! I had a wonderful phone call with Saudie Sowell Clark. She is still very involved with the community chorus, the church choir, and Red Hats. Her brother, the priest, is still in Camerino. He’s not as active now as he has some health problems. Saudie had some health problems herself but is still her old optimistic self. She has six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Yvonne Wallace Lyon has 24 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. She shares, “I am truly blessed. I’m still in Napa for about 10 months a year. During November and March, I’m at my home in Mesa. My youngest granddaughter started at University of Colorado at Boulder. She loves the skiing and snowboarding. I would love to hear from some more of our classmates. Happy 2016!” Sue Barsi Scurich is keeping busy with learning about growing raspberries hydroponically, with no pesticides in boxed containers and coconut mulch. She spends lots of time in San Jose with her daughter Mimi, where “her roots were!” And she enjoys her eight grandchildren. Pat Kelly Phillips is as busy as ever. She recently started a program with the Italian Catholic Federation where members write down things they remember about deceased members. It’s really wonderful to hear all the stories about these great folks who did so much for their community and their families. Pat’s son, Mark, is now performing in an off-Broadway show, Ideation in New York. They are very proud of him. All of her grandkids are all working and two of the five have graduated from college.
1956 Sheila Godwin Peavey sheilapeavey@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!
Members of the class of 1956 at Reunion 2016
1957 Carole Lusignan Buttner wmbclb@aol.com
Nancy Gregg Hatch: Life in our mid70s includes a congenial mix of travels to visit our daughters: Nannie in Portland, OR, and Kate and family in San Rafael, CA. Both provide ample explorations of beautiful, hikeable open spaces. Kate’s house is an easy walk from Dominican University, where our grandsons love to explore, and I find opportunities to renew Santa Catalina memories and friendships. At home, we’re involved in courses and discussions at nearby UC San Diego’s Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning. Despite increasing losses which age brings, a mellow season. Mary Hunt Cano: My aunt, Charlotte Cano, died in December 2014 at well over 98. I had been her caregiver for over four years and thus, did not have much free time. So in 2015, I moved from Marina to La Jolla. Of course, I miss my friends on the Monterey Peninsula and Christmas at Santa Catalina, but the weather is so much better here. I had a lovely picnic lunch with Nancy Gregg Hatch at the San Diego Botanical Garden. It was fantastic seeing her. Then I went to New England for three weeks at the end of the summer and stayed with my oldest friend in Maine and New Hampshire. Then back to La Jolla for 10 days before flying to London for the whole month of November. Hadn’t been there since March 2006
when I returned to California. Spent a hectic time catching up with old friends, cousins, my goddaughter, and my boss of over 18 years. Have promised to go back at least twice a year from now on. I am looking forward to our 60th next year! Barbara Erro Marsella: Mary Hunt Cano, thank you for your wonderful news! I have been pretty much confined to home, here in Fresno, because of Gary’s Parkinson’s Disease. He can no longer travel; he is confined to a bed, wheelchair, or recliner. He still reads four newspapers a day (one in Italian!). He enjoys visits by family and friends, and has riotous relationships with his caregivers, who mostly leave their shifts in laughter. Visits from our children and grandchildren are the most treasured of all. Blaise (12) lives in Paris and spends a month with us in the summer. Aidan (10) and Nadia (6) live here in Fresno and visit us bringing jokes, laughter, and magnificent piano performances. I do not get to my studio any more, but I continue to rent the space. Maybe it’s telling me that one day I’ll be working again on my art. I keep up with Betty Ann Bernadicou Lambert and Sally Smith Rhodes on the phone. My love to all you dear classmates. Camille Annotti Stevens: My life state is fairly balanced. Things are basically very quiet for me and that is when I seem to be most content. I have enough clients here in my little business at home so that I feel my brain stays active and won’t atrophy for a while yet. I challenge myself with crossword puzzles and other brain twister games when I am not reading a good book, working in my garden, spending time with a lovely group of friends who have been meeting on a regular basis for close to 50 years, trying to stay active and healthy, and thanking God every morning and evening for another good day. My children are all secure and have busy productive lives. My grandson is interested in working in the hospitality industry and my granddaughter is trying to make decisions about where to attend university. Life is good! Denise LeBlanc Hellier: While in Darien with my daughter and family for Christmas, I had lunch with Carole Lusignan Buttner. It was wonderful to compare notes on life and family with a friend of so many years. We agreed we are both still in pretty good shape! I send greetings to all. Denise LeBlanc Hellier is now traveling in India and has a trip planned this spring, taking her children and grandchildren to France. Maribeth Conway Steiner: