QFA Mourns the Loss of Nu Chapter Alumna

It is with great sadness that Theta Phi Alpha announces the passing of Eleanor "Bee" Davidsaver, age 95, on Sunday, December 30, 2022.

Bee was initiated into the Nu Chapter at University of Wisconsin–Madison on December 8, 1946. She was the Rush (Recruitment) Chairman and Vice President during her collegiate years. As an alumna, Bee served as a Province Governor and was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1970 for a two-year term. She also served as the Madison Area Alumnae Association President from 2000-2016.

We were lucky to spend some time with Bee recently at the 2022 National Convention. Two of Bee’s children, Gary and Kristi, accompanied her to Memphis so that we could enjoy her company. Having Bee at Convention was a pleasure for all those who attended.

Back in 2021, Pat Giallanza, U, and Marie Sumara, AI, visited Bee at her home in Monona, Wisconsin. They were able to document some of Bee’s memories for our historical records. Thank you, Pat and Marie, for sharing these wonderful memories!

Bee graduated high school and set off for Washington, D.C. During World War II, the federal government was searching for top high school graduates from across the country to help fill office jobs in either Chicago or Washington, D.C. Bee’s mother encouraged her, “Go as far as you can, see as much as you can.” Bee worked for six months for the Department of the Navy, remembering the beautiful views of the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool from her office window. She returned home after the six months to enroll at UW–Madison (paying for school with the bonds that she bought while she worked in Washington, D.C.).

How did Bee join Theta Phi Alpha? Her mother found her a temporary home that would allow Bee to stay there. After she moved in (to Theta Phi Alpha’s home), she thought she should join, as it wasn’t fair to stay there and not be a member.

When she toured the Theta Phi house, she remembers that she had to take her turn in making coffee for the residents. She made it once, and they said, “That’s okay. You don’t have to do it any longer.” She thought she might have made the coffee too strong, but it saved her the task.

Bee graduated in 1949 and married her husband, Bill, in June, at the St. Paul’s Catholic Student Center. She continued her involvement with the Fraternity, visiting chapters and helping them improve and stay connected to the National Office. She attended many National Conventions, including the 1970 Convention where Bee and Edith Somerset Hilton, H, were elected to the Board of Trustees together.

To read more about Bee’s life, her obituary can be found here.

Top to bottom: Bee (pictured at right with glasses) at the 1966 National Convention in Chicago, with Patricia Manelski Giallanza, U , (second from left) Puddy D'Esposito Larsen, U , Jean Cusack, B, (standing), Toni Blaney Driscoll, U , and Judy Medich, U (standing). Bee (center) during the Compass Club Luncheon at Convention.

Happy Founders’ Day!

In September, I had hapter at the University of Pittsburgh. The reconnecting and new bonds being made - all because of Theta Phi Alpha.

At the celebration, attendees were fortunate to hear words of wisdom from Irene Caliendo, Kappa. Irene is a wearer of the Guard of Honor, a Sapphire Circle member, has served the Fraternity in many roles, including on the Grand Council, and was the chapter president at Kappa’s 50th celebration. Irene’s words resonated with me and I would like to share them with you.

“Kappa remains standing in some measure due to the efforts of every person in this room and of some who are unable to be with us today Kappa remains standing because of those who went before and who gave of themselves and shared their talents and their time and their friendship and their sisterhood. Kappa exists in 2022 because many sisters routinely lived our values and our creed. Many sisters exhibited loyalty, justice, wisdom, truth, honor, and faith to the benefit of Kappa and our sisters and we continue to build on it all.”

As I heard Irene’s words, I thought all of us could substitute Theta Phi Alpha for Kappa. Theta Phi Alpha is celebrating 111 years of sisterhood because of our members, past and present, who have invested their energies, abilities, and talents to our sisterhood. We have evolved as an organization and will continue to do so to stay relevant to our members and future members.

Irene continued with these words. “Membership for life - this is what it means. A lifetime of friendship, a lifetime of meaningful relationships, a lifetime of sharing our accomplishments and milestones, our happiness, and our sorrow. And a lifetime of contribution to Kappa and to Theta Phi Alpha.”

As I listened to Irene’s words, I felt like Irene was saying everything my heart feels about Theta Phi Alpha. As we celebrate Founders’ Day, think about the fond memories you have because of Theta Phi Alpha and the special sisters who are a part of these memories, the connections that continue today, and the you share your life with, and who wouldn’t be there if it Loyal, Ever Lasting sisterhood by treasuring the gift of

by Nathali Zamora, Gamma Pi