In Loving Memory

Donna Elliott ‘79

By Lucy Santillian Smith ‘79 As some of you have heard, our classmate Donna Elliott (DiLettera) made the journey to Heaven in October.

Donna, Jane Anderson (Jindra), and I became the three musketeers during our freshmen year. Donna was the poster child of what good and kind is all about. So often we hear at eulogies "she never said a bad thing about anyone, willing to offer a helping hand and a radiant personality." I really tried to come up with something "clever," but this is Donna's testimony. Donna and Jane and I remained close after high school but then "adulthood" showed up, along with marriage and children. I saw Donna about three weeks before her passing. Just as she always was, funny, engaging, with lots of trips down memory lane. We had pizza with her husband, Doc, and her sons, Jack and Sean. A very special time that I will hold close to my heart. Yes, she had a health crisis, but as I drove away, I convinced myself she would be just fine, as it was unthinkable that she would leave us so soon.

At times our plans don't line up with God's plans. One of the cliches - God needed another angel. Donna and Doc had a rock solid marriage. They loved each other, but in addition, they really liked each other. The comfort and love shown between them was very special. Donna leaves behind her husband Doc; her children Sean, Jenni, and Jack; and her siblings; Diana and David.

Donna Jean, on behalf of the Alverno Class of 1979, we are grateful for the time we spent with you. We trust you will keep an eye on all of us.

Kevin Minissian P ’11, P ’12

Kevin Minissian of Norchem Corporation passed suddenly and unexpectedly on November 23, 2021. For over four decades, Kevin dedicated himself to developing innovative chemistry solutions and advanced water systems for the textile services industry. His commitment to excellence, paired with his passion to serve his customers, earned him tremendous respect and positive influence amongst his customers and colleagues, many of whom became dear friends. Kevin is survived by his wife Houri, his four children (including Karineh ‘11, Celina ‘12), siblings, as well as his many nieces and nephews, extended family, friends, and his Norchem family. To carry forward his ongoing passion, Norchem Corporation and the families have established the Kevin Minissian Memorial Fund at Caltech in honor of Kevin Minissian.

So many lives have been lost to COVID and we know that many members of our Alverno family have been affected by this. There is no challenge greater to our hearts than the absence of someone special, and even though the grieving process never really goes away, support from others can help bear the weight of sadness. To those who have lost someone to COVID, your loved ones are not forgotten.

God’s Healing Hand

To our brothers and sisters who have contracted and are suffering due to the Coronavirus Disease, we pray that God’s healing hand may rest upon you.

To medical doctors, nurses and the supporting staff who are in the frontline of the fight against COVID-19, may the Good Lord sustain you and inspire you to render your life-saving services with due care, love and compassion.

To all those who have lost their loved ones due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we convey our deepest sympathies.

We pray that their souls, through God’s mercy, may rest in eternal peace.

We pray that God may grant all bereaved families his consolation and strengthen their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord. Amen.

Prayer adapted from the 2020 Easter Message of the Catholic Bishops of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe