Friendships Unending

By LINDA MURPHY MARSHALL, Colorado Beta

An exceptional group of women arrived at the University of Denver between 1965 and 1972, pledging Pi Beta Phi at Colorado Beta. We came from more than 15 states across the U.S. Fifty years later, and even with our chapter now closed, we still get together as often as possible.

These multi-talented women—representing a wide range of backgrounds and professions—began to meet regularly starting in 1989, at a large reunion in Denver. Since then, groups have gathered in locations as close as Denver and as far away as Hamilton, Bermuda. We convene in groups as large as 50 and as small as three. We still travel from as many states as when we pledged, even from outside the continental U.S., to be with our Pi Phi sisters. Our overarching Lifelong Commitment lies in organizing gatherings to bring together as many Colorado Betas as possible, with more informal, local gatherings in between.

Less than a year may have passed since we last saw each other at a reunion, or more than 40 years; it makes no difference. Time dissolves as we renew friendships and quickly catch up with each other. And, the time that has passed has permitted existing bonds of wine and silver blue to be secured, with surprising new bonds also formed. Some women who might barely have known each other as collegians often discover friendship with each other at these reunions, forging new ties based on common experiences and interests. Still others who were close friends as collegians have maintained that closeness through the years.

One of these Colorado Betas — LINDA NOEL IBSEN — served on Grand Council for 12 years, as well as in other leadership positions. Six Colorado Betas have been awarded the Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg Crest Award since 2011. But, beyond the credentials and statistics of these women, beyond the sheer number of Colorado Beta Pi Phis who, year after year, decade after decade, eagerly stay in touch, is the airtight bond we’ve created. At the base of the impressive resumes and backgrounds lies this unwavering bond which has lifted us up in the darkest of hours: the deaths of spouses, children, parents, siblings and some of our own Pi Phi friends; the pain of divorces, financial setbacks, major illnesses and surgery; in short, all the adversities life sometimes serves up to us all. It's during these times of great joy and great sorrow the Colorado Beta Pi Phis know why we're called “sisters,” and why we will continue to care for each other as deeply as only sisters can. As lyrics captured in one of our favorite Pi Phi songs, "Ocean to Ocean," say, "there’s lasting devotion in hearts that are bound by the wine and silver blue."