notes class
NOTES SUBMITTED IN AUGUST 2021
1947
✒ Elaine Richardson, daughter of Phyllis
Brosnahan Richarson, elaine.richardson.ma@ gmail.com, 781.862.6262 ¶ Many classmates
32 REGIS TODAY
continue to live independently and enjoy regular activities with family. “We were a wonderful generation and a great class of women at Regis,” was how Rita Rizzo Covelle described the Class of 1947. Rita recalled how over the years, she remained close with friends from Mount Saint Joseph who continued their education at Regis. Rita regularly keeps up on Regis news through her daughter, Audrey, and her sister, Marie—both Regis alumnae. Gertrude Breen Alfredson continues as the ’47s Regis leader and is active in the Alumni Council, LLARC, and other on-campus or online activities. Gert misses traveling as much as she used to, yet keeps busy with philanthropic activity and engaging in her social circles, playing bridge, and other card games. Our other world traveler, Marguerite (Peg) Donovan, enjoyed her annual visit to Aruba last January, having taken all necessary precautions to travel safely. Donovan family celebrations and visits remain popular. Her Cape home welcomes outdoor visits by friends from Regis and the religious community. Eleanor Consentino Feuer finds balance in her life with healthy living, family celebrations, and occasionally getting out to Mass with the help of her son, Peter. Eleanor recently attended a milestone birthday celebration honoring her niece, Patricia, who was recognized for her public service career in Tilden, NH. Eleanor’s son, Martin, has upcoming travel plans to Antarctica and shares, “I would go with him in a minute if I could just to see those penguins in person!” Phyllis Gallinelli Campbell keeps engaged and educated through LLARC. For years, Phyllis has been a master with the knitting needles, and this past year she has been knitting afghan blankets for local ambulance companies to help comfort children who need emergency transport. For 80 years, Phyllis has spent summers at the family home in Humarock Beach. This year she let her three sons and their families take over the summer home, a safe gathering place for her family—26 adults and nine great-grandchildren. Phyllis keeps a watchful eye on the family through video or when her sons make their weekly visits to Weston, MA. As the deadline loomed for these class notes, I left messages for Frances Durkee O’Neill of Worcester, MA. Frances’s message says she’s “out for a contemplative walk,” so we send her our warm wishes and hope to connect soon. Louise McInerney Ryder’s
family described their mom as “always elegant and classy, with a dry sense of humor, she never left the house without lipstick and jewelry and her hair perfectly coiffed.” Louise died peacefully on July 2, 2021, and was buried on Cape Cod near the blue hydrangeas she loved. For ten years Louise lived in Virginia Beach, VA, nearby her two children. Sadly, the class has lost three more active women. Marjorie Dimento Magrath died August 13, 2020, after a brief illness, still the matriarch of the family and homestead in East Boston. Dorothy Mahoney McKenna passed peacefully on September 1, 2020, after more than 20 years on Cape Cod and a lifetime filled with teaching math, social activities, and being a role model for generations of women. Virginia Demeo Prieto passed away on September 22, 2020, two days before her 96th birthday. Virginia lived in Valencia, CA, near her sons except for the occasional visit to Cape Cod to see her sister and Regis classmates. Thank you for continuing to embrace me as your class reporter, the Regis role my mum, Phyllis Brosnahan Richardson loved best. I so enjoy keeping up with you and your news. You continue to inspire me and remain amazing role models for my generation. Keep happy and healthy!
1952
✒ Marie Rizzo, 136 Warren Street, W. Medford, MA 02155, 781-396-9835 ¶ Dear classmates, I am going to use the expression heard constantly this year, “I haven’t done anything due to the pandemic.” Isn’t it true, though? I’m sure you’ll agree with me, have we ever experienced such a horrible and tragic event in our lifetime? Oh yes, we can elaborate on the several wars we fortunately lived through and the horrible marathon shooting, but this pandemic truly put a “red light” on the ordinary living of each day. So my dear classmates, yours truly, who usually has been truly out and about became familiar with her home and even discovered how the oven works. I pray that you and your loved ones are doing your best to live normally, feeling well, getting vaccinated, and keeping your distance. Some good news now! I have been in frequent communication with our brave and wonderful class president, Sally Finnerty Tully. She is doing beautifully due to her deep faith and determination. Yes, Sally has been battling cancer but seems to be receiving the right treatment and it’s keeping her very busy with many doctor appointments. Recently, she sounded remarkably happy when she told me about
celebrating her 91st birthday on August 2, 2021, at her daughter’s house. What added to this happy event was that her son, Frank, arrived from Australia to celebrate with her. Also, he brought with him the even better news that he and his wife will be moving back to the U.S, and guess where? They will be living in Newton, MA. His wife, Debbie, will be returning to her old job as principal at Newton School of the Sacred Heart. In addition, Sally’s son and his daughter, Laura, called from Texas to wish Sally a happy birthday. A belated “Happy birthday, Sally!” from all your close classmates and especially from your young friend, me, who owns up now to “80.” Ha Ha. To help you remember me, I lie about my age constantly. I have a fetish about it. When I did not want to march with my class at one of our reunion events, I was wandering around the outside looking for a younger class to join. A man appeared and asked if I would help him out. Guess what? I ended up marching with the oldest graduate of Regis, holding the banner with her stating the origin of Regis. Was God teaching me a lesson? This wouldn’t be my job as class reporter if I did not report another funny incident regarding my stupidity and impossible pride. I was in a coffee shop that I go to often after daily Mass. A young pretty woman entered who greeted me with a warm smile and asked if she could sit with me. When she sat down I asked her my usual question, “You look familiar, did I have you in school?” To which the young lady laughed and said, “No.” I should have known her, as she was the Mayor of Medford! I felt like an idiot and apologized profusely. Naturally, it made the local newspaper and Facebook. Humility and stupidity, thy name is Marie. Dorothy Connors is enjoying her lovely home in South Yarmouth, MA. As stated in my last class report she is delighted to have her son back in Massachusetts from California. Wipe that smile off your face Dorothy, being lucky to have a son who spoils you. Congratulations to Patricia Arroll Waite Petrilli who holds the grand title of having the most great-grandchildren in the class. At this time she brags the number is 17. Patricia, to no surprise, is very active in her residence at Nort Hill in Needham, MA. This is the part of the newsletter which I dislike—to inform you about the loss of our dear classmates. It is with much sadness that I inform you of the loss of our beloved classmates: Marie Brophy Allard, Dorothy Barrett Bemis, Joan Barrett VanTassel, Jeanne Bowen Delory, Ann Purcell Macdonald, Marilyn Burke O’Rourke, and Marie Fleming Sisk. We send our sincere
