w e N ^ Extending the Mission Fall 2017 of Mount Saint Joseph Academy and College Volume 13, No. 2
www.ursulinesmsj.org alumnae.msj@maplemount.org
Recollections of MSJ years on our 50th reunion LEFT: Marty Bickett Frost A67, from Plattsburgh, N.Y., shares the first reading at the Alumnae Weekend Mass on May 21. RIGHT: Susan Grady Howard A77, second from left, laughs at something Cathy Riney McClish A67, tells her, as Jackie Grady A78, left, and Pam Riney Higdon A77, right, follow along. The gym was decorated with a 50s motif. By Marty Bickett Frost A67
A
lumnae Sunday this year at the Mount saw the return of 17 alums from the class of 1967 celebrating their 50th reunion. We traveled from California, Indiana, North Carolina, New York and of course Kentucky to “It reunite with friends, former teachers and the campus. “It was good to erase a few years (like 50!) and see Mount girls again,” recalled Karyl Turner Millay on her return visit to campus. “I think we look pretty darn good after all these years,” Jenni Borders Herfel asserted, returning to our Owensboro hotel after gathering for lunch with several classmates. Cathy Riney McClish was “astounded how brilliant, well-rounded and successful (our) former classmates have become!” I have to agree with all these sentiments. Naturally, fond memories of our Mount days were the talk of the weekend: from the “demerit post” outside the principal’s office, to the afternoons at the Stoop, to the “gossip sheet” we sold to raise money for our senior trip, to the diminutive Sister Miriam with the big presence. Long hikes on campus; collecting dandelions to erase demerits; working in the gym, the library and the laundry; and selling subscriptions to, and working on, The Mount, brought back recollections I had forgotten. Just reminiscing with classmates we hadn’t seen since graduation was special. Catching up with each others’ journeys spoke to how wide-ranging our lives had become
over the years. A sad recollection focused on our preparation for a St. Cecilia Day program when the announcement of President Kennedy’s assassination stunned the whole country. Nearly everyone boasted about
university level, I plan to continue enjoying my teaching career. Lynn Tichenor recently retired as an administrator at the Owensboro Social Security office, while Sandy Bell Boswell last year retired from her position as a hospital administrator in Owensboro. was good to erase a few years Barbara Henderson Harrison left for southern and see Mount girls again.” California right after children and grandchildren and graduation and enjoyed a long shared what they had been up to the career with United Airlines in past 50 years. Although many of customer service and operations. the class of 1967 are now retired, Barbara Castlen Erpenbeck, a several of us have no plans for former Cincinnati hospital social retirement, with flexible schedules worker, now focuses on her three that permit time for travel and sons and their families. JoAnn hobbies. Two classmates, Sister Drury Cecil was employed at the Amelia Stenger and Sister Claudia University of Kentucky Medical Hayden, have remained at the Center before moving to North Mount, with ongoing careers in Carolina. Faye Simmons Gardner, education, leadership and nursing. Kaye Calhoun Winfield and Mary Jenni Borders Herfel still Blair Jones have retired from enjoys her counseling role at an various careers in Daviess County. Indiana high school, while Cathy Sue Thompson Kathman volunteers Riney McClish is employed as in her northern Kentucky parish. a Louisville pharmacist. Karyl What did the Mount give us? Turner Millay continues her work We were only 13 years old when as a part-time speech pathologist we arrived; all these years later, in the Daviess County Public we have succeeded in becoming Schools. With more than 40 years independent and responsible at a in education, the last 38 at the young age.
Alumnae Memorial Mass is Nov. 5
Please join us!
The 2017 Alumnae Memorial Mass will take place on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. at the Mount Saint Joseph Motherhouse Chapel. This Mass is celebrated in remembrance of all deceased classmates, faculty, family and friends of Mount Saint Joseph Academy and Junior College. Please let us know of any alumnae who went to heaven this past year. A memorial list is on our website. Please RSVP for Mass and lunch by Oct. 31: Call 270-229-2006 or email alumnae.msj@maplemount.org
The NEW Mount
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President’s Letter Hey, Mount Girls!
Every Alumnae Weekend is full of smiles, laughter, music, fun and special moments. This past May is one that still makes me smile on even the grayest of days. All I have to do is look at the photos, especially of the 1957 Blue (cardboard) Chevy (created by our wonderful Kathy Ford Louise Fowler Gaddie A45, Young) that was our left, and Carolyn Sue Cecil Photo Booth at the A73, react to the “driving” of Welcome Back Supper Sister Mary Irene Cecil A45 on Saturday night. I even during this year’s Alumnae managed to twist the Weekend. arms of our oldest alums present, Sister Mary Irene Cecil and Louise Fowler Gaddie (Class of 1945) to take a “drive” with me in the car and, to my absolute delight, they turned into 14-year-old girls again! I still burst into laughter when I look at the photos and see the fun and antics that happened when everybody got behind the wheel or in the backseat of that car. That is the most priceless thing about our gatherings – the FUN that always happens. Paula Gray made the comment on Sunday that her favorite part of the weekend was watching everyone as they arrived on Saturday, stepping through the doors at MSJ and suddenly … we were all back in high school again. Worries and cares were shed – shared – laughter and love bubbled out and hugs were everywhere. The years fell away and we were all just “Mount Girls” again. I’m so glad for every single person who was able to come and I hope it’s on your calendar to come back again next year! Two short weeks before Alumnae Weekend this year, we lost a most faithful alum, Sister Mary Lois Speaks. And, through this year, we have lost many alums of all ages. Please join us Nov. 5 at the 11 a.m. Sunday Liturgy with the Sisters in the MSJ Chapel to remember all the ones we have loved so dearly and who touched our lives. We will remember them together. I’m grateful to all of you and look forward to seeing you Nov. 5! Carolyn Sue Cecil A73 Alumnae Association President
Alumnae Adventures! Please send us any news
you would like to share with your classmates. We will print it in The New Mount as space allows. (We may have to edit content to make it fit). If you have photos, we would love to see them. We would also like to hear your story ideas. Email alumnae.msj@maplemount.org or mail to: Marian Bennett, Ursuline Partnerships Office, Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356. Prayer Network. Send your prayer requests to alumnae.msj@maplemount.org. Let us know if you would like to join our prayer network. Deceased Members. Please contact the office with the alumna’s first, maiden and/or married name, class year if known and the date of passing.
Fall 2017
Greetings from Alumnae Office Dear Mount Saint Joseph Alumnae, We stand on the shoulders of the women and men who came before us: • Angela Merici, the woman of quiet courage who waited for God to show her just the right moment to turn her many years of service Marian Bennett and devotion into a lasting vehicle for the good of the world. • The pioneer sisters who rode a flatboat down the Ohio River to join Father Paul Joseph Volk in creating this special haven in the Kentucky wilderness. • The pioneer parents who built this place so their daughters could be assured of a quality education, although they lived far from centers of learning. • And your own parents who sacrificed their time and resources to make sure you were here at the Mount when classes began each morning. • All of these special people – and many more – are the reasons we are here today. This space has been used for many purposes during the years The New Mount has been published. Today I’d like to salute the superb work done every year by the four creative and determined women who serve you as Mount Saint Joseph Alumnae Association officers. Carolyn Sue, Stephanie, Paula and Kathy are the latest in a distinguished procession of leaders who make a difference in service to all of you. They spend hours and miles to make each Alumnae Weekend a time of joy and laughter for you. Now it’s your turn. My office is ready to send class lists to any of you who want to contact and encourage classmates to return for Alumnae Weekend, May 19-20, 2018. If your graduation year ends in 3 or 8, it’s your special time to reach out. Let the celebration begin! Marian Bennett, Coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships (Academy Alumnae and Ursuline Associates) New ^
is published twice a year by the Office of Ursuline Partnerships for alumnae of Mount Saint Joseph Academy and Junior College.
Coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships: Marian Bennett Director of Mission Advancement/Communications: Dan Heckel Communications Specialist/Graphic Design: Jennifer Kaminski Director of Development: Betsy Jo Mullins Communications and Development Specialist: Maggie Matsko Mission Advancement Assistant: Sister Mary McDermott Mission Advancement Assistant: Sister Marcella Schrant 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356 Phone: 270-229-2006 • Fax: 270-229-4953 www.ursulinesmsj.org • alumnae.msj@maplemount.org ALUMNAE MISSION STATEMENT
The Alumnae Association fosters loyalty, friendship and community among graduates, former students and the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. In the spirit of Saint Angela Merici, the association upholds Catholic ideals, promotes Christian formation and supports involvement in Christian service.
Fall 2017 3
The NEW Mount
Meet our 2017 Maple Leaf Award Winners! Ursuline Sister Mary Irene Cecil A45, center, holds her Maple Leaf Award as she is joined by her classmate Louise Fowler Gaddie, left, and Stephanie Warren A73, vice president of the Alumnae Association. Gaddie, who won the Maple Leaf Award in 2003, read Sister Mary Irene’s nomination, which was written by Ursuline Sister Mary Jude Cecil.
Sister Mary Irene Cecil A45
Nominated by Sister Mary Jude Cecil A50 with assistance from Sister Marietta Wethington A55 Sister Mary Irene Cecil has been my mentor for 65 years. I have loved her since I met her as a young child when our families would visit on weekends. I was drawn to her for her gentleness, her smile, her making me feel special, since I was the youngest in a family of eight children. I always looked forward to summers when I could spend more time with her. It was not what she said so much, but I sensed her holiness, peacefulness and kindness. I wanted to be with her all I could through my young life and when we were both home for summer here at the Mount. That bond has not changed really. I still lean on her for advice in her sewing room and on walks. She is so open and caring about me and many, many others. She never hesitates to stop and listen and then offer a quiet, well thought-out suggestion or word of encouragement. She is a model of our founder, Saint Angela Merici. She has had many ministries and has been equally successful in all of them. She began her ministerial life as a kindergarten teacher in Earlington, Ky. Her students from there still keep in touch with her and come to visit her here at the Mount. She was reading supervisor in the Archdiocese of Louisville and helped many teachers in that capacity. She worked at the pastoral center in Owensboro and taught religious education classes throughout the diocese. She was also staff coordinator. One of the young priests who was on the staff at the time described her as a “quiet fire.” Sister Mary Irene has served our community in leadership as a counselor and as congregational leader and in thousands of ways that cannot be listed or even known by us. She, along with another alumna member, developed a pastoral care program for our sick and infirm sisters that was invaluable and brought a lot of care and comfort to them. She still serves the sisters in Saint Joseph Villa with her gift of sewing. She is an example of a dedicated, prayerful, contemplative, gracious and helpful Ursuline to all of us. I am a little prejudiced since I have known her from childhood and she is my cousin. However, I think anyone in our community would use these same words and stories to describe her. She loves Alumnae Weekend and faithfully attends the activities each year. She will continue to attend for as long as she is able. She remembers her classmates and their family members by name. She shows a special interest in each of them.
Lou Highland Goings A72, center, holds her Maple Leaf Award next to her classmate and nominator, Sarah Kranz, right, and Stephanie Warren, Alumnae Association vice president. Kranz won the Maple Leaf Award in 2010. In her nomination, Kranz said, “Lou’s joy is captivating and always puts a smile on the faces of those around her. Lou has a heart of gold, and it comes from her love of people and her faith in God.”
I believe Sister Mary Irene deserves the Maple Leaf Award for her beautiful example of a life lived for others and in grace-filled longevity of service and much love for Mount Saint Joseph and all its many friends.
Lou Highland Goings A72
Nominated by Sarah Kranz A72 It is with great joy that I nominate one of my fellow classmates for the Maple Leaf Award. I use the word ‘joy’ because that is what she has brought to the lives of so many people and continues to do. My nominee has what many people would consider a disability, a condition that limits, incapacitates, or impairs a person. Let me assure you that in no way do any of these words define this person. Describing her as disabled would simply perpetuate old stereotypes, and my nominee is far from being stereotypical! That is what makes her so special. My nominee is a proud graduate of Mount Saint Joseph Academy and the University of Louisville. She has dedicated her life to her family and to the citizens of Jefferson County. In the midst of that, my nominee has been active with the Louisville Association for the Deaf. She is tireless in addressing and raising awareness about issues of the deaf community. During her lifetime, my nominee has earned the respect, the gratitude, and the love of those for whom she serves. I am extremely proud to nominate Lou Highland Goings for the 2017 Maple Leaf Award. Her joy is captivating and always puts a smile on the faces of those around her. She has a heart of gold, and it comes from her love of people and her faith in God. I have no doubt that Mount Saint Joseph and the Ursuline Sisters played a major role in her becoming the woman she is today. Her favorite line is from Saint Theresa of Calcutta, “Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway!” She aspires to live by this quote every day. She believes in the power of prayer and in the power of the Mount Girl prayer. When those two powers are combined, therein lies a special Godly woman. It has been a joy and privilege to call her my friend. Throughout the years, however, I have rarely called her by that name. For those of us who know and love her, she is simply known as our favorite BISH. She is not only the gem of the Class of 1972, she is a gem of Mount Saint Joseph Academy.
70 Years
60 Years
Class of 1947
Ursuline Sisters Clarita Browning and Luisa Bickett.
Class of 1945
Dorothy Walz Jackson, Louise Fowler Gaddie and Ursuline Sister Mary Irene Cecil.
Class of 1951
Class of 1949
Ursuline Sister Mary Angela Matthews, Ursuline Sister Joan Walz and Betty Rumage Bickett.
Rosa Palazzo Schmidt and Ursuline Sister Ruth Gehres.
Class of 1958 Therese Fraize.
Class of 1969
BELOW: Paula Mattingly Crabtree and Betty Drury Byrne.
55 Years
Class of 1963
Class of 1959 Sister Nancy Murphy.
Class of 1962
Class of 1955
Mary Ford Vuncannon, Dorothy Weaver Morrison, Jean Spalding Allen and Liz Ruckriegel Berger.
Frances Tichenor, Ursuline Sister Mary Celine Weidenbenner and Ann Simmons Gordon.
First row, Lila Green Gehrke, Joyce Smith Bruder and Ursuline Sister Ann Patrice Cecil; second row, Mary Ellen Ballard Brown, Ursuline Sister Vivian Bowles and Virginia Ford Green.
50 Years
Phyllis Thomas Troutman and Ursuline Sister Karla Kaelin.
Class of 1966
LEFT: First row, Mary Margaret Drury and Mary Lou Byrne Payne; second row, Elaine McCarty Glenn, Cecilia Robinette McEldowney Class of 1968 and Phyllis Costello Shirley McIntyre Story, Georgia Warren Bresnik. Bottles and Ursuline Sister Pam Mueller.
Class of 1964
Mary Fraize Palmer, Sally Murphy Buford and Marie Ballard Blumeier.
Class of 1967 – First row, Mary Blair Jones, Ursuline Sister Amelia Stenger, Marty Bickett Frost and Kaye Calhoun Winfield; second row, Joanne Drury Cecil, Karyl Turner Millay and Faye Simmons Gardner; third row, Cathy Riney McClish, Barbara Castlen Erpenbeck, Sandy Bell Boswell, Rita Thompson Bland, Sue Thompson Kathman and Jenni Borders Herfel; top row, Lynn Tichenor, Ursuline Sister Claudia Hayden and Barbara Henderson Harrison.
Class of 1971 Class of 1970
Class of 1957
WaNell Stallings Lanham, Mary Danhauer and Carolyn Drury McCarty.
First row, Elaine Mattingly Blandford and Kathy Ford Young; second row, Carolyn Graves Beam, Beth Calhoun Henderson and Becky Henderson McCarty.
Class of 1973
First row, Carolyn Sue Cecil and Stephanie Warren; second row, Paula Chandler Gray, Rose Turnquist Mann and Rhonda Warren Mischel.
Class of 1980
Stephanie Grady.
45 Years
Class of 1974
LEFT: First row, Karen Calhoun McCarty and Tina Weber Smith; second row, Laquita Class of 1975 McIntyre McCarty Kay Drury Clark and Maryand Vickie Bickett Anne Cossey Powers. Gibson-Groce.
40 Years
Class of 1977
Susan Grady Howard, Elaine Coomes Foster and Pam Riney Higdon.
Class of 1984
MaryLee Herrmann Cays. Note: These photos are from the 2017 Alumnae Weekend.
Class of 1972 First row, Lou Highland Goings, Mary Ann Shewmaker Payne and Dorothy Ford Riggs; second row, Sarah Kranz, Pat Schwartz Cook, Mary Ann Clements Carr and Rita Thomas Tanner; top row, Carolyn Thomas, Angela Blair Peerman, Ursuline Sister Jacinta Powers and Debbie Chandler Morin.
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In Loving Memory...
Sr. Jane Irvin
Sr. Rosalin
Sr. Jane Miriam
Sr. Mary
Sr. Mary Lois
Sr. Joan
Mary Jane
Saundra
Betty Abell
Joyce
Debbie
Pat
Fall 2017
The NEW Mount 7
Please include the following alumnae, faculty and family in your prayers. May they rest in God’s peace.
• Sister Jane Irvin Hancock C47, 89, died March 8 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 69th year of religious life. She was a native of Waverly, Ky. Caring for others was Sister Jane Irvin’s specialty. First it was the students she taught in elementary school in Kentucky. Then from 1975-83, she was dean of boarding students at Mount Saint Joseph Academy, where she acted as a second mother to many girls. From 198389, she served as facility organizer at Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center, caring for the guests. She also ministered in the Archdiocese of Louisville, where she cared for retired priests. She retired to the Motherhouse in 2003. Survivors include a sister, Margaret Louise Coshan, Ontario, Canada. • Sister Rosalin Thieneman, 96, died March 29 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 68th year of religious life. A native of Shively, Ky., she taught at Mount Saint Joseph Academy (1956-57) and several other schools in Kentucky. She served in a variety of roles at Brescia College in Owensboro from 1961-88, including assistant registrar, dean of admissions and director of financial aid. Today’s Brescia University students receiving financial aid owe a debt of gratitude to Sister Rosalin’s pioneering efforts. She also served as a parish minister and in many volunteer positions at Mount Saint Joseph, including information receptionist and in the finance office. Survivors include her sister, Marita Eckhart, of Louisville. • Sister Jane Miriam Hancock C43 died April 6 at age 93 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 75th year of religious life. She was a native of Waverly, Ky. Sister Jane Miriam was always positive about the future, and took great joy in being an educator for more than 50 years throughout Kentucky. She was a top seller of raffle tickets each year for the Mount Saint Joseph Picnic to benefit the retired sisters. Survivors include a sister, Margaret Louise Coshan, Ontario, Canada. • Sister Mary Durr, 98, died April 21 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 80th year of religious life. A native of Paul, Neb., Sister Mary was a hard worker who always kept a song in her heart. She was an educator for 34 years, most of those as a music teacher in Kentucky, New Mexico and Nebraska. She taught music at Mount Saint Joseph Academy from 1968-73. She served as liturgy consultant for the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb., from 1973-99. Survivors include two sisters, Sister Catherine Durr, CSJ, Kirkwood, Mo., and Aurelia Ann Inkret, Denver. • Sister Mary Lois Speaks A62 died May 6 at age 72 in her 54th year as an Ursuline Sister. A native of Henderson, Ky., she greeted everyone with a wide smile, and was always available with a listening heart. She loved nature and teaching, fought for social justice issues and helped organize the Ursuline Associates as their second director from 1991-96. Sister Mary Lois was a teacher and principal, a parish coordinator and was the charismatic renewal coordinator for the Archdiocese of Louisville (1982-89). Survivors include a sister, Phyllis Speaks of Henderson; three brothers, Don Speaks and William Francis Speaks of Henderson and John Speaks of Owensboro. • Sister Joan Walz A49, died July 5 at age 86 in Owensboro, Ky., in her 67th year of religious life. She was a native of Hawesville, Ky. Her former religious name was Sister Joan of Arc. Sister Joan was a very compassionate, hard-working and selfless person. She always knew when someone needed her to listen or to share her wonderful sense of humor. She taught at Mount Saint Joseph Academy from 1965-69. She served in Kentucky and Nebraska, first as a teacher and principal, and also served as a nurse, parish minister and religious presence in Kentucky. She was director of retirement at Maple Mount from 1973-88, and served on the community’s Leadership Council from 1980-88, the last four years as assistant superior. She retired in 2016 and was active in prayer at the Motherhouse. Survivors include a sister, Dorothy Jackson of Owensboro, and a brother, George (Nancy) Walz, of Harned, Ky. NOTE: Memorial gifts for all of the above sisters may take the form of donations to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356. • Mary Jane O’Bryan Blandford A58 died March 10. She worked in accounting at Green River Steel Corp. for 26 years and retired from Owensboro Community College. Survivors include her husband, Don, and her sister, Beverly Smith A63. • Saundra Marie Thompson Conder A67 died June 2. She attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy from 1963-66, and retired from Carhartt where she was employed as a sewing operator. Saundra enjoyed playing bingo, going to the movies and shopping. She is survived by Robert Conder, her husband of 35 years. • Betty Abell Constantine A53 died Feb. 21. She and Joseph W. Constantine, her husband of nearly 59 years, have six children, Michael, David, Brian, Carol Ann, Jill and Sandra. A native of Lebanon, Ky., Betty earned her nursing degree at St. Joseph School of Nursing in Louisville. She married Joe in 1958 after meeting on the dance floor at The Doghouse in Louisville. She was a floor nurse for half of her career and then certified as a specialist in intravenous therapy. She was the first chair of the IV Therapy Department at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Conn. After retirement, Betty became an avid tennis player; she was still on the court at age 80. A positive, energetic and deeply caring soul, she enjoyed theater, music and museums. • Joyce Biddle Diehlman A71 died April 3 in Louisville. She is survived by her children, Stephanie, Steve, Ryan and Brian, and her sister, Deloris Biddle Lundy A66. • Debbie Knott Finder A71 died May 26. She was preceded in death by her mother, Imogene Dees Knott A37. Her survivors include her children, Travis, Jessica, Melissa and Valerie, and her aunt, Rita Margaret Brown A59. • Pat Lampkins Hammack A67 died Jan. 28, 2015, in Providence, Ky. She was a specialist at the Kentucky Delta Rural Project for 13 years and was a member and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church in Clay, Ky. Survivors include Kenneth Ray Hammack, her husband of 33 years; and three sons, James Davis, Josh Hammack and Ryan Hammack. • Kathy Grossman Hatfield A71, died May 19 in Henderson, Ky. Survivors include her husband, Frank, and their children, Micah, Shantell and Jamie. Kathy Continued on next page
Georgina
Mary M.
Priscilla
Elizabeth
Regina
Fall 2017
• Georgina Pike Hubbard A55, of Guston, Ky., died May 3. She attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy in 1951-1952 and graduated from Nazareth Academy in Bardstown, Ky. She is survived by Randall Hubbard, her husband of 60 years. After retirement from civil service at Fort Knox, she was an avid reader, liked crossword puzzles and watching sports, especially University of Kentucky basketball. • Mary Florence McCarthy A40 died July 31. She worked at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati and at Tampa General Hospital as a Registered Nurse Anesthetist and as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, reading and quilting. Survivors include her sisters, Rita Elder A57 and Magdalen McCarthy A51. • Priscilla B. Padilla C49 died March 3 in Aztec, N.M. She was a bookkeeper for many years. She and her husband, Andy, enjoyed cruises, traveling, attending horse races, car races and baseball games. She is survived by five daughters and two sons and her aunt, Ursuline Sister Sara Marie Gomez. • Elizabeth Jane Abell Strohmeier A48 died March 25. A Casey Creek, Ky., native, she graduated from Eastern Kentucky University and returned home to teach school. She later moved to Louisville where she was a teacher and guidance counselor for many years before retiring in Casey Creek. • Regina Mae Walz A40 died June 1. During her 45 years of service at KenRad in Owensboro, and later at GE in Tell City, Ind., she was very close to being acclaimed an “indispensable” instructor. She was a faithful and active member of Immaculate Conception Church in Hawesville, spending many hours keeping church records and visiting the sick. Regina found great joy in family gatherings, traveling, UK basketball games, sharing her beautiful roses and provoking a laugh with humorous stories she collected. Survivors include her sister, Dorothy Walz Jackson A45/C47 and her sisterin-law, Nancy Clark Walz A55. Anna • Anna Janisse Dockemeyer Warren A46 died April 10. Among her survivors are her daughters, Georgia Ann Bottles A68, Imelda Cecil A71, Rhonda Mischel A73, and Karen Gilbert A76; and sisters, Margaret Kelley A53, Bernardine Edwards A58, Fay May A63 and Maye Hayden A64. • Barbara Ann Youngblood A67 died May 2 in Paducah, Ky. She was a member of St. Joseph Church in Mayfield, Ky. and an employee of Youngblood’s RV Center. She is survived by her son, Shawn, and her aunt, Sue Cash Cooke A66. Barbara
We extend deepest sympathy to alumnae who lost loved ones... • Bernice Riney Bertke A56, whose husband, Herbert Bertke Jr., died April 20. • Martina Blandford, A53, Margaret Bickett A55 and Sue Thomas A58, whose brother, Jim Thomas, died Aug. 21. • Georgia Warren Bottles A68, Imelda Warren Cecil A71, Rhonda Warren Mischel A73 and Karen Warren Gilbert A76, whose niece, Amanda Martin, died Aug. 30. • Sister Elaine Burke A49, whose sister-in-law, Frances Therese Burke, died May 27. • Jeanette Payne Crabtree A59, whose husband, Donnie, died May 31. • Joan Dant A53, whose husband, William Herman Dant, died March 20. • Audrey Pierce Durbin A39/C41, whose brother, Glenn Pierce, died Aug. 19, and whose sister, Margaret Nell Pierce Reber, died Aug. 20. • Sister Ruth Gehres A51, whose niece, Rebecca Conley Meade, died April 8. • Donna Miller Gregory A74, whose brother, Gary Wathen, died Jan. 10. • Donna Schueler Murphy A74, whose mother-in-law, Mary Georgetta Coomes Murphy, died March 17. • Sister Rose Marita O’Bryan A60, whose uncle, Cletus Oberst, died Sept. 10. • Stella Fogle Payne A62, Mildred Clark A46, and Theresa Payne A59, whose husband and brother-in-law, Bernard F. Payne, died May 20. • Sister Suzanne Sims A66, whose uncle, C.W. Sims, died June 30. • Mary Ford Vuncannon A55, Ginger Ford Green A57, Kathy Ford Young A70 and Dorothy Ford Riggs A72, whose brother, Robert M. Ford, died June 14.
Alumnae Adventures
(Send your news by e-mail: alumnae.msj@maplemount.org or mail)
2017 SOLAR ECLIPSE: MARY SUSAN THOMAS ALLGEIER A66 and CECILIA ROBINETTE MCELDOWNEY A66 were in the path of totality in the parking lot of the Walmart in Russellville, Ky. We were among approximately 500 folks who were awed by the total eclipse! We ‘woo-hoo’d’ and high-fived among the BEST! MARY COSTELLO A65: My 2017 total solar eclipse journey began in 2015 when I saw that the path of totality would go through Hopkinsville, Ky. I immediately contacted Sister Amelia and asked if there would be room at the Mount the week of Aug. 20. This would by my fifth total solar eclipse! My son Patrick, his wife Jori, and daughter Elizabeth and I drove to the Mount and met my sister, Phyllis; her husband, Ed, and her classmates Susan and Cecilia (mentioned above). We parked at the Dollar General Store in Russellville. As the partial phase progressed, the excitement in the parking lot mounted. As the first diamond ring appeared, the cheering and yelling Left to right, Paula Chandler began. I couldn’t rip off my eclipse glasses quickly enough to view the corona with Gray A73, Phyllis Thomas Troutman A63, Stephanie my naked eyes! The general silence and whispered “oohs” and “aahs” signaled the Warren A73, and Kathy Ford awe of totality! Two minutes and 20 seconds of totality passed in a flash and yet felt like a lifetime as all faced the dark sky taking in the beautiful sight of the corona. All Young A70 practice using their eclipse glasses. too quickly the shout of diamond ring rang out for the second time and it was over. But wait! The next one in the U.S. will be in just seven years. Plans are underway already for 2024! Continued on back
PHYLLIS BRESNIK A66: With a chance to see a total solar eclipse, August was the perfect time to travel to the Mount. As Maple Mount was not in the path of totality, it would be a relatively short road trip from there to one of the towns with full view. Bright and early Monday morning we left the Mount for Russellville as my nephew Patrick had determined that the least chance of cloud cover would be there. Armed with our eclipse glasses, we were ready for the show which began around noon. It was a one-of-a-kind experience for my husband Ed and me as we had never seen a total solar eclipse. My word was “outstanding” and Ed was speechless. The whole area slowly darkened, the birds were quiet. Everyone was quiet. And then Brother Guy Consolmagno, the cheers began. Incredible! SJ, is director SARAH KRANZ A72: Hopkinsville, Ky., billed itself as Eclipseville, as it was the closest town of the Vatican to the “point of greatest eclipse” on Aug. 21. Brother Guy Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory. He Observatory, who had never witnessed a total eclipse, was invited to Hopkinsville by Father gave a talk about the eclipse at Saints Richard Meredith, pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. I was the official greeter of the Peter & Paul School media. When Brother Guy was asked what he brought to watch the eclipse, he replied, “My in Hopkinsville, Ky., eyes!” He said often people miss what they want to see because they are busy taking pictures where Sarah Kranz and not taking in the actual experience. The total eclipse was overpowering in its beauty. A72 is the former Photos are merely pale copies of the real thing. I found what I saw through the telescope to be principal. scientifically challenging. It was quite a day for science in Kentucky. SOPHIA AWARD WINNERS Each year, the Diocese of Owensboro, Ky., solicits parish nominations for the Sophia Awards, given to those age 65 or older who extend God’s mercy to those around them. Congratulations to our MSJ Academy Sophia Award winners! DORIS MATTINGLY SCHADLER A49 – Saint Elizabeth, Curdsville, Ky. MARTHA J. MULLIGAN KAUFFELD A55 – Saint Mary Magdalene, Sorgho, Ky. Martha Doris NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID OWENSBORO KY 42301 8001 Cummings Road Maple Mount, KY 42356-9999 270-229-4103 www.ursulinesmsj.org • info.msj@maplemount.org
PERMIT NO. 120
Please help us update our mailing list. If there are errors in your address, please inform us so that we may correct them. 270-229-2006 • alumnae.msj@maplemount.org
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New Quilt Club tickets available!
Mary Ann Clements Carr A72, far left in back, and Lynn (A67) and Frances (A62) Tichenor, standing on right, were just some of the alums at the Sept. 10 Mount Crafts & Raffle in the gym. Next year’s event will be an exciting merger with the Owensboro East Bridge Art Festival!
Sister Rosanne Spalding
270-229-2009
License No. 0290
Now is the time to purchase your Ursuline Sisters’ Quilt Club membership for only $20. Sign up by Nov. 2 and get 11 chances to win a handmade quilt!
Mark your calendars!
MSJ Alumnae Weekend
May 19-20, 2018
If your class ends in “8” or “3” – it’s your year to celebrate! The Alumnae Office can help. Contact us for class mailing lists. 270-229-2006 alumnae.msj@maplemount.org
Do you get the Pilgrimage emails from the Ursuline Sisters? It not, let us know!