In Memoriam - Elizabeth Giangrego

Betty in 5th Grade, 1957

Confirmation, 1958

 Elizabeth "Betty" Giangrego passed away the day after Thanksgiving, on Friday, November 26, 2010.  Less than 3 weeks after our 50th reunion.

Her family has informed us the burial service was private.




Betty, the writer of our 1960 class prophecy and creator of our 25th-year reunion booklet, would have loved being present at our 50th reunion.  She had begun to work on the 50th-year reunion booklet, but illness prevented her from completing it.  We know she was with us in spirit.

Kathleen Hughes sent this note in tribute to Betty Giangrego:

Hi Mary and Elaine,  I am sorry to be so late in sending this.  I have been thinking of Betty for a while.  I had a feeling that something was really wrong when she did not answer my email after I saw the reunion photos.  Here are some of my thoughts you might share with her friends if you have the chance:

"What, no crabby sarcastic cat card this Christmas!  I could always count on Betty to add something special to the holiday season.

"When I think way back to when we were young, I remember all the time I spent at her house and how very kind her Mom and Dad, and her whole family, were to me. No one else had a dog who sat on the coffee table and howled when the soap operas started on TV.  That dog did not like organ music! I remember going to the cabin at Wauconda and laughing and making life plans upstairs in bedroom with the slanted roof.  I learned the meaning of the expression "smile and nod" at the cabin, when her grandmother would speak to me in Italian. I think her grandmother liked me-she thought I was nice and quiet!

"I always envied Betty's sense of daring and adventure.  The thought of running off to London would just never have occurred to me, but what a great experience it had to have been. I loved the fact that she was able to talk me into doing semi-crazy things.  I am pretty sure I never would of thought of getting dressed up and going to sit in the lobby of the Ambassador East in hopes of seeing Pernell Roberts.  It was pretty amazing that we were not thrown out.  Maybe Pernell didn't have a lot of teenagers waiting for a glimpse of him walking by. I think we finally got tired of waiting and took the "El" home. I am positive I never would have gone to the Camel Races in Virginia City without her urging. I learned that many Hell's Angels are just chunky middle aged people who enjoy a drink at the Bucket of Blood-just like everyone else. I even had the chance to show her something new that trip, when I took her to an all you can eat buffet at a casino in Reno and showed her how to play a slot machine (I didn't say I was proud, just that it was something new for her). It was a fun trip, and in fact I did go back with my husband to Lake Tahoe and Virginia City, minus the Hell's Angels.  

"I had the chance to meet with Betty a couple of times in the last few years when I was in town for a conference and we had some long talks about the state of the world and our individual lives.  The best thing about old friends like Betty is that you can meet every now and then and pick up where you left off with no guilt, and no long explanations of who you are. It did not matter at all what different paths our lives had taken, we just laughed and shared some old memories.  Now that is gone, and can't be replaced. 

"A special spirit has left this world, but she left behind some very happy memories.  Rest in peace, Betty."

Kathy Hughes Wilke, December 10, 2010

Keeper of memorabilia, her graduation luncheon
place card is ready for her next event

 And her 1960 basketball certificate too!  

Missing Classmate - FOUND!

We are still trying to locate our "unfound" classmates.  If you should come across one the Missing listed in the right hand column of this Blog, please let us know.  We will post a note and/or a photo of our classmate to share with the STA 1960 Reunion Community.

Through the efforts of Dennis Czechanski, Noreen Christie Fox has been located.  She sent this note:

How nice to hear from you!  I looked through the reunion photos - almost as much fun as being there!  The years go by so quickly that it's nice to reminisce, remember and reconnect. 

In 1985, I did try calling St. Thomas to see if there was any reunion information, but to no avail.  We moved right after 8th grade - the receptionist at St. Thomas said  "So did everyone else!"  Where did our classmates end up going to high school?   Thanks for your work on the blog - it's great.  I still have my autograph book too.  I saw it not too long ago, but I'm sure I couldn't put my hands on it now!  Take care and so glad you remembered me!

Noreen Christie Fox, November 15, 2010

STA Poetry

At our 50th Reunion, Tom McGrath brought his 1960 STA autograph book.  Flipping through the pages, I remembered how "witty" we thought we were with our catch phrases and four-line poems.  It made me look for my book -- which I remembered seeing about 15 years ago!  Well, I just found it.   If you still have your book, perhaps you would share some of the pearls of wisdom written inside?  Just click on "comments" below and add your personal witticisms!  Be sure to let us know who wrote it.

Being no poet
Having no fame
Permit me only
To sign my name.
Lynn Kryzak

I'll write on white
And be polite
And save the yellow
For some rude fellow.
Diane Hallinan, Lucy Amore

Down in the valley
Carved in a tree
Two little words
"Remember me."
Mary Kinahan

There are gold ships
And there are silver ships
But the best kind of ship
Is friendship.
Patti Carroll

The following was written in a circle:
A ring is round and has no end that's how long I'll be your friend.
Carole Keough

When the golden sun is setting
And your feet no longer trod,
May your name in gold be written
In the autograph of God.
Violet Scalese

Yours 'til the United States drinks Canada Dry.
Linda Kovach

You may fall from a mountain
You may fall from above
But the best place to fall
Is to fall deep in love.

Yours 'til bobby pins get seasick riding on permanent waves,
Denise Walwin

There are red ships
And blue ships
But there is no ship
Like friendship
Cathy Houlihan

Written in the corners of the page:
It's silly....................to...................... read.................corners
Alex Martini

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I've never met
A nut like you.
Connie Schleimer

You asked me to write
What shall it be
Two little words
"Remember Me"
Antoinette Malizia, John McAuliffe

Rose are red
Violets are blue
Most people are smart
Why aren't you.
Francis Otto

Your 2 good
         2 be
         4 got 10
Marion Reister, John Rigney

I wish you health
Rockefeller's wealth
Einstein's knowledge
Through high school and college.
Carol Broderick

Out in the ocean
Carved in a rock
Are three little words
"Forget-me-not."
Betty Giangrego

Elaine for now
Elaine forever
McIntyre for now
But not forever.
Virginia Salemi

When you get married
And have a Ford
Give me a lift
On your running board.
Kathy Hughes "Juliet"

In a golden chain for friendship, consider me a link.
Lynette Vivacqua

I am no poet
And I have no fame,
So all I'll do
Is sign my name.
Phil Kelley

When you get married
And have 25,
Don't call it a family
Just call it a tribe.
Joan Nallen

Turned up nose
Black curly hair
The boys will go
For you, I swear.
Lucy Valentino

T'was in a restaurant they first met
Romeo and Juliet
T'was there that he got in debt
Rom-e-owed and Ju-li-et.
Joan Laughlin

A little bit of moonlight
A little bit of kisses
Makes a little maiden
Change her name to Mrs.
Diane Cullnan

I may be young
But take my advice
Don't let the same boy
Fool you twice.
Jan Stewart

O.....I.....C.....U.....R.....A.....Grad.....U.....8
Noreen Christie


Yours 'til Starved Rock gets a square meal! 
Donna Falco, "Cuddles"


Remember Grant
Remember Lee
But most of all
Remember me.
Rita Flanagan

Remember me in the tub
Remember me with every rub
When the suds be very hot
Wash them away but forget me not.
Janet Jankuski

________________
________________
________________
________________
Four lines from a lazy poet.
Mary Lynn McGuff

May this life bring you all the happiness you can stand
And only enough sorrow to show you the difference.
Maureen Rigney

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet
And so are you.
Peggy Dernbach

And, of course, there were many "good lucks" and "best wishes."

Ideas for our Next Reunion

Several individuals have suggested ideas for our next Reunion beyond the "when" and "where."  However, you can make comments about that too!  If you would like to see something special included as part of our next reunion, please suggest it by clicking on "COMMENTS" at the bottom of this post and letting us know your thoughts.  When you click on "COMMENTS" you should be able to see what others have said before you.

To leave a comment:
1. Click on the red "comments" area at the bottom of this post - If there is a number before the word, it means comments have already been added.
2. Write your comment
3. Select your profile from the drop down and then click "Post Comment"
4. If a "Preview" button appears, click on it.
5. Type in the letters presented - this is to protect against spammers
6. Click "Post Comment"

STA 50th Reunion Photos from our Classmates

Dan, our resident photographer and videographer -- and, I might add, President of the 8th grade boys' class -- has posted his pictures from our 50th reunion on Flickr.  They are great.  Click on 50th Reunion to "relive" the evening.  He has also added additional videos to his Aquinasville site. This trip down memory lane with the additional videos from the Reunion is well worth the "click" too!

Diane Hallinan has also shared photos of our Reunion taken by Peggy Dernbach Kuzminski's husband Tony.  The photos give another view of a wonderful evening.  Click on STA 50th Reunion.

To return to this site, just click the back arrow from the other sites.

If you have photos from our Reunion, please send me the link and I will post it on this Blog.  Note, the photo/video links can also be found in the right hand column, near the top of the Blog page.

Thanks to all who have contributed.

The Reunion Committee

The 50th Reunion Committee worked very hard to make November 6th a memorable and fun evening.  They succeeded.

Mary Lynn McGuff Dietsche, Antoinette Malizia Sanders,
Peggy Dernbach Kuzminski, Lucy Amore and Diane Hallinan.
Our prayers are with Betty Giangrego for a full recovery

Our Presidents Talk to Us

We had two eighth grade presidents.  Dan Carr was the president of the boys' classroom and Antoinette Malizia Sanders was the president of the girls'.

Antoinette welcomed us, thanked the Reunion Committee for their work and encouraged us to enjoy the evening and the fine food.  Thanks to Dan Carr, we have a video of her remarks.



To be able to view this video full screen go to Aquinasville.

Dan explained why he wasn't at our 1960 graduation. It seems his family took a trip to Ireland. Quite a nice graduation gift.

They still have our vote as Co-Presidents.  A pretty good 50-year run - much better than any of the current political candidates!

50th Reunion Attendees

Here are some of the 50th Reunion attendees.  Notice all the smiles!

Walter Renaghan and Frank (Francis) Otto

Kathy Houlihan Redel and Dan Carr

Frank Otto, Tom O'Connor and Peggy Dernbach Kuzminski

 

Eileen and Charles Dutra

Ray and Karen Mangan with Roger Miraldi

Rita Flanagan Barrett and Lucy Amore

 

Arnie Carlstrom, Maureen Feeney (Donna's guest)
and Donna Falco Kajtsa

Diane Hallinan, Carol Broderick, Elaine McIntyre Beaudoin
and Mary Lynn McGuff Dietsche

Elaine McIntyre Beaudoin, Dennis Czechanski
and Joan Laughlin LaBeck

Teresa and John Kivlehan with Carole Keough

Maria and Tom Donzelli with Corinna Czechanski

Joan Laughlin LaBeck and Tom McGrath

Antoinette Malizia Sanders and Lucy Amore

 

Maureen McGuire (our bartender!) and John Santoro

Elaine McIntyre Beaudoin and Roger Anderson

Carol Ruscik Whitesell and Donna Falco Kajtsa

 

Bill Stocker, Antoinette Malizia and Tom O'Halleran

For a more complete view of the 50th Reunion's activities check out the Links listed in the right hand column of this Blog.

Talking, Laughing and Reminiscing

We had the opportunity to talk, laugh and reminisce.  And we most certainly did.

Sharing stories

Catching up

Kathy Dobias with Mary Lynn McGuff Dietsche
and Teresa Kivlehan checking out the memorabilia

Ah, the Memories

Listening to Antoinette welcoming us

Enjoying the food

A Little Football Anyone?

Tom Donzelli brought a football which the MEN autographed!  He looks like he is ready for a scrimmage.

Eighth Grade Teachers Take the Cake!

We were treated to two delicious cakes for dessert.  They were decorated in honor of our eighth grade teachers.  If I remember correctly, Sr. Damien's cake was devils food (appropriate, don't you think!) and Sr. Stella's cake was yellow.

Our Hostess Reflects

Diane Hallinan graciously hosted the 50th Reunion at her condo on Lake Shore Drive.  I'm sure there were moments when she must have thought "Am I Crazy?"

What was left of the bar at the end of the evening - Clean up now needed

Diane thinking "It was ALL worth it!"

Before STA

This photo, taken c1950, shows Dennis Czechanski and Joan Laughlin LaBeck in a backyard on Latrobe Avenue.  Joan brought this photo to the Reunion to show Dennis that they go WAY back.

Photo courtesy: Joan Laughlin LaBeck

A Wonderful Evening

Seated: John Santoro, Antoinette Malizia, Lucy Amore, Peggy Dernbach, Mary Lynn McGuff, and Tom Donzelli.   Standing from left to right: Tom McGrath, Roger Anderson, Ray Mangan, Donna Falco, Carol Ruscik, Tom O'Halleran, Dennis Czechanski, Tom O'Connor, Carole Keough, Diane Hallinan, Walter Renaghan, Arnie Carlstrom, Carol Broderick, Elaine McIntyre, Dan Carr, Bill Stocker, Rita Flanagan, Frank Otto, Charles Dutra (hairline only!), Joan Laughlin, Kathy Houlihan, John Kivlehan, Roger Miraldi, and Kathy Dobias

The 50th STA Reunion was wonderful.  Four hours just wasn't enough time to visit and get caught up with what is going on in each of our lives.  We ate and drank well but most of all we enjoyed each others' company.  We thank the Reunion Committee for all their hard work, especially Diane Hallinan, our hostess.

To view a larger image, double click on the photo.
Photo courtesy: Dan Carr

Where will you be tomorrow evening?

The graduates of St. Thomas Aquinas are looking forward to their 50th reunion tomorrow evening, November 6, 2010.  Not sure if 50 years ago, when this photo was taken, these young ladies thought they would be getting together tomorrow, but we are all sure glad we are.

Anna Marie, Betty's cousin, Betty Giangrego (standing), Lucy Amore, Peggy Dernbach, Carol Broderick and our hostess, Diane Hallinan

Photo courtesy: Elaine McIntyre Beaudoin