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FALL 2011 . ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE 33
Cl as s Notes
find renewing old friendships stimulating.
Bill Carter returned to recall some great
hockey stories.
Leonard Combi retired from a busy pediatric
practice in Schenectady after 35 years. He enjoys
fishing, walking and upland hunting.
Richard Contee from Easton, Md., was happy
to see so many Phi Sig brothers.
Robert Ernst from Bradenton, Fla., sang in his
smooth tenor voice along with Dave and Ernie in
our lounge.
Frederick and Lucy Tower Funke espe-
cially enjoyed the Laurentian Singers’ 65th reunion
performance in the chapel. Lucy helped plan our
Friday class party and reception in the new Pe-
terson-Kermani Performance Hall, where it was
noted that Fred has a gift for storytelling.
Ann Clough Garlock and husband Bud ’55
have an ongoing tradition of four generations of
family members attending SLU: Bud’s parents,
themselves, their children and three grandchil-
dren.
Betsy Colyer Guernsey was outstanding as
she led the parade driving her red Mustang.
Jewel Breiner Hall and husband Stan ’55
had the best time, arriving early on Thursday to
welcome Dave Powers and Ernie Mazza and
other early arrivals. Many thanks to Stan, who
brought a variety of his micro-brewed beers for
our hospitality suite.
Thanks so much to Ernie and his wife and vocalist
Mary from Hamden, Conn. Ernie e-mailed, “I met
Mary after our graduation in Florida. She was sing-
ing with a group and I was subbing for their piano
player. As they say, the rest is history. Recently we
celebrated our 54th anniversary. Now Mary and I
do some work with our son, Dave, who is a guitar
player. Our daughter Beth was a figure skater and
now an eighth grade teacher. Thank you for your
kind comments about our music. Dave Powers
and I always appreciated the support and compli-
ments we received from the student body.” Dave
with wife Runie came from Colorado and brought
his sax to join with Ernie and Mary to treat us
to the music of our times, even offering an “Early
Bird” session at the BestWestern.
Thomas Halpin, a former Saint, and his wife,
Mary, have enjoyed a rewarding career as teach-
ers.
Barbara Direnga Hart from Rochester, N.Y.,
was always smiling.
Donald Heithaus was seen everywhere tak-
ing candid photo shots.
Jack Houx came from Vero Beach, Fla., where
he is very involved as an actor in community the-
ater.
Leslie Zittell Jose had her scooter decorated
for the parade. She should have received an award
for the most enthusiastic participant in the entire
weekend.We were delighted to see her beautiful
daughter Les again, who returned to support her
mom in having the best time.
Bill King came over from New Hampshire and
was happy to converse with his SAE brothers. Ev-
eryone loved his yellow car.
At Friday night’s celebration, Rev. Jan Vickery
Knost with wife Lorna close-by, brought us all
together for a moment of remembrance, saying
(edited), “What a privilege it has been to know
St. Lawrence as our beloved Alma Mater.We are
thrilled at the changes all around us. When we
departed there were but nineteen buildings. Now
nearly seventy!” Jan has made his life as a Unitari-
an-Universalist minister.
Bernice White Lord left SLU after her soph-
omore year and finished her degree at Tufts, but
SLU has always been where her friends are and
she loves coming back.
Alida Isham Millham and husband Pete live
in New Hampshire, whereAlida serves in the State
Legislature.
Marian Finck Moore was back to join in the
fun and to sing with the Sinners. Her next trip is a
river cruise from Budapest to Bucharest.
Nancy Purcell Murphy wrote, “It’s just like
picking up a conversation when we all get together;
such a bond! In my first job interview with a high
school principal, he said he liked to hire teachers
with a liberal arts degree. I got the job!”
Elizabeth Spencer Patterson wrote, “It
was wonderful to see so many people who were
so much a part of my life. A time I shall always
remember.”
Sue Belden Rice enjoyed the theme of re-
union honoring Winnie and “The Sinners” and
the chance to take a singing part in their perfor-
mance.
Mary Ellen Thiele Rooney returned to
perform with the Sinners and to sing with the Lau-
rentian Singers in the 65th Anniversary Concert
in Gunnison Chapel. Mary Ellen lives in NewYork
and also Quebec.
We were all so proud of Pris Harvey
Schroeder as she accepted the Alumni Cita-
tion, presented to alumni who have distinguished
themselves in their professions. Pris pioneered
the role of women in the aerospace industry at
G.E and Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne. We had the
privilege of meeting her entire family who came
from California to support Pris and to celebrate
her recognition.
Patricia Herrick Silverthorne joined us
from London,Ontario,Canada, and is remembered
for being a math student and a figure skater. She is
a teacher and a judge of figure skating.
Winnie Pisani Thorn reorganized the Sin-
ners and had a memorable performance on stage
in the new Peterson-Kermani Hall. Winnie gra-
ciously accepted a plaque recognizing her as the
founder of the Sinners. Thirteen original Sinners
returned: Lynn Burt, Dottie Cannon, Betsy Guern-
sey, Barbara Hart, Alida Millham, Marian Moore,
Nancy Murphy, Betsy Patterson, Sue Rice, Mary El-
len Rooney and Ann ShipmanWells, who also sang
soprano with the Laurentian Singers.
The Sinners are alive and well today! Winnie’s
daughter Stacey Thorn Shields ’83 performed with
them when she was a student at SLU.
We were thrilled to have Hundley Thomp-
son travel from Charlotte, N.C., to serve as our
MC. He graced our stage like a “pro” with wit,
charm and humor. He e-mailed a memoir of the
high spots of Reunion and concluded, “We are
blessed to be able to go back to the harbor that
launched our ships.You can see the journey in all
our faces and to be truthful, it’s beautiful. Our gaits
have slowed, but earned a front seat wherever we
are.Thank you for coming.You made a large con-
tribution. I hope we can do it again.”
1957
Bob Sener ’57
27 Soby Drive
West Hartford, CT 06107
860-561-0565
senerrnh@aol.com
Next Reunion: 55th
May 31-June 3, 2012
I’ve already made our reservation for our grand-
daughter Kyla’s graduation from SLU in May 2012.
I called the Clarkson Inn at 7:00 a.m. one day and
made the reservation; my son called them later in
the day and they were booked! My other grand-
daughter, Jessica, is going to my prep school, Saint
James near Hagerstown, Md., in the fall. So for one
year I will have two “Saints”!
Let’s start planning for our 55th next June. All
grandchildren, cousins, etc., should be told no wed-
dings or other special occasions are to be planned
for this special time!
Bob Butts had lunch with Joe and Janet Fox
Clement in March. Bob said they both looked
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