Teresan News Summer 2012 - Alumnae Association of the College ...

REUNION 2011 CLASS STORIES
Class of 1951 by Addy Radechel Murtaugh
Seven women young in heart and spirit gathered together during the weekend of October 7 -9, 2011 at Alverna
Hall on the campus. Sixty years ago these same women started their first semester at the College of Saint
Teresa.
Changes are evident as Joan Poirer George, Rose Kitzman Walsh, Addy Radechel Murtaugh, registered,
unpacked, changed outfits and moved down to the cafeteria for dinner on Friday evening to meet Ann Mattison
Frisch. We joined three 1971 graduates for dinner and conversation….reminiscing and making comparisons of
then and now. Age was not a factor as memories made us compatible.
The next morning we had a wonderful breakfast. Afterwards, we checked the store, attended the morning
session to view the “Healing Hands” and caught up on news of classmates. Many thanks to those who called
classmates. Unfortunately, illnesses, their own, or family members, residency in nursing or retirement facilities,
inability to travel alone, and conflicts with other commitments did not permit them to attend.
As a group we attended the afternoon activities, picture taking, awarding of the citation winners, Mass, music
and social gathering at the Teahouse preceding the Banquet in Lourdes Hall’s cafeteria. Here, again, memories
of old surrounded our table and entered into our conversations. We were a happy bunch!!
No late hours for us…..we retired to Alverna for short discussions and then getting ready for the departure home
on Sunday. We missed seeing our favorite teachers, the classrooms and dorm rooms of old, but time did stand
still for a weekend as we remembered the fun, good, bad and unhappy times of the four years on campus.
Upon departure, wishing each one a safe journey, we prayed for a return time…five years hence. Our thanks to
Colleen, Kathy and the Alumnae Association Board members for making our 60 th reunion a most pleasant and
joyous time!!
Class of 1956 by Nancy Marks Riley
For our group of '56ers it was a memorable 55th reunion weekend in beautiful Winona. Sue Quinlan Larocca,
Dorothy Capodice O'Malley, Joni Vondrasek Hansen, Connie Van DeVeld Weber, Sally Downs O'Brien,
Anne Kaul Fain and Nancy Marks Riley enjoyed outstanding weather and the unchanging beauty of the bluffs.
Some highlights included a fun trolley ride around Winona's environs, discovering things we somehow were
unaware of, including its history, and new things including Winona Vineyards, a moose farm! and a huge
equestrian complex. Of course, 55 years makes a difference. We thoroughly enjoyed lunch at the Bridges
Country Club and, golfers or not -- the view from the Signatures Restaurant was exceptional. We celebrated a
beautiful liturgy with a remarkable choir and musicians at the Chapel, truly a highlight. At Alverna Center
(formerly the convent) we gathered for "happy hour" and viewed the baskets for the Silent Auction. Ours was a
"Garden Basket" from our original green theme (55th anniversary = emerald) and we thought it was THE BEST.
It successfully went for $100. On to Lourdes Hall for the banquet where there were about 200 from all the
various reunion years. Leaving Winona after a brunch at Alverna Center Sunday, we continued our reminiscing
all the way home.
While changes have been made in the still-beautiful campus, we know our memories of our years there will
always be with us.
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