A Sentimental Journey - Academy of Our Lady Alumnae Association

No. 26 Academy of Our Lady Alumnae Association Fall 2000
I have good news and good
news–the kind that makes us
proud to be associated with
AOL. We have received word
that Colleen Hartigan
Dolan ’67 recently was
named vice-president for
sales for station WTTW-
Channel 11, now also called
Network Chicago. And not long
ago, Sister Jane Joyce and I
enjoyed a performance of “A Raisin
in the Sun” at Chicago’s Goodman
Theatre, with cast members including
Celeste Williams ’76 and T’Keyah
“Crystal”
Keymah
(Crystal
Walker) ’80 (see
photograph). We
brag again about
Laura
Washington ’73
Marge Carroll ’54
President AOL Alumnae
Association
A Sentimental Journey
whose pithy
commentaries on
political and
social issues highlight various local TV
news programs.
More good news: Many alumnae
have paid their dues, as Sister Jane
states in her letter on page 2, but we
need to hear from many others to keep
the Alumnae Office alive and well.
Aware as we are of the responsibilities
and obligations that fill your lives, we
are grateful for the interest and concern
you express for the Alumnae
Association. It is a tribute, indeed, to the
AOL Campus Revisited
About 90 alumnae visited the
campus on Saturday, October 14,
the morning after the Reunion
Banquet. The program began
with a prayer service at the
Blessed Mother grotto led by
Sister Gilmary Lemberg, SSND ’45,
and continued with a tour, led by
Sister Magdalene Marie, SSND,
and Sister Mary John, SSND,
of the campus and the
charter school now leasing
the AOL buildings.
In the Convent, refreshments were
served and alumnae viewed an
exhibit of photos of AOL students
through the years.
Looking out from the stage
of Hackman Hall, one graduate
was heard to say, “Why did I once
think this auditorium was so BIG?”
Today, it’s alums’ memories
that loom large.
School Sisters of Notre Dame and lay
teachers who provided a solid
foundation for the great diversity
of roles filled by AOL students—stay-at-home
moms,
health-care professionals,
lawyers, clerical workers,
graphic artists, CEOs, teachers
and on and on.
At the end of May I retired
from my job as a copy editor at
the Chicago Tribune, but . . . not
from the Alumnae Association. As a
retirement gift, the Alumnae Association
gave me a computer, for which I am
very
grateful. I
will use
the computer
to
share
some of
Irene
Burke’s
tasks,
communi-
Brady Photography AOL
Celeste Williams ’76, left
and T’Keyah “Crystal” Keymah
(Crystal Walker) ’80
cate with AOL alumnae and work with
the Alumnae Board to provide activities
that will encourage greater participation.
Thank you for all your support. If we
call to ask for your help on a project,
please try to find it in your hearts—and
your schedules—to say yes. As my mother
used to say, “Many hands make light
work.” And if you have any suggestions
for projects, please don’t hesitate to write
or call.
Marge Carroll

FROM THE EDITOR
Sister Jane Joyce, SSND
Alumnae Relations Coordinator
I truly enjoy receiving notes from alums
far and near. Recurring themes are the
deep appreciation felt toward the
Academy, the Sisters, teachers and staff.
Many recall teachers who had an impact
on them, while others remember the
excellent education so characteristic of
AOL. Thank you for writing. Keep it
up. We are eager for news about YOU.
On another note, may I remind you
to continue your support of the
Alumnae Office. We depend solely on
It is disheartening
that for the year
2000 only 539
have paid dues,
and of this number
250 are first-time
contributors.
2
Brady Photography
your dues
and on
other contributions
to
maintain
our operations.
It is
somewhat
disheartening
that for
the year
2000 only 539 have paid dues, and of this
number 250 are first-time contributors. Even
with that, the total number of members
paid for 2000 is only four more than in
1999. Please take the time to send in
your dues in the envelope
provided with
Update. With this issue,
we are also accepting dues for 2001.
Dues paid for 2001 will be in effect
from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2001. If you are
not sure your dues have been paid for
the year 2000, please call the Alumnae
Office at 773-445-2300.
God bless all of our alumnae and
their families. Know that you are prayed
for in the AOL Convent chapel. Our
retired Sisters, many of whom were
associated with the Academy, think of
you and pray for you. The School
Sisters of Notre Dame are deeply grateful
for your recognition of PRESENT
NEEDS, namely your contributions to
the SSND Retirement Fund. The
Alumnae Association also accepts gratefully
your contributions to alumnae projects.
God bless you, alumnae of AOL,
and your loved ones.
P.S. Now that Marge Carroll has
retired from the Chicago Tribune, it is
wonderful having her drop by the alumnae
office frequently to assist with its
activities. Preparation for the reunion is
a major task, which in former years
Marge accomplished with minimal assistance.
Of the 34 years Marge worked in
Tribune Tower, 26 years were with the
Tribune and 8 years with Chicago’s
American and Chicago Today. (The
American eventually became Chicago
Today, which was discontinued in 1974.)
In newspaper work, Marge was a feature
writer and copy editor. A journalism
degree from Marquette University
launched this very successful career.
Congratulations, Marge! Thank you for
the years you have given the Alumnae
Association–you were indeed the glue
that held it together.
FROM THE PROVINCIAL LEADER
Sister Catherine Sarther, SSND ’61
Provincial Leader, Chicago Province,
School Sisters of Notre Dame
Greetings from the School Sisters
of Notre Dame. The shorter and darker
days of fall are here, reminding us that
the Thanksgiving holiday will soon be
here. Among the many reasons we are
grateful as we approach this time of
Thanksgiving and praise is the loyalty of
our AOL alumnae and friends of the
School Sisters of Notre Dame and all
that Longwood was for you. You are
indeed a blessing.
Due to an SSND congregational
meeting at our motherhouse in Rome, I
was unable to attend the events of the
reunion weekend. It was a joy to hear
that almost 100 alumnae returned to the
campus on October 14. The prayer service
at the Grotto, visiting with the
Sisters at the AOL Convent and the tour
of the school proved a popular addition
to the usual Friday evening banquet.
May your experience at Longwood
continue to touch your life. Thank you
for your contributions to the School
Sisters of Notre Dame. Know that you
are remembered in prayer by the Sisters
at the AOL Convent. Please continue to
stay in touch with us.
HAVE YOU SENT IN
YOUR DUES YET?

Where Are They Now?
Our last issue with the “Where
Are They Now?” feature
dedicated to our former teachers,
proved so popular that we are
going to continue it. If you are
interested in a particular teacher,
please let us know.
Sister Nora O’Connor, SSND
Latin, math and English teacher from
1948 to 1957 and 1971 to 1972
How wonderful to have an opportunity
to say hello to our alumnae. I felt it was
a privilege to teach at AOL from 1948
to 1957 and again in 1971 and 1972. My
areas were Latin, math, English and
homeroom, all of which kept me very
busy. More than half a century later,
you are still a source of deep joy for me.
I may forget things now and then at this
point, but I do not forget you and all
that we shared during those years. Now
in my retirement years, I recall the
happy times we had.
Memories, memories—thank you for
all you were for me and for all you still
are for me. Over the years, our lives
have gone in different directions, but
remember the joys, sorrows, successes,
failures. We can meet each day in the
heart of the Lord who takes care of us
all. With love and prayer,
Sister Nora
Sister Rose Gentile, SSND
(formerly Sister Mary George)
Sociology Teacher from 1963 to 1976
How does one concentrate 37 years of
living at the Academy of Our Lady into
a 150-word recall? Going back to 1963
when I came to Longwood, flashes of
memory whip through my mind of
active, energetic and exciting events in
the classroom and outside of it.
I taught with the classroom doors
open, and I recall with amusement hearing
the sound of doors closing because
my voice, loud and clear, carried into
other rooms.
My classes in sociology led to field
trips to Maxwell Street, prisons and
slum areas, to mention a few. These
trips added flesh and bone to the classroom
material.
The Mission Club was an important
organization in the school. Prior to
1963, Longwood girls always gave more
than other high schools for girls. After
1963, Longwood achieved and retained
championship of ALL the high schools
in the Archdiocese. The annual Mission
Parties were events of total involvement
by the students, who sponsored homeroom
projects for selling and buying.
Proceeds of the parties greatly swelled
the amount raised weekly by the stu-
dents. Longwood’s contribution to the
Propagation of the Faith organization
surely made each student a fellow missionary
with those working in foreign
lands. Over a few summers in the ’60s,
Mission Club officers and I worked on
an Indian reservation in South Dakota.
Who can forget the senior
trips to Washington D.C., New York,
California, Mexico and the Bahamas?
Each trip had its own story.
I retired from teaching in 1976. In
1978, I took on the position of coordinating
the Meals on Wheels program at
MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, IL. This I
did for 15 years, and that accomplished,
and reaching the age of 80, I retired in
1993 and reside at the Academy of Our
Lady Convent.
Sister Mary Carol Dicks, SSND
Music Teacher from 1954 to 1962
Sister Mary Carol was deeply involved
in the music department at the Academy
of Our Lady from 1954 until 1962. Her
areas of expertise were many: piano,
voice lessons, classical guitar and choral
presentations. Surely, students will recall
the many splendid programs directed by
Sister Carol. Among her most memorable
productions was the last winter
program given by the senior choral
group of 115 members. The title was
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
“Christ of the Snow.” A group photograph
was taken at that time. Recordings
were made of 12 three- and four-part
arrangements.
With her many wonderful remembrances
of years in the music department
at Longwood, Sister Carol prays that
God will bless all former AOL students.
4
Sister Margaret Joyce, SSND
(Sister Martinus)
Spanish Teacher from 1967 to 1972
When asked to write about my
memories of Longwood, my first
reaction was to recall all the wonderful
students and events in which I was
involved from 1967 to1972. I was a
student at AOL from 1940 to 1943 as a
convent junior (remember them?) and
later as a faculty member in the Spanish
Department. Way up there, however, on
my memory list is the PEP CLUB.
Didn’t we have fun!
After those five years on the AOL
faculty, I felt the desire to return to the
missions. (Prior to 1967, I had spent 15
years on the island of Guam.) I continued
missionary work in a mountain
region in Guatemala. The SSND community
had established a grade school in
San Lucas, and I was part of beginning a
secondary school—Instituto Tecun Uman.
After eight years of teaching and administration,
I joined another SSND com-
A SALUTE TO OUR TEACHERS
munity doing pastoral work in Rio
Bravo, Guatemala.
Three years later, I returned to the
States and became a member of the
SSND Chicago Provincial Council.
During this period, among many other
duties, I visited an SSND mission in
Pedro Juan Caballero, Paraguay, and I
knew where I would go after finishing
my term of office as a member of the
Provincial Council. My years in
Paraguay were spent preparing catechists
for adult evangelization.
Upon my final return from the missions,
I worked in an office concentrating
on possible SSND congregational
restructuring. Recently, I was a pastoral
associate at St. Stanislaus Kostka parish
in Chicago, working predominantly with
the Hispanic parishioners.
Among all my ministries, memories
of Longwood will always be very special.
Sister Patrice Harding, SSND
Counselor from 1974 to 1993
Sister Patrice, who was a counselor
from 1974 to 1993, says no one who has
ever been a part of the AOL community
can forget its spirit. Flashbacks of faculty
and student faces always stir up a touch
of nostalgia and bring a smile to her face
and a sense of joy to her heart. Those
were, indeed, wonderful years.
Sister Patrice was the sophomore
counselor when she first came to AOL
in 1974, and the senior counselor in later
years. She was the only counselor from
1991 to 1993. College Nights and
Career Days are clear and vivid recollections.
Sister Patrice especially treasures
the memories of a supportive counseling
department and the many special young
women who came into the office each
day. She summarizes by saying to the
staff and students at AOL in those years
that it was a privilege to know and work
with such a group. All are frequently in
her prayers. She prays that God’s blessing
and the spirit of AOL will keep
everyone holy, healthy and happy.
Barbara Beckham
Principal from 1989 to 1991
Hello, Beautiful People! It seems like
only a few years ago that I joined a community
of warm, caring, committed and,
most of all, God-loving people at the
Academy of Our Lady. [After working in
the counseling department, Ms.
Beckham served as principal from 1989
to 1991.] Never before had a day of
work seemed so serene and yet exciting.
As the days turned into years, the excitement
remained a constant and the serenity
would surface long enough to bring
each day to a calm end.
The seeds that we helped to plant
developed into beautiful “flowers,” young
women prepared for the 21st Century.

The love and support that we offered
each other with God’s blessing guided
me to many other exciting places: counselor
at the University of Illinois at
Chicago; principal at Our Lady Help of
Christians School; administrator at the
Academy of St. Benedict the African
(Stewart campus)–all of these assignments
in Chicago. And now: SWEET
RETIREMENT.
My current status is wife of Sam
(for 40 years); mother of two adult children,
Shawna and David; grandmother
of two beautiful girls, Danielle and
Kristen. I am a lector at St. Philip Neri
Church in Chi cago. I am also a friend to
all of you.
Every time I visit the AOL campus, I
relive my happy days there. When I
encounter alumnae, they bring to mind
various antics that took place in Rooms
A SALUTE TO OUR TEACHERS
354, 207 and 105. Math classes, sleepovers,
French classes, the Junior Prom,
class elections, the mission parties–the
list goes on and on. Any pain that we
might have suffered has long faded, and
the happy memories are a treasure. I was
at Longwood from about 1963 to 1970.
After I left the Academy, Mother
THANK YOU, IRENE
Irene Burke has been involved with the
alumnae office for 5 years now, and
when I indicate that we are moving into
the 21 st Century, it is mainly thanks to
Irene. She keeps the database up-to-theminute,
finds “lost” alums and does so
many specialized tasks, I can’t imagine
the office without her. Oh, yes, Irene is
also the mother of four alums:
Patricia ’68, Catherine Burke
Cacciatore ’70, Mary T. ’72 and
Margaret ’75. Mary T., a professional
graphic artist, as many of you know,
donates her services in the publication
of UPDATE. She also serves on the
Alumnae Board. The “Burke” dimen-
Rita Zambon
(formerly Sister Ann Josephe, SSND)
Math and French Teacher from 1963
to 1970
sion in our office is priceless. Thank
you, thank you, thank you!
Sister Jane
CHECK IN TIME!
Alumnae who pay their 2001 dues by January 1, 2001, will be
eligible for a drawing for a TGIF+ Friday Overnight stay for
two at the Hilton Oak Lawn. Dues for 2001 will be in effect
from January 1 through December 31. Hurry, you could be
the winner.
McAuley High School was my first stop
and my last teaching position. After
three years at Mother McAuley, I spent
six years as treasurer of the Chicago
Province of the School Sisters of Notre
Dame. I then moved on to accounting,
finance and managerial positions at several
alphabet companies (SMY, FIA,
RHR) and Tootsie Roll. During this
time, I left the School Sisters of Notre
Dame and earned an MBA from the
University of Chicago.
Eight years ago, I started working
for the City of Chicago in the Mayor’s
Office of Workforce Development. Our
department applies for and administers
grants to help unemployed and underemployed
Chicagoans find work and
become self-sufficient. I still have a bit of
chalk dust under my fingernails: When
I make presentations on how to implement
new procedures, I feel as though I
am teaching again.
Coping with change
A day of reflection for women
presented by Sister Sherryl
White, CSJ, will be held at the
Academy of Our Lady Convent
on Saturday, March 24, 2001.
The workshop will examine the
losses and changes that characterize
our lives and address the
dynamics of not only dealing
with them but of embracing
them as a natural part of the
pattern of Paschal Mystery
enfolding our lives. With almost
every change there is a loss, an
irrevocable shift, a point at
which it is impossible to recapture
what once was. Our challenge
is to remain engaged in
life, in embracing the situations
we find ourselves in with grace.
All are welcome. For more information,
please call the Alumnae
Office at 773-445-2300.
5

OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU
1918 Burke, Florence Ilg
1925 Sonderman, Alberta Schellinger
1928 Cheevers, Grace Plunkett
Shea, SSND, Sr. Maris Stella, AOL
faculty 1945-1950
1929 Renesch, Mariruth, sister of the late
Helen Claire Renesch Schuberth ’29
1932 Ostrowski, Martha Langfort
Sloan, Mary Jean Shurte, mother of
Carol Sloan Elmore ’67
1933 Elliott, Mary Evans
1936 Costello, Mary Geary, sister of
Catherine Geary Donohue ’37,
Loretta Geary Fitzgerald ’40
1943 Senica, Shirley Schaffer
1944 Dolan, Kathleen Garrity, sister of
the late Helen Garrity O’Brien ’35
1947 Pratt, Patricia McGuire,
sister of Joan McGuire Cahill ’46,
late Margaret McGuire Ahern ’50
1948 Seyl, Joan Kornmayer, sister of
Betty Kornmayer Urick ’56, sisterin-law
of Rita Ambrose
Kornmayer ’58
Werr, Margaret, sister of Helen
Werr Hermansen ’43
1949 Cole, Joan, sister of Mary Catherine
Cole ’39
1950 Alley, Mary Frances Lane
Dunne, Kathleen Henry
Healy, Duanne Graver,
sister of Betty Graver Boffey ’38,
Lorraine Graver Bayer ’38,
Annamae Graver O’Donoghue ’45
McHugh, Marylyn Jane Hagen, sister
of the late Rosemary Hagen
Ayers ’47, Elaine Hagen Roache ’51,
the late Annette Hagen Moser ’54
McIlvain, Marlene Schmitz
McMahon, Mary Kay Westhoven,
sister of Ann Westhoven Foley ’58,
Jean Westhoven Madigan ’60
Thulis, Virginia Grady
1951 Okrongley, Diane White
1952 Kubina, Eileen Cummings, sister of
Sr. Miriam Patrick Cummings,
SSND ’49
Schell, Joan Amann
1954 Pry, Carol Sack
1955 Lukiw, Yvonne Fushi
Mulheran, Rosemary Scales, sister
of Mary Scales Bern ’47
1958 Conley, Barbara M., sister of
Catherine Conley Akal ’47
1959 Maly, Rita Kennedy
Thor, Janet Simon
1969 Anderson, Ellen M.
Armstrong-Hough, Susan, daughter of
Sheila Svehla Armstrong ’50
Carlin, Francis, husband of Marie Kenny
Carlin ’44
Carroll, Timothy Sean, husband of Mary
Rita Wright ’72, brother of the late
Kathleen ’72 and Colleen Carroll
Deenihan ’74
Czachura, Virginia B., mother of Susan
Czachura DeSanto ’72
6
Brady Photography
Donovan, John, father of Maripat
Donovan ’72
Fahy, Elizabeth, mother of the late Kathleen
Fahy Curran ’60
Fanning, John Joseph “Jack,” father of
Madelyn Fanning Crawford ’63, Michelle
Fanning ’64
Filter, Rose Frances, mother of Rosemary
Filter Larkin ’58
Freund, SSND, Sr. Aloysia, AOL faculty
1929-1942
Hartrich, Rosemary P., mother of Rosenele
Hartrich Zack ’59, Mary Therese Hartrich
Heggeland ’62, Patricia Hartrich Komar
’63, Betty Hartrich Cozzie ’64, Barbara
Hartrich Anderson ’67, Eva Hartrich
Simutis ’72
Jaehn, Sr. Mary (Florian), AOL faculty
1980-1981, l985-l993
Johnston, Grace Brandstetter, mother of
Joan Johnston Wedemeyer ’60
King, Mary Ellen & Thomas R., mother
and father of Mary Ann King Weber ’52,
Denise King Maddux ’60, Suellen King
Coleman ’72
Koncel, Martin A., brother of Bette Ferraro
’68, Kathleen Koncel ’72
Kornmayer, Jule, mother of Betty
Kornmayer Urick ’50, stepmother of the
late Joan Kornmayer Seyl ’48, mother-in-law
of Rita Ambrose Kornmayer ’58
Kreteck, Frank Joseph, father of Carol
Kreteck Ballweber ’50, Mary Kay Kreteck
Carlson ’52
Macellaio, Eleanor M., mother of Mary
Macellaio Plauche ’62, Eleanor Macellaio
Sheils ’67, Rita Macellaio ’68
Mulqueeney, Nora T., mother of
Nancy Mulqueeney Moster ’61, Jane
Mulqueeney ’64
Rizzuto, Edward, husband of Jual
O’Hanley Rizzuto ’38
Rosemeier, SSND, Sr. Jeannine, AOL faculty
1962-1992
Slavin, Helen G., mother of Mary Helen
Slavin Hartmann ’56, Kathleen Slavin ’63
Tuscher, George S., father of Joan Tuscher
Horlacher ’70, Carol Tuscher Kornfeind
’71, Marilyn Tuscher Cronin ’73, Janet
Tuscher Campion ’75
Wright, Rita T., mother of Mary Rita
Wright ’72
MEMORIES, ETC.
It is such a delight “finding” alums who have
been disconnected from news of AOL for
many years. E-mail and classmates.com have
brought lost alums to our attention. Many
express gratitude that they are once again in
touch. A goal of the Alumnae Office is to
have a web site in operation sometime in
2001. In the meantime, feel free to keep in
touch with us through the old fashioned way,
snail mail, or e-mail SSNDLGWD@aol.com.
1925
Marilyn Sonderman, daughter-in-law of
Alberta Schellinger Sonderman ’25 sent a
note to inform us of Alberta’s death at the
age of 94. Marilyn recalled her mother-inlaw’s
love for the Academy. Alberta would
speak of her train trips home to South Bend,
IN, for vacations. Referred to as the family’s
favorite “flapper,” Alberta bragged about
going to downtown Chicago to go dancing.
Her wake and funeral were a celebration of
her life, full of stories from her grandchildren.
1928
A picture of Fran Walsh O’Grady ’28
standing in the gym on the day of the closing
Mass, May 22, 1999, was sent to her and she
was so grateful. She and her sisters, Rosella
’23 and Katherine Walsh ’26 attended the
Academy. Both now are deceased. Fran
wrote: “Thanks for your thoughtfulness and
HURRAH FOR GOOD OLD AOL! I send
my love.”
1943
On several occasions, I have traveled to
Chicago from Baltimore to attend reunions
at St. Margaret of Scotland or the AOL
reunion. I am always surprised there aren’t
more people there. It is a joy for me to come
and say thank you again to all who are fondly
remembered by me.
Rosemary Martin Easley ’43
1947
In April, I experienced something very
happy and special. Three of us from the class
of 1947 met, after 53 years, at my home in
Kerrville, TX. My long-lost classmates are
Irene Nathan Riches of El Paso and Mary
Kay Ruff Wunsh of San Antonio. We’re all
Texans just now locating each other. (See the
photo on the next page.)
Rita Wallace Stanford ’47
1951
I cannot tell you how many times I look
back to my years at AOL with gratitude and
pride. Beyond my excellent education, I’m
grateful for the beginning of volunteerism
that began at home and was nourished at
Longwood. I have a lovely marriage and
nine children, all of whom are active in
many arenas—environment, politics, the arts,
education, women’s issues—and I, too, am
active in these areas. Thanks to all and my
fond wishes.
Florence Andrews Walsh
1954
I received my first newsletter and really
enjoyed it. It is hard to believe my classmate,
Marge Carroll, is still so involved with the
Alumnae Association. I am anxious to hear
of my classmates: Gwen Petretti Lavin,
Kathleen Schondorf Porter, Collette
Farnsworth Kinder, Lucille Mladar Jeffrey
and Mary Cotter Madden. As I read the

alumnae notes, many memories came to
mind. Someone mentioned Sr. Assumpta. I
do recall her, and Sr. Fortunata, who went
on to become principal and later part of the
SSND Provincial Council. I think of the
Sisters often and remember them in my
prayers for all they gave us. In retrospect, I
think the Sisters at AOL not only gave us an
education, but taught us to be “ladies” with a
strong spiritual force that has seen so many
of us through life’s bumpy spots. God love
them.
Joyce Kopp Boyle ’54
1955
An article in the Beverly Review, a publication
that serves the area north and west of
Longwood, recently featured AOL alumna
Sandi Sleeman Doherty White ’55. A longtime
Beverly resident, Sandi was cited for her
neighborliness and willingness to volunteer in
schools and other organizations in and
around Beverly. The Review reported that
Sandi maintains a sunny disposition and a
deep trust in people.
1959
Joyce Pisarski Garrett ’59 wrote to us from
Commerce, GA, where she and her husband
own 75 acres of beautiful wooded land. They
have owned a construction business for about
two and a half years. Joyce is one of the
alums found on Classmates.com. Between
their family and business, Joyce and her husband
are well occupied.
I am so glad to be ‘found.’ The only name I
recognized in the former faculty section was
Fr. Kraft. I am currently president of my
own consulting firm dealing with occupational
health and safety. I enclose my dues. I
know I will enjoy the newsletters.
Carol Hansen Bacon ’59
1962
I am always glad to hear from AOL. From
1966 to 1970 I taught geometry, religion,
piano and chorus. My name at that time was
Sr. Joseph Maureen Dietrich SSND.
Currently, I am the vice-president of Clinical
Services for the world’s largest chain of nursing
homes–Beverly Enterprises. We operate
560 nursing homes and 40 assisted living
facilities in the USA. We also have operations
in Chile and Argentina. I am the chief clinician,
having responsibility for nursing, physicians,
dietary, social services and therapeutic
services.
Mary Dietrich Tellis-Nayak ’62
1965
I want to let you know of some truly special
honors I received recently. I was knighted by
the French government! For 30 years I have
taught French and have been very active in
organizations related to my profession. My
goal was not to receive the award created by
Napoleon Bonaparte, but it surely is nice to
get it. Sr. Matilde would be SOOOO
PROUD of me. Thanks for all you do.
Donna Michels Czarnecki ’65
1967
I have dear memories of AOL and the people
who made them. It has been a long time
since I received word that Longwood would
close, and life, I believe, will be altered for
generations to come. It was once a dream
that one day my daughter would attend my
alma mater, but life has a way of changing
MEMORIES, ETC.
Left to right: Irene Nathan Riches, Rita Wallace Stanford, and Mary Kay Ruff Wunsh met at Rita’s
home in Texas recently. They had not seen each other since graduating from AOL in 1947.
the best of plans. It was my desire to attend
a Catholic academy and acquire an excellent
high school education. Working my way
through school, I managed to achieve high
grades and was the first in my family to
receive a high school education. I went on to
DePaul University with a full scholarship. I
send my love and a donation. God bless all.
Dorothy Ociepka Tarantino ’67
1968
Mary Jane Guzauskas ’68 recalls Sr. Jane
Frances, whom she greatly admired, and Sr.
Rosalie, who really was her mentor. [Both
are deceased.] Mary Jane says she was “a
horrible monster”’ as a kid. Be it “karmic
justice” or whatever, she goes on to say, she
now teaches hundreds of kids in a Tucson,
AZ, Unified middle school.
1969
Hi! I’m a 1969 graduate of the Academy of
Our Lady. Recently, I moved to northern
California and was delighted to find my
Longwood Update in my new and somewhat
empty mailbox. Please send a 1969
yearbook. I can’t wait to receive it and reminisce
about special times and good friends.
Thank you. Mariann Guldan DaCosta
An e-mail from Michelle McCarthy Tuenge
’69, says: “Remember when the Internet was
not the way to communicate with the
Academy of Our Lady?” Michelle recalls
especially former principals Sr. Helen
Joseph and Ms. Pauline Zoch, as well as
friends Pat Vidinich, Chris Gagala
Schmidt, Pat King Weitz, Betsy Mark,
Lynn Kruse and Barbara Wiehn Worms.
1970
What wonderful, fond memories I have of
AOL, and I am so saddened to hear that the
doors were closed. So many fine people were
educated there and have gone on to be a
productive part of society. I have been teaching
for 24 years, and the solid educational
foundation I received at Longwood has
always stayed with me. Teachers like Mrs.
McInerney and Sr. Florence [now deceased]
influenced me to be a compassionate yet disciplined
teacher. Has anyone heard where I
might locate Mrs. McInerney? I would love
to contact her. Best of luck to all on the AOL
campus.
Jeanine Gleason Ranzen ’70
1971
Presently, I’m assigned to the U.S. Embassy
in Caracas, Venezuela, as the Assistant
Cultural Affairs Officer. I work with
exchange programs: Fulbright scholars and
students and the International Visitors
Program. My field is called public diplomacy,
one of the five “cones” in the State
Department. I previously worked in the
Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, for two
years. I have two children, Meghan, 11, and
Matthew, 9. My sister, Donna Joria Pierce
’72, recently received a PhD and is teaching
at the University of Washington. Another sister,
Marietta Joria ’69, lives in Champaign-
Urbana, IL.
Joanne Joria-Hooper ’71
1972
Deborah Eckstrom ’72, another
Classmates.com find, is currently a teacher of
the deaf at Westmont, IL, Junior High
School.
1979
An e-mail arrived recently from Janet
Reynolds ’79, who was inquiring about a
classmate, Claudia Riddick, and two former
teachers, Sr. Margaret Ann, SSND, and Sr.
Jeannine, SSND. Since the e-mail did not go
through on the AOL Convent’s e-mail
address: SSNDLGWD@aol.com—Janet
found Irene Burke via Classmates.com.
(Irene has found a number of “lost” alums on
Classmates.com. This is one of the many
wonderful services Irene performs as
Alumnae Office volunteer.)
1984
An inquiry from Sylvia Childs ’84 came by
phone asking whether we had yearbooks
from her high school years. It was a delight
to meet Sylvia, who couldn’t wait to come in
and pick up the 1982, 1983 and 1984 yearbooks.
Because of several moves, Sylvia had
lost much of her high school memorabilia.
She embraced those yearbooks like old and
dear friends.
7

Alumnae traveled from many states—California
and Washington the farthest away—to attend the
annual all-classes Academy of Our Lady
Reunion Banquet Oct. 13 in the Hilton Oak
Lawn Hotel & Conference Center. The crowd of
225, including a group of School Sisters of Notre
Dame, especially honored graduating classes of
years ending in –0 and –5.
Members of classes
from 1932
(Margaret Berta)
through 1988
(Ursula Thompson)
see photo at left,
mingled in the
hotel’s Astoria
Room before dinner
was served in the
Grand Ballroom.
Topping the num-
bers chart was the Class of 1950’s group of 45.
The Class of 1955 led the crowd in a rousing
rendition of the Longwood Pep Song.
8
Brady Photography
TOGETHER AGAIN
The CLASS of 1960: Lucille Nash, Margaret Cronin McDermott, Winnie Gill Neidhart, and
Sr. Maureen O’Connell, OP.
Two representatives
from the
Class of 1976:
Diane Street and
Cheryl Phillips
Sameshima.
Brady Photography
All captions left to right. The CLASS of 1975 with Sr. Gilmary
(front): Rhonda White Young, Rochelle James Randles, Stephanie
Lilly. (back): Sr. Gilmary, Karen Blough Hartrich, Jackie Jackson,
Annette Brewer, and Cathy Harth-Stern.
Annette Picirilli Fieldman ’64, Janet Maher Hausherr ’64,
Eleanor Dunn Prunckle ’64, Pat Dowd Coffey ’55, and Marcia
Jesowit Hein ’64.
Brady Photography
Two representatives from the Class of
1950: Joan Audrey Wolff Rees and Ellen
Fowler Frederick.
O Longwood, the home of Our Lady, how fair,
Our hearts at thy name beat as one.
We all are thy children, we all claim thy care,
That shields us till life’s work is done.
Thy gracious walls welcome when autumn is here,
The storm winds of winter sing songs of brave cheer;
The radiance of springtime but makes thee more dear,
In dark days thou shalt shine as the sun.
O Longwood, fair Longwood, our dear AOL
In praise and devotion our chorus shall swell.
Peg Burke ’75
Brady Photography
Brady Photography

The CLASS of 1965: Maureen Doyle Law, Veronica Mitrick Burica,
unknown classmate, Donna Michels Czarnecki, and Mimi Ruff
Wolak.
The CLASS of 1955:
Joan O’Rourke
O’Connor, Mary D.
McCormack Brown,
and Evelyn Jean
Murphy Cassell
The CLASS of 1950: Joan Wortel Begeske, Jackie
Vinlove King, and Sr. Lucy Giacchetti.
Rita Nelligan ’64 and Annette Brewer ’75
Brady Photography
Brady Photography
REUNION 2000
Brady Photography
The Alumnae Board is grateful for the assistance
of all who updated class mailing lists and
contacted classmates prior to the Reunion
Banquet. The board also deeply appreciates the
generosity of our raffle gifts donors: Joan
Roddewig Geary ’58, general manager of the
Hilton Oak Lawn, for a TGIF+ certificate for
an overnight stay at the hotel and for a $100 gift
certificate for Whitney’s Bar and Grille in the
hotel; Betty Shanahan ’74 for a $100 gift certificate
to the Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants;
Elaine Brown ’78 for an Avon glamor basket;
and Sister Gemma, SSND, for a white, handcrocheted
christening outfit. Thanks, too, to Pat
Sullivan Roach ’48, who decorated two AOL
memorabilia baskets, also among the raffle
prizes. We thank all who helped with the
reunion, alumnae board members and others
enlisted for the occasion.
A “gentle” group of SSNDs enjoy the evening: Sisters Maureen
McGoey, Margaret Joyce, Rose Gentile, Cabrini Ganz, and
Jane Joyce.
This checklist was distributed at the Reunion Banquet with some helpful results.
Please take time to respond, clip it and send it in with your dues. Thank you.
Name: __________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________
Family name
City: ________________________________________State: ______Zipcode +4: ____________________
Phone no.: __________________________________________Year of graduation: ____________________
Please check those that interest you.
Long years ago, here, they say,
Alumnae Board Reunion Preparation
a simple life held sway,
Updating my class’s mailing list for the reunion
just a little red brick school and a park, a Class tiny contact pool for UPDATE newsletter
made a home for a chosen few.
But the school in numbers grew,
harbored mothers, daughters, too,
Day of Reflection
Dear to us as AOL, name we treasure and love well, and as Longwood known to fame
Gently ruled by Notre Dame.
Brady Photography
9
Brady Photography

Order Your AOL Memorabilia for Christmas!
T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, & Yearbooks Available!!!!!!
Contact Sister Jane at 773-445-2300 for information.
2 NEW ITEMS!
1
1 White long-sleeve sweatshirt
Medium to XL: $25
XX-large: $27
XXX-large: $29
Gold and navy blue art
Shipping and handling add
$3.00 per shirt
2
3
3 “Gently ruled by Notre
Dame” Navy blue polo
shirt with alumnae
assn. seal on chest: (all
sizes) $25
Shipping and handling
add $3.00 per shirt
Longwood Update is circulated to alumnae. Changes in
addresses, corrections, correspondence and materials for
publication should be addressed to:
Sr. Jane Joyce, Update Editor, Academy of Our Lady Alumnae
Association, 9535 S. Loomis St., Chicago, IL 60643-1374
773-445-2300, Fax: 773-233-1752
Contributing Editor: Margaret Carroll ’54. Database
management: Irene Burke. Design and production donated by
Irene’s favorite daughter Mary T. ’72.
9535 SOUTH LOOMIS STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60643-1374
RETURN S ERVICE REQUESTED
We have added two new shirts to our AOL collection.
The Academy of Our Lady Chicago logo is printed in
gold with navy blue trim, shown at the right.
4
6 Yearbooks!!
Yearbooks are available for the following years: ’69, ’74,
’75, ’76, ’78, ’79, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93,
’94, ’95 ’99: $10.00 Shipping and handling add $2 per book.
5
Mail your order to: Alumnae
Association Office, 9535 S.
Loomis, Chicago, IL 60643-1374.
Add $3.00 shipping & handling
for each item. Include with your
order: your name and address,
day & evening phone numbers,
and your check payable to the
Academy of Our Lady Alumnae
Association.
2 White long-sleeve mock
turtleneck
100% preshrunk cotton
material
Medium to XL: $22
XX-large: $24
XXX-large: $26
Gold and navy blue art
Shipping and handling add
$3.00 per shirt
4 Royal blue long-sleeve sweat
shirt: $30
White and gold art
“Alumna” on sleeve: + $5
All shirts: Size XX: + $2 Size
XXX: + $4
5 Royal blue short-sleeve T-shirt:
$17.
100% cotton, white and gold art
Shipping and handling add
$3.00 per shirt
7
7 AOL note cards $10
12 per box
8
A C A D E M Y O F O U R L A D Y
A L U M N A E
Gently ruled
by
Notre Dame
A S S O C I A T I O N
REUNION 2000
8 Reunion mugs with
AOL Alum. Assn. seal $5 ea.
Pickup only
Non-Profit Org
BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
PERMIT NO. 185