Echoes of Memories_Winter 2009.pdf - Bishop Conaty - Our Lady of ...

Annual Fund Update
Annual Fund 2009‐10 got off to a
great start with the Development
Core Team’s stuffing and sealing
session on Sunday September 13,
2009. Mailing took place soon af‐
ter that. Our financial goal again
this year is $100,000. Thus far, we
have reached $34,000 or 34% of
our dollar goal. There is good rep‐
resentation from the graduating
classes of the 40s, 50s and 60s.
Very little has come in from the
70s and 80s, even though the Sun‐
day, November 15, 2009 phona‐
thon concentrated on those
classes. We hope to be hearing
from those graduates soon. Please
remember that we are striving to
achieve not only 100% of our fi‐
nancial goal, but 100% participa‐
tion of our alumnae in the Annual
Fund appeal as well. Response
from both Bishop Conaty and Our
Lady of Loretto graduates has
been heartening. Graduates of
the 1990s and early 2000s have
been heard from as well. If you
have not donated yet, please do so
as soon as you can. Bishop
Conaty‐Loretto needs your sup‐
port.
Winter 2009
Echoes of Memories
Newsletter for Alumnae and Friends of Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School
Spring Fling 2 at
Santa Anita
Bishop Conaty‐Our Lady of Loretto
High School will be celebrating its
second annual Spring Fling fund‐
raiser, “Spring Fling 2 at Santa
Anita,” on Saturday, March 6, 2010.
The event will be held in the Club
Court area and will again include a
catered luncheon, silent auction, raf‐
fles and on‐track betting. A very spe‐
cial feature of Spring Fling 2 will be
the sale of the special spring raffle
tickets and the drawing of the win‐
ner for the first prize, a Pleasant
Holidays Vacation for Two to Maui
donated to Bishop Conaty‐Loretto by
the William H. Hannon Foundation.
The Hawaiian Vacation includes
round‐trip airfare for two from LAX
to Maui, an 8 day, 7 night stay at the
Royal Lahaina Resort and $500 credit
at selected resort restaurants.
Continued on Spring Fling Insert
New Alumnae Association
Leadership Installed
At the assembly on International
Day, 2009, longtime Alumnae Asso‐
ciation Co‐President, Carmen Kelly,
turned over her office and that of
Carmen Baltierra to Yolanda
Cervantes and Azalea Garcia. Yoli, a
1981 graduate of Our Lady of Lo‐
retto High School, was installed as
President and her cousin, Azalea,
affectionately known as Ozzie, a
1982 graduate of Bishop Conaty Me‐
morial High School, was installed as
Vice‐President. What completes the
picture is that Yoli’s daughter,
Christa, graduated from Bishop
Conaty‐Our Lady of Loretto High
School in 2004. Yoli and Ozzie are
both active members of the school’s
Development Core Team. Ozzie is
new to the team and helped with
the recent Annual Fund phone‐a‐
thon. Yoli is a veteran of the team
and contributed greatly to the suc‐
cess of the school’s first Annual
Fund Campaign and Spring Fling at
Santa Anita last year—as did mem‐
bers Rita Scherrei, BC 1955; Lisa
Dickinson, OLL 1981; Lillian Gamez,
CGHS 1948 and former faculty mem‐
ber; Carmen El‐Khouri, mother of
Anisa El‐Khouri, graduate of 2009
and former senior class president;
current faculty members, David
Smith and Nikki Corso; and AY 2008‐
09 parent members Clara Islas and
Ivonne Silver.
Continued on page 2

Dear Alumnae and Friends,
The alumnae of Bishop Conaty‐Our
Lady of Loretto High School are
amazing women. When I reflected
on what to contribute to this edi‐
tion of Echoes of Memories, I was
reminded of all the graduates and
students I have met, worked with
or taught in my twenty‐eight years
here, first at Our Lady of Loretto
and now at Bishop Conaty‐Loretto. This fall, I was hon‐
ored by a request from the Bishop Conaty “Conadettes”
Class of 1959 to speak at their fiftieth reunion, and, as I
thought about what to say, I realized how much alike
these women were with our current student body.
Catholic Girls’ High School, Bishop Conaty Memorial
High School, Our Lady of Loretto High School, Our Lady
of Loretto‐Bishop Conaty High School and Bishop
Conaty‐Our Lady of Loretto High School have all had the
same mission: providing affordable, quality comprehen‐
sive, college‐preparatory Catholic education to young
women in central Los Angeles. And we have had more
than eighty‐five years of success.
What is the secret of that success? In great part,
it is the graciousness, compassion, generosity, intelli‐
gence and diligence of the young women who have
passed through our doors. I have witnessed this in
working with the Development Core Team, where for‐
mer faculty and alumnae from the 1950s’, 1960’s,
1970’s and 1980’s from both Bishop Conaty and Loretto
are collaborating to support and sustain the mission of
Bishop Conaty‐Loretto for future generations. Valuing
their common experiences in Catholic education, these
Continued from page 1
NEW ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP INSTALLED
women have done remarkable things. In one year they
established our Annual Fund and Spring Fling at Santa
Anita. Even more amazing, they identified new leader‐
ship for our Alumnae Association, leadership that repre‐
sents the alumnae of both schools, Bishop Conaty and
Our Lady of Loretto. I am deeply grateful to Yolanda
Cervantes, OLL ’81, for becoming our new Alumnae As‐
sociation President, and to Azalea Garcia, BC ’82, for
becoming our Alumnae Association Vice President.
Just like its predecessors, Bishop Conaty‐Our
Lady of Loretto continues to provide a Catholic educa‐
tion to young women in Los Angeles. The school has
evolved over time, but its mission has not changed. The
student body may look different, but the beauty and
compassion of the students have not changed. The
name of the school has seen many incarnations, but the
essence of the school has not changed.
I cherish the memories of all the young women
and generous alumnae I have had the privilege to en‐
counter here. All these women have benefited from a
tradition of excellent college‐preparatory, Catholic edu‐
cation at our school: Catholic Girls’ High School, Bishop
Conaty Memorial High School, Our Lady of Loretto High
School, Our Lady of Loretto‐Bishop Conaty High School
and Bishop Conaty‐Our Lady of Loretto High School. It
is the courage and generosity of many alumnae who
have made this possible. It is my sincerest hope that
Bishop Conaty‐Loretto High School continues to provide
this opportunity for future young women in Los Ange‐
les. This is my legacy. This is your legacy. This is our leg‐
acy.
Richard A. Spicer
Principal
Rita Scherrei, noting Yoli’s many “connections” in the business and sports communities at one of the Development
Core Team meetings, quipped to her, “You are something else. If someone said they needed a horse in a room you’d
know a person who could arrange that for them.” The Team looks forward to the increased involvement of Ozzie
and new faculty team member, Luz Graue. Your officers and Development Core Team members work hard to en‐
sure the success of the school’s Annual Fund campaigns and its Spring Fling at Santa Anita fundraisers, giving much
of their personal time, their ideas and hard work to assure that Bishop Conaty‐Loretto High School both survives and
thrives. As “the torch passes” to Yoli and Ozzie, Bishop Conaty‐Our Lady of Loretto High School wishes to express its
profound gratitude to Carmen Kelly, BC 1955, and Carmen Baltierra, BC 1953, for their many years of service as Co‐
Presidents of the Alumnae Association. May God bless you both for your generosity, service and devotion to the
school and its alumnae.

WAY LEADS ON TO WAY
Armida Carrasco Imler, OLL 1966, has 4 children, 6
grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. She makes
her residence in Tempe, AZ and would love to get in
touch with her 1966 classmates. She loves jazz,
blues, loves to dance and go to concerts. Her invi‐
tation to her classmates reads, “Let’s have lunch in
California.” She may be reached at (480) 478‐2810
or at 1420 No. Rose Street, Tempe, AZ 85281.
Sr. Jeanmarie Chavez, OSF (Carmen Chavez, BC
1955)—is retired after 30 years in school ministry.
She celebrated her Golden Jubilee as a Franciscan
Sister in 2008. She is caregiver to a sister with
whom she lives.
Joan Kellner Rogers, BC 1955—retired from the L..
A. County Department of Social Services in 2004.
Joan takes frequent trips with her sister and visits
her grandchildren in Las Vegas quite often. She re‐
ports that her mother, Nancy O’Brien, CGHS 1927,
passed away in February of 2006 at 97 years of age.
Nancy taught physical education at Catholic Girls’
High School in the early 1930s.
Margaretta Kevany Adamo, CGHS 1949—has 2 chil‐
dren and 3 grandchildren and says there are many
more who call her “mom” and “grandma.”
Katherine (Kay) Sullivan Snyder, CGHS 1939— mar‐
ried for 65 years, had 4 children, is the proud grand‐
mother of 5. Two grandchildren are in college,
three are in high school. They are all straight “A”
BISHOP CONATY‐LORETTO GENEROUSLY REMEMBERED
Bishop Conaty-Loretto High School 3
students and athletes. Her grandsons play interna‐
tional water polo around the world.
Jo Marie Phillips, BC 1982—has one 19 year old son
in the army and another 16 year old son at home.
Jo Marie works as a nurse practitioner.
Sharonne Daniels‐Wells, BC 1965—enjoyed a spe‐
cial retirement luncheon at The Grove on October
3, 2009 after 25 years of teaching at Fremont High
School. She received a certificate of recognition
from the Board of Education and the Superinten‐
dent of the Los Angeles Unified School District hon‐
oring her 32 years of service with the District
(Sharonne taught 7 years at Edwin Markham Mid‐
dle School prior to her years at Fremont High
School). During her years of teaching Sharonne re‐
ceived many awards, among them “Teacher of the
Year” in 2000—Most Inspirational Award. She is a
graduate of California State University, Los Angeles,
with a BA in Business Education. Sharonne Minored
in Pan‐African Studies. She is currently working to‐
ward an MBA at Pepperdine University. As you may
have guessed, she holds many memberships in pro‐
fessional organizations. Her interests are world
travel, cooking, reading, computers, elephant col‐
lecting (not real ones, the editor hopes!), tutoring
and music. She is very proud of her son, a resident
in Radiology in Atlanta, Georgia who recently ac‐
cepted a year‐ long fellowship in Health Care Re‐
form with the British Parliament and World Bank in
London. Sharonne is a perfect example of someone
who has lived the Exit Standards of her alma mater.
Bishop Conaty‐Loretto High School has received a generous bequest from the estate of Mary Monica Lued‐
ders, Catholic Girls’ High School, Class of 1931. This gift was augmented by her sister, Katherine Alberta
Dawkins, on her death. Such gifts make possible endowed, named scholarships for our students and help to
ensure the sustainability of Bishop Conaty‐Loretto High School. Consider establishing an endowed scholar‐
ship in your name. Remember Bishop Conaty‐Loretto High School in your will. Share what you gained—and
be remembered for it. Give a gift that will impact positively on the future.
In addition to gifting your alma mater in your will, please remember that Bishop Conaty‐Loretto also depends
on the financial success of its fundraisers such as the Annual Fund and Spring Fling at Santa Anita for its sus‐
tainability. Support your school by supporting its fundraisers. If you have not already made your Annual
Fund donation let it ride “piggy back” in the remittance envelope with your Spring Fling 2 reservation.

REUNIONS ENJOYED
Linda Cano Cramer, BC 1958 Reunion Chair and her
committee have worked their magic once again. 120
Highlanders met on October 11, 2008 at the Atrium Ho‐
tel in Irvine to celebrate their 50 th Anniversary. Various
individuals contributed to the fun: a group photo shoot
done by Dane Christian, a Memory Book for all atten‐
dees by Sandy Drapaer and Pat Petrone, and a special
toast made possible by Claudetter Lembeye’s son, Jeff,
who donated the champagne. In addition, homemade
toffee for every table was provided by Rose Marie
Horenburg, and party favors by Gail Kaufman (her 96‐
year‐old mother helped to make them). Bishop Sartoris
attended and spoke of the continuing camaraderie that
exists among Conaty graduates. Also in attendance
were former teachers Sr. Patricia Arnold, Sr. Thomas
Bernard, Mary Martha Krupa and Sr. St. Gerard. A spe‐
cial surprise at the Reunion was the appearance of a
bagpiper in full regalia who accompanied the Highland‐
ers as they all rose and sang “Loch Lomond.” In a spe‐
cial salute to deceased members of the class the piper
50th Reunion committee members BC 1958
also played “Amazing Grace” following the reading of
the names and the lighting of a remembrance candle.
Eva Velasquez again provided the Highlanders with one
of her hilarious standup comedy routines. (It should be
noted that Eva will also be appearing at Spring Fling 2).
Eva showed up at the 50 th dressed as a beaver, the
school mascot in 1958. Many class members donated
door prizes to the delight of the winners, and the event
50th Reunion committee members BC 1958
closed with the singing of class and school songs and
the beloved alma mater from those years, “Echoes of
Memories.” Everyone had such a good time that many
Highlanders booked rooms and gathered the next
morning for breakfast to recount the day before’s
events and say their good‐byes. Congratulations, High‐
landers on your 50 th !
Also celebrating their 50 th were the BC Class of 1959
Conadettes. Mary Ann Kenney Gould, Chair, and her
committee Virginia Matcovich Ferrera, Wilma Castro
Anton, and Fran Butler Madigan worked their magic
here on campus. On Saturday, October 17, 2009, the
school library was transformed into a 5 star hotel dining
room, complete with linens and stemware. Gold again
was the theme of the day. Bishop Sartoris attended
and said a beautiful Mass celebrating the living mem‐
bers of the class and the deceased who were remem‐
bered in a lighting of commemorative votives. The
luncheon itself was provided by Mona Lisa Catering and
champagne and wine were provided by Mary Ann her‐
self. (The Class donated the extra bottles of champagne
to the school and they were enjoyed at the Faculty‐Staff
Christmas Luncheon on Monday, December 14, 2009).
Names were drawn for an abundance of prizes, includ‐
ing a hand made mosaic icon of the Virgin and Child,
done by Mary Ann. Tanjina Hoque, senior student and
member of the prestigious Ambassadors Club on cam‐
pus was invited to speak at the reunion.

50th Reunion BC 1959
She described her Muslim faith, her parents’ emphasis
on her learning about and respecting other faiths, her
love of Conaty‐Loretto, and her unqualified acceptance
by the other students as a member of the school com‐
munity. When the prize winners were announced,
Tanjina helped to give out the gifts. Principal Richard
A. Spicer attended the Reunion and spoke of the
school the Class of 1959 knew in their day, the school
of today, and the sterling qualities that all alumnae of
the school share.
Magdalena Sandoval Elorriaga and her crew arranged
for BC 1979’s 30 th Anniversary at Steve’s Steakhouse in
Commerce on October 17, 2009 from 6:00 P.M. to
Midnight. The Reunion featured a disc jockey, dance
instructor and raffles, plus some other surprises.
30th Reunion BC 1979
Bishop Conaty-Loretto High School 5
Carletta McDaniels Jones and her committee held the
40 th Anniversary Reunion for BC, 1969 at Shanghai
Red’s in Marina Del Rey. *
REUNIONS ANTICIPATED
*Fran Weber, BC, 1969, had such a good time at the
class’s 40 th Reunion at Shanghai Red’s that she decided
to continue the fun with her old classmates and organ‐
ize a cruise. (must have been the influence of the salt
air at Shanghai Red’s!) The 3 day Baja Mexico Carnival
Cruise is scheduled for April 16, 17 and 18, 2010.
Please go to www.bishopconatyloretto.org and click on
the Alumnae link. Then click on 1969 and click on the
“click here for a flyer” line. The flyer supplies the infor‐
mation re the cruise cost, etc.. A few details you will
need for the cruise:
1. Passports are required. It is important to get your
passport asap. It takes about 8 weeks to process a
passport application. Do not wait till the last minute.
2. The price of the cruise already includes a $50.00 do‐
nation for the school.
3. The first payment is due prior to January 11 th and
the balance is due Feb. 1 st .
NOTICE BOARD
Please let the Development/Alumnae Office know
whether you wish to continue receiving “Echoes of
Memories” in the mail or would prefer to receive it
electronically. Use the “Alumnae Notes” form at the
back of this newsletter for your updated information
and to indicate your preference, or contact Judy at
jkrommer@bishopconatyloretto.org,, (323) 737‐0012,
Ext. 106, or 2900 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90006‐
3802. Thank you.

Rest In Peace
May their souls and the souls of all the
faithful departed, through the mercy of
God, rest in peace. Amen. Please remem‐
ber our deceased alumnae in your prayers.
Please also remember dear departed rela‐
tives and friends of our living alumnae.
Connie Perez— deceased at 95 ½ of natu‐
ral causes on November 21, 2009. Connie
worked several years in the kitchen at
Bishop Conaty Memorial High School in the
fifties. She was the mother‐in‐law of
Elaine Manuel Perez, BC 1953.
Geraldine Gussenhoven Prazenica, CGHS
1944—succumbed to the effects of a brain
tumor on March 14, 2008. Jerry was a
lover of flowers (especially roses), choco‐
late (especially See’s with nuts) and china
(especially Franciscan Ware—she had
worked several years for the company that
made it). She enjoyed the beauty sur‐
rounding her and loved gardening.
Maria Theresa (Terry) Campa, BC 1955—
passed away on August 22, 2009 at the age
of 72 following a brief illness. She worked
over 30 years in the Los Angeles Unified
School District as teacher, bilingual coordi‐
nator and advisor, assistant principal and
principal.
Mary Agnes Longworth, CGHS 1941—died
on August 26, 2009. She is survived by
seven children, 14 grandchildren and seven
great‐grandchildren. Mary Agnes attended
Immaculate Heart College and earned her
Registered Nurse’s Degree from Queen of
Angels Nursing School but decided to de‐
vote her life to creating a loving and wel‐
coming home for her family and friends.
Lorraine De Montigny Brunskow, BC
1957—died on September 10, 2009.
Lorraine was a seasoned traveler, camper,
and clam digger. She was an accomplished
seamstress, swimmer, ice skater, pianist,
violinist and baker of cookies. A lover of
what life offered, Lorraine was open to all
kinds of experiences. Her sunny disposi‐
tion was infectious, bringing joy and happi‐
ness to those she encountered. She espe‐
cially loved the festivities surrounding
Christmas. She will be greatly missed.
Charlene Holzfaster Haire, CGHS 1950—
passed away from cancer and Alzheimer’s
on November 1, 2009, All Saints Day. With
her at bedside were her daughter, Jenny,
her son, Jeff, and Lucy, her beloved Lab
and constant companion. In an e‐mail,
Jenny shared that “her mother had never
been good at resting, so God would have
things for her to do, she was sure.”
Ms. Joan Thalhuber, OLLFac 1970’s and
80’s—died Sunday, October 4, 2009. Ms.
Thalhuber was a beloved teacher at Our
Lady of Loretto High School, the favorite
teacher of Alumnae Association President,
Yolanda Cervantes. After having been a
high school teacher for many years, Ms.
Thalhuber decided to make a career
change and studied Clinical Psychology at
New College of California in San Francisco
where she received her Master’s Degree.
She then went on to get her license as a
Marriage and Family therapist, specializing
in chemical dependency treatment. She
worked at Pyramid Alternatives in Pacifica,
CA, was Program Director for a period of
time at Marin Services for Women in Lark‐
spur, CA and then worked at Kaiser Oak‐
land Chemical Dependency Recovery Pro‐
gram. She helped many people and was
an inspiration to her students.
Loraine Mouton Watts, CGHS 1951—
succumbed to advanced stage cancer on
November 30, 2009. Loraine decided to
donate her body to science so a memorial
service was held for her at St. Frances of
Rome Church in Wildomar, CA on Decem‐
ber 11. Condolence cards to the family
may be sent to 210 N. Schrivner, Lake Elsi‐
nore, CA 92530.
Dick (David) Irvine, husband of Marva
Scaife Irvine, CGHS 1953—died on October
15, 2009 following a lengthy illness. Please
remember him and and his loving wife,
Marva, in your prayers.
Mary Anne Rey Cole, CGHS 1935— died at
the age of 92 on August 30, 2009 at her
son’s home in Huntington Beach, CA. She
is survived by two children, eight grand‐
children, five great‐grandchildren and
three sisters. Mary was well known for her
generosity and devotion to the Catholic
faith. She was proud to be a member of
the Red Cross Gallon Club, having donated
blood whenever able to do so.
Geraldine Lawler Becker, CGHS 1942—
passed away in October of 2008. She and
her husband were married for 60 years.
He writes, “she has been missed by many,
most of all me, her husband.” Please re‐
member them in your prayers.
Miriam Ries McGilvray, CGHS 1953—
passed away suddenly on August 24, 2008
from a brain aneurysm. Please remember
Miriam and her husband, John (Jack), in
your prayers.
Walt Smuske, father of Nancy Holden, BC
1953—died on Sunday, November 29,
2009 at home in Leisure Village, Camarillo.
“Pop,” as he was called by his family, was
102 ½ years old.
Maxynne Robinson, mother of Sharonne L.
Daniels‐Wells, BC 1965 (also see Way
Leads On To Way)
Father of Mr. Michel Morse, died in fall of
2009. Michael is a religion teacher at
Bishop Conaty‐Loretto High School
Father of Ms. Sharon J. Morano, died in
fall of 2009. Ms. Morano is the former
Principal of Bishop Conaty‐Loretto High
School
We regret that space constraints prevent
us from listing all the deceased alumnae
and friends notices sent to us. Please re‐
member all our deceased alumnae, their
families and friends, in your prayers.

REMEMBER ALL THE FUN WE HAD?
LET’S DO IT AGAIN!
Bishop Conaty-Loretto High School 7

Career Day
Re-Established
Bishop Conaty-Loretto
High School is reinitiating
an Annual Career
Day. If you have a
career that you think our
students would find interesting
or you know someone
with such a career,
please let us know if you
or your contact would be
willing to do a presentation
for our students.
You may contact either
Ms. Emily Robbins or Ms.
Judith Krommer at the
school address.
Happy New Year!
Bishop Conaty-Our Lady
of Loretto High School
wishes all our alumnae
and friends many blessings
throughout 2010.
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Los Angeles, CA
Permit No. 35677
ALUMNAE NOTES
Have you recently moved, received a degree, been married, changed your name or career?
We would love to hear from you! Please fill out the information below and return it to:
Bishop Conaty - Our Lady of Loretto Alumnae Office, 2900 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006
Name ________________________________________________________________________________
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School attended: CGHS BCHS OLLHS OLLBHS BCOLLHS
(please circle one)
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Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School
2900 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90006-3802