Class Notes

Class of 2020

Jessica Napier '20 (MOM)
4/2021

Jess made it through her first year at SUNY Geneseo! She is studying Biology and lives with her swim mates. Hoping for an official swim season next year. Best wishes to her SEM family!

Edwin Schultz

Anna is doing great - she's home for the holiday! Thank you :-)

Maria Valenti (mom)

Sara (Barone) is attending SUNY @ Buffalo where she is loving her college experience while embracing Mechanical (or perhaps Civil) Engineering. She has been given strong math and science foundations at SEM in order to soon declare her major.

Class of 2017

Class of 2016

Kaitlin Hughes '16 pictured here with Lisa Abeyounis '82 and her sister Arianna '13 at SEM's Alumnae Winter Get-Together at Hydraulic Hearth. See more pictures from the event here.

Maia Gallagher
4/2021

I graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a major in Civil Engineering and minor in Physics in May 2020. Since then I have been working full time with Michael Baker International (a civil engineering firm) in their transportation department. My plans are to attend graduate school in Fall 2022.

Class of 2014

Nichole Montalvo

I am currently working in IT doing project management and a lot of technical writing to save money for grad school! Planning on getting my MS in Mental Health Counseling after countless development and neurobiology undergrad courses. Just got a great apartment and have now lived in six different cities... Planning on more travel abroad before getting back into school mode!

Katherine Thomas

I'm currently taking classes towards a certification in makeup artistry! I am getting married in September as well.

Class of 2013

Emily Glick

I was (honorarily) promoted to vice president- financial advisor, after taking over my dad’s business almost exactly a year ago. I also co-manage the marketing and social pages for “Starring Buffalo,” a new theatre company in town! Living with Wilson (my dog) in Allentown.

Jessica phillips

Working towards my master’s in Secondary English Education at Buffalo State, teaching 8th grade ELA at Frontier Middle and researching a few things—decolonization of ELA classrooms, rethinking reading + writing for students with ADHD, and trauma-informed pedagogies. Also a homeowner, landlord, and fiercely dedicated dog mom.

Class of 2012

Class of 2011

Sarah Daly

Sara Daly published her first novel (More Than Anger) in December 2019 under pen name Lexi Bruce, and will publish her second novel (Tough as Lace) in fall 2021. Both novels are young adult fiction in verse. She was excited to host her first book launch in the Buffalo Seminary Library where she spent lots of time as a SEM student!

Melissa S. Gerace

After working as a writer in the D.C. area from 2015-2020, Melissa recently moved to New York City to work as a Technical Writer for Bloomberg LP.

Kathryn Melber

Kathryn graduated from Daemen College with a dual degree of a Bachelor of Science / Master of Science: Physician Assistant Studies. She will be moving to Pittsburgh, PA to work in a surgical residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Tess Helliwell Santiago

Special education teacher for Buffalo Public Schools now, with a husband, and getting my masters - old! House hunting and taking our honeymoon in April.

Cailin Walsh
6/2021

I live in NYC! I work at American Express as a Chief of Staff on Supply Chain Solutions & Business financing team.

Tracy Kreppel Wiley
4/2021

Tracy married Jason Wiley on July 20, 2019 in Pittsburgh, PA. Tracy is a kindergarten teacher in the Avonworth School District (a suburb of Pittsburgh.)

Class of 2009

Class of 2008

Lauren Moloney '08

Members of the class of 2008 celebrated Lauren Moloney Ford's wedding to Chad Ford in Charleston, South Carolina on Oct 27, 2017!

From left to right: Zoe Friedlander, Emma Papagni, Lauren Moloney, Michele Kujawa and Abi Stark.

Kyle Friedman Harnett '08

Members of the class of 2008 celebrated Kyle (Friedman) Harnett's wedding to Justin Harnett in Buffalo on September 16, 2017!

From left to right: Betsy Bloom, Kathryn Steffan, Heather Kimmins, Kyle Harnett, Ariane Mallon, Megan Creahan Pellis.

Class of 2007

Tara Ashraf

In September, Tara married Anders T. Rosén and held what is sure to go down in history as the first Viking-Pakistani wedding... or maybe the first of many! She and her husband were shortly thereafter awarded a fellowship to teach English in Colombia, and will be there from July until November.

This July, Tara's husband and she accepted the Atlas Corps Teaching Fellowship, an opportunity to teach English in Colombia. The fellowship is a collaboration between Atlas Corps, Heart for Change, Volunteers Colombia, the Ministry of Education, and el Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA). Through this collaboration, the Fellowship's mission is to facilitate the development of a post-peace accord, prosperous Colombia, where children and youth have the opportunity to receive a high-quality bilingual education. Weekly, she teaches about 400 Colombian students along with Colombian co-teachers, and shares with her students different aspects of American and Pakistani culture.

Rebecca ott

Now hold the position of Assistant Director of Recruitment for Executive and Professional MBA Program at the University at Buffalo.

Class of 2006

Brielle d'Estries

Hello everyone!
I am living in Rochester, NY with my boyfriend, John, and our two kitties, Doug and Cozy. We moved here last spring when I got a new job with Nestle Purina. I am a territory manager and I cover Buffalo-Syracuse. I am able to go home often with the job and I still am a member of the BSAA! John and I are loving our life in Rochester and we can't wait to explore more of the area come summertime. Can't wait for my 10-year reunion this summer!

Class of 2005

Class of 2004

Victoria Chatfield

I just wrapped up a Fulbright Distinguished Teaching fellowship in the University of Glasgow's theatre department, researching cross-demographic arts education programs. I had the opportunity to work with the National Theatre of Scotland while I was abroad, as well as lecturing at the University of Cambridge, my mother's alma mater. (I was, unfortunately, not able to locate Nessie, despite numerous trips up to the loch.) I'm currently the Executive Director of the National Theatre for Student Artists (www.nationalstudenttheatre.org), a nonprofit organization that brings high school and college students from across the United States together to create new theatrical works off-Broadway. This summer will be our first time holding rehearsals at Daemen College right here in Western New York!

I'm currently splitting my time between Western New York and my home in Airdrie, Scotland. If you're ever visiting the United Kingdom, please get in touch!

Class of 2003

Regan Ihde (mother of Jillian B. Ferdman Schafer)

Jillian graduated from Tuft's University in 2007 with a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and from Cornell University in 2008 with a Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering.
She then graduated from University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine with a D.M.D. degree in 2015.
Jillian met her husband, Brandon M. Schafer, while at dental school. He is also a dentist who graduated from University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 2014.
They were married in Buffalo on June 18, 2016 and have a 1 1/2 year old son, Patrick, who was born on April 9, 2019. They live in Glen Allen, VA where the practice dentistry.

Class of 2002

Maria Spencer

Maria Spencer '02 married Brian Lynch in 2016 and welcomed son, Steven Bennett in December 2018. After returning from living in Boston, MA she lives with her family in Buffalo and works at Nichols School.

Lacy Elinwood

Lacy Ellinwood is celebrating one year as the Library Development Director for the Mississippi Library Commission, the state library agency based in Jackson Mississippi. Lacy has worked for the Mississippi Library Commission for almost 6 years. She was recently featured in the Jackson Free Press for her work at the Library Commission and as a local bass player for her band Kicking.

Read the article here

Class of 2001

Class of 2000

Joanna Glauser Marymor '00

6/2021
I am looking forward to celebrating together! Jo '00 Hornet

Jo Glauser Marymor '00 hosted Christine Driscoll '07, Grace Von Simson '13, Liza Marlette '13, and Curreen Luongo '13 for bagels and conversation at her Manhattan apartment. A great time was had by all, and future get-togethers are in the works! If you're an NYC-based alum and are interested in connecting, feel free to reach out to Jo at
marymorm@gmail.com!

Jolie M. Roetter

11/2020: Married Sept. 2020 - works at American University

Class of 1996

Class of 1992

Andrea Longo Carter

Our family lives in Needham, MA, a suburb of Boston, where I am marking my fifth year on the School Committee. This fall, our older son started at Commonwealth School, an independent high school that reminds me so much of SEM. The school's smal size, city location and even its red and white logo make me think about the impact of my SEM experience - it was transformative in so many ways! It's also been interesting to draw parallels between SEM, my children's schools experiences, and my work on the School Committee. I often think of my SEM teachers. I know Mr. Schooley would have loved our family's trip to Napoleon's tomb in Paris, and I thank Mrs. Magavern for forcing me to write my papers with pen and paper instead of at my computer.

Jennifer Roberts

Hi SEM Family!

I am pleased to share that I am still living in the Washington DC area with my husband. I am a professor at the University of Maryland in College Park (UMD) and am enjoying it tremendously. My story and research was featured on the front page of the UMD website (see attachment). Very exciting!

I would love to hear from SEM alumnae living in the area or elsewhere. I can be reached at jenrob@umd.edu.

Best,
Jen

Estèle Tschopp

Class of 1991

Class of 1990

Class of 1989

Class of 1987

Susan Henderson

It's been a whirlwind as we have moved several times in the past few years- first from Atlanta, Georgia, to Beijing, China, where we lived for two years, then to a rental house in Bethesda, Maryland (outside DC), and finally to our own house this past fall. I've been married for 15 years and have three girls, ages 9, 11, and 11. I am working as the Chief of Epidemiology and Surveillance at the US Peace Corps headquarters, where I manage a small staff. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa between 1991-1993 so it's great to be back contributing to the organization that created so many opportunities for me. I'm attaching a photo of my family on a recent trip to Switzerland in front of Lake Geneva. If you're in the greater DC area, please look me up!

Class of 1985

Alice hurley
6/2021

I still live in Norwalk, CT. My daughters are Fiona (a junior) and Molly (7th grade.) I work in data analytics at Morgan Stanley and watch a lot of Netflix.

Liz Marcus '85

Liz Markus 85' (Colby-Oishei Spring Artist, 2011) is included in DOMESTIC SEEN, a multimedium exhibition curated by Bruce Hartman at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City. The show runs from October 20th, 2016 through March 26th, 2017, so be sure to check it out if you are in the KC city area!

Additionally, MTV RE:DEFINE recently produced a short video about Liz as part of their GONE IN 60 SECONDS project.

Class of 1981

Class of 1980

Class of 1978

Margaret Dutton Baglioni '78

Still living and wandering in Europe. With the kids grown up and living in the US and Nottingham, UK, I took early retirement and moved to France for a year while my husband worked in a French hospital. We're back in Wales and planning our next adventure. I am excited to return to Buffalo to attend our 40th reunion, and hopefully see a lot of old friends.

Leslie Pooley Heffernan
5/2021

Hi dear classmates, Our class and the world has lost a very special and kind friend. Yvonne Gephardt Popielski will be sadly missed but forever fondly remembered as a supportive and enthusiastic person! I spent an afternoon with Cindy Pope and Jane Solomon Hunt reminiscing about our fun times with Vonnie and our wonderful class of 1978! Peace and Wellness to all! xoxo Leslie Pooley Heffernan

Tracy Zatulove Levy
6/2021

Hi to fellow classmates of '78

Denise Rott Lovern

Hi from sunny Las Vegas! After living in Buffalo most of my life I moved to Las Vegas 5 years ago. This spring my husband and I will be starting a new adventure in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I’m still teaching elementary school and loving it. My two boys are living out west, Tommy in Utah and Taylor in California. Looking forward to attending our 40 reunion this summer!

Pamela Pozarny

Pamela is back in Rome, Italy after some years working in Ghana for FAO (Food & Agriculture organization) section of the United Nations. She is very busy and happy to be back in Italy.

Class of 1977

Class of 1976

Pia Doro

11/2020: I have 3 grandkids- 2 boys & 1 girl.

Amy Beth Taublieb

Dr. AmyBeth Taublieb (aka - Sweetheart of the Month) just had her third book published. THE TAIL WAGS THE DOG - A PSYCHOLOGIST REVEALS TWO HUNDRED LESSONS LEARNED FROM HER PATIENTS is available from all major retailers (including Amazon.com) as well as from the publisher AuthorHouse.Com.

Gigi Pooley Helliwell

Greetings 76ers! Who can believe that our class will be celebrating 40 years at reunion in June? I've spent great times with Jane Irving Harrington, Jane Lord Dellinger and Susan Kraus Harris this past year and the years have been kind to us all! I'm looking forward to seeing more of us in June!
As for myself, I've enjoyed serving SEM on our alumnae board for 8 years. Teaching reading in Buffalo Public Schools continues to give me enormous fulfillment, thank goodness! Finally, my daughters, Tess and Abby, are working to complete their undergraduate degrees from UB and Ithaca College this year - life is good! I send all good wishes out to my classmates and fellow SEM friends!

Class of 1974

Debra A. Reilly-Culver

I am partly retired - this summer I had a great dinner in Boston with Elizabeth "Beth" Waagen '75.

Susan Coe Brown and Liz Morrison

Hello from Susan Coe Brown and Liz Morrison! In June 2017, we took a two-week journey through Scotland. We hiked the Highlands, the Isle of Skye, and the Outer Hebrides. And we also enjoyed time in Edinburgh and Stomoway. This photo was taken on the Quiraing on Skye, a challenging hike with spectacular views. Hoping to see all of you at the next class reunion.

Mary (Memo) Oishei

In my 8th year at Shea's PAC and loving it! I work Sales for all Theatre Groups, Sponsorships and Shea's Box seats. Heard from my Sponsee Kelly Swanson ('77?) a few days ago and always having fun with Gaby DeRose ('74), Bitsy Mackenzie ('74), Janie Dellinger (76?) and many other SEM friends. Really missing Cindy Williams though. :(

Class of 1973

Lucy Butterbaugh Coburn

Hello fellow SEM girls! I would love to hear more from you on your life, activities, turning 60, etc! As for me, I'm working at MJ Peterson in the city office and witnessing the crazy-busy real estate market. It's fun to see the growth in our city! I'm still serving on the Buffalo Seminary Alumnae Board and excited about new alumnae developments. Stay tuned for more. What are you up to?

Greetings, fellow SEM girls! Just a quick shout out to say how excited I am for our 45th reunion in June 2018. Hope we see many new (old) faces at this year's reunion. 2017 was a tumultuous year for me but ended on a good note with my purchase of my first home (very lucky considering there were 14 offers on the table!). I'm on the still-burgeoning West Side of Buffalo and loving every minute of being in my hometown. What are you up to? Hope to see you in June!

Kathy Killeen Ashton

Greetings classmates! Thought I would join Lucy in this group forum with life updates. Life is still very busy in the marketing department at Providence College and teaching yoga, but turning 61 has me eyeing retirement and a change in lifestyle. Would love to hear of other's experiences with this. Our daughters are great; Sara married and living in NH and Holly living a bit closer in Newport. David and I enjoying life together and traveling whenever we can. Looking forward to summer!

Class of 1971

Wendy Price

I retired from Danaher Corp. in late 2018. Still living outside Cleveland and enjoying retirement with 2 dachshunds and hobbies keeping me busy. My daughter Sarah is in San Jose, CA working as a civil engineer.

Marci Melzer Wilf

We have a new granddaughter, Andie Rose Alster, born 8/27/20... our "little redheaded girl!" So grateful for her safe arrival in the middle of a pandemic. Best wishes to the class of '71 - can't believe we're 50 years out - wow!

Hoping to see many classmates in 2021 for our (gulp!) 50th reunion!

LAUREN BELFER

The City of Light author returned to the Larkin Square Authors Series on September 12, and then hosted the September 14, 2019 City of Light bus tour. Next, Lauren delighted her audience at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site with: “From Fact to Fiction: Reflections on Writing Three Historical Novels.” It’s always a pleasure to welcome Lauren Home!

Class of 1970

Dr. Pat Anne Irene Doro
4/2021

2020 was my year of Anniversaries:
50th SEM Reunion, 40th Wedding Anniversary & 40th year of airings of my weekly self-produced/written/hosted TV Show ( https://www.youtube.com/user/paiddds/videos)
The most interesting part of my life is that after a lifetime of Political Activism; I am thrilled that I knew both 2020 POTUS Candidates— Personally/Socially/Politically since the 1970s.
I worked with a young Dr. Anthony “Tony” Fauci during my HIV/AIDs Pandemic media appearances in the 1980s.
I am now a retired NYC dentist. I spend leisure time Horse Racing/ Breeding (UK, France, Ireland), writing & of course, Political Activism! I am in contact with fellow "SEM-ies:" Paula Doro-Goetzmann, Dr. Petra Doro-Dukat, Pia Doro & Dr. Priscilla (Poppy) Doro- Kaszubski.
I am blessed with a 1960s SEM education that encouraged the growth of sound body & mind, individual thoughts/voices, creativity, public service, and embracing 'breaking through glass ceilings!’
Women’s liberation inspired by SEM: my HERSTORY includes name dropping stories/gossip of the times spent with the following people:
Authors: Jerzy Kosinski, Dr. Renee Richards, Woody Allen, etc., Political figures: Reagan, the Clintons, Nixon, etc., the late RB Ginsburg, Chisholm, etc., Media stars: Tony Bourdain, WF Buckley, Regis, etc., Religious leaders: Rev. Sharpton, Farrakhan, etc., Musicians: Lukas Foss, Stravinsky, James Galway, etc. and International Figures: Princess Di, Jaunita Castro, Givenchy, etc.
Thank you Buffalo Seminary for sparking an interesting life!

Cynthia Eaton

Spent a glorious three days in the DC, MD and VA area enjoying the hospitality of my three classmates, Dorcas Colvin, Amy Fisher and Alana Gayle. It's always a treat to spend time catching up with friends from SEM. Amy pointed out that we have been friends for 50 years, starting as Freshman in 1966. That's a good thing

Cynthia Eaton

I’m enjoying my retirement from National Grid and volunteering way too much at Meals on Wheels of WNY(where Tara Ellis '88 President of the BSAA is the CEO), as a Board member on the BSAA, as an Ombudsman at an Assisted Living Facility in Buffalo and as a member of the Missions of Love Ministry at my church, the New Mt Ararat Temple of Prayer.

On March 25 I took a welcome break with Lucy Coburn '73 and enjoyed the sweet jazz sounds of Sharon Bailey '85 with the bandWalterKemp3oh at the Pausa Art House in Allentown. The entertainment was amazing. Also in attendance were Amy Kelly '85 and Caitlyn Crowell '86, a history teacher at Nichols. A fabulous time was had by all.

Sharon Bailey at the mic.

Phyllis "Wendy" Wendt Pierce

11/2020: My fourth grandchild, Joseph Robert Brown, was born on June 29. My other grandchildren are: Evelyn (almost 2 years), Josephine (age 7), and Finlan Lynch (almost 9). Such fun!

Molly Stouten

At the end of my second year of retirement, as an Art Teacher, I'm spending much of my time in my new art studio - painting, drawing, some quilting projects and making masks.

Class of 1968

Dorothy Deans
4/2021

Hard to believe we are in our 70’s!! Hope we can gather in person at our next reunion? Life in Vermont is invigorating and memories of SEM days are a constant. Cheers and affection! Dottie

Madeline Ambrus Lillie

Still practicing medicine in Buffalo, NY!

Susan McConaughy Calderon

Dear Class of 1968--Looking forward to 50^th reunion in 2018! Haven’t been in Buffalo in many, many years. But great memories of SEM--friends and teachers.

Class of 1966

Susan Wolfley Baumgartner

Just celebrated my 70th & best time of my life! Active in a Breast Cancer Survivor group & NIH study through UH (University Hospital/Seidman Cancer Center/CLE) @ The Gathering Place. IMPROVE: Empowering Breast Cancer Survivors through Exercise. My 4 grands are the light of my life, Son Tim & Lena w/ Mia & Max, working & living in London, daughter Lisa just received a job w/ CARE.com in London,(too!) after spending 10yrs in Africa>Kampala, UG. Son Derek & Kelly, w/ Hudson & Camryn live near Berea so keep G'ma Sue active! Remember our SEM 50th in '16, it was special & GREAT! Cheers to my classmates....

kathryn Moeschler Bujalski

Happily retired in Wilmington NC

Barbara F. Rassow

Staying healthy through this challenging time - walking, dancing, kayaking and doing yoga. Still in private practice (part-time) at Holistic Gynecology and Women's Health. Still with my hubby, Tuck, and we have 2 wonderful grandchildren.

Class of 1965

Nancy Jo Katz Feinberg

4/2021

Class of '65 has terrific Zoom social hours. We've missed reunions in person but we've been able to visit unmasked for much of the year. Fun times!

A number of us in the class of '65 have been "Zooming" since the reunion couldn't take place. It has been great fun!

Ruth J. VanArsdale

Retired and loving it, even staying at home. Fit in a trip to New Zealand before COVID hit.

Class of 1964

Class of 1963

Barbara Feuchter

Hi SEM! I am COVID-19 FREE! I now write comedy sketches for a play writing group here in Boston. Am retired. Stay safe, well and above all POSITIVE!

Wendy Johnson Rapp

Just got my “SEMToday” and brought back wonderful memories of my time at SEM. Still a Colorado resident, my days are full with community volunteer work including Chair of the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center Board of Trustees, playing on a golf team, hiking in our beautiful mountains and visiting family and friends. Barry and I just celebrated our 51st Anniversary!!

nancy adel

My husband Barry and I are retired and enjoying country living on a few acres with a few horses not far from wine country in Temecula, CA.

Class of 1962

Elizabeth Peo Armstrong

11/2020: Sequestered in Everett, WA faw away from 3 of our children and all 4 grandchildren but thankful for Zoom, regular phone calls and the beautiful Pacific NW!

My 75th surprise birthday included family and friends and the perfect entertainment for this 75 year old: Tug of War; egg toss; a sack race and the limbo!!

Jean Boer Cleverly

Staying safe and being well with pilates on line at staywellbewell.net. It's a pandemic start-up with rockstar teachers, many with physical therapy licenses. It's my fun-est activity. Sorry for the ad - no compensation of any sort! Honor system.

LOVED seeing and catching up with our beautiful classmates Pam, Ellen and Peggy for the Friday June 2017 alumnae dinner! That one day in Buffalo remains a wonderful memory, commemorating our shared times, and providing always a much needed reality check on my always unfettered imaginings of the future into which we leading ladies progress with all the benefits of our shared miraculously irreplaceable education. I do still appreciate my education at SEM more and more with each passing year!

Susan Reineman Davis

I'm just hanging in here until all of this madness STOPS! I was able to see friends outside before the cold of winter so now we talk on the phone. I do Zoom talks, read and I am totally addicted to jigsaw puzzles - especially the wooden ones. Stay well everybody! I miss my family - one daughter in Providence, the other in California with my 7 year old granddaughter!

Ellen Genrich Rusling

Can I be this old! Oldest grandchildren are now in Medical School. Tom and I are enjoying our winters in Saint Croix, summers weeding the gardens in Pittsford, NY.

Enjoying winters in Saint Croix, USUI in a condo overlooking the Caribbean Sea: watching sea turtles and becoming involved in the community. The family still owns the Holger Danske Hotel on Christiansted Harbour in St. Criox - recommend a visit.

Class of 1961

Patricia Liesinger Guinn

11/2020: In January 2020 my daughter Carolyn died of a heart attack in Iwakuni, Japan where her husband was Commanding Officer in charge of Fleet Readiness (U.S. Navy)
Hopefully in the next few months I will move permanently to my home on Chautauqua Lake.

I recently retired from Parish Ministry, but I continue to serve as Chaplin to the retired clergy and spouses here in Western New York. Recently, I have added the clergy in the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Barbara French Pace

Friends for 60 years! Pat Waterman, Ruth Greenberger, Corny Roberts, and Bobbi French (all class of '61) spent a week together on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Enjoyed the beach, local sightseeing, and sharing stories from our lives in Vermont, New Mexico, Colorado, and Washington DC.

Evelyn “Evy” Lipp Harmon

On March 8, 2017, we sold Frederick House and at 73 and 83, retired. Owning a 23-room small hotel for 34 years was wonderful but being retired is wonderful as well.

Class of 1960

Merrily Copeland Beyreuther

The Copeland sisters, all SEM graduates, on vacation in Stowe, VT. From left to right: Susie Grant, 1956; Merrily Beyreuther, 1960; Carol Sullivan 1955 and Sally O'Brien 1959.

Judith Becker-Cavallon
6/2021

Despite our rescheduled last milestone reunion now virtual, I will be visiting Buffalo the last week in June to see family and many friends there. Please let me know if you're available. I hope to see the Magavern-Sutton Courtyard at SEM.

4/2021
Great niece, Mae Rich, is a freshman at SEM. Finally, someone in the next generation!

Recently I participated in a large continuing education lecture series in Tucson with Joanne Rich Healy '56 and her husband, Tom. Coincidentally, the Healys moved next door to one of my closest friends - someone I have known for more than 26 years!

Wilhelmina (Buffie) Buffum Kelly
6/2021

Enjoying being a snowbird with 5 1/2 months in Arizona & 6 1/2 months in Upstate New York.

M. Jill Borland Flynn

5/2021

Hi everyone! I have so many fond memories of SEM!!! Best of luck, Jill

Thank you! I will always say thank you to Buffalo Seminary for giving me the inspiration and support to achieve a very successful life!

Class of 1959

Class of 1958

Dr. Joan Landy Erdman
5/2021

Dr. Erdman is an anthropologist, published author of books and articles, retired Emerita Professor from Columbia College Chicago and India scholar.

Susan Reid Russell

I moved in mid-2018 to Piper Shores. I am happy to be close to my husband, Cliff, who is in the Memory Care Unit.

Alma Chapin Owen

I now have five great grandchildren from Vermont, Amsterdam, NY, and Albany, NY. Busy families!

Class of 1957

Sally Gorman Burns

I'm finally a grandmother! My son had a baby boy on 5/14/20 - what fun!

Kate Truslow Montgomery

Retired and enjoying life in our long-time home. No plans to downsize or head south, though sometimes it looks like a good idea. Great to see Mary Hanrahan Berlow in NY several weeks ago, and visit the Munch Exhibit at the Neue Galerie.

Iris skoog

Your three '57 class agents, Mary Berlow, Ellie Johnson, and Iris Skoog shared a delightful road trip and overnight in Watkins Glen last October. We thought of each of you, our '57 classmates and wished you could have joined us.

Class of 1956

Beverley Cryer Brewer

This is a big year for our class. Reunion is special and God willing, I will be there. I hope to see classmates from near and far. Affectionate "hellos" to those unable to attend.

Marcia Rashman Frankel '56
6/2021

I look forward to Reunion. I miss our classmates that are no longer with us so much.

Linda Blun Morgenlander
6/2021

Please contact me if you're coming to Sarasota!

Cherry Talbott

My husband Allan and I were thrilled to meet Heath Heindel de Gouvea and her son Emilio for lunch in NYC in September. They were visiting from Brazil to see one of Heath's granddaughters who is practicing law in Boston.

Class of 1955

Carole Jordan Brown
6/2021

I am still in my big house alone. Bob is in a nursing home - he had a bad stroke. If you are in the Watertown, NY area drop by.

Carol Monsees

Wins "Best in Show" of about 100 entries at an art gala in Winnetka, Illinois. "I was thrilled the opening which was a well attended benefit party." Carol wrote. Submitted by Alison Fleischmann.

Notice the complementing floral art!

Barbara Smith Pierce

My husband Tim died late last November. We moved into a retirement community north of Baltimore, and it is proving to be a happy and stimulating place.

Class of 1954

Kathy Baker Fleischman

Celebrated our 60th anniversary in July 2020 - just the two of us because of Covid-19. We are reasonably healthy!

Patricia Hoffman Griffen '54

Love living in California and enjoy traveling as well as retirement. Celebrating 60th wedding anniversary this year. Sorry, couldn’t attend reunion as I was visiting daughter and family in Arizona.

alice jo lichtman

I loved the historical video by Harry Schooley!

Class of 1953

Harriette Hunn Heussler

We will be moving back to Buffalo in June.

Melanie Henke Luedeke
5/2021

I have now been married to Steve Ghesquiere for 6 years now.

Margaret "Marla" Orr MacKenzie

Marla has dementia - old friends please contact SEM for her address to send mail. John died 9/12/20 at age 93 at home. They were married 59 years!

Adele Petrillo Smart

My husband, Burton Smart II (Burt), passed away on February 28, 2020. I still live in Lafayette, LA. Daughter Kay and husband Kevin Holley live at the beach house in Destin, FL. Son Mike and wife Ellen have homes in San Diego and at Lake Tahoe. Six grandchildren, ages 15-24, are doing well.

Kathy Hamilton Steinwedell

Still in lockdown, but staying well. Hope all have been untouched - take care.

Ann Purdy Vaughan '53

We are safe and sound in our retirement community - and very grateful for that.

Class of 1952

Mary Ross Rice

As a honorary member of the Alumnae Association and member of the Founder's Society and Leadership Donor; I am committed to support SEM. Miss Angell's legacy of volunteering your services still lives on. In the days ahead her teachings will sustain us.

(Lois) Ann Harrington Roubos
4/2021

To this day, at age 86, I appreciate having had the opportunity of spending my four high school years at the Buffalo Sem. A treasure! I now have 4 grandchildren and 5 greats. My beloved husband, Robert, passed away June 24, 2010.

Class of 1951

Class of 1950

Lillian Osberg Fromm '50
6/2021

Although I have not missed a reunion ever, 2020 would have been the Class of 1950s 70th Reunion. Unfortunately, Covid hit!

Ethel Roblin Melzer

Married 70 years, 2 wonderful children, 4 beautiful granddaughters and 2 adorable great grandchildren. How blessed we have been! However, our bubble burst when Dick suffered a mild stroke the beginning of October. After never having been in a hospital in 94 years, he spent one week at Kenmore Mercy Hospital and one week in their Medical Rehab Unit. Since he has been home, he is improving, doing very well with physical therapy and is on his way back. Needless to say - we are incredibly grateful! Hello to my classmates. Please stay safe, healthy, and pray this awful Pandemic to end soon!

Class of 1948

Alma Chapin owen

I now have five great grandchildren from Vermont, Amsterdam NY and Albany NY. Busy families!

My third great-grandchild Nora Louise Piotrowski was born June 10, 2018. Her grandmother, Jennifer Owen Adsit, was class of 1972. All live in Vermont! All are skiers- not surprising!

Jean McLean Bostwick

Two "SEM sisters" lost since Dec 2019:
Mary McLean Thrush '49
Catherine "Cantor" McLean Eagleson '53

Below is my brief life summary on the occasion of the Class of 1948’s 70th SEM Reunion. I’m sorry that I’m unable to attend and renew old friendships owing to a “bad back” (osteoporosis/scoliosis).

Following two years in public high school in North Tonawanda, Jean joined the SEM Class of 1948 in fall 1946 and finished the final two high school years at SEM. Found German language with Miss Mary Jauch and American and European histories under Miss Dorothy Abbott especially interesting and challenging.

At the strong recommendation of “Miss Angell,” Jean applied to and was accepted by Mount Holyoke College (MHC) as a member of the Class of 1952. Course “concentrations” at MHC were in the fields of physiology, chemistry, and German language and literature prior to her graduation in 1952.

In spring 1952 Jean applied for and received a position as a supporting chemist in the patent field with the former Explosives Department of the DuPont Company. The job was at the Eastern Laboratory (EL) on the grounds of the Repauno Plant in Gibbstown, on the Delaware River in Southern New Jersey. (The EL was the original explosives laboratory of DuPont existing from the mid-19th century till about 1970 when the explosives business was terminated and the lab closed.) Jean’s primary duties included searching of patent resources both locally at EL and at the U.S. Patent Office in support of the work of technical and legal/patent personnel. She also did much translating of technical and legal documents from German into English.

While at EL, Jean met and in 1956 married a fellow EL employee and South Jersey native, Joseph Hackett Bostwick (“Joe”). She continued to work at EL while Joe completed his studies in chemistry at Drexel University in Philadelphia while working part-time at EL. Following his graduation, he returned full-time to EL, and in 1962 we built a house in the small town of Wenonah in Southern New Jersey.

Jean worked at EL from 1952 till 1965 when she was forced to “retire/resign” by a difficult pregnancy. Son Don (Donald McLean Bostwick) arrived 7 weeks prematurely at 3-1/4 pounds. (In spite of his small size and somewhat slow development, Don matured well. He like his parents is a technical employee educated in chemistry at Oberlin College and in business at the Ohio State University. He works for the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) of the American Chemical Society in Columbus, Ohio.)

Jean, from 1965 to 1976, did translations at home of technical and legal documents from German into English on an ad hoc basis for various DuPont departments. During this period, in 1972, we moved from our Wenonah home to the Wilmington, Delaware, area area owing to Joe’s transfer to another DuPont department located in Delaware.

Jean, in 1976, applied for and received a position as a patent chemist in the Patent Section of the Law Department of Hercules, Incorporated, in downtown Wilmington. This position, initially similar to the one she held at DuPont, became more complex as up to 13 Hercules patent attorneys were served. In 1983 Jean was made supervisor of the technical support group for the patent attorneys, a position she held till her retirement in 1995.

Husband Joe retired from DuPont as a “hydrogen peroxide technical specialist” in 1989. (Counting his work part-time while at Drexel, he had worked for DuPont over 30 years.) As noted, Jean retired from Hercules in 1995. Their retirement years together ended abruptly in January, 2002, with Joe’s sudden death from a heart attack.

Primarily in retirement and as a widow, Jean has continued in two areas of activity and service: The Presbyterian Church (USA), both locally and in the wider church organization. Locally, much of the contributions have been on the church governing board or “session” where she served many terms as “clerk of session” (chief lay officer), finally retiring at the close of 2016. She also has served on New Castle Presbytery committees, and in 2004 was a delegate or commissioner from the Presbytery to the national biannual General Assembly meeting of the PC(USA). The board of the civic group serving the people and communities of northern New Castle County, Delaware, outside the City of Wilmington.

Class of 1949

Class of 1947

Bibber Truscott Jebb

Joan K Smith - class of 1947 recently died, leaving a large loving family and a lot of good friends. She was our class agent with me for over 40 years and helped with annual fund, class reunions, etc. Her 2 daughters - Elizabeth Smith Hitchcook and Nancy Smith Donovan were both SEM graduates.

Georgia Johnson Pooley

Georgia and her daughter, Gigi Pooley Helliwell '76, were at dinner with Sam (Katherine) Hershey Hafey '76 and her family in September. While there she met the Hafey's puppy and had a chance to sit on the floor and bond....

Class of 1946

Suzanne Spaulding Murrey-Rockwell

Talked to Eva Potter Lee on our 90th birthdays on April 8th. We agreed that the "Golden Years" are not that fun. I managed to get myself to Miami to celebrate the big 90 with my "southern grandchildren" and my son. Buffalo has been very cold all winter. Eva and I can't make it to the graduates dinner. How lucky you have Helen as head of school! She is a dear friend of our family.

Charlotte Wall Gibbens
6/2021

Dale and I moved to University Village in Tulsa to be close to my daughter Jennifer. I still talk on the telephone to Joan Sweet Osborne, who is at Orchard Heights Senior Living on Chestnut Ridge.

11/2020
About four years ago, I fell down a long flight of stairs and broke my pelvis, which meant a long recuperation. Dale & I had to sell our house in Oklahoma City. We have moved to a very nice retirement home in Tulsa near my younger daughter Jennifer. We are in University Village in Tulsa.

Eva Potter Lee

11/2020: I am still enjoying beautiful Maine and living in Piper Shores Retirement Community overlooking the ocean. My 3 sons, family and 4 grandchildren are all well and thriving. Best to my class of '46!

Joan Rogers Libby
5/2021

Sorry - will not be able to attend reunion. Doing well - putting one band-aid after another. Playing bridge, Mahjong, and euchre. I moved last July to independent living - love it - cheers to those that are still with us - Joanie.

Nancy Albright Hurd Schluter
4/2021

Happy memories! Excellent chapel lessons about "life" by Miss Angell! Now - a long life but not retired totally: I serve as a "Pastoral Assistant" at a large Presbyterian Church, and help assist in chaplaincy programs at Rider University here in Lawrenceville. God is not saying I am finished yet. The best? My wonderful family!! Six children, all married, 19 grandchildren and 4 greats. Bill - my husband of 68 years, died 2 years ago.

Martha Carr Stisser '46

So glad that Sem is still there and doing well. I will continue to support Sem as long as I live.

I have so many happy memories of my years at Sem. Great teachers, Classmates and sports and of course, Miss Angell's excellent leadership. They all made possible my college years at Mount Holyoke. I did not return to my CT home last summer. I'm still in lockdown here in FL. This is now my legal residence. When my husband said we will establish residence here. I said "I'll go back to Buffalo first" - but I didn't. It has been years since I have been there - I miss Lake Erie and Niagara Falls and my house on Windsor Ave. just a block from Sem.

Class of 1945

Class of 1944

5/2021

Ann Allan Corscaden

Thought I'd better check in before I check out - I am 95!
World War II was just ending when I graduated SEM. Miss Angell was the wonderful Head of School.
There were fifty-two members in the Class of 1944.
I wonder if you have teams - as the Jackets and Hornets?
After SEM - I went to Syracuse University and then got my MA at Columbia in NY.
I remember SEM with good feelings - my very best to everyone!

Betty Kleindinst Fierle

Betty has moved to a nursing home (Fox Run) and would have loved to be at reunion if able to. She loves SEM and is especially proud of all Helen Marlette is doing.

Joanne Howard Kouris

Very nice senior living apartments where I live. When we have snow I crosscountry. I swim at the YMCA. Virus rate in CO very high so few activities. Go Hornets!

Pia Doro

*Updated June 2021 with new messages from: