Class Notes
The Buffalo Seminary Alumnae Association is committed to expanding communications and networking opportunities for all alumnae.
We hope you will share where your life has taken you, what accomplishments and successes you have found along the way and how SEM can reconnect with you.
Class Notes Spring 2022 - June 2023
1940s
Joanne Howard Kouris ’44
Living in a Senior Center in Lakewood (Denver). Very comfortable. I have a balcony with a view of the pond (small lake).
Ruth Roblin Winnick ’45
Doing well. Have two great grandsons, ages eight and 10. I talk with Daney Saperston Klingenstein from time to time.
Martha Carr Stisser ’46
I hope you are recovering from the horrible storms and floods! At my “mature” age I don’t travel anymore. I’m on the second floor of a two story condo overlooking the ocean and have daytime caretakers. I get around with a walker and can go up and down the stairs to get out for shopping, appointments, and dinner with friends. Love to all at SEM, Marti
Mary L Reist Gaston ’48
When I see Red Tailed Hawks circling my house I think of you.
Jan Roberts Fretz ’49
My granddaughter, Emily Fretz ’19, is a member of the Carolina Ballet Company in Raleigh, NC. I have seen two of her performances.
1950s
Ethel Roblin Melzer ’50
The “SEM Today” is very impressive! Grateful to SEM for all it is - and for all it helped me to be! Dick and I celebrated our 71st anniversary in March and are planning a Family Reunion in June to celebrate my big birthday (all my classmates know how old I will be)! We have four grandchildren and two great grandchildren and look forward to seeing them all. So far we have dodged COVID and are very grateful for Zoom. We feel very blessed. Stay well and I hope to see you all again someday!
Lucia Long Schwarz ’52
My son, Lt. Col. Peter H. Schwarz died May 31, 2021. Sixth great grandchild born September 2022.
Kathy Hamilton Steinwedell ’53
Luckily, all goes well. I’m in independent housing at Seabury, a continuing care facility. My son David and his wife live in Austin, TX, and daughter Annie & husband live in Denver, CO. Five grandchildren are spread around the country/world. I play pickleball.
Helen C. Jones ’53
Always grateful that my two daughters were also able to attend SEM!
Barbara Jerauld Coffin ’53
Living in Peterborough, NH at Rivermead Community (we moved to NH in 1997). Now a widow with eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Margaret Orr MacKenzie ’53
Marla is living in Alstead, NH near her daughter Kinter. She still has her sense of humor and gratitude, and remembers her days at SEM fondly.
Patricia Hoffman Griffen ’54
Living in Northern California. Both myself and my husband are retired. Have three adult “kids,” two married. Traveled the US in our motorhome, and visited Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand, etc. Life has been good!
Mary Ellen Daniels McCormick ’56
Moving to California in 2021 was good for us. Would wonder if there are other alums that have migrated to the West. Certainly sorry for the news of the “historic” Christmas blizzard in Buffalo.
Iris Farrow Skoog ’57
Our Class Agents began a weekly Zoom session early last year. Every Thursday eight to 14 of us, anyone available, share information and perspectives. Always such an interesting interlude. Any and every of you 57’ers are so welcome to join us. Contact Ellie Johnson, Mary Berlow, or me for the Zoom number.
Starr Lanctot Ramsey ’57
Sadly, I went to Wendy Hutton Eaton’s funeral on June 8th. Had fun at our 65th reunion with Iris Skoog, Mary Berlow & Ellie Johnson!
Anne Campbell Birkett ’59
We have been living in Shelburne, VT for over 10 years, enjoying our summer garden and friends - and then we spend five months in Tybee Island, GA to escape the snow and ice. A perfect combination!
1960s
Merrily Copeland Beyreuther '60
My memoir, BEING MYSELF, has just been published. A collection of 100+ vignettes including several from my Buffalo years. From my kilt and circle pin days to my more recent almost tattoo days, all about learning from others but always being myself.
Judith Becker-Cavallon ’60
Had a wonderful visit to Buffalo last June. Saw the Magavern-Sutton Courtyard for the first time. Still traveling! Recently returned from a Viking River cruise on the Elbe (Munich to Prague). Plan to escape the desert heat in July ’22 with a tour in Eastern Canada (Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island).
Linda Albee Fallon ’60
Re-elected as Chair, Board of Directors, Floyd Center for the Arts. Enjoyed a two-week respite in Panama, visiting my son and his family. He is with the State Department living in Panama, soon to return to the US and Washington.
Gail Donaldson ’61
Enjoying Buffalo’s music, arts, theater, and women’s sports. I love Buffalo!
Elizabeth Peo Armstrong ’62
Officially retired as a photographer. Still living happily in the Pacific NW with more opportunities to see our four children and four grandchildren at our summer home in Woods Hole, MA. Always delighted to read about the Class of ’62. With best wishes to all!
Barbara Feuchter ’63
I am retired. I moved to a larger apartment in 2021. I am still actively writing comedy sketches. In addition, I am in a church workshop helping members with mental health issues.
Anne Herrick Lacy ’64
Still running straight out here in northern Wisconsin.
Noel Symons ’67
Helping care for my two adorable young grandchildren keeps me busy!
1970s
Katrina VanArsdale Drouhard ’72
So much fun at our 50th reunion. Thank you all!
Pia Doro ’76
I have three beautiful grandkids in Southern California.
Molly Dellinger-Wray '77
It was so much fun to spend time with Lori, GG, Nina, Peggy, and Gigi Pooley ('76) and explore our beautiful alma mater at 205 Bidwell Parkway. I work at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond on grants that help support people with disabilities across the lifespan. I was very excited to have published research on the positive outcomes of an intervention that we developed that teaches people with disabilities about healthy relationships and abuse prevention. I travel back and forth to Buffalo often to see my family, including my mom who celebrates her 98th birthday in February.
Elizabeth Dutton Bourne ’77
Hello Semmies! Life goes on here outside of NYC. We had been able to spend more time in Bay Beach this past summer. Hope to get to see more of you this summer. Connected with Elena Cacavas ’77. Fun to have other SEM folks around…even if she was a Jacket. ;) Go Hornets!
Isabella Bannerman ’78
Hello SEM friends. I keep up with classmates via Facebook, and also enjoy posting my cartoons for "Six Chix" there. Have been to San Francisco from time to time to visit my mom and sister Francesca (Class of 1976). In addition to producing work for King Features' "Six Chix", I have been contributing short editorial stories to a publication called "World War 3 Illustrated.” Our 52nd issue titled "My Body, Our Choice" will be filled with stories about women's health, and will be out in June 2023 - published by AKPress. I am also working part time at Apple Grand Central, selling iPhones. My schedule varies, but I have been able to greet Buffalo friends here and there when they are passing through the terminal.
Ann Baumler Harrington ’79
I started a part-time job at the RVNA Health Association in their outpatient rehabilitation clinic last March. I am enjoying helping people stay and move well. My husband Steve and I, and our son, Dan, just came back from a trip to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. Gorgeous views and high temperatures. Looking forward to a Buffalo trip next year.
1980s
Sarah Larkin ’84
Can’t believe my youngest daughter just graduated from high school. Still working as a family physician in Pittsburgh. Can’t wait to see what empty nest years bring.
Ann Hayes Atkinson ’84
Amy Hayes Atkinson took a position as Attorney Recruiting Manager with Hodgson Russ LLP.
Kate Holloway Gagne ’86
I remarried last year to Michael Gagne and we recently moved toward the coast of Maine to Harpswell. We are retired (Michael after 38 years with UPS - not having to deal with Christmas packages anymore!) and have six kids between us (ages 14 to 26). All live nearby on the East coast and are frequent visitors. No marriages or babies yet but a couple of long-term romances that could be something soon. We’ll see! The older kids are all working and in various stages of college, while Noah is a junior in high school and Sasha, a freshman. It’s always nice to see news of friends and goings on. SEM has certainly grown. Great years fondly remembered. Go Jackets!
1990s
Melissa Peer Wyrick ’91
Melissa is working in the Rome, NY city school district in the Special Education Department. She is also a ski school director for Woods Valley Ski Area.
Julianne Piotrowski Nery ’91
I am still in Chicago, and I started my own law firm this year which is Nonprofit Legal Services LLC. I offer legal and governance services to small and mid-sized Illinois nonprofits. I'm super excited to start this new professional path.
Jessie Schnell Fisher ’92
Jessie was named the Executive Director of the Martin House in Buffalo, NY.
Dr. Victoria Brooks ’94
The Mental Health Advocates of WNY awarded Dr. Victoria Brooks of the Erie County Medical Center with the Professional of the Year Award at their 60th Anniversary Gala March 2022.
Darcy Hirsh ’98
Congratulations to Darcy who is now serving as Associate Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Relations at The Jewish Federations of North America.
2000s
Katie Dorn ’02
Katie, and her husband Jesse, had a baby boy on January 19, 2023, Fritz Dorn-Anders.
Casey Perley ’04
Casey and her husband Neil Hollenbeck welcomed daughter Clara in March of 2022. Go Jackets!
Moira Giammaresi Lewis ’05
Moira Lewis and her husband Patrick welcomed daughter Phoebe Kathleen Lewis on July 21, 2022.
Natalie Hofert-Wettlaufer ’05
I am enjoying life in Buffalo as a photographer with my two kids, husband, and puppy.
Rebecca Ott Mueller ’07
Rebecca Ott married Paul Mueller October 10, 2022.
2010s
Tracy Kreppel Wiley ’11
Tracy and her husband, Jason, welcomed a son, Bennett Michael, on August 27, 2022.
Grace Clauss Wannemacher ’12
Grace Clauss married Patrick Wannemacher on September 17, 2022 and her “something borrowed” was the SEM bus!
Sydney Mecca ’15
Sydney Mecca was promoted to full-time marketing & development coordinator at Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve.
Allana DePaz ’18
Allana DePaz and Michon A. Dudley welcomed a baby boy, Michon Amir Dudley Jr., on May 31, 2022
