WE MOURN THE PASSING OF LINDA SPIRO LANDERS

Linda Spiro Landers ('61) passed away on Sunday, 2/25/18. Linda was our Vice President for the last 8 years or so. She was instrumental in getting our yearly mailings out to all sisters for a number of years. 

I can't remember a Fall luncheon that did not include Linda among the attendees. Even when she became dependent on a walker, she & her husband Woody would make the trip from the Cape, staying for the weekend so they could do some visiting with old friends. She always had new mini calendars along with some special treat wrapped in purple for all of us. Linda will be missed by all Thetas.

Linda was a good friend to many people. Above all, though, she was a loving and loved wife, mother and grandmother.

Sympathy can be sent to Linda's family at Box 739, Dennis, MA 02638.

- Janice Oehler

PRAYERS & HELP NEEDED FOR LAURA SIRACUSANO DUDEK'S SISTER

This GoFundMe page was set up for my sister, Louise, by her former sorority sisters. Please take the time to read it, donate if you so choose and pass it on to others. Thank you.
- Laura Siracusano Dudek

On December 24, Louise went to the Emergency Room at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, with severe abdominal pains. Emergency surgery was performed immediately, and it lasted for five hours. Louise was very sick and, according to her surgeon, almost died on the operating table. She had a large Hiatal Hernia that forced her stomach up through her diaphragm and her stomach twisted and cut off its own blood supply. Her stomach ruptured, and its acidic contents went throughout her abdomen and chest, causing major damage. During the surgery, a section of her stomach had to be removed as well as part of her esophagus. Her esophagus was so badly perforated that her surgeon had no choice but to temporarily route it out to her chest.
Louise's lungs have been severely weakened, and since her surgery, she has been in ICU and on a ventilator. She also has a feeding tube, which allows nutrition to go directly into her stomach. Louise has now been moved to a Long-Term Acute Care (LTAC) wing in the hospital. The focus there is to get her off the ventilator and get her up and moving and walking again. When Louise leaves the LTAC wing, she will be moved to a more traditional Rehabilitation unit, where she will stay until the doctors feel that she is ready to go home. Once home, Louise will receive in-home therapy to gain back her strength. The money raised here will help to defray the cost of the extensive therapy that Louise has ahead of her.

Before this happened, Louise was healthy, happy, active and recently retired. She believed in a healthy lifestyle, volunteered regularly in her community and always tried to "pay it forward." She loves to cook and garden, and her favorite hobby is raising Monarch and Black Swallowtail butterflies.

In several months, when Louise is completely healed and strong enough, she will need another major surgery. At that time, her esophagus will be reconstructed and reattached to her stomach. If that surgery goes as planned, Louise will again be able to eat and drink normally.

PRAYERS NEEDED FOR LINDA SPIRO LANDERS

I went to the last reunion and it was wonderful to see so many faces, as well as new one.... I don't have any photos but I am sure someone must...But just to let you know Marie Sabin Martin called me the other day and asked for prayers for Linda Spiro Landers was in the Cape Cod Hospital in an induced medical coma until they can figure out what is wrong with her...Marie has talked to Linda's daughter and Marie thinks Linda may have had a Stoke...I really don't know anything else - but I am sure if you contact Marie - she can fill you in on Linda's condition and I hope by now her progress.. Prayers for her and her family.
- Midge Theta '60

Nancy Erikson

I belong to the Sagtikos Manor Historical Society in Bay Shore Long Island. The 42 room house formerly belonging to the Thompson-Gardiner families and now owned by Suffolk County. Both families were very prominent in the history of Long Island and New York Society. George Washington actually stayed overnight on his Long Island tour in April of 1790.

Last year, we had an exhibition of the many prints, large and small, that the families collected for untold number of years on display or stored away at the manor.

I'm in costume as one of the staff guiding the public through the house to see the prints---- more than 20! We had a good turnout.

- Nancy Erikson, Class of 59