2021 LUNCHEON NEWS

Thanks to Pat McKeown Withers and Janice Oehler for sharing news of a Theta Luncheon in New Paltz on October 16.  At this time, they would like to get a headcount to see how many would be interested in attending.  

 

Please email Pook and she will get the information back to Pat and Janice. 

We Mourn the Passing of Liza Kosel '74

 Laurie Spiegel has shared the following news about the passing of Liza Kosel.

I got word the other day that Liza Kosel (class of 74) passed away last week from a combination of cancer, COVID, and pneumonia. Liza was 68. There was no funeral -  her ashes are to be scattered in Colorado. Liza's sister, Ellen, shared the sad news and I let Ellen know that I would pass this on to the Theta alumni to be included in the next newsletter.

Liza was at the last luncheon in 2019 and I'm attaching a picture of her, along with Jayne Brown Wynne and myself. It was a great day to be all together. Liza was my big sister and was protective of me from the start. She will very much be missed. May her memory be a blessing!!

Liza leaves behind her husband, Persy Ramos, and her sisters Leslie Eckstein of Tampa, FL and Ellen Zarcone of Monsey, NY . Donations may be sent in her memory to the ASPCA. Liza loved animals and she took in rescues.

We Mourn the Passing of Fran Monahan '50

Janice Oehler and Shirley Gordineer Townsend have shared the news of the passing of Fran Freer Cooke Monahan. Theta Sorority Graduating class 1950.  A wonderful person, friend, beloved teacher, soft spoken, kind.   She will be missed by family and friends.

THETA LUNCHEON 2020 - LIVE ON ZOOM!

 

JOIN THE 2020 THETA PHI LUNCHEON ON ZOOM

After our enthusiastic 2019 luncheon last year, with so many sisters coming out to enjoy a beautiful meal together, catch up on old times and new and sing the Theta Phi classics, your board has decided to keep the momentum going with a Zoom meeting this year.  Pour yourself a glass of your favorite and we’ll toast to good times.

 

Date:  Saturday, October 17, 2020

Time:  1PM-2PM

RSVP to Laurie Spiegel at

theta.alum.new.paltz@gmail.com

Laurie will email you the link and instructions for joining.

We Mourn the Passing of Linda Liepshutz Saulpaugh

Sharing Some Sad News

Linda Liepshutz Saulpaugh ‘67 passed away on March 25,2020 following a long, courageous battle with cancer.  She is survived by her daughters Laurel & Leslie, their spouses & three grandchildren.  In addition to teaching, Linda also worked as a floral designer & ran a B&B called The Inn at Blue Stores in Livingston, NY for 20 years.  Naomi Rubin ‘68 wrote that she’d visited Linda several times over the years & that her B& B “was wonderful.”   Linda was very close with Flo Ferguson Brandt ‘67 who wrote that they “shared such great Theta memories.”
 - Janice Oehler

We Mourn the Passing of Laura Siracusano Dudek

It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my first roommate, my dear friend, and our very special Theta sister, Laura Siracusano Dudek. Laura was the strongest woman I have ever known. She endured so many trials in her life, but always faced them with courage and a smile, and was always strong and positive. I'm so sad that this last battle was her final one. May her wonderful husband, Tom, and her devoted sister, Louise, and all who knew and loved Laura find comfort in wonderful memories.
- Pook Siprin Bellini
Lau' dubbed me "Pookie" (after a character on the Soupy Sales show) during our first semester at New Paltz.  That name has stuck with me all these years and will forever remind me of our long and special friendship.

 Tom Dudek

164 Meadow Road

Chester, VT 05143

Jean Valentine Ward

I have been going thru old "records" and came across some Theta memorabilia.  Is there someone who is collecting/archiving this?

It includes:

1. 1960 sorority photo of sisters/pledges

2. Theta Phlyer newsletter, May 1963 that has a message from the editor (Kathy Gardella; House News, Officers, A letter from alumnae Secy (Ruth Jahrstorfer), Rush Party article (Castle of Royal Purple), as list of Alumnae class secretaries from 1930-1962; a president's letter (Joan Campagna); and an article "At our school.  NEAT TO READ !!! 

3.Song Book (1960?)

4. Pledge invitation and formal initiation on Theta stationary

5. 1961 Holly Banquet invite

6. Photo of sorority house

7. News article of 103 Pledging sororities (1961)

8. Purple and Gold "necklace with theta Phi emblem (probably worn by pledges)

Things are great here in Florida.  Paul (my significant other) and I have been doing a lot of traveling, enjoying the amenities of our 55+ community (Pennbrooke Fairways- that include 27 holes of golf, restaurant, swimming pools, fitness centers, etc.).  Our families are doing well…  So blessed!  What more could we ask for??  Hope all is well with you and that you too are enjoying life!

Yours in Theta, Jean Valentine Ward '64

Greetings from Roni Cojac Mintz

As the years pass I feel it is important to send wishes to people who help form who I am today.

My years in Theta and at New Paltz were very formative times and became an integral part of how I developed as a teacher, wife, mother, hospital manager, volunteer and grandmother of 4 teenage boys. 

Happy 2019 to the class of 1965 and to all.

Roni Cojac Mintz

rcmintz@att.net

Atlanta, GA

New Paltz Reunion

Alumni Weekend occurred from October 12-14. The activities included tours of the campus, a President’s talk, hikes, theater productions and wine tours. Alumni got together at cocktail receptions, a lunch and dinner. All classes were photographed. Theta participants included myself, along with Susan Kramer, Carleen Schneider and Barbara Fatjo. Sue, Carleen and I communicate through email along with Joyce Roth and Jean Schell. In the past 50 years, we have occasionally gotten together but not all of us at the same time.
- Joan Kisver

Sorority Sister reunion in New Bern, NC

 Joan Kisver visited with Susan "Chi" Chichester Johnson in New Bern, NC.