2024 LUNCHEON PHOTOS

 Thanks to Laurie Spiegel for sharing these photos...

Click to enlarge. 

 

WE MOURN THE PASSING OF HOLLY ANDERSON VAN SUCH ('75)

Dear Theta Sisters -

I'm sorry to let you know that Holly (Anderson) Van Such, class of '75, passed away on February 13th. She was only 71 years old, but had been declining in health. She is survived by her husband, Joe Van Such, who she met at New Paltz, their 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

Holly was not only active in the sorority during her college years, but you may recall she also served as the first president of our Theta Phi Alumnae Association. Holly began her career teaching preschool and kindergarten, eventually rising to become elementary school principal. She was involved in her local community and enjoyed playing in the bell choir, especially during the Christmas season.

Viewing will take place on Sunday, February 23rd between 1pm & 3pm at McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE. Condolences may be sent to the Van Such home at 1017 Jeffrey Road, Wilmington, DE 19810.

Yours in Theta,

Laurie Spiegel, Treasurer

 

HOLLY'S OBITUARY

WE MOURN THE PASSING OF ELLEN LEAHY LISTORT

Leslie Drojak Lomita has shared the sad news of the passing of Ellen Leahy Listort.

Ellen Rita Listort, of Rondout Harbor, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 6, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and under the compassionate care of Hospice. 

A 1966 graduate of S.H. Calhoun High School in North Merrick, NY, Ellen pursued her passion for education, earning her master's degree from SUNY New Paltz in 1971. She went on to inspire generations of students as a devoted English teacher in the Kingston School District, where she taught for over 30 years.

ELLEN'S OBITUARY

NOTES FROM 2024 LUNCHEON

CONGRATULATIONS TO GINNY APUZZO FOR HER AWARD AT THE NEW PALTZ AWARDS DINNER

The SUNY - New Paltz Awards Dinner was a great success. Ginny was glowing and smiling all evening! She had two surprises. The first was when she arrived and was told she was expected to give a speech! She pulled it off. The second surprise was the bouquet of purple flowers.

The flowers were perfect and she so appreciated Theta’s support.

Yours in Theta,

Carol Hearst Brott

Theta Luncheon

 Dear Theta Sisters-

In case you missed our recent newsletter via snail-mail from Janice Oehler (many thanks to Janice), our annual luncheon is just 5+ weeks away. Here are the details:

THETA PHI ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Date: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024

Time: 12:00 NOON

Place: Garvin's Gastropub – 215 Huguenot Street, New Paltz

(at the New Paltz Golf Course)

Garvan's Gastropub | New Paltz, NY - Home (garvans.com)

It’s a beautiful setting and the lunch menu is all set. Everyone will enjoy a salad and choice of entrée (burger, scampi, or chicken), plus Guinness Chocolate Cake and a beverage. There’s no need to order in advance, but let me know if you have any dietary requirements. We continue to hold the price at $25.00 per person and the sorority picks up the balance.

Please reply to this email with your RSVP, then send your check payable to Theta Phi Alumnae Association to Laurie Spiegel, 11 Murphy Circle, Florham Park, NJ 07932. The deadline is SEPTEMBER 20.

Many thanks to Rosarie Mastropaolo, a.k.a. Beads, and our Theta Phi Alumnae President, Pat McKeown Withers, for once again making all the arrangements!

QUESTIONS??? Call Pat Withers at 631-669-2018. We hope to see you all there.

Yours in Theta,

Laurie Chase Spiegel ('75),

Theta Phi Alumnae Treasurer

P.S. Please see if you can carpool with sisters in your area. Some may be without a means to join us. Also, if the cost of the luncheon is preventing you from coming, please reply to this message and we will help you.

2024 NEWSLETTER

 

 

WE MOURN THE PASSING OF JOANN BIANCA O'CONNOR

 Thanks to Leslie Drojak Lomita for passing this information along to us...

Joann Bianca O’Connor, 83, passed away at her residence in Rosendale on March 25, 2024.  She graduated from SUNY New Paltz and began her teaching career in West Hurley. She left teaching temporarily to raise her family, and when she returned to teaching, she worked at Marbletown Elementary School. She also was a board member of the Theta Phi Alumnae Association during its early years following the sale of Theta House. She is survived by her husband Edward O’Connor; their three children Christine, Joseph, and Annie; and her seven grandchildren.

HOPE THIS FINDS YOU ALL WELL!

Dear Theta Sisters, 

 

It's been a VERY long time since I last posted on the blog and I send apologies to anyone who sent info that didn't get posted.  If you sent me something and it's not included in this posting, please send it again! 

 

Thanks to Pat Withers for sharing this photo from this year's luncheon which was held on October 21st at Maggie Mae's in New Paltz. 

Thanks to Laurie Spiegel for the following information which was shared by some sisters who couldn't attend the luncheon:

 

From: Petrina(Tantillo) Tersillo ‘60
 - Sorry I cannot make it this year. I will be on a cruise.  Tell everyone sorry and am sending many hugs.

From: Nancy (Arcoleo) Erikson ‘59 
- So sorry I'm unable to attend this year's luncheon. Medical issues keep me away unfortunately. Wishing all sisters a great time.

From: Carol Hearst Brott '63 
- I will be in town for my Class Reunion but have another commitment for the same day and time. Please send my sisters in Theta my best along with special memories.

From: Priscilla (Tesone ) Tortorella ‘61 
- Timing is everything…& mine is off! We’ll be in Florida by then so will not attend this year’s luncheon. However, I still conduct a zoom session every two weeks with Ann, Chris, Ruth, Carole, Roni & Nancy…a practice we began during the Pandemic! Enjoy the luncheon & give those attending a big Theta hug!
 

From: Nina (Friedman) Lazar - '66 
So sorry I won't be able to make it.  Two other family events are planned for that date.  Perhaps next year... Please give my warmest regards to all who attend.  Be happy and stay safe!
 

From: Carmella (Lagano) Alfano ‘66
 - Thanks for the reminder. I wish I could be there. I have commitments on both Friday and Sunday of that weekend, and it’s too late to change either. Regards to the class of 1966!
 

From: Bobbi (Burns) Murray ‘71
- Regretfully, I am not able to attend the Theta luncheon this year. I just learned a few days ago that I need to be in Chicago that weekend.  I will be meeting my son's "intended" in-laws. I am sending my RSVP today. I admire the job you're doing. I miss that Long Long line of Thetas...🎶 Sending purple 💜
 

From: Donna (Mastroianni) Kubovic ‘72 - 
I will not be attending this year’s luncheon. I am having cataract surgery in October the week before and the week after the 21st. Please send my good wishes to all the Thetas who will be attending. Thanks to all the members who keep Theta going strong.
 

From: Carol (Cooper) Sonenblum ‘72
 - Sorry, that I won't be able to attend. Please send my love to all my Theta sisters.
 

From: Linda Kvam ‘72
 - I was really touched by the “Theta Phi” newsletter that I received over a month ago. I was especially surprised to see my name included in the list of “news” makers. Please tell Janice that she does a terrific job, and her efforts are appreciated by me and probably by everybody! I really enjoyed the luncheon last year and hope that you have a good time this year.

From: Ann (Bonventre) Van Damm ‘74
 - Sorry I will have to miss this year’s get together.  It’s my granddaughter’s 5th birthday and we are babysitting for the 3½ year old twins while mom and dad are in London.  Busy weekend.  Hello to all!!

From: Celeste (Silvers) Reingold ‘74
 - Well, I will be back in Florida by the annual luncheon. Maybe next year-hope all is well- I look forward to seeing the news of all the Thetas. I am in St. Pete Beach Florida is anyone comes down my way.

From: Linda (Yatchie) Goncher ‘75
 - I regret I won’t be able to attend. Have a great time Thetas!
 

Also, we received 2 individual donations towards the luncheon from:

Bob Mahoney, husband of Lolly Cox Mahoney ‘58. After Lolly passed away in 2021, Bob asked that we continue to send him the newsletter. He enjoys the connection to sisters he knew from when Lolly was at New Paltz. Last year he also sent us a donation.

 
Flo Ferguson Brandt ’68. Flow said that commitments keep her from attending luncheons but she wanted to help out.

Financial Update – Laurie Spiegel, Treasurer

2022: Last year, we began the year with $10,272.34 in the bank. Last October, we had twice the number of sisters attend the luncheon compared to the previous year and each plate was more expensive. So, we finished the year with a net luncheon expense of $558.70. With additional expenses for the newsletter and NY State income taxes, we ended the year with $9324.55 in the bank, a reduction of $947.79 from 2021. The 2022 financial statement is available here for anyone interested.

For this current year, with fewer sisters joining us today, our net expense for the luncheon will be around $175. Added to the typical newsletter and taxes expenses, Laurie expects the year to end with a reduction in assets of about $500. This will leave us with about $8800 in the bank.

The bottom line is that we have enough money to continue on, and we would like to plan for a luncheon next year.

Now this is the BIG news: 

 

With our NY State Certificate of Incorporation dated April 24, 1933, 

we are officially celebrating our 90th anniversary 

as a SUNY New Paltz sorority!  

Congratulations to each and every one of us, 

and everyone who came before us for this achievement!! 

Happy anniversary Theta Phi Gamma!! 

Let’s toast to that!!!

 

Thanks to Janice Oehler for sharing the following news about Lynn Heyman (68).

Janice said that Lynn sent her a bookmark from her latest novel, Paris Moments, which she wrote during the pandemic. 

 

Olga Vezeris (‘68), a dear friend of Lynn’s, has worked in publishing for over 30 years & helped with the editing in addition to giving Lynn support while she worked on her novel. Lynn has been invited to Paris & the French Riviera to do presentations of her book. She stated, “I am so happy to have a major following in France as well as here in the United States and around the world.”

According to the bookmark, Lynn has been a French teacher and has studied & spent years in Paris & throughout France.

We Mourn the Passing of Linda Whitaker Megdanis

Maryanne Herzog has shared the following news about the passing of Linda Whitaker Megdanis:

Linda’s husband reached out to me a week ago to share of Linda’s passing.

My heart is broken

Linda Megdanis Obituary