Dear Theta Sisters -
Sunday, February 16, 2025
WE MOURN THE PASSING OF HOLLY ANDERSON VAN SUCH ('75)
Sunday, February 9, 2025
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.
Monday, October 21, 2024
Saturday, October 19, 2024
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,
Monday, September 9, 2024
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 entrΓ©e (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.
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Friday, April 5, 2024
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.Sunday, December 3, 2023
HOPE THIS FINDS YOU ALL WELL!
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: 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!
Flo Ferguson Brandt ’68. Flow said that commitments keep her from attending luncheons but she wanted to help out.
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:
According to the bookmark, Lynn has been a French teacher and has studied & spent years in Paris & throughout France.
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
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




Tuesday, September 6, 2022
2022 LUNCHEON
Dear Theta Sisters-
THETA PHI ANNUAL LUNCHEON
Date: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2022
Time: 12:00 NOON
Place: THE CREEKSIDE BISTRO – 1128 ROUTE 32, ROSENDALE, NY
MENU (Please select from the following):
ENTRΓE (CHOOSE ONE):
GRILLED CAJUN SALMON WITH CILANTRO
CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH GREEK MARINADE
SAUTEED BEEF TIPS
VEGETARIAN DISH
SIDES (CHOOSE TWO):
RICE
SALAD
FRENCH FRIES
CHIPS
POTATO CROQUETTES
COLESLAW
THERE WILL BE AN ASSORTMENT OF DESSERTS, COFFEE, TEA, AND SOFT DRINKS.
THE PRICE IS $25.00. Please reply to this email with your RSVP and food selection. Then send your check payable to Theta Phi Alumnae Association to Laurie Spiegel, 11 Murphy Circle, Florham Park, NJ 07932. THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 25.
Many thanks to Rosarie for planning this wonderful luncheon. QUESTIONS??? CALL PAT WITHERS 631-669-2018. We hope to see you all there.
Yours in Theta,
Laurie Spiegel,
Theta Phi Alumnae Treasurer














