1954
Jean Baker Leister Weikert
717-243-5364
Thank you for those who keep in touch! Alice Avanozian Arana wrote a splendid news letter telling of her husband Oswald Arana passing away. Thankfully, they shared writing a Spanish work book, 10th edition for the first year textbook, Puntos De Partida, successful for over 30 years. What a meaningful, enduring legacy! Their family includes Cecilia, who works with life size puppets in NYC, a kid’s project. Middle son, David, lives in Burbank, California and is a musician. He has his own studio and works with several orchestras and bands, arranging their music, as well as with several vocalists. Michael, the youngest, is a lawyer and serves as a DJ in several NY clubs. Alice keeps busy at her residence Morningside in Fullerton, California with line dancing, fitness classes, and library committee. Barbara Weaver Batdorf thoughtfully wrote a summer of her and Jack’s life together. They are still living in the home they built in 1963. Jack, a retired pharmacist, and Barbara, who is still interested in reading, enjoy their constructed green house where they propagate and grow a variety of plants. Their daughter Ann lives and works in Washington, D.C. Middle son, Mark, is living outside of Dallas, Texas. Son, John, is living in Santa Cruz, California in a beautiful beach home. Betty Remsberg DeColigny wrote of Warren and her travels, including a mid-June visit to Mystic, Connecticut. Their triplet granddaughters are happily busy. Erin Thomas graduating from Frostburg University with a psychology major, honors and continuous study for a Master’s Degree in sociology from Salisbury University. She is also working at Homewood Retirement center in the dietary department. Granddaughter Relli Thomas is to be married in September. Completing the triad is Cindy Armentrout, who was married to Chris Ray last July. A thought-provoking letter from Sally Bogar Hedstrom, M.S. ’81 reported that her husband Ray Hedstrom passed away last May. Our condolences and prayers, Sally, for your regaining strength after being a caregiver. Wendell Stockdale, Jane Hinkle Stockdale’s, P’78 husband, wrote a devoted letter last December, talking of Jane’s March 4, 2015 stroke, with her presently being in a skilled nursing, where they reside at Willow Valley in Lancaster. Betsy Oehrle included pictures in her Christmas letter of beginning the Annual Durban, South Africa Commemorative Salt March from Mahatma Gandhi’s home in Phoenix to the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Betsy sends prayers for true peace, respect, loving wisdom, compassionate friendships and joyous energy. As your class correspondent, it is safe to say Mark and I continue to be happily busy newlyweds and feel blessed to have fresh perspectives at our age (83). We keep being content with home, family, church, friends, scripture study, maintaining health, ballroom dancing, gardening, and yes, keeping a balance electronically. Son, Andy Leister, experienced a stroke in May 2015, which compounded adjustment to the previous surgeries at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in 1976 and 2010. We’re visiting regularly at the nursing home at the Brethren Home in New Oxford, Pennsylvania. Thankfully, we have a supportive family which is helping with restorative therapy since he has right-side paralysis and decreasing vision. Our remaining children, Kathy with her husband Orrin Orewiler; Christine Abrams; Heidi with her husband Ron Haafre and Daniel Leister are all residing in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Grandchildren: Kelsey, Sierra and Sean Miller; David with new wife Rachel and Rachel Abrams; Erin and Nick Haafre are dispersed throughout Hanover, Cambridge, England, Fort Gordon, Georgia, Mansfield University, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Intermediate Unit, Harrisburg Area Community College, and Millersville University. The youngest grandson heading for St. John in Annapolis, Maryland. Reunion on the 12th of June was a joyous one with seeing grad school classmate Magaly Mauras Green ’74, M.A.’79 and undergraduate classmate Barbara Weaver Batdorf and her husband John. It was reassuring to hear our new President, Dr. Andrea Chapdelaine speak at lunch. Barbara, Jack, Mark and I were lucky to share a table with Lois Vars Mason ’51, Betsy McCain McAlpine ’51, with her husband, along with a few other members of the class of 1951. Thanks again for keeping in touch!
Add a comment