Covid 19 has curtailed most everyone for over a year….but, now thanks to the vaccines, life begins to move back toward “normal”   My wife, Jeannine, and I have resumed “outside” activities with the caution of masks and outdoor activities.  We love being able to return to Yosemite National Park (as pictured) to enjoy huge waterfalls, park beauty, hikes through fantastic Redwood trees, etc.  Also, Bocce leagues have resumed and fishing in the San Francisco Bay are currently safe, enjoyable outdoor activities  And with more than 1,000 wineries within a 50 mile radius safely seating people outdoors some 15 feet apart, we have resumed those enjoyable visits.  Back to near normal is great!  We encourage everyone to get their vaccines as soon as possible.  Fond memories of my IWU days.

Judy (Johnson) Riseling ’59 has been creating pottery the past 5 years. She also teaches children’s classes on Saturday afternoons at the London Clay Arts Centre.  She has sold many of her pieces through the London Potters Guild and Clay Arts Centre.  Here is a sample of her work :

On August 18, 2000 Don Norwood ‘50 with Jerry Magliano  embarked on a mission to establish Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science.  They spent 5,500 hours promoting the concept of an early entry to college program and encouraging the Kansas Legislature to establish Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science.  Hundreds of students have benefited from their vision and many more will benefit in the future.

My first great granddaughter was born in July, Avara.  I lost my dear husband Ken two years ago.  I would like to hear from some of my dear Kappa Delta sisters and classmates.  I have great memories of my friends and classes I went to!!!

I live on a mountain-top with my husband just outside San Francisco – next door to my daughter, her husband and their 3 children – I wrote 40 books,(THAT’S AMORE!) lots of fun!

– Carol

Thank you very much to Wilberta (Naden) Pickett ’50 for sending in some information about herself and some classmates, who she continues to keep in touch with.

Mildred (Gaston) Berryman ’50 was a public school music teacher, organist and a choir director. She continues to live in Virginia, and still very much enjoys visiting with others over the telephone.

Clara (Zaccaro) Madonia ’50 spent time playing the piano duet arrangements of the Beethoven Symphonies when they first arrived, and at Illinois Wesleyan learned how to speak English while hanging out with friends at Professor Lowell and Stella Hazzad’s daily tea open house. She was a social worker and now lives in New Jersey. Her sister, Marina Firestone ’49 came to IWU on a scholarship from Italy, speaking no English.

Nadine (Callahan) Simpson ’49 was roommates with Wilberta during her junior year. Nadine and her husband went to Mozambique, where he was a missionary doctor and Nadine was a journalist. They are doing well, and live in Tennessee.

Ruth (Belyea) Beamis ’50 lives in Maine and has one daughter. She is active in Caring Connections, visiting nursing homes. She and Wilberta were part of a team sponsored by AFS during the summer of 1949, and worked for six weeks at the Lincoln State School in Lincoln, Illinois.

Wilberta (Naden) Pickett ’50 herself will turn 92 in June, and she is still blessed with good health with her husband John. The two will soon celebrate their 69th anniversary. The remain active, enjoying exercise classes and the social and cultural life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She received her Masters in Sacred Music from the NYC Union Theological Seminary in 1952. She received a Choir Master degree from the American Guild of Organists and is a Certified Church Musician from the Presbyterian Association of Musicians.

Haroldine (Johnson) Bourelli ’51 was Wilberta’s roommate her senior year. She had six children, one of which was Alex Bourelly ’86, an attorney in Washington, D.C..

If you are interested in contacting any of these alumnae fill out this form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Thank you to Suzanne Coventry ’55 for sending this wonderful photo of her and her family. She also reports that recently, here in Bloomington she has visited the courthouse, museum, the farmer’s market, Davis’ mansion and of course, The Yarn Garden. She went by Mercy Creek bus to see The Festival of Trees and the movie “A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood.” This winter, Suzanne will fly to St. Paul for Christmas and stay at Bandana Square, and in January she will fly to Gulf Shores.

In the first row are Suzanne, her daughters and her great-grandson.

Jean Gaines ’53 reports that she has eight grandchildren and welcomed her first great-grandchild on May 1, 2019. She lives at The Mayflower Retirement Community in WinterPark, Florida. She enjoys hearing from her old classmates and friends!