Class of 1978
A questionnaire was passed out to classmates at our 45th reunion. We had a great turnout and your participation was greatly appreciated. I will have to break this up into several entries so I can prevent losing the info.
**Janet Barclay is retired and living in Rochester, NY. She enjoys quilting, hiking, reading and kayaking. Janet also volunteers delivering food once a week for food cupboard, driving seniors to appointments, working at a nn-profit sewing store, and helping to teach “Matter of Balance” classes. Since our last reunion, Janet retired 2 years ago and had both knees and hips replaced- she states that she’s bionic! Janet receives joy from having the time to do all the things she loves, spending time in nature, as well as spending time with friends and her cats. Janet added that it was so wonderful to see everyone and re-connect at reunion.
** Dawn Lipinski is residing in Greenland, NH where she works as a massage therapist, full-time. This was her first reunion! Dawn participates in Creative Mornings, Portsmouth and enjoys walking and writing. When asked what brings her joy, she answered nature and friends.
** Joan Salvage lives in Delmar, NY and continues to work as a RN. She shared how difficult it was being a nurse during COVID. Thank you for your dedication during such a hard time. Joan enjoys skiing, kayaking, and hiking. Outdoor activities bring her joy.
** Patty Timpano Sparrell has homes in Oakton, VA and Canandaigua, NY and is a retired chemical engineer. Patty volunters with the RSC Board, ARC’s Foundation Board, and the Northwestern Chemical Engineering Advisory Board. She enjoys travel, gardening, bicycling, and visiting friends. Since our last reunion, Patty was able to travel as well as see her middle daughter get married. Her friends and family, the Russell Sage community, and mentoring others bring her joy.
** Diane Taylor Roder lives in Scituate, MA and is retired from her two jobs giving her plenty of time to do what she wants, when she wants! He daughter was married in September 2022 and Diane is looking forward to grandkids. Her joy comes from her family. Diane volunteers at the Scituate Food Pantry and enjoys golf, walking, reading, and traveling.
** Sara Berg Glad has homes in CT and NH and although she is retired as a special education teacher, she continues to work part-time post retirement. Gardening and walking are activities she enjoys as well as enjoying watching her children develop their inedependence. Sara’s joys include being outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
** Barbara Jones Lokar resides in Mount Holly Springs, PA. She is retired and does volunteer and fundraising for Collector Car Clubs. She likes to travel and garden (until it gets too hot and humid). Being together with family and friends brings Barb joy.
** Karen Diener is living in Colonie, NY. She is a retired PE teacher/coach and enjoys golf, beaches, and warm weather. Good friends and class reunions bring her joy.
** Kath Ahearn Koval moved into a new home that she and her husband had built in Wellesley, MA to downsize and be closer to the train to Boston. She retired April 2023 and volunteers with Big Sister with Big Brother and Big Sister Running Group, and also enjoys her book club and tennis. Kath gets her joy from getting to know her new neighbors as well as entertaining friends and family.
** Helen Rodriguez Burmaster and her husband moved back to the Capital District, NY (Schenectady) from Florida since our last reunion because it’s their home and they missed family. She is retired after working for NYS for 35 years. Helen enjoys travel, especially cruises. Being around friends, especially long term friends, brings her joy.
** Patti O’Neill D’Alton is happily retired and living in Bedford Hills, NY. She is a board member fo the Mt. Kisco Day Care Center and her interests include choir, reading- book clubs, and knitting. Her joy is from family and a grandson.
** Bonnie Ward Kreutter has lived in her home in Geneseo, NY for 40 years. She is retired and has had a third grandchild since our last reunion. Her husband, kids, and grandkids bring her joy.
** Julia Greenstein resides in Newton, MA and is semi-retired supporting medical research and family foundations. She enjoys cooking, knitting, and mahjong and volunteers on the RSC Board as well as food pantry and domestic violence organizations. Friends and family, traveling, and enjoying life bring Julia joy.
** Patti Davis Buck is living in Brentwood, NH and has retired from full-time PT, but continues to work per diem. She is a Master Gardener, drives elders to appointments, and shops for shut-ins. Patti also enjoys biking, fishing, traveling, skiing and spending time with and entertaining friends and family. Since our last reunion, her 5 yo and 3 yo grandsons were born. Time with family and friends as well as being in nature, brings her joy.
Part 2 of 45th Reunion Questionnaire.
** Janet Barclay is retired from PT and living in Rochester, NY. She enjoys quilting, hiking, reading, and kayaking. In addition, she volunteers to help teach “Matter of Balance” classes, deliver food once a week for a food cupboard, drive seniors to appointments, and work at a non-profit sewing store. Since our last reunion, Janet retired 2 years ago and had both knees and hips replaced. She writes that she’s bionic! Janet gets her joy from having time (finally) to do all the things that she loves, spending time in nature, as well as spending time with friends and her cats. Janet added that it was so wonderful to see everyone and re-connect at reunion.
**Karla Kamens Cook lives in Andover, MA and Viesques, Puerto Rico. She is looking to move to the Philly burbs in the near future. Karla retired as a nurse and pediatric nurse anesthetist and is currently working as an artist. She enjoys cooking, spinning, needlepoint, painting, dog obedience, and gardening, as well as volunteering to give COVID vaccinations and work at the Vieques Humane Society. Karla’s family, daily life, her animals, gardening, cooking, painting, and fiber arts give her joy.
** Lisa Ferraro Mooney is a retired high school English teacher and living in Fairport, NY. She volunteers at the local hospice and enjoys reading, crafts, and staying active. Lisa’s family brings her joy.
** Janet Blakely Rosenberg resides in Rochester NY. She loves working with babies in Early Intervention as a semi-retired PT. Her interests include pickleball, quilting, walking, catching up with friends, reading, and hoping to travel more! Since our last reunion, her oldest son, Greg, married Michelle and her oldest son, Dan, and his girl, Katie, bought a house. She and her husband, Scott, will celebrate 40 years of marriage on 10/1/23. What brings Janet joy is being with those you love and all the many friends. She adds that every day is a gift and this is more appreciated with every passing day.
** Sharon Wall lives in East Greenbush, NY and has retired from teaching. Her interests include reading and gardening. Since our last reunion, Sharon has traveled to Ireland and Paris, enjoyed travels to Charleston and Savannah with Meg Woble-Valenski as well as spending time with her Sage sisters. Her family, traveling, and her golden retrievers bring her joy.
** Meg Woble-Valenski built a new home in Vernon, CT and works occassionally as a per diem PT. She is enjoying retirement and volunteers on academic and home health boards. Since our last reunion, Meg retired from an academic position in 2018. Being with friends, travel, and reading bring her joy.
** Lisa Zarek Hood is retired and living in Vernon, CT from September to January, Jupiter, Florida from February to May, and Harwich, MA May through September. She gets joy from getting together with friends Meg Valeski, Sharon Wall, Beth Ford, and Diane T. She added that this was a great 45th reunion.
** Suzanne Tillotson Sliwa is retired and living in Hurley, NY and Homosassa, FL. She enjoys biking, reading, travel, and music festivals. Traveling the country and meeting people brings her joy.
**Karen Snowden resides in Toano, VA and is retired. She is a mentor for CASA, activist for reproductive rights, runs a recycling program at a local school, and spends lots of time with her grandkids. Karen receives joy from her grandchildren, nature, friends, and gardening. She adds that she is so glad the class of ’78 lets her keep coming back even though she transferred to Oklahoma. “Sage women are my people!”.
** Sherry Peel is living in Bradford, MA. She is retired and volunteers at the local library and at elections. Travel with loved ones and meetig new people brings her joy.
** Eileen Nanna retired since our last reunion and is living in Utica, NY. She enjoys Syracuse football and basketball and volunteers with veterans, American Legion baseball, and at the Stanley Theater. Eileen’s joys are Syracuse football and basketball, nephews and nieces, grand nephews and nieces, as well as spending time with family and friends.
** Laura Laffond moved to Asheville, NC from Charlottesville, VA last year to be near 2 of her kids and to downsize. Since the last reunion, she retired from physical therapy, one of her sons got married, her daughter got married, and a granddaughter was born on Valentine’s Day this year. She enjoys hiking, bike riding, kayaking, and gardening and participates in book and women’s hiking clubs. She volunteers with a local food bank, Planned Parenthood, tutoring middle school students, and serves on a local elder care board. Her family, friends, dog, and being able to see the sun rise and set each day brings her joy.
Our 45th reunion was so much fun and memorable. I hope to see even more of you at our 50th!!