Class of 1955 - June 9, 2012 Reunion (and some legacy pics) 2012 Reunion booklet created by Dennis Kennedy. (names of deceased in bold blue font)

We were ALL SAINTS! Hello! Can you identify us? No, we are not the Golden Years Assisted Living Glee Club, although we are certainly well qualified vocally to be so. This is the All Saints Grade School Reunion Choir (Graduating class of 1955). Great voices, great appetities, great memories--that's us!

Can you identify each of us! Let me help you, left to right. (1) H rode a pink and black, girl's-type bicycle; (2) She was always stoned (50's style); (3) She left us in third grade; (4) She wore poodle skirts and bobby socks, left us after 7th grade, and lived near school; (5) He also lived near school and was on-call to Father Maher for all needed tasks; (6) She left us in 5th grade and loves 57 varieties of soup; (7) She was Father's favorite; (8) Her father owned a hardware store, she had an older brother who was a hit with all of the girls, and she really knew how to wear her Levi's; (9) He was an athlete and scholar. (Are the ghosts of Sister Celine and Father Maher overlooking the classmates from the painting on the wall?)

All of these happy classmates gathered June 9, 2012 at Chuck's Restaurant to exchange memories and enjoy stories of adventures past. Unfortunately, not all classmates were there, as some had passed, some had declined to join for a variety of reasons, and some had not responded or been located. Nevertheless, it was great to see those who attended and to talk about those who had not (not unusual for events like this, the classmates' spouses put on a good front and survived the evening just fine.)

During the evening, Dennis Kennedy was overheard reminiscing with Mary Kay Dice about what a great May Crowning Queen she was. Although Mary Kay denied being the chosen one, Dennis continues to picture has as queen. (As several classmates quickly pointed out, not only was Mary Kay not the May Crowning Queen, she didn't even attend All Saints for 8th grade, and, in fact, it was Nancy Dugan who was a wonderful May Crowning Queen). Dennis's was a simple memory lapse, no doubt attributable to many nights spent thinking of Mary Kay in her white May Crowning Queen dress.

Sister Paula was recalled as being the disciplinarian. She maintained a closet in the music room filled with various tools of terror -- baseball bats, heavy-duty rulers, nonchucks -- whatever she needed to maintain order. If you were caught transgressing, she would give you an invitation-only special showing of her closet, and you never got out-of-line again (or you became better at not getting caught).

Highlights of the evening included a Don Searcy representation of Father Maher addressing individual classmates, in a voice eerily like Father's. It went something like this -- "Remember when Father Maher would come in twice a year to hand out report cards in each class to each person? Here is a typical report card day in our class: Miss Balducchi: "Your deportment grade is terrible! You are always talking in class." Miss Pascuzzi: "Your grades are good, but they could be better if the rectory received some more tools and hardware from your father's hardware store." Mr. Stessman: "Your grade are fine, but if you were to wash my car and mow my lawn once per week, they could really impove." Mr. Kennedy: "Your grades are fine, but you have a 4 in penmanship." (Dennis has always had a beautiful writing hand). Miss Stoner: "Your are just perfect!" Althought no one else could remember the All Saints Fight Song, as Don Searcy insisted there was one, Don sang a splendid rendition of a fight song he professed was loudly proclaimed by All Saints students at athletic events (some classmates believe his memory may have been influenced by too many Scotches-on-the-rocks). Also, no one joined in to sing the song with Don, even when given a second opportunity. Nonetheless, the words as remembered by Don (you can sing them using any melody you wish) -- ALL SAINTS ALL SAINTS That's the way we spell it folks Here's the way we yell it folks All Saints forever more!

Carolyn Pascuzzi appeared shocked and astonished when Dennis related how her father's hardware store was such a great source of "free" hardware -- mostly stuff that could be used on bicycles. Although Dennis later recanted his confession, the truth seems somewhat evasive. (When Dennis confessed to Father Maher that he had been obtaining "free" hardware, Father Maher gave him "5x5" and a list of hardware items badly needed by the school). .

The classmates also recalled the Monday morning routine when Sister would direct anyone who did not attend Sunday Mass at All Saints the previous Sunday should proceed to the back pews of the church to explain to Father Maher why Sunday Mass at All Saints was missed. This felt like a CIA interrogation for those of us who sat in that pew and gave varying explanations: "Father, the alrm didn't ring"; "Father, our family was out of town"; "Father, I was sick"; "Father, I forgot"; etc. After several such Monday moring interrogations, the smarter ones in the pews concluded that a small lie to a nun or a priest was just a venial sin and probably wouldn't make things much worse than the already-committed mortal sin of missin Sunday Mass, but it would sure help to avoid the trauma of the Monday morning interrogation. But, man, it just seemed to pile on, because then you had to go to confession -- where you couldn't tell even a small lie. Catholic guilt had us all. Bobby Stessman, who lived next door to the parish house, related some interesting stories about the goings on at that house. So much for confidentiality, Bobby.     Carolyn and Mike use the same hair coloring

Don and Bobby studying "Apple Maps" to find their respective ways home -- through Singapore?

Other memories shared by all -- -- The mystery of how any confiscated item went into the Sister's habit, never to be seen again -- Cleaning the blackboard erasers by pounding them against the outside brick walls -- Basketball games at Dowling with after-game fun at the popcorn shack -- Reciting multiplication tables in third grade while waiting for recess -- Sister Roberta's art class on Friday afternoons Questions unasked (do you have the answers?) -- Who played on the girls softball team? -- Did the boys ever win a basketball game? -- Who were the cheerleaders? -- Who sponsored the graduation party? Some time was spent remembering classmates who have passed before us. Mike McElwee and Linda Senn passed in October, 2011. Nancy Dugan was the first to die -- only in her 40's. Barbara Snyder died in her 50's. We miss each of them. Several classmates could not be located or did not respond -- Helen Hackley, Mary Lou Meyer, Mary Lou Cunningham, Richard del Prado, Patty Feely, Bonnie Ireland, Tom Griffith, Judy Buckroyd, and Sally Cervetti. (If you know where any of the missing classmates are located, please forward a copy of this memory book to them and send their addresses to Dennis). We hope they are all well. Located, but unable to attend, were Chris Lamberti, David Easley, Barbara and Beverly Ostwinkle (aka "the Twinkle Twins", per Bobby Stessman), and Kathy Yochum.

Jan Stoner and Barbara Balducchi recalling great times

Two patient and supportive spouses, Joan Flanagan Searcy and Mary Stessman, discuss how well their respective husbands have flowered under the wives' years of close tutelage.

Mary Kay Dice, Jan Stoner, Veronica Mayrose, and Kay Hines: "How does this thing work?"

Don Searcy and Barbara Balducchi heading toward the grub.

Patty Kennedy and Bobby Stessman enjoying lively conversation -- about whose grandchildren are smarter, cuter, etc.

She'll always be Dennis's May Crowning Queen.

Can I have your attention, please!

Don told a funny. bobby said, "Huh?" And ketchup on pizza? What's that about?

Not enough cheese!

I said, "Mine are cuter!" (Grandkids?)

Forget the grandkids -- time for dessert!

Much too serious!

Who's going to win the election? (We didn't care about such things in 1955).

I'll get that hardware back if it's the last thing that I do!

Happy folks! Happy they came!

Enough of that. Now for some legacy pics -- 01/31/07: 50th Dowling/SJA Reunion, at Chuck's, of course, on Friday and Prairie Meadows on Saturday.

Kennedy, Balducchi, X   Balducchi, Searcy

Pascuzzi, Kennedy, Balducchi, Searcy   Location?

Griffith, Pascuzzi, Kennedy, Dice, Stessman, Mayrose, Stoner, Searcy, Hines, Cervetti, Balducchi

First Communion; May, 1948 Photo: compliments of Jack Dice

First Communion; May, 1948 1st Row Diana Allison, Carol Forrest, Chris Lamberti, Tom McNulty, Mike Ludden, X 2nd Row X, Beverly Ostwinkle, Barbara Ostwinkle, Helen Cecelia Hackley, Carol Ann Kennedy, Mary Kay Dice, Mary Ann Crawford, Judy Buckroyd, Marilyn Piper, X, Kay Hines, Delieth Sparks, Genevieve Kordick, X 3rd Row Joan Ashley, Mary Lou Daly, Veronica Mayrose, Carolyn Pascuzzi, Mary Lou Cunningham, Janice Stoner, Kathleen Yochum, Barbara Balducchi, Bonnie Ireland, Barbara Jean Snyder, Joan Daly, Nancy J. Dugan, Betty Jean Ashley, Sister Marie Celine 4th Row Father James Cronin Maher, Father Frederick W. Reece, X, X, Donald T. Searcy, Bob Stessman, X, Joey Ellers?, Bob Quinn, Michael McElwee, X 5th Row Altar Boys: Jack Hackley, Jack Dice, Donald Quinn Note: Dennis Kennedy's first communion will be in May, 1949 photo.

Confirmation; 19?

photo

Confirmation; 19? Bishop Bergan officiating. 1st Row names 2nd Row names 3rd Row names 4th Row names

May Crowning, May, 1948 This picture contains members of the 1955 All Saints Graduation class when they were first graders.

May Crowning; May, 1948 1st Row X, X, Crown Bearer: Patty Wyman, Marilyn Polito McGillivray, Boy, X, X, 2nd Row Gail Gustafson Tvedt, Mary Smith Marcey, X, X, Pat Tynan Jamison, Nanette Bradley Coon 3rd Row X, X, X, X 4th Row Marilyn Brown, Margie Shelledy Goff, Joyce Lucille Arlaud McGilvra, Carolyn Craig Davis?, ? Smith 5th Row Bob Ritchhart, Bob Jamison, Gene Fleming, Patty Smith Ramey Note Have identified Mary Kay Dice, Barbara and Beverly Ostwinkle, and Carolyn Pascuzzi with "mouse rollovers" Need help with identity of other first graders.

May Crowning, May 15, 1955 Photo: compliments of Barbara Balducchi Crosby

May Crowning; May 15, 1955 1st Row names: Train bearer Bobby Snyder, Crown bearer Pam? 2nd Row Janice Stoner, Barbara Jean Snyder, Carolyn Pascuzzi, Queen Nancy J. Dugan, Mary Lou Cunningham, Barbara Balducchi, Kathleen Yochum 3rd Row Pat Feeley, Judy Buckroyd, Barbara Ostwinkle, Linda Senn, Helen Hackley, Mary Lou Meyer, Beverly Ostwinkle

Graduation; May 20, 1955 Photo: compliments of Barbara Balducchi Crosby

Graduation; May 20, 1955 1st Row Chris Lamberti, David Easley, Pat Feeley, Barbara Jean Snyder, Mary Lou Cunningham, Kathleen Yochum, Janice Stoner, Barbara Balducchi, Carolyn Pascuzzi, Tommy Griffith, Richard delPrado 2nd Row Nancy J. Dugan, Mary Lou Meyer, Judy Buckroyd, Barbara Ostwinkle, Linda Senn, Beverly Ostwinkle, Helen Hackley, Father Frederick W. Reece, Sister Marie Celine 3rd Row Father James Cronin Maher, Dennis Kennedy, Michael F. McElwee, Donald T. Searcy, Robert Stessman Names of 1955 graduates Boys: Richard DelPrado,David Easley, Gerald Thomas Farrell, 54, Thomas A. Griffith, Dennis Kennedy, Chris Lamberti, Michael McElwee?, Donald T. Searcy, Bob Stessman Girls: Barbara K. Balducchi Crosby, Mary Kay Dice Aldrich, Barbara Ostwinkle Kelley, Beverly A. Ostwinkle Meister (they are in 1948 May Crowning photo), Mary C. Stanfel?, Kathleen Yochum ID? Mary Lou Cunningham Stout, Carolyn Pascuzzi Morse, Barbara Jean Snyder** convent; Nancy J. Dugan** (MS), Linda Senn**/dec/AZ, Mary Lou Meyer? Helen Hackley, Janice Stoner Scott, Bonnie Ireland?, Kay Hines, Patty Seely, Barbara Jean Snyder,Veronica Mayrose Wardell, Judy Buckroyd

View here for the All Saints Reunion held in 2012: reunion booklet by Dennis Kennedy Special thanks to Barbara Balducchi, Dennis Kennedy, Carolyn Pascuzzi, and Jan Stoner who contributed much to the planning of the reunion and this memory book

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