The Class of 1960 Yellowjackets celebrated their 65th anniversary at a reunion luncheon on October 14 at Jacob & Anthony’s Italian in Stuyvesant Plaza. Attendees included Mary Ellen Johnson; Fay McMore Graham and her daughter Laura who was visiting from Ohio; Phil Shepherd and wife Fran Cicero Shepherd ’62, and Fran’s college roommate, Linda Zucconi Dellea ’62; and co-councilor Doris Hische Brossy and her ‘adopted’ daughter, Stacey Calabrese Riccardi, who attended in memory of her mother Bunny Silverstein Calabrese. Loida Vera Cruz, retired associate director of alumni programs, joined the class for dessert and coffee. We miss you, Loida! At the reunion, the class voted to determine the recipient of the Class of 1960 Project Fund. Remembering the many hours spent at Hawley Library, $1,700.00 was donated to the Dewey Graduate Library located in Hawley Hall.
Fran Jadick Castillo was sorry to miss the reunion. Family was visiting Fran and Ray on the Cape, but they ask to be remembered and give the best to all classmates.
Fran Wallace Cole sent word that Jack Anderson had passed away just a week before the reunion. Fran still lives in Oklahoma with her son and family and spends summers at her cottage in Alexandria Bay.
Nancy Ryan Gnan and John are great-grandparents. Regretfully, health issues kept Nancy and John from joining the reunion lunch.
Fay McMore Graham is retired from Washington County Social Services. She keeps busy with travel, book clubs, line dancing, and playing Scrabble three times a week.
Art Hackett of Virginia recently celebrated his 89th birthday. He was unable to travel to the reunion lunch. His hobby remains Amateur Radio and radio contesting — call letters K4FTO. He sends his ‘hello and regards’ to all.
Mary Ellen Johnson retired from teaching social studies 31 years ago. She serves as Guilderland Town Historian and writes a weekly newspaper column, “Glimpse of Guilderland History.” She keeps in touch with Mary Matey Garrett.
Marcia Cavanaugh Meaney lives in a 55+ community in Saratoga Springs, and winters in Jupiter, FL.
Joan Cali Pecore sends her good wishes to all ’60 classmates and regrets not being able to attend the reunion lunch.
Doug Penfield competes in many bridge tournaments. Regretfully, a big bridge event was already scheduled on the date of the reunion lunch.
Olga Eckardt Winsor says “Hello” to all. Condolences to Olga on the passing of her husband Fred Winsor ’63 on February 1, 2025.
Doris Hische Brossy is appreciative of the assistance of Carmelina Morrison, associate director of Alumni Programs, and Stephanie Snyder, marketing & communication strategist, for their part in making the reunion a success!
Class co-councilors: Doris Hische Brossy, dbrossy@aol.com; Joan Cali Pecore, joanpecore@gmail.com
Barbara Lewick Christoff relocated to Hemlock, NY.
Marilyn Anderson Pendergast and Bill Robelee enjoyed lunch with Katie Iocca, recipient of the Class of ’64 Scholarship for 2025, in December. Katie relished her fall student teaching experience and has completed all requirements for her master’s degree, which she will receive in May. Katie plans to substitute teach while she searches for a high school math position (which, after meeting her, should be brief). We will meet our next recipient at the School of Education Scholarship ceremony on Friday May 8, 2026. If any of you would like to attend the ceremony, contact Bill at the email address below and he will help make arrangements.Please keep us informed of any changes to your contact information.
“Time marches on…and on…and on…” – 1964 Torch
Class co-councilors: Bill Robelee, wmrobelee31@gmail.com; Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman, heinzel779@aol.com
Roselle Warshaw Mironer has been enjoying living with her new life partner while her apartment in Manhattan is being renovated. She is a Spanish tutor and has been busy planning several trips abroad including South Africa, England, Curaçao, Israel, and Japan. She enjoys taking ballet and modern dance classes, is currently enrolled in a memoir writing course, and she joined the London Writers Salon. Roselle reunited with Ila Nussbaum Falvey and Mary Jane Fagan in July. “Dare I say I’ll be lobbying on ‘the Hill’ for a strong US–Israel relationship and find the rise in antisemitism horrifying. Trying to give my new Mayor a chance but expect little in the way of security for the Jews of New York. Stay healthy, don’t fall, and remember, ‘Excellence is a Habit.’”
Don and Sue Falkenbach Welch of St. Augustine Beach, FL, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in December. Three of six grandchildren have graduated from college and are now working. Don and Sue miss New York State, but enjoy their summer cabin in Rangeley, Maine.
Mary Margaret Welker Young and husband John continue to be active in their retirement. In Spring 2025 they went on an AmaWaterways river cruise in the Bordeaux area of France after spending a few days in Paris. “We saw the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral....amazing!” In September they went on a Road Scholar trip to Croatia and Montenegro, and spent seven nights on a small ship. Mary Margaret remains connected with several of her Chi Sigma Theta sisters.
Don and Randie McGurrin shared the birth of their great-granddaughter, born in January 2025. Don is a math tutor.
Class Co-Councilors: Judy (Koblintz) Madnick, jmadnick@gmail.com; Ira Rubtchinsky, irapaul@yahoo.com.
Greetings, beloved 1967 Classmates and Friends, Your ‘67 classmates and I would love to receive your news. Please email me an update on your accomplishments after graduating from UAlbany, including your travels and volunteer activities! Stay connected! Please keep in touch!
Hugs and many blessings always, Class councilor Canon Kay C. Hotaling, FHC, aspenpaepke@msn.com
Karen Jean (Joyner) Walencik passed away on November 6, 2025. She was a member of Psi Gamma sorority. She is survived by husband Thomas Walencik ’66, son Brian, and two granddaughters.
Katie Iocca is the recipient of the Class of 1964 Scholarship for 2025. Katie is working toward a Master of Science in Secondary Education. She is a member of the UAlbany track and field and cross-country teams. Katie was unable to attend the scholarship ceremony as she was competing in a tournament, but we’re planning on meeting her in the fall.
Please keep in touch with classmates by sending information to Columba or Bill for publication in future class notes.
By day and by night familiar faces appear... in familiar places... - Torch, 1964
Class co-councilors: Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman, heinzel779@aol.com; Bill Robelee, wmrobelee31@gmail.com.
Carol “Kate” Harvey Jacobs shared that her five kids invest their lives in helping others. Her middle child, Jason, partner at D.C. law firm Covington & Burling, celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary in June. He and his wife met in law school and Kate officiated their wedding ceremony. Jason received the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award in recognition of his commitment to pro bono work over the last decade. Kate says, “I am so filled with joy that all five of my kids commit their lives to helping others, so needed in times of violence and division like ours.”
Gene Tobey was in the chorus for the Philadelphia Orchestra’s performance of the Verdi Requiem at SPAC in August 2024. He also sang the piece with the Schenectady-Saratoga Orchestra at Proctor’s Theater in April. On May 5, Gene performed in the SUNY Schenectady CCC Chorus and Orchestra’s presentation of Brahms’ “Ein Deutches Requiem.”
Nicholas Argyros, who holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology & Statistics from UAlbany, retired in 2005 after 30 years conducting research studies at the state education department. He then started the Photography Center of the Capital District, a membership-based organization that included a darkroom, studio, library with 10,000 photography books, gallery, and camera museum, and featured exhibitions of regional photographers. The pandemic changed everything. Nicholas has been working on creating a Museum of the History of Photography, and acquiring thousands of vintage images from the 1800s and cameras from every decade of photography since 1840. Nicholas and Annette Gacek ’63, ’64 have been married nearly 47 years. Annette is the former head of the bureau that creates New York State Regents examinations. They have one son and one granddaughter.
Class Councilor: Judy (Koblintz) Madnick, jmadnick@gmail.com
A message from your class councilor:
Stay connected! Please keep in touch! Hugs and many blessings always.
Class Councilor: Canon Kay Carol Hotaling, FHC, aspenpaepke@msn.com
