Class Notes
The Class Notes section of Leaves includes items submitted by class secretaries and alumni, along with information gathered from press releases, news stories, and websites. Notes are edited for clarity and space. Unfortunately, we cannot verify factual content of submissions. In the interest of protecting alumni privacy, it is the policy of University Advancement not to share personal information. Please contact the office if you wish to connect with a fellow alumnus. If you are interested in serving as a class secretary, please contact David Nathan, director of communications and stewardship, at 617-243-2344 or alumni@lasell.edu.
1941
Constance Courtois Gillen (pictured above) died on October 16, 2021. According to her daughter Pamela, Connie joined the U.S. Navy after graduating from Lasell and served at the Naval Air Station in DeLand, Florida, where she met her husband. After raising five children, she became a full-time elementary school teacher for 20 years. Writes Pam, “She was so proud to serve in World War II as were so many other Lasell women who enlisted as soon as they turned 20 and received their parents’ approval.”
Doris Stamatos Conomos passed away on November 25, 2020, at the age of 94, according to her daughter Margaret. While Doris was a day student at Lasell, she worked part time at her father Nicholas’ grocery store, Stamatos Brothers Market, at 1679 Washington St. in Boston. She spoke fondly of her days at Lasell and enjoyed her classes and activities, including archery and duckpin bowling. Doris recalled poet Robert Frost’s visit to campus. She and her husband, the Rev. George Nicholas Economos, a Greek Orthodox priest, served six communities across the country. Doris assisted in each parish community, including teaching both Sunday School and Greek school. She also raised four children, and when her youngest started elementary school, Doris became a teacher in the Jersey City Public Schools. Doris was the first woman in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree and later went on to receive a master’s. Her sister Georgia Stamatos Critsley ’42 passed away on October 23, 2020.
Alyssa Lajoie joined CIL in the newly created position of marketing coordinator. To help tell the story of the real estate development nonprofit’s mission, solutions, and approach, she produces and develops internal and external marketing communication materials. Alyssa previously worked in the marketing department at a construction company for six years.
Denise Archetto, assistant director for strategic communications at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG), received a prestigious Rising Star Award from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The award honors a CoSIDA member with 10 years of service or fewer whose work, service, dedication, energy, and enthusiasm make that individual a “rising star” in athletic communications. Denise is in her first year at UNCG after spending the last five at Stonehill College. She has the day-to-day responsibility for women’s soccer, softball, women’s golf, and men’s and women’s cross-country/track and field.
Myranda Smith Hurst and her husband, Joshua, welcomed their first child, Easton (pictured left), into the world in September 2021.
Jessica Santos has had a busy year. She welcomed Scout, a black lab (pictured left), to her household and was promoted to lead clinic coordinator at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Taylor Hughey (pictured left) earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Sacred Heart University and works at the Bridge Boston Charter School as an occupational therapist.
Brandi Johnson (pictured right) is a social media and marketing assistant at Community Based Services, a human services organization devoted to supporting people with autism and other developmental disabilities. She is also pursuing her master’s degree in digital marketing at Sacred Heart University. “The best part,” she writes, “is moving toward getting engaged to my partner.”
Matt Berentsen (pictured with Shannon Hart ’18) served as a freelance digital production assistant for NBC Sports’ coverage of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in February. He worked out of the network’s broadcast center in Stamford, Connecticut.
Geralson Withrow started a full-time job as a customer service associate at Topo Athletic, a running shoe company in Framingham, Massachusetts. In his role, he answers questions from customers about running. He writes, “As a runner myself, I couldn’t really ask for more.”
