1960s
1960
Barbara Jacoby Adelstein lives in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and keeps busy with friends, swimming, art class, and her family and home. She has four grandchildren.
Linda Ostrom Goodwin recently lost her husband of 59 years and sold her home. She just acquired a 6-year-old poodle, who has become her buddy. After earning her degree from Lasell, she received her bachelor’s at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York, and went on to teach kindergarten for 35 years in New York and Tennessee. Writes Linda, who lived in Chandler House as a student, “Lasell holds many wonderful memories for me. The friends I made there are so cherished. I hear from a few, although I’m down South and miss New England. Lasell showed me how to mature and become independent.”
Carole Raffel Waksler writes that she has “lots keeping me busy.” She stays in touch with Martha “Muff” Goodwin Bissonnette and would love to connect with anyone from the Class of 1960.
1961
Class Secretary
Elaine Butler Ryan
Betty Hood traveled to Europe with her 26-year-old granddaughter in October 2022. After three days in Prague, they headed to Germany for a cruise on the Danube River through Austria and ending in Hungary. Betty writes, “It was perfect and a great bonding experience!”
Diane “Dee Dee” Despard Hellerung, Linda Leser Hughes, and Milly Gillis Pereira gathered at Barbara “Babs” Burns Baeder’s home in Fort Myers, Florida, for a Super Bowl party. They all reside in Florida either full time (Dee Dee and Linda) or as “snowbirds” (Milly and Babs).
1962
Class Secretary
Joan Sastavickas Curtin
Jean Haggerty Coloutti writes that her husband, Joe, passed away in September 2022 after 54 years of marriage. She finished her eighth four-year term as an assistant judge in Vermont in January and now looks forward to keeping busy through volunteer work, gardening, and spending time with her two sons and their families, who live nearby.
1963
Jean Barber Castka has been married to her high school sweetheart, Alan, for 57 years. They live in Chesapeake, Virginia, and Naples, Florida. She would love to hear from nursing school friends at jcastka43@gmail.com.
1964
Ruth DeWitt Ghia reports that she and her husband enjoyed a two-week cruise from Amsterdam to the Arctic Circle along the beautiful coast of Norway. She keeps in contact and occasionally has lunch with Joan Keefe Feloney, who lives just an hour away. She stays in touch monthly by email with Pat Perry Polidor, Joy Raymond Carey, and Joan. They recently added Dianne Farr Vigil to their communications group. They are hoping to resume their excursions to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, or some other lovely place for their traditional two-day reunions. Ruth writes, “I hope that everyone is doing well. I look forward to our 60th Reunion next year.”
1965
A group of nine graduates of Lasell’s nursing program who continue to meet on Zoom enjoyed a recent discussion about the evolution of nursing caps. The nurses recalled their stiffly laundered caps and how difficult it was to push the buttons in to shape the cap. The caps originated in the early Christian era as a head covering for deaconesses or nuns who cared for the sick. Nursing schools had specific caps for their students; Lasell’s featured a light blue velvet stripe attached for each year completed. At graduation, the blue stripes were replaced by one black velvet stripe. Pictured above top row: Joan Snipes Bigelow as a student. Bottom row: Marsha Graziano Ballantyne and Dee Dee Hanley McGrath modeling their nursing caps today.
1966
Barbie Rich Dennis reports that she and Nancy Bliss exchange book suggestions as a way to keep in touch with each other.
1967
Class Secretary
Katherine McDonough Ryan P’03
Suzanne Hill Ladd established a scholarship at Stoughton High School in Massachusetts in memory of her nephew Charles Costa, who died in April 2022 at the age of 47 from a severe stroke. Charles was the son of Pamela Hill Costa ’65. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who has enjoyed chorus or choir and plans to pursue endeavors in music. Charles was a talented musician and founding member of Brothermaniac. To donate to the scholarship fund, message Suzanne (shladd47@gmail.com). She writes, “I met my lifelong friend Gini Beecher by joining the chorus at Lasell, and I know how music can cause enjoyment. It did so much for me!”
Beth Anderson Roy enjoyed a wonderful trip to the “Mighty 5” national parks in Utah. She writes, “It’s a gorgeous place to visit and not very crowded after Thanksgiving.” Katie Ryan P’03 is now a permanent resident of South Carolina. She is enjoying the warm weather and exploring all that Charleston has to offer.
1969
Mary Anne Conboy G’15 reports that she has now read or listened to more than 500 books since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
Eugenie Alexion Trefz is enjoying an active retirement in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, where she has lived for 45 years. She taught elementary school and preschool in addition to operating her own day care center. Eugenie earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of New Mexico. She writes, “I am sending my love to the friends I made at Lasell and remembering the wonderful times we had there. Attending Lasell was one of the highlights of my life.”
