Howard Partch Shares a Book Recommendation
(posted 5/8/23) ANACORTES, WASHINGTON —
All:
Reading a book Gordon Hall’s widow Sandy recommended. She & I occasionally trade book titles.
The book is titled “Being Mortal” written by Atul Gawande.
It is a tough book to read, but gives perspective on the years ahead.
I have not finished it (reading on my iPhone) but you might want to pick it up. Even talks about what our kids deal with as we become less & less independent. Talks about Nursing homes & how Assisted Living homes were so successful back in 1980’s-2000’s & why they failed. And a lot more.
Take care
Howard
Survey Overwhelmingly Favors Afternoon Buffets
(posted 4/20/23) YULEE, FLORIDA — Most of the results have been received from the questionnaire mailed to classmates as an aid to planning the 2024 reunion. The survey requested a choice between the traditional Friday night mixer, hors d’oeuvres and Saturday night sit-down dinner or the new alternative of both Friday and Saturday afternoon buffet luncheons. The response overwhelmingly favored the afternoon buffets by approximately 86%.
This result sets the direction for the reunion committee who will now work on picking an exact date, time, and choosing a venue and/or caterer so as to keep the costs affordable for everyone who would like to attend. I will suggest to the committee that we provide special help with seating and buffet assistance for those less mobile (yes we have some folks with canes, walkers, and wheelchairs) so that they too can fully take part and enjoy the events to the fullest.
In addition to the survey, the mailing served to verify personal and family information and change of address to be used for the new 2024 directory available with the reunion or by mail for those who cannot attend.
Thanks to all who took the time (and a postage stamp) to respond to the survey and for the thoughtful comments and appreciations.
Ron Ingrassia
Classmate Icy Bedford Passed Away at Age 83
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(posted 4/13/23) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS — Icy Lee (Bedford) Bryant passed away April 3, 2023 at age 83.
Icy attended Barbour Elementary, Washington Junior High and West High. She worked as a Pharmacy Technician at Swedish American Hospital and retired after 38 years.
A visitation for Icy will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Total Faith Community Church, 1250 South Perryville Rd, Rockford, IL, followed by a celebratory funeral service at 10:30 AM.
See Icy's obituary link for more details.
Classmate Ella Cavitt Passed Away at Age 82
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(posted 4/11/23) KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE — Ella Marie (Cavitt) Frese passed away April 8, 2023 at age 82.
Ella attended Westview Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High and all three years at West graduating in 1959. She later received degrees in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Arts in German and Masters in German Literature.
Ella was very active at West High as a member of the honorary English Society ABL, Stagecrafters, and the Warrior yearbook staff. Her involvement in the Junior Red Cross was probably a precursor to her nursing career.
See Ella's obituary link for photos and more details.
Classmates Meet in Florida to Reminisce Old Times
(posted 4/4/23) JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA — L to R: Gerry Giolitto, Bill Carriere, John Contarino, and Chuck Espy got together at Bill's house along the Atlantic April 2, 2023 to check out the beach and talk about the good old days at West.
Classmate Carol McColl Passed Away at Age 81
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(posted 4/3/23) HOLMEN, WISCONSIN — Carol Marie (McColl) Halderson passed away March 25, 2023 at age 81.
Carol attended Washington Junior High and all three years at West graduating in 1959. She later received a teaching degree from Rockford College.
See Carol's obituary link for photos and more details.
Jacqueline Ragen Passed Away at Age 81
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(posted 3/25/23) SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA — Jacqueline Marie (Ragen) Gittens passed away February 12, 2023 at the age of 81.
Jacqueline was with us through all three years of West and graduated in 1959.
She was preceded in death by her husband William E. Gittens.
Note that the father of her son Christopher Nathan Doyle was our classmate John Skopinski who died December 31, 2008. John's obituary and photo tribute by Nathan and Jacqueline is in the archive pages of this website posted 10/3/2009.
A memorial service was held Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, 710 Willow Street, San Jose.
See her obituary for more.
Malcolm Allison has passed on at Age 81
(posted 3/22/23) STRATHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Classmate Malcolm Lawrence Allison died March 7, 2023 at the age of 81.
Malcolm was with us for all three years at West High and was well known in several school activities including the orchestra, ROTC, Student Council, and Euclidean Circle. He also was involved with the school theatre Mikido, Wonderful Town, and the Wizard of Oz.
Malcolm's wife JoAnn Allison predeceased him December 11, 2010 and her obituary is on the website posted 12/15/2010.
In keeping with Malcolm’s wishes, there will be no visitation. A gathering of family and friends will be planned for early Summer.
See his obituary for more information, photos, and condolences.
Wife of Ted Hollander has Passed at Age 80
(posted 1/14/23) CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — Eleanor Hollander, wife of Classmate Adrian "Ted" Hollander, passed away January 11, 2023 at the age of 80. They were married for 59 years.
A "Celebration of Life" service will be at St. Paul's Bible Church, January 28, and broadcast via facebook live -- https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsBibleChurch at 2:30pm, with visitation before and after.
Eleanor accompanied her husband Ted for several school reunions and you can see their reunion photos in the obituary link.
Classmate Ted Marzorati Passed Away at Age 80
(posted 1/9/23) GOODYEAR, ARIZONA — We just learned that classmate Theodore Harry Marzorati passed on November 20, 2022 at the age of 80. Although not confirmed, it was speculated that he may have died from Covid 19.
Ted attended Washington Junior High and all three years at West graduating in 1959. At West he was active with the Debate class and the Forum Club. He later attended the University of Illinois School of Pharmacy in Chicago and became a Pharmacist.
Ted took Classmate Delores Corirossi to the Senior Prom and they were later married and had a daughter and two sons. Delores (Corirossi) Marzorati died December 4, 1999 at age 58 and her obituary is available in the "inmemorium" section of this website.
See Ted's obituary link for photos and more details.
Wife of Barry Doan Passed Away at Age 79
(posted 1/8/23) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS — Darlene Sharon Doan, wife of Classmate Barry William Doan, passed away January 7, 2023 at the age of 79. They were married for 44 years. Darlene accompanied her husband Barry for several reunions and you can see their reunion photos with the obituary below.
Cremation Rites will be accorded. Memorials can be made to the Redeemer Radio Mission. To share a memory or condolence, visit www.olsonfh.com.
See her obituary for more information.