Class Notes — Spring 2016

’50s

Sr. Anne Callahan, C’59 and USM Professor Emeritus, Leavenworth, Kan., retired as Director of Liturgy for the SCL Mother House/Ross Hall. In 1996, Sr. Anne retired from Saint Mary and served as Director of Liturgy since.

’60s

Sr. Ann Moylan, C’61, Topeka, Kan., and the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth were honored at the Five Hearts Gala hosted by Most Pure Heart of Mary School, Topeka, Kan. Sr. Ann was recognized as “a champion for those in need, always trusting that God will provide.” She performs works of mercy on a regular basis and has ministered at Most Pure Heart of Mary two times: 1979, she was a teacher’s aide with kindergartners at the school; 1995, she transitioned to parish ministry to the aging. She visits people in their homes, local hospitals, and nursing homes.

Dr. Charlene Sexton, C’68, Louisville, Ky., retired as a hospice, palliative, and bereavement care social worker at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center. She provided holistic, patient-centered, and family supportive care in an acute care teaching hospital serving a 30-county, two-state area. As a Clinical Instructor in the University of Louisville’s Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, she co-led and taught how to conduct family meetings to determine the patient’s goals. She also conducted a bereavement study published in Smith College Studies in Social Work Journal, July 2013.

Donna Kieffer DesMarteau, C’68, Kansas City, Mo., was honored for years of teaching dance with integrity, talent, leadership, spirit, and heart. She started her own studio in 1971, and it is now the third oldest studio in Kansas City. This begins her 45th competition season—entertaining audiences with dancers who represent every genre of dance.

Linda Spano Jenkins, C’68, Alexandria, La., a retired kindergarten teacher, enjoys volunteering in her grandson’s school.

Maggie Hutcheson Perkins, C’68, Keller, Texas, recieved a lung transplant in Dec. 2015. The transplant has gone well, and Maggie is progressing back to
good health.

Virginia Sander, C’68, Cape Girardeau, Mo., retired recently after 47 years of Catholic school teaching. She was on campus recently—visiting her aunt who is in the SCL community.

Mary Anne Millard Brown, C’69, Shawnee, Kan., retired as a Catholic middle school teacher. She was busy in February helping with the Science Olympiad of Northeast Kansas, which involves about 1,000 middle school and high school students from over 50 schools, their teachers, team coaches, sponsors, supervisors, judges, teachers, and parents. Professors and students from Saint Mary teamed up with Mary Anne to help with the Science Olympiad, including one of Mary Anne’s former teachers, Sr. Mary O’Rourke, C’47.

’70s

Sr. Marie Kathleen Daugherty, C’70, M’08, Kansas City, Kan., was named the first Donnelly College Endowed Chair in the Humanities in Nov. 2015. As she holds this position, Sr. Marie Kathleeen will continue teaching courses while overseeing the Sr. Jerome Keeler Lecture Series, in addition to conducting research and curriculum development for the college.

Elizabeth “Sugar” Davis, C’73, Topeka, Kan., retired in January after 41 years at Stormont Vail HealthCare as a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. She thanks Saint Mary for providing the foundation to build
her career.

Pat Regan, C’74, Columbia, Md., was elected to head the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate (MCA), an international association of Catholic laity founded in 1909 by a Vincentian priest, Fr. Thomas A. Judge. The MCA today has over 500 associates throughout the U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico. Her four-year term began in May 2015.

Marina Garcia O’Sullivan, C’75, Leawood, Kan., was a participant in “Dancing with the Kansas City Stars,” a fundraising gala to benefit Cristo Rey High School in Kansas City, which is sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth.

A group of Saint Mary alumni attended the event to cheer for Marina, who received the Judge’s Choice award.

Alison Banikowski, C’75, Olathe, Kan. was recognized for supporting music education in her roll as Deputy Superintendent of Olathe Public Schools. The Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) recognized Alison as the 2016 KMEA Honor Administrator. This award is given to administrators who demonstrate continued leadership in developing, improving, and supporting music education within a wider commitment to the arts—including music, theatre, visual arts, and dance.

’80s

Sr. Diane Steele, C’83, USM President, Leavenworth, Kan., was presented the Athena Award on Nov. 17, 2015 during a luncheon in Leavenworth, Kan. The Women’s Division of the Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce presents the award every year to a local woman for her professional excellence, community service, and active assistance to women in the attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. Thirty years ago, Sr. Mary Janet McGilley, C’45, former Saint Mary President and Professor Emeritus, was recipient of the first Athena award.

Sr. Amy Willcott, C’83, Denver, Colo., received the Spirit of Saint Vincent Award from Mount Saint Vincent in Denver on Nov. 20, 2015 at the annual Silver Bell Ball. Sr. Amy served as Executive Director. A special presentation featuring co-workers and friends highlighted her dedication to Mount Saint Vincent, her genuine and caring nature, and her commitment to the teachings of St. Vincent de Paul.

’90s

Carmen Gramajo-Moser, C’94, Kansas City, Mo., was recipient of the Humanitarian Award for Service by Medical Missions Foundation (MMF) in Lenexa, Kan. Carmen’s first experience with MMF was in 2007 in her home country of Guatemala. She participated as a translator, coordinated the San Lucas Toliman mission for eight years, and helped scout new locations for future trips in Guatemala. She and her husband, Dennis, created a clean drinking water initiative for San Lucas Toliman, while she also serves on the Medical Missions Foundation Board.

Amy Armstrong Maggio, C’96, Redmond, Wash., and her husband, Bill, are expecting a baby boy in July. This will be their second child.

’00s

Michael Evans, U’06 and Becky Forge Evans, U’07, Leavenworth, Kan., are parents of a new baby boy, Augie.

LaKaito Barr-Miller, U’08, Parsons, Kan., was featured in the “Parsons Sun” after taking a new job with the Parsons Recreation Commission as the Activity Supervisor. LaKaito played football at USM while earning a degree in sport management with a minor in coaching. After graduation, he played arena football with the Kansas Koyotes of Topeka for six years.

Lindee Peterson, U’09, Butte, Mont., married Ben Englehart on Nov. 21, 2015. Lindee is the daughter of Mandy Burns Peterson, C’80, M’01. Lindee’s brother is Geoff Peterson, U’09, her sister-in-law is Becky Summers Peterson, U’09, and Lindee’s niece is Ashley Packham Peterson, U’10.

Ashley Packham Peterson, U’10, Wheat Ridge, Colo., and husband Dustin, gave birth to a baby girl, Laila, on Leap Day. Laila was born “en caul” (in sac). This happens 1 in 80,000 births, and it’s considered one of the rarest births in the world. Folklore states a baby born en caul is destined for greatness and a life of good luck with a natural affinity to water. Laila is the granddaughter of Mandy Burns Peterson, C’80, M’01, and niece of Geoff Peterson, U’09, Becky Summers Peterson, U’09, and Lindee Peterson Englehart, U’09.

Julie Sandstede, M’10, Hibbing, Minn., is a candidate for the Minnesota House District 6A seat. This is Julie’s first run for public office, and she said was encouraged by family, friends, and colleagues. Julie has been teaching music for 19 years. If elected, she plans to focus on education. She serves as co-president of the teachers’ union Virginia Education Association, serves as a volunteer firefighter/first responder, a member of the Mesabi Community Orchestra, and director of the Hibbing City Band.

Friends/Faculty/Staff

Kelly Stark, Career Support Services Coordinator, gave birth to a baby girl.