Weston High School Alumni News

Your news welcome! Please continue to send in your news We'll post it here as it arrives, most recent first. Also, here's a reminder for members of all classes to send in your email addresses. (Don't forget to mention your class and where you're located.) Our alumni email address list is a great resource for keeping contact with classmates. While you're at it, why not tell us what's new in your life as well? 

1976 - Reunion news from Dolly Butler Ryan: Hello Classmates! Six months and counting until our 36th Reunion June 22-24. The Class of ’76 would like to extend an invitation to other graduates to join us at Molly Malone’s, Framingham Sheraton Tara, at 7:00 p.m. (cash bar). For information please contact Dolly Ryan at dollybutlerryan76@gmail.com. EVENT SCHEDULE: Friday, 6/22 - Molly Malone’s @ Sheraton Tara, Framingham - 7:00 p.m. (cash bar & open to other classes) - Sat. a.m., 6/23 - Golf - TBD Sat. p.m., 6/23 @ 6:30 - Cocktails, Hors d'ouevres & dinner, Southborough, MA Sun., 6/24 @ 11:00 - Brunch, Weston, MA. (1-11-12)

All classes – Marty Galligan ’77 wants to know, is anyone aware of a WHS Alumni Association or similar non-profit? Our class (1977) runs a reunion every five years and has a bank account, and it would be good to have an alumni tax ID number under which to operate. Specifically, if you manage the funds for an alumni class account, what taxpayer ID is on the account, and do you pay sales tax on the reunion expenses?  Please answer to mvgalligan at gmail dot com. (12-1-11)

All classes - There have been many METCO success stories. Graduates of Weston METCO have become doctors, lawyers, architects, teachers, social workers, film producers, city officials - the list is endless. Please help us support the METCO graduates by making a tax-deductible donation to the Weston METCO Scholarship Fund. May all their hours riding the bus to Weston pay off! Read a short letter (with instructions for making a donation) from Christine Horner ’86 and former principal Donald Pierson for the Weston METCO Scholarship Fund. (11-15-11)

Thank you from the 2012 Seniors: Kimeu Scott, Igwe Igwe-Kalu, Jorge Castro, Jr., Marquis Caesar, Richard Webb, Rashaan Powell, Katelyn Martinez, Melissa Moore, Alliyah Wheaton, and Loni Jackman

1976 - Reunion news from Dolly Butler Ryan: Hello classmates. Can you believe it’s been 35 years! Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 23, 2012. Details to follow.  Please confirm you email address on this list serve or send a confirmation to dollybutlerryan76@gmail.com.

1965 - Lev Flint is wasting no time in Reunion planning. He writes: The Class of 65 is planning a reunion for November 2012 when most of us…turn 65. Please email your current contact information (and any others you know) to Lev Flint at lflint@wilevco.com. We need to know the level of interest so we can plan the venue. Tentatively so far: Friday night at the Jones House, Saturday breakfast at the high school cafeteria, Saturday football game (if scheduled), Saturday night casual …something. Check in NOW! (8-16-11)

1971 - The Class of ’71 will be celebrating their 40th Reunion on Saturday, September 17th, at the Woodland Golf Club. Reconnect, Remember, and Renew friendships! For further details and weekend activities please contact Nellee (Higgins) Fine: nellee_h_fine@ lahey.org (7-21-11)

1991 - From Vivian Chong: The Class of 1991 will be having our 20th Reunion on October 1st, 2011, at Regis College at 7pm. There will also be a family event during the day on October 1st. Please continue to check our WHS Class of 1991 Reunion page on Facebook for details:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/180495905324751
If you have not received an Evite from us, please contact me ASAP at vivianchong@rcn.com. RSVP’s are due by August 1st!  Looking forward to catching up with everyone in the Fall! (7-21-11)

1961 - To the Class of 1961: Fifty-one years ago, in the spring of 1960, you and your high school classmates took part in Project Talent. Together with over 400,000 students from every corner of the country, your class participated in two days of testing that assessed your aptitudes and abilities on dozens of subject areas. You also completed an extensive questionnaire that asked about your interests, extracurricular activities, family background and your hopes and expectations for the future.

The scope and scale of the Project Talent study was unprecedented. It was the largest study of high school students ever conducted in the United States. The findings from the original 1960 study and its three follow-up studies have informed over 450 government reports, academic articles, and scholarly books. They were instrumental in revealing the factors, both within and beyond the school system, that influence students’ educational attainment.

All Classes - Thanks to Ned Pendergast (husband and parent of WHS alumni) for this alert: The Weston Lacrosse Alumni Game will take place May 27 at 4:00 pm. For updates and further information, please contact Coach Jim Wilcon: coachwil1@comcast.net. (4-26-11)

1951-1990’s - We are grieved to report the death of Thelma Hoyle, revered Weston High teacher for 41 years, on March 17 at her home in Alpine, TX. She is survived by her husband Al Hoyle. Ms. Hoyle headed the business education program at the high school, where she was in the vanguard as business practices and technology advanced at an accelerating pace. The first teacher to bring computers into the classroom, she was mentor to many students, from leaders to strugglers, and was a faculty leader in organizations and committees for many years. Since retirement she had been active in church initiatives in Texas to help those in need. Calling hours Wednesday, March 30, at the Blake Funeral Home in Chelmsford, from 4-8 PM. Funeral service 11 AM. Thursday, March 31, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 260 Gorham Street, Lowell, MA, 978-453-5423. Condolences may be sent to Albert Hoyle, P.O. Drawer 1628, Sunny Glen, Alpine, TX  77380. Donations in memory of Thelma Hoyle may be made to The International Order of St. Luke the Physician (a Christian healing ministry) at
http://orderofstluke.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=16
or mail a check directly to P.O. Box 780909, San Antonio, TX 78278-0909. Please see the full death notice that appeared March 22 in the Globe (3-19-11) (Updated 3-22-11)

1981 - Cathy Gee Graney sends this invitation: The Class of 1981 is actively looking for classmates to join in the planning for and celebration of our 30th reunion to be hosted this summer. Anyone interested in joining the conversations via email and/or Facebook, please contact westonhighclass1981@yahoo.com. (3-1-11)

1981- Prolific author Barry Zellen writes: My newest book is just out. It’s called: State of Doom: Bernard Brodie, the Bomb, and the Birth of the Bipolar World (Continuum Books, December 2011.) Here’s a link to the publisher’s page w/more info:
http://www.continuumbooks.com/books/detail.aspx?BookId=162551&SubjectId=1023&Subject2Id=1722
Thought alums from ’81 and thereabouts might be interested - it’s on a topic I’ve been fascinated by since the mid-1970s! (12-25-11)

1969 - Diane Davis is living in rural AZ pursuing my passion of horses. I have been a registered nurse for coming up on 40 yrs. I do have a Master’s in Health Administration. Spent most of my career in critical care and management. (12-15-11)

1972 – Susan Wilson-Davis just came across this website. What a trip down memory lane for me! I was saddened to hear that so many friends and acquaintance from school have passed away. But happy to hear that some of my school mates have continued on to have families and successful careers. My mother, Loretta Wilson, is 90 years old now and still very active in her horticultural groups and organizations in Sun City West, AZ. My brother, David Wilson ’70,  is retired and living in in the city of Surprise, AZ. I am still in residential real estate selling desert land and homes in northwest metro Phoenix. I was married and divorced in the 80’s as well. I have managed to dodge the bullets of matrimony since then. I prefer the freedom. I guess I’m still a free spirit after all these years! I do miss the ocean, beaches and seafood of the Cape. Some day I expect  to come back to New England to see what has changed. I have found much to love about the desert lifestyle. It keeps me in the Southwest. I enjoyed going to Mexico as often as I could until the battles at our border became more dangerous. I live outside of Phoenix in the northwest valley. I have been lucky enough to be healthy for most of my life. No big medical problems. Although “senior citizenship” is creeping in. If anyone out there would like to get in touch with me, you can email me at peanyone@hotmail.com anytime. (11-30-11)

1972 - Having spent his first 10 years of schooling in Weston with the Class of 1972, Steve Gates updates: I was schooled in Weston from K - 9 and then moved when my dad retired to Maine in 1970. So I have many childhood friends from Weston that I have fallen out of touch with. I would enjoy being back in touch and hope to learn about any reunion plans that might get organized in the coming months. After leaving Weston, I graduated from Hebron Academy and Tufts University before pursuing a career in environmental engineering - particularly active in developing water supply projects for major cities across the country. We have two teenage kids attending the Brooks School in No. Andover now, so the household is busy with all that comes with high school - sports, music, social, driving, college prep....It would be great to catch up with my Weston schoolmates -- frozen in my mind are the memories of Weston High School in the fall of 1969....Hopefully we’ll recognize each other should we meet again.(11-11-11)

1972 - Update from Pam Warren: I just wanted to let my classmates know what is going on with me. I have had some health challenges over the last year-and-a-half, beginning with a small stroke on Christmas eve of 2009 that damaged my visual cortex and affected my vision. In May of 2011, I was diagnosed with uterine cancer and have been going through various treatments. I got through surgery and the first round of chemo and will start radiation soon, probably followed by more chemo. It's been pretty difficult, but hopefully I will eventually be cancer free. I still play mandolin occasionally with my friends, and last winter I completed my first novel which I'm hoping will get published. I live in Sudbury with my husband Kris. My son Gabriel is 24 and works as an illustrator for a publishing company. My former classmates Alison Mork and Ruth Landowne Giordano visited me during the summer. It was great to reconnect and I enjoyed their company immensely. Best wishes to all my former classmates for good health and happiness. (10-10-11)

1981 - Author Barry Zellen, has published a new 4-volume series, The Realist Tradition in International Relations - Foundations of Western Order (Praeger). This comprehensive foundation for the study of realism will introduce students in disciplines as varied as philosophy, international relations, and strategic studies to the majestic breadth of the realist tradition that unifies them all. The work is comprised of four volumes, each focusing upon a distinct period and the pivotal contributors writing in that era. Volume 1, State of Hope, looks at the classical era when chaos reigned supreme. Volume 2, State of Fear, goes through the early-modern period and the emergence of the modern state. Volume 3, State of Awe, explores the age of total war with its unprecedented dangers. Volume 4, State of Siege, examines the present era of insurgency and asymmetrical conflict. More information can be found at these links: Publisher’s page; Foreword to series; and Amazon preview of chapter 1. (10-6-11)

1971 – Sharon Sawyer Cross offers just a little update on what’s happening in my household. Our son, Clay, just got married 2 weeks ago at our home in Maine on the lake. He met his bride in college at Keene State and they resided in Burbank, CA, until last year when they moved to Boston. He works for CSN Corp., an internet company, and she works for Trader Joe’s but will go back to school for nursing in 2012. Our daughter, Chandler, was one of the 326 out of 125,000 auditioners selected from Season 10 of American Idol and they sent us to Hollywood where she competed. She made it through 7 rounds of producers and exec. producers and of course made it through JLo, Steven and Randy, but on the second round was let go. (It was an interesting experience but certainly NOT reality as in “reality tv.”) My husband, Chuck, is now working for Wells Fargo as Senior Counsel in Charlotte, N.C., and maintains a residence there, but we still have our homes in RI and in Maine. Due to the economy we will not be able to sell the home in RI, so I remain here while Chandler finishes Mount St. Charles Academy. We have 2 more international students living with us. This make a total of 14 students in the past 20 years. We have two girls from China, Pinzhou and Jinxiang. It is an interesting task to get our daughter, Chandler, and these two girls on all the college tours and through all the applications. These international students have been with us for 2 years and will matriculate into college in the USA. Due to the economy, my design business, Sphere Design, is not doing as well as I would like, so I have been looking into other business ventures.....more news on that as it develops! (9 -27-11)

2003 - Sad news from the Boston Globe, September 18, 2011: Oliver James Strasenburgh, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, formerly of Weston, MA, died as the victim of a homicide on August 15th, 2011, aged 26. Beloved son of Louise Strasenburgh and James Strasenburgh, brother of Toby and Sarah, grandson of Mrs. Ada Strasenburgh and Mrs. Alys Houghton. Survived by many relatives and friends. Born in Puerto Rico, Oliver graduated from The Fessenden School and Weston High School’s Class of 2003. A memorial service will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Weston, MA, on Saturday, September 24th at 2pm. (9-20-11)

1963 - On September 8, 2007, Kitora Ann Bartley (Flint) lost her battle with lymphoma. Family and friends marveled at her strength and positive attitude to the end and cherish the wonderful legacy she left us. (From Leverett P. Flint, her favorite (and only) brother, Class of 1965.) (8-18-11)

1975 - Elizabeth Boyd Colvin (Liz): I’m working at Benemax in Medfield MA as an Employee Benefits Producer. My husband Randy and I live in Ashland MA. I have a 24-year-old son, Sam, and a 25-year-old step-son, Jeff. I’d love to hear news at elizcolvin@verizon.net.

1997 - Joshua R. Dupee reports on an engaged life: I currently work with addicts and alcoholics in the field of substance abuse counseling. I have been involved in A.A. and N.A. for over seven years as I myself am a recovering addict/alcoholic. I help promote drug awareness and have lectured in several rehab and detox units throughout the country. I am working on a book about my personal experience with drugs and alcohol which is due out next year. (4-24-11)

1965 - Sad news: Peter Heidt died on 3/4/11 while visiting his daughter in San Francisco. His brother, Jeff Heidt ’63, announces a “celebratory party (really ) at the Pierce House in Lincoln, 3/19/2011, from noon to 4:00. Let his brother Jeff know if you plan to attend. Jheidt@verrilldana.com. Bring picture or memory or a story. This should be fun! -Jeff” (3-15-11)

1981 - Andrea Sawyer Redlitz catches us up from her home in Orange Park, Florida: I have been married for 22+ years to my husband, John. We have 4 sons, Christopher (22), Aaron (20), Joshua (18) and Conrad (15). I am a Licensed Physical Therapist, but am currently not employed after having recently left a 9 year position as an Outpatient Rehab Manager at a local Skilled Nursing Facility. I will be returning to work soon as a PRN. (3-10-11)

1971 - Here’s a healthy update from David Richardson, now living in Worcester: It seems strange that 2011 is here. It has been 40 years this June that I graduated from Weston High. It is great to be alive with all my health problems. It is also hard to see a lot of classmates that have passed away. I still help the people that have physical problems, because I know what it’s like not being able to do what everyone else does. Hopefully I am finally cancer free. Hope to come to the 40th class Reunion. See you then. (3-10-11)

1988 - Sad news. At the age of 41, Peter Condakes, passed away Sunday, March 6, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. Gee Gee Blair Bishop ’89 reports, with a heavy heart, that his family is struck with grief, as are so many who loved him. Peter was a wonderful brother, son, uncle, cousin, nephew and friend. Harry Thompson ’84 asks us “to say a prayer for the family of my old friend and teammate. Rest in peace, my friend.” Peter’s wake will be held Tuesday, March 8, 4:00 to 7:00 pm at St. Demetrios Church, 57 Brown Street, Weston. His funeral is Wednesday, March 9, 10:00 am, same location. Peter’s family thanks you for your love, support and prayers.

1971 - Sad news. We have learned that Bill Morrison died unexpectedly Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the Nashoba Valley Medical Center, Ayer MA, after being stricken ill at his home earlier that evening. Read the full obituary, including details about visiting hours Wednesday, March 2, and the funeral Mass on Thursday, March 3. (3-1-11)

1981 - MetroWest Daily News staff photographer Ken McGagh won 9 awards for his photographs in 2010. Among his award-winning photos are an image of Janice Milley overcome with grief as the body of her son, Army Lt. Scott Milley, arrived at Hanscom Air Force base; a photo of an accused in juxtaposition to the accuser; and the humorous Drive Through, of a woman tossing bread from her car to ducks at Hager Pond in Marlborough.You can see seven of McCagh’s winning photos at:
http://media.townonline.com/metrowestdaily/slideshow/mcgagh2010/ (3-1-11)

See Archives - WHS Alumni News from Previous Years