By the Way

by Jennie Reed

Ursuline Class of ‘55 hosts reunion

Since our last issue, dear friend Julia Deliganis passed into a better life. She had hoped to celebrate her 100 th birthday in January, but she lived every day of her life and had no regrets. It was a pleasure to know this spunky and savvy businesswoman and genuine human being.

Cousin Sarah Bruni Magnon did celebrate her 100 th among family and friends. She resides at the senior citizens' home.

Seems when one gets to a certain age, reading the obits in the first order of the day. We have noticed the recent passing of James Ragsdale and James Thomas Nesbitt , once vital citizens of our town who moved away many years ago. But as we always say, if you ever lived in Laredo , you are never forgotten. We also learned of the recent passing of Dr. James Reitman . At a time when a school is being dedicated to the late Dr. Murray Malakoff , it brought to mind these two dedicated physicians who gave so much to our community.

We have been corresponding with Orville McClain , who married Annette Bunn , known to all as Nettie . He spoke kindly of our parents, Tom and Jennie Lynd Lang Leyendecker . He has shared memories of those long-ago days with us. Very much appreciated. Now 94, he writes a clear hand. Mama and his sister-in-law Patty Sue Bunn were great friends as girls. His children Gail, Phyllis and Bonnie were our peers. Nettie is the last of the original W.Y. Bunn family, he explained.

We were at the Country Club at the Elysian Club luncheon and found out that Mr. Albert Gates was celebrating his 90 th birthday in one of the other rooms at the Club. We could not resist peeking in and asking if we could snap a photo. We had never met Mr. Gates, but when his wife Dorothy Jean explained whose daughter we were, he smiled and said, “Oh, your mother was a beauty. I danced many a mile with her.” He promised us a date to sit down and remember yesterday. We look forward to it. How nice to hear good things about our beloved mom, who would also be 90, if she had lived. We snapped a picture of the couple with their children Tom Gates, Linda Gates Pederson, Louise Gates Davis, and Richard Gates.

Yet another of their era who has survived the years with grace is Josephine Daiches Brand , who celebrated her 96 th this month. Her family honored her with a luncheon on July 27 th . They gathered from near and far. To everyone's amusement, her grandson Joseph Falic announced as she blew out her candles that she had lived 35,040 days. A future mathematician?

David and Kitty Welsh Dudics sent us the announcement of their daughter Carmen Luna's marriage in San Antonio to Scott Martindale .

We have also learned that Ana Lee Sanchez will marry Marc Jacobs in January in Houston .

In the mailbag, a nice note from the officers and sponsor of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Laredo Community College . They thanked GL for coverage of recent events

As we hope for rain, we all try to conserve our precious water supply by limiting lawn watering. We should all strive to include more xeriscape into our landscape. This can be done by incorporating more native plants that require less watering into the landscape. This concept used to be thought of as planting cactus. Not so. Addicted as we are to the television channels that feature homes and gardens, we are adapting more and more native plants such as lantana, bougainvillea,, Esperanza and other low maintenance plants. The goal is to reduce the amount of thirsty and high maintenance lawn. A recent Letter to the Editor by Cristina Hughes , a Science teacher at Christen Middle School made so many good points on protecting our precious water supply. She suggested checking the Internet for ideas. We bricked much of our back yard area and are pleased with the result. Another goal is to finally try to make time for the Master Gardening classes offered by County Extension Agent George Gonzalez. We just received a brochure. Classes begin in September.

Darling Tenchita Gonzalez sent us coverage of her Ursuline Academy Class of 1955 50 th year reunion held almost to the day of their graduation on May 29 th 1955. It caught up with us in time for this issue. Sounds like they had a great time.

Out of town arrivals were greeted at a hospitality held at the Courtyard Marriot on the Friday of the reunion, amidst tears, abrazos and laughter. Most of those in attendance had not seen each other since graduation day. Memorabilia of those school years was displayed. Music of the 50's era played throughout the evening and included Angelito and other selection by Rene & Rene.

A Holy Mass was celebrated on Saturday, at the former Ursuline Academy Chapel where the Class's commencement exercises were held 50 years ago. Father Toby Guerrero officiated at the service assisted by Deacons Susano Mascorro and John Milton. Readings were by Marianita García Milton , President of the class; Vice President Carmen Elizalde de los Santos and Marina Gonzalez García . Offering of the gifts was by Mark & Heber Hileana Pena García . Special intentions were offered for teachers now gone to their heavenly reward. The beautiful floral altar arrangement of gold gladioli and red roses depicting the school colors of maroon and gold was a gift from Alfredo and Carmen de los Santos .

Father Guerrero delivered a brief homily and congratulated the alumni for achieving their goals in life and for their parents' efforts in providing each with a good Catholic education.

Before the end of the service, a special blessing was given to former District Judge Ruben García and his wife, Naomi “Chacha” Peña García as they celebrated their 45 th wedding anniversary to the day and hour of their union.

At the end of the service, a mini tour of the school was conducted by Ms. Susie Schaeffer , also a former Ursuline alumnus. They all converged on the patio where the Jr.-Sr.- proms and many other events were held.

A reception followed at the Courtyard Marriott where a gigantic congratulatory banner welcomed the attendees. Tables were centered with gold gladiolas and burgundy mum arrangements depicting the school colors. These were a gift from Mike and Narcisa Cisneros Valdez . A photo of Ursuline Academy that included memorabilia of the 50's and rolled into diploma replicas was a gift from Mary Ester Haen . Naomi “Chacha” Peña García presented each one with a gift of her Estano creations.

The following were recognized; Marina Gonzalez García , First Lady of Austin, Texas and wife of Gustavo García , Austin's first Hispanic Mayor; Hortencia “Tenchita” Cano Gonzalez , the first and only woman elected City Secretary in Laredo's 250 year history Sister Rita Joseph Mascorro , only religious in the group; Heber Hileana Pena García, having traveled the farthest, as well as having received special studies in Spanish in Mexico City; Naomi Pena García studied the special art of estano in Toluca, Mexico and has opened her own shop n the Austin area; Narcias Cisneros Valdez, the youngest and only great grandmother in the group; Emilia Quintanilla Montemayor, with the most grandchildren.

Special recognition was given to honor guest and former teacher Mrs. Norma Zuniga Benavides . Another special guest was Aurorita Dominguez Cruz , Class of ‘56, who presented each member of the Class of ‘55 with a memento of the occasion.

All resolved to keep in touch and plans were discussed for next year's reunion.

Those in attendance included Mark and Heber H. Pena García, Reston, Virginia; Susano and Maria Elisa García Mascorro, Dayton, Ohio; Alfredo and Carmen Elizalde de los Santos, Tempe, Arizona; Gustavo and Marina Gonzalez García, Austin, Texas; John and Marianita García Milton, Trinity, Texas; Ruben and Naomi Pena García, Austin, Texas; Rosa Gonzalez Chapa, Cedar Park, Texas; Emilia Quintanilla Montemayor , Nuevo Laredo, Tamps., Mexico; Adriana Trevino Villarreal, Nuevo Laredo, Tamps., Mexico; Mike and Narcisa Cisneros Valdez , Pete and Yolanda Guajardo Cantu , Luz Esther Keith Perez , Ester de las Fuentes Haen, Sister Rita Joseph Mascorro ; and Hortencia Cano Gonzalez , all of Laredo.

Sending congratulatory message were Celeste Gutierrez Narro , Rio Grande City, Texas ; Elia Olivarez Perez , Roma, Texas; Carmela Moreno Marmolejo , Edinburg, Texas; Katherine Cazamias Hrissikopoulas , Corpus Christi, Texas; Julieta Ramirez, Beltran, Anaheim, California; Enriqueta Aguilar Benavides , Laredo.

Other class members were Barbara Flores Cigarroa , Maria Antonieta “Bebe” Montemayor, Mary Lou Montelongo, Martha Martinez, Zonia Yzaguirre, and Maria de la Luz Gaona Benavides.

The committee in charge of arrangements included Mary Ester de la Fuentes Haen , Narcisa C. Valdez, Sister Rita Joseph Mascorro and Tencha Gonzalez.

The Women's City Club sponsored a back to school fashion show put on by K Mart. It was nice to visit with old friends and meet new ones while enjoying lunch and seeing the darling little models sport the latest school fashions.

We were invited for lunch and to meet the Elysian Social Club debs that will be presented in their annual Black and White Ball on Nov. 5.

The tradition is that everyone must wear black and white, with no exceptions. Heard stories of people being turned away who ignored the rule.

This year's debs include Christine Louise Ramos, Christina Cabello, Andrea Rae Molina, Jessica Kristina Palos and Sondra Venegas. Also Melissa Anne Cavazos, Alicia Gabriela Vasques Esquinca, Lisa Marie García, Dennis e Desiree Gonzalez and Clarissa Castaneda.

Also being presented are Amanda Gannett Muños, Yahaira Yaniz Osoria, Elizabeth Palacios and Victoria Palacios . Completing the group are Klarissa Benavides, Bianca Medellin, Sasha Lee Ramos, Tiphani Lynn Benavides and Carla Chapa. Stephanie Meza , and Kimberly Nicole Rodriquez complete the group of young ladies, but were unable to be at the function.

Members of the Club who were present included President Consuelo Ramirez , as well as Edna Santos, Lydia Ramos, Rosie de la Garza, Sylvia Valdez, Issy Madrigal, Tenchita Gonzalez, Adela Gutierrez, Chelo Ramirez, Mary Soler, Sylvia Holguin, Molly Martinez, Norma Vasquez, Ciria Garza, Estela Gonzalez, Olga de los Santos, and Judy Rodriguez. Julia Weathers brought by photos of her family hunting at the CY Benavides Ranch near Kerrville. The hunters bagged some great trophies at the beautiful sprawling acreage in the Hill Country. They were the guests of owner Carlos Benavides . After the hunt, they toured the Western Museum of Art in Kerrville.

Words to live by: “...and as I go along life's way, I'm reaping better than I sowed. I'm drinking from my saucer, ‘cause my cup has overflowed.”

And too good to resist: Edward Beckelhymer's tee shirt questioned “If a man speaks at sea where no woman can hear, can he still be wrong?” Hmmm…