CLASS OF 1986
Katie Fitzsimmons Sosa
sseafood@tampabay.rr.com
Well I was surfing in our class notes this evening at 1am while my house sleeps and I noticed that none of the 86ers have done any updating since 2007. So although I admit I too have been a little busy in 2007, I cannot let it slip by without giving it and all of you thanks. Thank you. Thank every single one of you who has held out a hand for me and my family this year. Your hands, your prayers, your letters, your hope were the floor I used to walk on in 2007. And although I am growing back my hair and my strength is seeping back into my bones - I know that the new life I have now is built from the fabric of my old life woven back together by the strength and spirit of all you angels in my life who flew to my aid to help stitch me back up. I am eternally grateful and forever changed from the experience and the amazing grace I received from all you angels - the seamstresses in my life. Thanks. love - kts. (12/07)
Ann Boylan Higgins
soccermomx3girls@msn.com
Figured I might as well do an update since it has been a bit. I was reminded to do this by Colleen Sheehey who was also kind enough to share the sad news about Katie's illness. We will keep Katie in our prayers as she goes through this rough time.
Well... I have three girls, Hayley (10 1/2), Heather (7 1/2) and Grace almost 4. They keep me extremely busy. I am a stay at home mom for now until Grace starts full day Kindergarten in two years. The girls all play sports. Hayley is a soccer player through and through. She wants to play for Anson Dorrance at UNC and I wouldn't be surprised if she does. However, she wants to be a chef too. So, we travel all over the country with her elite team playing in tournaments. She also ski races and plays basketball. Heather is also a soccer player and loves it. She is not as determined as Hayley which is a good thing!! However, she is really good at both soccer and Lacrosse and ski's on the side. Grace is just bossy and big. She towers above all the kids at preschool. She plays soccer on Thursday's because "I can do what my sister's do but better"..
Anyway, we travel a lot to Florida and anywhere else there is a soccer tournament, along with going to the Cape every summer. Bill's law business keeps us here in Rochester until we retire. So... travel we must. Hope everyone enjoys the new year. Keep Katie in your prayers!!! (02/07)
Bethany Parrinello Samsonik
Bsamsonik@aol.com
My update~married almost 14 years to my wonderful husband Dave, four daughters Alexandra(11 1/4),Keeley(9 3/4),Caroline(7 1/2)and Shannon (4 1/2). We have lived in Brighton for 12 years. I taught in a catholic elementary school before children and while I had my first two children then stayed home. I became a substitute teacher last year and am enjoying doing it again this year. I also have been coaching soccer in the Brighton summer soccer league for my first two daughters. I am looking forward to hopefully getting a full time teaching job next year when my last daughter enters kindergarten. It is wild to have all these crazy, quiet,loud,funny,thoughtful,smart daughters and we will have an interesting life as we go forward. Many people comment on the future weddings of the girls but we honestly just worry about our retirement~we are hoping one of them will simply want to go to Vegas! Anyway I hope all of you are well and happy drop a line or two and remember to keep Katie Fitzsimmons Sosa in your prayers as she undergoes surgery in early January and chemotherapy for breast cancer. (12/06)
Tina Donahue Darrah
tinadarrah@comcast.net
After moving from New Jersey to Richmond, VA a year ago, my husband Clark and our three kids, Blair (8), Conan (6) and Brody (2) are living a busy and full life here. Conan was diagnosed with Type 1/Juvenile Diabetes last September when he was only 4, so that was a big adjustment as well. Lucky for me, another classmate and dear friend Jennifer (Meisenzahl) Cunningham is an endocrinologist and continues to offer support and "the latest" need to know info by e-mail from Chicago! We love Richmond and I am freelancing as a Makeup Artist part time, which helps to balance out life at home!
Thank you to everyone who came out to our 20th Reunion and really made it special. I was just smiling all weekend, laughing at old times, seeing familiar faces, feeling proud of the marriages, families, careers, and other accomplishments of my OLM classmates, and reminiscing with you all... it was truly memorable. I hope to keep in touch. (11/06)
Shellye Coon LaRue
smlarue@sjgcc.com
I hope everyone had a great time at the 20th reunion! I'm sorry we couldn't make it. I'm in Florida with my husband, Roger and three children - Ty (3 years), JT and Alyssa (22 motnhs - twins). I hope everyone is well and all had a great time. (10/06)
Michelle R. Nobile
mrn@NobileLaw.com
Web: www.NobileLaw.com
It was GREAT seeing all of you at the reunion! I'm really sorry all of you couldn't make it. This was my first one and I had so much fun I can't believe it. If ANYONE wants me to email them pictures I have about 35 of them! Eventually I would like to post them on my website, along with what I can find in the way of "before" pictures from my photo album, but don't hold your breath. I know a few people were talking about a yearly get together, I would love that! Take care! (10/06)
Suzanne DeBloom Whitaker
Pittsford, New York 14534
swhitake@rochester.rr.com
Lives in Pittsford with her husband, Kevin and two beautiful daughters Emily (7) and Katie (3) (10/06)
Jennifer Conlon Moore
Los Angeles, California
mooreandmoorerestaurants@yahoo.com (09/06)
Paula Riley
paulamriley@verizon.net
How do you summarize 20 years? What matters is that I’ve had a blast for most of them – great jobs, amazing travel around the world, long nights, fun friends, a good man and now I’m hanging with my two kids (3.5 & 1.5 yrs.) I've had a few heartaches as well, but life’s been good. I’m still living in Philly and loving it! (09/06)
Paulina Gutierrez Smith
pgbksmith@gmail.com
I can't believe that 20 years have already passed. It is truly amazing how fast life passes by. After living in Oregon for the majority of 15 years, my husband Kyle (7 years) and I moved to Indiana 2 years ago with our two boys Gabriel(4)and Brandon(2). It is a small, but wonderful little town in southern Indiana , just a hop from the Ohio River to Louisville, KY. I am a full time mom at the moment which is more work than I ever imagined! I did medical and forensic drug testing at a lab in Oregon for years, but would not give up my current job up for the world. (09/06)
Maura Monley Baron
upror@frontiernet.net
It was nice to stumble upon all this information about Mercy.
I have moved around a bit since my days at Mercy but have landed back in Rochester. After Graduating from St. Lawrence I lived in Burlington, Vermont for a while, then back to Rochester for a couple of years where I met my Husband Michael. We moved to the Boston area for about 4 years and then spent a little over a year in Buffalo (where Michael is from) before coming back to Rochester. We have a two year old boy named Rory who is tons of fun. I am not working now but over the years I did some teaching and was a buyer for catalog companies.
Now that I know about the reunion I think I will try to make it. (08/06)
Jean Kanaley Rapp
jjrapp@sbcglobal.net
My husband Jonathan and I live along the beautiful shoreline of CT. with our two sons (Tommy - 2 1/2 yrs. and Teddy 1 yr.). I graduated from Denison University and then went to graduate school for Acting and received an MFA from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. CA. I moved to New York City and acted professionally for around 4 years, met my husband, Jonathan, got a M.S.Ed. from Fordham and taught elementary school in the city for 2 years then got married, moved to CT and started a family. I've been home with the boys ever since. Now having been home for about 3 years I have been hoping to get back to theater and have recently started producing and directing So...would love to hear from anyone. Whenever I'm home I always hope I'll run into former classmates. Please write, call, email, etc...! (08/06)
Amy Bell Willey
amymwilley@hotmail.com
I moved to Oklahoma in August of 2002 with my (then) fiance Rick. We got married in July of 2003 - and after five wonderful years together, we are about to add our first child together to the family! Rick has three great children, Rick (12), Victoria (9) and Gabrielle (9) that are very excited about the prospects of a baby in the house.
I am a Sales Representative for Lincare - a home oxygen and respiratory services company and Rick is an instructor for the Air Force's C-5 cargo plane at Altus Air Force Base. After reading all the postings on the website I wish I could attend the reunion, but having just made a trip to Rochester for my parents' 60th anniversary celebration in July, and the fact that I will be about 8 months pregnant at the time, I won't make it. But I'm very interested in hearing from everyone! (08/06)
Deidre Walch Cass
Horsham, PA
jdcass1@comcast.net
I have been living in PA for the last 5 years. My husband's job moved us down here. I am a stay at home mom with 4 children, Lauren (6), Erin (5), Colleen (3), John (2 months). My husband, whom I was madly in love with, has passed away recently, due to a stroke. We shared a love of Harley Davidsons, and I will continue to ride on in his memory. (07/06)
Deanna Walch
Rochester, NY
deannawalch@netzero.net
Well, since I've not kept up with anyone (emailed Amy Bell once / coworker is her brother-in-law) I will try not to go on and on. I currently live in Gates (suburb of Rochester). I have an 8 year old daughter, Morgan, who keeps me busy with soccer games and other activities. I am a single working mom. I work as a Mechanical Designer at a local automation company. My sister Deidre lives in PA but we see each other as much as is humanly possible.
It is nice to see some people posting that I've wondered about. The reason I found this is that I was trying to find info on a 20th reunion. I hope to see most at a 20th reunion. God Bless and take care all! Deanna (07/06)
Katie Fitzsimmons Sosa
St. Petersburg, FL 33703
sseafood@tampabay.rr.com
Web: www.sammysseafood.com
My last update the triplets were 7 months- WOW-they are 14 months now and in many ways easier (we are sleeping through the night) and harder (they walk). Our business is doing well and our biggest challenge is finding a moment to email and call my friends back. We are not ruling out October travel yet for the reunion-but it's tough. Is it really 20 years already? Doesn't seem possible though kids and breast-fed-on boobs are a real tell tale. Hope to keep in touch with everyone finding the site and maybe in October. All the best. (06/06)
Patty Davin Pochtar
pdpochtar@nyc.rr.com
20th Reunion - I can't believe it. I currently live in Brookyn Heights with my husband and 2 children. Moran is 15 months old and Matt is 5 weeks old. Looking forward to catching up with everyone in October at the reunion!! (05/06)
Melanie Hanna Roselli
melroselli@yahoo.com
Hi everyone! It is so nice to see what everyone is up to! I live in Fairport with my husband Mark, and our three girls, Kiley(9), Hanna(6) and Maddison (3). I own a daycare center and get to spend time with my youngest all day. I am looking forward to our reunion this October and reconnecting with old friends! (05/06)
Jennifer Bailey Costello
JenPaulArt@comcast.net
I can't believe I found this site! I have been living in PA for the last 16 yrs. I am married (Paul) and have a 4 yr old named Emma. Currently I work as a trainer (staff education) for a company called Horizon House, Inc. It was great seeing so many familiar names. I hope to reconnect with some of you. Sincerely, Jennie (04/06)
Christina (Tina) Darlak Ruhland
cruhland@rochester.rr.com
I would not have thought I'd be where I am today 20 years ago, but wouldn't change a thing. I've been married to my wonderful husband, Tim, approaching 12 years now. We have four children- Genevieve (9), Matthew (8), Elizabeth (5), and Ian (2). Since Gen was born, I've stayed home with them and I love it. I'm currently the Administrative Vice President to the MOMS Club of Chili, secretary to Chestnut Ridge Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Cookie Mom for Genevieve's Girl Scout Troop and the Cub Scout Leader for Matthew's soon to be Bear Den. My sister has gotten me into running (too bad it wasn't when I was on the Track team) and I find myself running in local 5K and 10K races. I will be training for the Rochester Half Marathon this fall. Trust me, I only run to finish, but I've been finding that the older I get, the closer to winning awards for my age group I get. I too plan on attending our 20th Reunion this year. I hope to see many of you there. Don't forget to bring pictures. (04/06)
Carol Henkel Wright
cawright234@earthlink.net
Hello everyone! It was really nice to see that some of you have posted your information on this site. My husband Andy & I are going on 15 years married and we have two beautiful boys, Garrett (11) and Matthew (8). We live in a small town west of Cleveland, OH, and we are both teachers (Andy teaches high school biology & calculus, and I am a preschool director). My parents still live in Penfield, so we are here a couple of times a year. I think it would be fun to see everyone at our reunion this year, so I'm really going to try to make it! Pass the word to others from our class about this site - I'd love to know what more of us are up to! (04/06)
Jean Goggin Vaught
jng2523@yahoo.com
Hello everyone and I am so glad to know all of you are doing fine. I live in a small town in Pueblo Colorado. I have a husband Brian of 9 years and a 7 year old son Michael. I am currently a stay at home wife who home schools her child. I am a Denver Bronco's fan and wish they had made it to the superbowl. My husband Brian works for Hewlette Packard as the Micro-Soft Help Desk Administrator. I look forward to seeing you at the 20 year reunion. God Bless you all!! (01/06)
Jennifer Meisenzahl Cunningham
jmeisenz@comcast.net
Hi everybody! I'm glad to have found this site, since with all my moves since high school, Mercy's newsletter has never managed to follow me. I graduated from UVA med school in '94 and moved to Chicago for the rest of my training. I'm now an endocrinologist and we live in the 'burbs here. The best part of the move was meeting my husband, Patrick (married '98) and ending up with 2 great kids, Gavin (age 4) and Tierney (age 2). My parents are finally selling their Rochester house and settling permanently in Savannah, but I'm hoping to come back for our 20th! (10/05)
Gerette Gordon Braunsdorf
me@gerette.com
www.gerette.com
My husband, Chris, and I have been married for 13 years and have a daughter, Madeleine, who was born in October 2004. After almost a decade in Washington, DC, we moved this summer to Shaker Heights, Ohio. It's been a big transition, but we're really enjoying our new house and starting to meet people. When Maddie was born, I stopped full time work as a graphic designer, but have been freelancing from home off and on. (09/05)
Jeanne Schaefer Langless
My husband Vaughn and I have been together for 8 years. We have two girls, Peyton and Emma (ages 6 and 4) and he is the adoptive father of my son, Brennan age 12. I am currently working as a cardiac nurse at Parkridge Hospital in Greece. It was great to see what everyone has been up to. (08/05)
Ann Di Biasi Van De Water
adibi1@juno.com
I have been married to Joe for 9 years and living in a suburb outside of Sacramento, CA for 11 years. I love it out here but am sorry I don't get to see my sister, Karen, who is in Charlotte, NC with her family, more often. I have 3 1/2 year old, fraternal twin girls. I have been home full-time with our girls, but taught English at an all girls' Catholic high school here before their birth. Hope to see lots of you at our reunion next year! (07/05)
Karen DiBiasi Brown
kdbrown24@att.worldnet.att.net
I have been in Charlotte, NC for 8 years with my husband, Chris and three children, Emily 7, Andrew 5 and Owen 2. My parents are in Charlotte and my sister, Ann in Sacramento, CA. Am thinking ahead to our 20th and since I haven't made it back for a reunion, I have high hopes for the 20th. Would love to see a great turnout and am in the planning stages on how to make that happen. Let me know if you want to help. Hope to see lots of friends next year. (07/05)
