Sigma Kappa - Purdue University

3 T he following excerpts are from a three-page posthumous note written by Susan Raatz Radatz '66, honoring her "Little Sister" Jeanine Price Watrous '66, which Susan left on our baby grand piano to be shared with others. As alumnae, we are often asked by our non-Greek friends and co-workers why we joined a sorority. The reply by most is that we have enjoyed lifelong bonds and friendships with our sisters that we cherish to this day. Susan's love for her little sister and Sigma Kappa is evident and everlasting. "Although I did not know it at the time, late in 1966 when our new members were revealing their choice for a Big Sister, I was about to meet a woman who would become a sustaining and remarkably positive part of my life. I was instructed to follow a cord through the house. At the end of the cord was a broadly smiling Jeanine Price, sporting freckles painted on her face and a red yarn, braided wig on her head to support her Raggedy Ann impersonation. She was a great choice as my Little Sister despite the fact she was exactly two days older than I. She was born on Easter 1947, and I was born on Tuesday. We attended many concerts and dances together. I encouraged her to join the university choir and she did. We exchanged visits to each other's homes in Indiana and Michigan during our college years and in later years. At graduation, when everyone lined up in alphabetical order, we discovered there was only one person in between us. My brother captured a photograph of Jeanine and me crossing the stage concurrently as we walked to receive our diplomas." "We kept in touch by way of letters for several years. Jeanine married in 1972 and I was honored to serve as her maid of honor. A few years later, Jeanine and her husband welcomed a daughter and moved from Michigan to Texas. Jeanine continued to teach first grade and would tell me stories of her students as I told her my exploits. In later years she would become the librarian for the library in New Braunfels, Texas." "Jean's daughter Mara grew up, married, had children, and resided in Chicago. Jeanine would travel to Chicago to visit Mara and her children and we would meet for dinner. On one occasion, we arranged time to attend a performance of the Purdue University Varsity Glee Cub in Munster, Ind., complete with dinner with a couple of Glee Club members as we were both very big fans and enjoyed the experience together." "Jeanine and I attended Beta Sigma's 50th anniversary celebration in 1998. The organized activities were great fun and Jeanine and I had a wonderful time together. Those of us who were active during the same time period had memorable conversations that evening recounting our experiences since graduation. Such friendship is a powerful thing." "We were both invited to attend the Purdue Musical Organization's 75th Anniversary in 2008. Anyone who sang in any of the Purdue Musical Organizations was invited to join other singers on stage for a couple of songs. The only requirement for the ladies was a sparkly top. I sang and Jeanine was in the audience to support me. We stayed together in Purdue's Memorial Union that weekend and enjoyed reminiscing again." "Perhaps most precious to me is the fact Jeanine came to my husband's funeral and my mother's memorial service traveling from Texas to be with me during those difficult times. My husband of 26 years lost his battle with multiple myeloma and my mother was left to die in her house after an arsonist set fire to her house.* After mother's service, Jeanine came with me to the burned home and helped me as no one else had." "On September 2, 2016, Jeanine had a heart attack and passed away. Jeanine's sister and daughter Mara notified me. After so much love and support over so many years, I knew I must attend Jeanine's service. I was also encouraged by another sister from my days at Purdue to reach out to a sister in Texas whom I had not been in contact with for over 47 years. I found her contact information in the Sigma Kappa directory and arranged to meet her the day after Jeanine's service. She drove more than three hours to see me and we had a perfectly lovely lunch. For Jeanine and for me, Sigma Kappa is for a lifetime." Susan lives in La Grange Park, Ill., and can be reached at scradatz@yahoo.com. *Susan and crime stoppers offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s). My Best Friend Jeanine A Tribute to Jeanine Price Watrous '66 " For Jeanine and me, Sigma Kappa is for a lifetime." Jeanine Price Watrous '66 and Susan Raatz Radataz '66.

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