Alpha Epsilon Phi - The Ohio State University

Rho Chapter Strand of Pearls 2 he statistics are staggering as to the lives Betty Frank Schoenbaum '36 has affected and the projects she has envisioned, funded, and seen to fruition in the fields of education, health and human resources, and the arts in Sarasota, Fla.; Charleston, W.Va.; Columbus, Ohio; and Israel. Remarkably, most of these endeavors were accomplished after Betty was 80 years old and many throughout her 90s. However, that is only part of who Betty was. One had to be in her presence to see how love flowed from her. She cared about you as an individual. She listened as if you were the only person that mattered; she praised; she encouraged; she supported. She wanted everyone to whom she spoke—stranger, friend, or family—to be the best that they could be and knew that he or she would. Her impromptu speeches sharing her philosophy of life and giving, which she believed were synonymous, knocked your socks off. One of the last times I saw Betty was at our annual Suncoast Alumnae Spring Luncheon this past March. At that time she was presented the 2017 AEPhi Outstanding Alumnae Award by visiting national and foundation officers. When we sat for a group photograph she insisted that I sit next to her as she often did. She held my hand and each time the photographer said "Smile" she squeezed it! That evening when I picked her up for dinner with our national visitors, I expressed some uncertainty about the best way to get to the restaurant. Betty, who was then well past her 100th birthday, said, "I'll tell you exactly which streets to take and where to park," and she did, turn by turn! This was a woman who loved and was deeply appreciative of her full and rich life. She embraced all with open arms with her special "heart to heart Betty Bear Hug" and an unparalleled generosity of funds and spirit. I am grateful for my membership in Alpha Epsilon Phi, which afforded me the opportunity to get to know and love Betty. LML, Sora Hecht Yelin '57 Chair, Suncoast Alumnae Chapter Sarasota, Fla. Rho Chapter alumnae at the AEPhi Suncoast Alumnae Chapter's Spring Luncheon on March 27, 2018. This event was attended by alumnae from various chapters around the country who now reside in or near Sarasota, Fla. Standing left to right: Terri Gersman Gordon '79, Marty Klein Gersman '54, Judy Krawetz Heller, Ellen Kopel-Puretz, and Joan Goldsmith Newman. Seated left to right: Betty Frank Schoenbaum and Sora Hecht Yelin. Connie Savitt Sandler, past national president, foundation trustee, and Columns editor, is shown presenting the 2017 Outstanding Alpha Epsilon Phi Alumna Award to Betty Frank Schoenbaum in Sarasota, Fla., as Sora Hecht Yelin, AEPhi Suncoast Alumnae chair, looks on. She cared about you as an individual. She listened as if you were the only person that mattered; she praised; she encouraged; she supported. Remembering Philanthropic Alumna Betty Frank Schoenbaum '36 Sora Hecht Yelin '57 Shares Thoughts on Her Dear Friend ALUMNAE NEWS Maxine Avery Toyzer '55 retired in 2008 after two teaching careers. She and her husband, Samuel, moved to Jacksonville, Fla., to retire at a Del Webb home. Maxine keeps active with bridge, mahjong, and various physical activities at the clubhouse. E-mail: mtoyzer@att.net Loramae Weiland Simkoff '57 is a former president of the National Council of Jewish Women in Cleveland, where she is still active. She is also a docent at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood, Ohio. Loramae is the mother and grandmother of Rho members Marcie Simkoff Harrison '87 and Shaina Harrison '15. Evie Rosen Topcik '58 graduated from OSU in 1958 with a B.S. and B.A. She served as president and rush chairman in Rho Chapter. Evie is glad to see that the house has been updated and remodeled. She and her husband, Chuck, live in Louisville, Ky. E-mail: evtop@aol.com Glenda Newman Blume got back in touch with Rho Chapter when her granddaughter was initiated into Alpha Epsilon Phi at Syracuse. With great pride and happiness, Glenda was there to see her initiated into the sisterhood that meant so much to her during school. Her friendship with the Rho sisters continues after 56 years; she recently caught up with her little sister and former roommate, both Rho members. Glenda lives in Newark, Conn. Barbara Harris Ewbank's '60 husband, Henry, passed away. Barbara will be unable to attend the Rho centennial celebration, but she knows it will be a success and wishes all her sisters the best. She lives in Tucson, Ariz.

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