Chi Omega - University of Wisconsin

CHI OMEGA 3 Χ Ω ALUMNAE NEWS Janet Williams Coussens '51 resides in Lancaster, Calif. She is 87 years young. "I am always happy to hear from Chi Omega." She is glad to hear that Chi Omega is alive and well, just as she is. Shirley Swinyard Britsch '54 has been painting in oils for the last 30-plus years. She and her husband, Lanny, have a store in historic Spring City, Utah, which they have converted into a gallery. She had her painting of young Merlin juried into the International Birds in Art Show in Wansaw, Wis. Her paintings can be seen on Instagram: ShirleyMcKayBritsch. Email: shirleybritsch@gmail.com Patricia Falci Wellentin '64 taught chemistry at Milton Wisconsin High School then worked in retail sales selling fine jewelry with JCPenny at the West Towne Mall. "I am now retired and am enjoying every day of it! I play bridge 3-4 days a week, which keeps me busy and my mind sharp." Madeline Marcus '08 is a licensed esthetician as of December 2017. You can follow her on social media by searching skinbymaddie. Maddie resides in Los Angeles, Calif. Email: maddiemarcus@gmail.com M ary Halquist Marshall '71 attended college during a pivotal time in history. e Vietnam War was almost over aer 20 years, but many protests and demonstrations were seen on campuses across the U.S., including the University of Madison- Wisconsin. Specifically, the bombing that occurred at the Army Mathematics Research Center (AMRC) housed on the second, third, and fourth floors of Sterling Hall was intended to stop counterinsurgency operations in Vietnam and destroy research that the protesters believed was conducted per the U.S. Department of Defense request. "At that time, it was very difficult to be on campus. ere was anger and dissension in the air." Mary pledged Chi Omega as junior and felt she could be herself around the women of Nu Chapter. A longtime friend of Mary's, Pat Rooney Riebau '68, invited Mary to the Chapter House during recruitment. Mary felt the women of Nu Chapter were genuine, friendly, and she enjoyed their company. "Chi Omega was a wonderful and memorable time in my life amidst all the world changes around us." Mary's bond to her Nu sisters was one that many can relate to. e Chapter House was a place a place of friendship, laughter, camaraderie, and sharing of life's ups and down. e Greek system was struggling during the war and was viewed as too conservative. "It was not popular to be Greek and many fraternities and sororities le campus," says Mary. "Chi Omega remained on campus and worked to keep the Nu Chapter in existence." at unity is what led Mary to give back to Nu. "e Chapter was there for us during a critical time in our lives and I want to make sure that current undergraduates are able to share the same strength and core through Chi O the way I did." Mary recognizes the Chapter House has seen better days and is grateful she is in a position to give back to maintain and perpetuate the women of Nu. "Every little bit helps." Mary's heart tells her giving was the right thing to do and she is blessed to able to preserve Chi Omega. She gained numerous friendships through Chi Omega that she still treasures. Kathryn Suckow Murtfeldt '72, Joy Polaski Benetti '70, Mona Marino '71, and Carol Ann Ward Knox '70 are a few of the Chi Omega women that Mary has kept in contact with over the years. Mary recalls great memories of times spent at the Chapter House. "An adventure I will never forget is going to Convention in White Sulfur Springs, W.V., with my best friend Cathy Schmidt Fehrman '70, who passed away many years ago. It was a grand time and I hope to go back there again with my husband." Aer graduation, Mary was again present for another historic moment in history. In 1973, a law was passed to require all children with special needs to be taught in public schools. Once more, she was in a position to make a great impact to those around her. Mary became a full-time special needs teacher for three years and aer that continued in education as a substitute teacher for 27 years before retiring into a life of travel, reading, and time with family. You can reconnect with Mary via email at steveandmary1950@gmail.com. Reminiscing with Chi Omega Mary Halquist Marshall '71 Found Her Core in Nu Chapter Pat Rooney Riebeau '68 and Mary Halquist Marshall '71 at the Badgers game. ey value their bond through Chi Omega. Chi Omega teams up for a successful work week!

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