Pi Beta Phi - University of Colorado

PAGE 2 NOW AND FOREVER Susan Day Ledieu '62 Recalls Her Sisterhood A SEED IS PLANTED "The minute I entered the 890 11th Street doors, I was hooked," Susan Day Ledieu '62 said. She came to the University of Colorado from a small boarding school in the northeast and yearned to join a group within the larger university community. Her wish was granted and her life has been filled with amazing memories ever since. A BOND LIKE NO OTHER As Susan reflects on the connections made through Pi Phi, Sincere Friendship comes to mind. To her, Sincere Friendship means "supporting one another in good and bad times, making an effort to keep in touch even when far away from each other and celebrating each other's lives and differences with love and acceptance." She learned how faithfulness, Lifelong Commitment and sharing concern about each other's lives strengthened those bonds. STRENGTHENING THE TIES Though it's been some time since she left the chapter house, the years have not faded Susan's love for Pi Phi. Annual Christmas greetings and technology have kept her connected. "Over the years, I've attended several get-togethers with sisters who live in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania." The greatest blessing began at age 60 when one of her sisters suggested their member class of 1961-62 reunite in Vail, Colorado. That weekend set in motion a commitment to come together every other year, which they did until they reached 70 years of age. "We met again when we turned 75 in Minneapolis, hosted by Ginger Larson Sisco '62." They are making plans for another outing during the fall of 2020. THE WINE AND BLUE "Pi Phi has truly been a blessing in my life. When I moved back to the States in the late '70s, I contacted the local alumnae club in Birmingham, Michigan, and found an immediate circle of friends who shared the bond of the Wine and Blue." The women took Susan under their wings and helped her find her way around. Pi Phi angels are everywhere you go! LOOKING BACK Susan's Pi Phi memories are some of her fondest. Initiation weekend, dressing in mandated skirts for sit-down dinner every evening and the intra-house move twice a year to connect with the 76 members in the house are ones she'll never forget. Other memorable moments include living in the Big Four, walking to and from the Norlin Library on week nights to study, participating in Greek Week, practicing the "Jerk" in the hallways after lunch to the tune of Ray Charles' "What I'd Say" and pulling all-nighters in the dining room and singing around the piano with Sue Steinemann Collins '61 at the keyboard. THE PERSONAL SIDE Susan has three grown children who live in Kansas City, Nashville and Philadelphia, where she resides. She also has four grandchildren ages 13 to 26. Her dear husband of 50 years, Bernard, has advanced Alzheimer's disease, which she notes has been the challenge of her life. "I am grateful for all the support I have received, notedly from my Pi Phi sisters who sustain me with their messages of love and concern." When Susan is not planning her next Pi Phi reunion, she enjoys walking, singing in her parish choir, attending a women's bible study, listening to classical music, reading and traveling when she can. Reconnect with Susan via email at susanledieu@gmail.com. Sisters from the 1962 New Member Class reunited in Minneapolis in October 2018. Front row, from left: Susie Day Ledieu, Nancy Bywater Dornfeld and Nancy "Peef" Ehrenberg Zavoluk. Back row: Jan Newcomb, Sherry Ginn Alexander, Susan Tornstrom Leontiades and Ginger Larson Siscom. SOWING LIFELONG BONDS IN PI BETA PHI What Creativity and Friendship Means to Jayme Hanna Mansfield '83 "P i Phi taught me that friendships are like a garden," Jayme Hanna Mansfield '83 says. "They are sowed from many backgrounds and histories, yet all brought together for a common purpose and beauty. And, like a garden, real friendships need to be nurtured — tended to — not only during the collegiate years, but as life progresses." Jayme has learned so much about Sincere Friendship as a sister of Colorado Alpha. "Those friendships are defined by transparency, deep respect, honesty and commitment. We always support and hold each other accountable to dream big, take risks and weather life's challenges with hope and joy." Many of her closest friendships today were forged in Pi Phi nearly 40 years ago, and the Fraternity's bond and influence has never left her side. FRIENDSHIP THEN As a freshman, Jayme knew she wanted to be part of something greater than the typical university experience. "During Recruitment Week and leading up to Initiation, I recognized the impactful friendships developing within the sisterhood, along with a mutual respect for individual backgrounds, goals and passions." Her most heartfelt Pi Phi memory is leading the Initiation Ceremony as Chapter President. "It was an honor to participate in the deep tradition to welcome a huge class of inductees into the sisterhood."

• Cover