Alpha Gamma Delta - University of Alabama

ALPHA GAMMA DELTA 3 W hen Becky Henderson Strickland '72 takes the minutes at a Psi Chapter House Association Board meeting, the amount of Psi Chapter perspective that goes into them is much more than meets the eye. Becky, and her sisters, Gene Henderson Wilson '65 and Jan Henderson Staggs '67, are just three family members who have pledged since Margaret "Missy" Shirley Koster was a charter member of the chapter in 1921. "Because my grandmother was so proud of and active in Alpha Gamma Delta, it has been instrumental throughout my life," Becky said. "Not only were my sisters Psi members, but also my mother, her twin sister, my niece, my daughter, and other family members who wore the pearls proudly. My sisters and I have very close groups of friends that were formed during our years in the chapter." Gene Koster Henderson '45, Missy's daughter, now has five great-granddaughters who could one day carry on her family's century old Alpha Gamma Delta tradition with their membership and leadership. Just like Becky, Gene served for a number of years as secretary of the House Association Board, and she like other members of the family have spent many hours in differing capacities on the board, Executive Council, and alumnae chapters to build upon the legacy of Missy and the other founding sisters. "My grandmother held a number of positions on the Board and EC, even into her late 80s and early 90s. She was always fair in her administration with any discipline that had to be done within the chapter and always wanted the best for each undergraduate," Becky said. "She was willing to go the extra mile with each member. She would be so proud of the chapter now and its continued excellence." House Association Board President Amy Andrews Henderson '98 has been a part of the Alpha Gam family tradition by marriage. On behalf of the entire board and all who have followed in Missy's footsteps, Amy and Becky want all their sisters to know that there are many ways to help launch Psi's second century and strengthen your Alpha Gam roots. "I encourage everyone to reach out to a local alumnae group to begin reconnecting with the women that are presently involved and connect with the social media accounts of the chapter. The women in the house are a wonderful group and are doing impressive things with their talents," Amy said. "They are involved in basically every organization, honor society, and group on campus. They also represent the chapter well in their work within the community. Psi just celebrated its fifth consecutive semester of top Panhellenic grades!" You can connect with Becky at kprh@bellsouth.net and Amy at aaaims@comcast.net. ALL IN THE FAMILY Carrying on the Psi Chapter Legacy Started by Charter Member Margaret "Missy" Shirley Koster Margaret Shirley Koster 1921 Amy Andrews Henderson '98, Anne Wilson Guthrie '93, Gene Henderson Wilson '65, Gene Koster Henderson '45, Margaret Koster Findley '45, Jan Henderson Staggs '67, Rebecca Henderson Strickland '72, and Polly Shirley Moore '67. CHAPTER GRAND Alice "Sug" Walker Keene '67 entered Chapter Grand when she lost her long battle with cancer, retroperitoneal liposarcoma, on March 20, 2020. After graduating from the University of Alabama in 1970, she married Thomas H. Keene on June 7, 1970. She worked two jobs to put him through graduate school and law school, then faithfully came to Montgomery in 1974, his hometown, to support him in his legal career. They had two children, Jason (Emily) and Alison. In addition to being the most supportive wife a man could imagine, she was a fierce and devoted mother. Her organizational skills were well known and recognized as she served as co-chairman of the first Jr. League Holiday Market and Chairman of Group Homes, Inc. In her later years, she worked tirelessly for the Children's Harbor auction. She loved Lake Martin, flowers, art, antiques, glass paperweights, and peace and quiet. ALUMNAE NEWS Susan "Kakie" Jones Elston '49 is honored to be receiving the AΓΔ newsletter and is so happy to still be here and "useful." Her family's lighting business is still going—not as strong this year, but still going. She hasn't been as active lately, but AΓΔ Alabama is always a bright and happy place in her memories. She lives in St. Petersburg, Fla. Sue Moss Coggins '55 was chapter President in 1957-1958. Her daughter, Chappell Coggins Traynham '85, was in the chapter with Lissa Handley Tyson '83, whose mom, Lissa Venable Handley '57, was in the house with Sue. Small world! Sue lives in Macon, Ga., with her husband, Bill. Email: suemcoggins@cox.net Susan Weatherford Hewes '67 shares that two of her grandchildren are in college at AU and two will be starting college this fall. Many of sisters in her 1966 pledge class get together each summer except last summer because of the death of Alice "Sug" Walker Keene '67. Susan and her husband, Robert, live in Dothan, Ala. Email: suehewes111@aol.com Stephanie Beckett '87 shares that her daughter, Emily Beckett '20, was initiated last fall and loves her Psi sisters. Stephanie was at the University of Alabama in 1986-1988 and graduated from Troy University in 1991. She and her husband live in Dothan, Ala. They also have a son, Henry. Email: wax.beck@gmail.com Alumnae Update (Continued on page 4)

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