Sigma Kappa - University of Kansas

h Alumnae Update h Sigma kappa h IN MEMOrIAM Betty Corliss-Smith '31 passed away January 26, 2014, at Olathe Medical Center at age 101. She was a beloved member of Sigma Kappa and celebrated the centennial milestone months after her own centennial birthday. She earned her bachelor's degree and then her master's in education from the University of Kansas. She joined the Johnson County Centurians for her 100th birthday. She was a very loyal KU and Chiefs fan and was asked in 2006 to travel to hollywood and film a commercial for the Super Bowl. She labeled that experience as the most exciting event in her life. She was also honored as the grand marshal of Spring hill's fall festival, with December 5 dedicated as Betty Corliss-Smith Day. She will be dearly missed by family, friends, and her community, where she was a beloved icon. She was preceded in death by both her husbands, harry Corliss and Rex Smith. Betty is survived by her two daughters, five stepchildren, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Alice Hobbs Boyce '45 passed away peacefully on february 15, 2014, from a brain tumor. Alice played clarinet and was one of the first women to participate in the KU marching band at football games. On one particularly cold game day, her Sigma Kappa sorority sisters stuffed newspapers into the jacket of her band uniform to keep her warm. She graduated from KU in 1948 and went on to earn a master's in economics in 1949, writing her thesis on the employment status of women in the state of Kansas. She was the anchor of her family, and her wit, wisdom, and support were deeply appreciated. Dorothy Baldwin Lowe '48 passed away on All Saints Day, November 3, 2013, at age 84 at Garden Terrace in Overland Park, Kan. Dot leaves behind her loving and devoted husband, Ron, her daughter, Laurie Barnesand and husband Steve, her sister, Evie Ohlhausen, sister-in-law, Margie Baldwin, and many nieces, nephews, and lifetime friends. ruth Penrod Mathews '59 passed away June 7, 2013, in Mesquite, Nev. Susan revels '79 passed away in August 2013 at heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Mo., at age 53. Elizabeth Beary '91, age 42, died unexpectedly at her home in Topeka on January 6, 2014. Elizabeth's life changed eight years ago when she met Richard Purkey of Topeka. Elizabeth and Rich wed in August 2011 in a beachside ceremony in Aruba. Elizabeth found comfort in her garden, growing fruits and vegetables, and spending time at the family cabin in Maple hill. Survivors include her husband, daughter and son, and parents, Donald and Mary Beary. ALUMNAE NEWS Patricia Scherrer Stelmach '42 enjoyed her visit to Richland, Wash., where she attended the wedding of Tyler Beaver, son of Cheri Stelmach Beaver '74. her granddaughter, harper York (daughter of Sarah Beaver York '98), was the flower girl. Pat lives in Kansas City, Mo. E-mail: patstelmach24@gmail.com Mary Jane Pistorius Taylor '44 loved the news of the big centennial. She resides in Decatur, Ga., and moved to a retirement community where "all is well." Patricia Behler '47 enjoys retirement by continuing her interest in art, music, and volunteering in Jefferson City as a docent at the Governor's Mansion and with the Lewis and Clark Taskforce. Pat lives in Jefferson City, Mo. E-mail: pabehler@socket.net Zelina Higginbottom Hickox '47 moved to fort Collins, Colo., four years ago and enjoys her lovely patio home with family nearby. She has three children, four grandchildren, and eight great- grandchildren. She misses her Sigma Kappa sisters in the Denver area and the Denver area Panhellenic organization. E-mail: zelina@frii.com Marjorie Albright Hazlett '50 of Lawrence, Kan., attended the Sigma Kappa 100th anniversary celebration and enjoyed meeting other Sigma Kappas who live in Lawrence. Velma Gaston Farrar '53 has traveled to 75 countries, including 10 trips to hawaii and 14 cruises. She is involved with the United Methodist women group, PEO, and the Red hat Society. She expects great-grandchildren soon. velma lives in Kansas City, Mo. E-mail: bivelfarr54@kc.rr.com Janice Adriance Fonkelsrud '55 retired from the University of Tulsa in 2001 as coordinator of the speech and hearing clinic. She now works as a speech-language pathologist at Able Talk Therapies Inc. Jan lives in Tulsa, Okla., and has three sons: Andrew, Philip, and David. E-mail: fonksjan@msn.com Marylou Sayler Turner '56 is a member of the investment committee of the Sigma Kappa foundation. She is president of the Kansas City Symphony Auxiliary Council for 2013-2014 and serves as the scholarship funding chairman for the Women's Committee for the Conservatory of Music and Dance at UMKC, on the board of directors for the Youth Symphony of Kansas City, and as the treasurer of the Woman's City Club Charitable foundation. E-mail: marylou_turner@att.net Sandra Edson Grundeman '60 spent 10 lovely days in Belgium visiting one of her two daughters who lives there. Sandy resides in Springfield, va. E-mail: sandy.grundeman@verizon.net Sue Lynn Wallace '63 retired as an art teacher and paralegal in 2009. Sue now enjoys gardening, reading, and visiting her two children. She lives in Manitou Springs, Colo. E-mail: sulyn64@peoplepc.com Cheryl Acker Stearns '65 lives in Grand Junction, Colo., where she is a legal assistant and nanny to her grandson. Cheryl also serves as secretary of board for the high Desert Opera. E-mail: casras59@yahoo.com robyn Chaney Orchard '69 and her husband, Terry, are the proud grandparents of a baker's dozen, 13 grandchildren. Robyn enjoys all forms of needlework —quilting, cross stitch, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery. She also likes to go hiking in Jackson, Wyo., being active in church activities, and especially spending time with her family. E-mail: busyquiltinig@msn.com Marne Corkle '92 recently became a stay-at-home mother, which she notes "is a whole new challenge from the corporate world!" Marne lives in Omaha, Neb., with her husband, Robert, and three children. E-mail: shanghai_marne@hotmail.com Tami Spero Liebertz '93 and her husband, Greg, had their second child, Wyatt, in 2010. She works as marketing manager for McDonald's Corporation and lives in Scottsdale, Ariz. E-mail: tspero75@hotmail.com Kelle Fine Oestreich '95 works part time as a respiratory therapist at St. Luke's hospital in Kansas City. She and her husband, Trent, have three sons: Luke, Colin, and Levi, and live in Bucyrus, Kan. E-mail: kelleo@kc.rr.com Sara Steward '98 and her husband, Spencer, were married in September 2011. They recently welcomed a son, Charles, to join older brothers Nicholas and Tyler. Sara and her family live in Seffner, fla. E-mail: sarakuek@aol.com Amanda Lee Clay '02 and her husband, James, were transferred to the Chicago area and are enjoying their new home. She loves working in a therapeutic day school for children with autism. E-mail: amandaclay04@hotmail.com Ashley Doyle Miller '02 is an art director for a medical trade magazine at Anthem Media Group. She and her husband, Brent, live in Overland Park, Kan., and have a daughter, Audrey. While (Continued on page 6) Page 5

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