Alpha Phi - University of Missouri

Always Alpha Phi 4 farewell to an Alpha phi Great o micron is deeply saddened by the passing of Phyllis Sims Selig '51, who entered the Silent Chapter on February 4, 2014, at age 82. Alpha Phi was Phyllis' lifetime passion and she served as International President from 1974 to 1978. She was initiated at Gamma Delta/Kansas shortly after the chapter was colonized, and served as collegiate president. As an undergraduate architecture student, she was directly involved in the design and construction of Alpha Phi's chapter house in Lawrence. It was the first of more than 100 homes she would later design in and around KU's campus. Phyllis always credited Omicron's Sarah Ann Wheeler Hatton '27 as a special mentor, and Phyllis served as Director of Finance while Sarah Ann was Alpha Phi's President. Their friendship proved far greater than the ongoing rivalry between the Tigers and Jayhawks. Phyllis loved to say that Omicron held a special place in her heart. Phyllis' leadership was highly regarded both inside and outside Alpha Phi, demonstrated by her election to the board of directors of the Fraternity-Sorority Hall of Fame in 1979. She was also active in PEO and volunteered as a docent for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, while living in Bella Vista, Arkansas. In recent years, Phyllis led Alpha Phi's Ritual and Ceremonies Committee and she conducted Omicron's recolonization Initiation in 1999. Last December Phyllis was the 10th alumna to receive Alpha Phi's highest honor, the Ivy Vine Award. Her three Alpha Phi daughters were present for the occasion, together with other fraternity friends including Val Lawlor '71 and Marcia Jones Lane '73. Silent Chapter Jacqueline Wollenman Hearne '44 entered the Silent Chapter in December 2012. She was a resident of Jefferson City, Mo. Carol French Odor, Beta Iota '58, Columbia, Mo., entered the Silent Chapter on December 269, 2013. As a longtime Columbian, she taught dance for 33 years at Mizzou. She choreographed a total of 55 musicals for high schools and community theater. Katherine Waddell Van Amburg '63, Lexington, Mo., peacefully entered the Silent Chapter at age 69 in August 2013, after an extended battle with ovarian cancer. At Mizzou, she earned her bachelor's in music education in 1965 and her masters in special education the following year. She taught elementary music in the Oak Grove Public Schools, and for the last several years operated Riley's Irish Pub and Grill in Lexington, Mo. On the day she died, the 100-year-old pub she owned collapsed to the ground. Katherine hails from one of Omicron's largest extended families, beginning with her mother, sister, and numerous others. She was very proud of her family and, in particular, her grandfather who helped establish the original Pony Express. Katherine was a direct descendent of William Bradford, a 1620 Plymouth Colony founder. She was an active member of DAR and in 2011 was named board member emeritus of the Lexington Historical Society and Museum. She spent summers teaching scuba in the Caribbean and was a published author. Tiffany Long Mogenson '02, Prairie Village, Kan., entered the Silent Chapter as a result of a tragic car accident in October 2013. Dancing was one of the most important parts of Tiffany's entire life. At the University of Missouri, where she graduated summa cum laude, she was a Golden Girl. After graduating, she became a Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader and a director of the Missouri Mavericks' Spirit Squad. In 2008, she fulfilled a lifetime dream of sharing her love of dance with others, opening The Pointe Dance Studio in Blue Springs, Mo. Throughout her life and her work at the dance studio, she touched countless lives and inspired many young people. Tiffany believed in helping others always and lived by her family's code: Strength, Honor, Love. She will be missed by all of her family, friends, and Omicron sisters. Alumnae update Liz Huntsberry Bent '39 has eight great-grandchildren who make everything very interesting. Mary lives in Wilmington, Del. Gloria Murray Burr '46, Chesterfield, Mo., says that between 1968 and 1998 she and her husband, Jack, traveled all over six continents. They have been married for 62 years and have two grown children. Yvonne Ray Plesko '46, Pontiac, Ill., and her husband, John, celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in August 2013. They attended their granddaughter's wedding in St. Louis in March 2013 and welcomed their first great-granddaughter in September 2013. They also have three great- grandsons. "We enjoy each day." E-mail: j.plesko@mchsi.com Ruth Singleton Kime '47, Tucson, Ariz., says at 84, she still keeps in touch with her Alpha Phi roommate, Charlotte Karl Walker '47, via phone. Marcia Caldwell McKenna '58 moved from St. Louis to Conway, S.C., in 1996 but now has a granddaughter in St. Louis and is thinking it might be time to move back. AF International President Linda Boland, CSU Long Beach, had the pleasure of presenting Phyllis with the Alpha Phi Ivy Vine Award in December 2013. Alumnae News

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