Kappa Alpha Theta - University of Missouri

Carol Banta Brewer '42 lives independently with her husband, Scott, in a retirement com- munity called Ashbury Methodist Village. They have three children and eight grandchildren. Beverly Barker Nix '44 moved from Pennsylvania to a retirement home in Leawood, Kan. She plans to start attending Theta functions soon. There were no Thetas near where she lived in Pennsylvania, so Beverly is very glad to be back in touch with Theta. Patricia Fuson Strom '50 and her husband, Steve, were able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in August 2014 before he passed away in September 2014. Pat lives in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Email: psstrom@sbcglobal.net Donna Wright Esmay '53 and her husband, John, feel blessed to be in such good health and to spend time with their four children and six grandchildren. They enjoy their summer and fall in Cheyenne, Wyo., and the Rocky Mountain area. In winter and spring, they spend their time in Scottsdale, Ariz. Donna and John still volunteer at Cheyenne Frontier Days, announcing their four parades. They both enjoy cooking and dining with guests. For several years they had a condo in Steamboat, Colo., and enjoyed lots of skiing. They have since retired from skiing. Now, they play lots of golf and spend time hiking and traveling. "I cherish my Theta days and Theta sisters!" Jan Everett Putnam '57 says that she, Anne Holsinger Tavel '57, and Linda French Last '58 all live in Wellesley, Mass., where they have lunch together every month. She loves the opportunity to see her Theta sisters. Her granddaughter, Everett Anna Putnam-Macley, was initiated into the Chi Chapter at Syracuse University in March 2015. Everett now wears Janet's pin proudly. Email: janetputnam@earthlink.net Kim Kabler Rootes '62 is working on setting up art shows as well as exhibiting in others. She also teaches a collage workshop at a museum, is part of the watercolor society, and teaches workshops for children. She and her husband, George, live in Spring, Texas, and visit Nicaragua, where they have a house on the Pacific Ocean. Kim is also active in the NW Houston Theta Alumnae Chapter. Cindy Chesher '65 spends much of her time traveling to California to spend time with her twin grandchildren, who are the joy of her life. She also enjoys reunions every year or so with seven to eight Theta sisters. Cindy has traveled to Italy, Paris, and went on a river cruise through Germany. In her free time she does volunteer work for the Kansas City Symphony as a member of the Kansas City Symphony Guild. She loves musical theater and has season tickets to Starlight Theater and the Theater League. Pat Randolph McReynolds '67 and her husband, Jay, moved to Montgomery, Texas, to be closer to their grandchildren. Pat has been involved with the People to People programs since 2006. She has done many world leadership forums in Washington, D.C., and leadership summits at Stanford, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Chicago. She has also focused on some special summits covering the presidential primary, inauguration, elections, and took a second group internationally in summer 2015 to Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and France. E-mail: mcrmom7780@yahoo.com Jane Reed Beckett '72 and her husband, Harry, are blessed with two sets of grand-twins from each of their children. They live in Springfield, Mo. Email: jane2art@yahoo.com Jan Avondet Stewart '73 and her husband, Dennis, are retired and enjoy visiting their four grandchildren: two in Denver, Colo., and two in Auburn, Ala. They love shopping, traveling, walking to exercise, and spending time with family. Jeanne and Dennis love being part of a new church plant in Shawnee, Kan. "We feel so blessed to be able to enjoy every day together." Email: jjstewart8901@gmail.com Marlene Evans DeVilbiss '82 graduated with a Ph.D. in educational leadership, curriculum, and instruction from UMKC in May 2014. She's been an elementary school principal for the last three years in Raytown, Mo. Marlene started as the HR director for Raytown schools in July 2015. Email: mdevilbi@kc.rr.com Beth Naser Werling '96 received a second master's in 2014 from Northern Arizona University in English. Email: beth.a.naser@gmail.com K athy Pickett grew up in Perry, Missouri. Her family moved to Trenton, Missouri, in 1963, and she graduated from Trenton High School in 1972. Kathy began working for a dentist as a senior in high school and continued to work for him while attending college at Trenton Junior College. She then went to work for an orthodontist from 1979-2008 and was a certified orthodontic assistant and office manager for most of her years there. When he semi-retired, Kathy continued to work for him part time. This was also when she first explored work on Mizzou's campus. She became the Pi Beta Phi facility director in 2007 and continued there for five years. She then moved next door to the fraternity house of Phi Kappa Theta and was facility director for three years. This year marks Kathy's ninth at Mizzou, and we're so thrilled to welcome her as our facility director at Kappa Alpha Theta. Kathy has two children and one grandchild. Her oldest daughter is a BSRN and lives in Columbia with her husband and son. Her younger son is an assistant general manager in Texas for JBS Five Cattle Company and is planning his wedding. "I could not be more pleased with my move to Theta as I feel I have reached the top of the career ladder that I have always longed to be," Kathy says. "Theta is definitely the best of the best!" We feel much the same and are thrilled to have her on board! A L U M N A E N E W S Meet Our New Facility Director, Kathy Pickett (Continued on page 6)

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