2021 & 2022 updates
Have something to share with the Class? Drop a line. We would all like to hear from you!
Here's what we "hear" latest posting first.
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Please send me your birthday or anniversary (or any other classmate birthday/anniversary)
and we will post it on the appropriate month.
Thanks- Marcy
MARCY'S 2021 END OF YEAR LETTER
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This is the 16th annual end-of-the-year letter for our website. It still amazes me that we are up and running this long. We have all of you to thank because your news and pictures are what bring people back for more visits. Our biggest debt of gratitude has to go to Honey. She learned a new set of skills so that she could post our news. I know I could not have done that.
We lost one classmate this year. Richie Gise brings our total to 74.
This past year has been an improvement over last year but it still falls short of the expectations we had for 2021. Most of us were able to hug family members again and started to breathe a sigh of relief. But despite many people having all three shots, some are still getting the virus.
As we move into 2022 let’s continue to do everything in our power to stop the spread of this dreadful virus. We have a number of classmates who are very ill at present. Some prefer privacy and others have no problem sharing. But we can pray for those classmates without speaking the names.
It always impresses me when our class steps up to the plate and reaches out when one of us is in need.
Wishing you a happy, healthy and safe 2022.
Happy New Year
Hi, wishing the class of 1961 a year of sunshine, health, new discoveries and time with family and friends.
Alan and I are doing fine. It’s been a year since I retired and every day seems like a weekend. We are living a relatively normal life despite trips cancelled or postponed (Nova Scotia/Croatia). We still have a 2022 trip scheduled to Japan! ?
Meanwhile, driving trips to visit grandsons at the U. of Florida and U. of Kentucky.
Hoping classmates stay well during this outbreak.
Thanks for all you do to keep us updated with classmates.
Roni Cojac Mintz 12/21/2021
Well wishes go out to Sue Amrhein Mulligan. It has been two weeks since she had both hips replaced in one surgery. She says that’s what happens when you play tennis four times a week.
Marcy 12/19/2021
A friend wrote me that it's great to still get certificates and diplomas at our age!
Doug (The Old Blogger)
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Marcy and Honey:
It's time for my annual "thank you" for the wonderful job you do with our class website. When I talk about or show non-classmates our site, they are amazed and envious!
I'm doing fine. Just the usual aches and pains of age and the extreme pain of being a New York Giants' football fan. My oldest grandson is in his Junior year at Indiana and loving it. My youngest grandson is rehabbing from a knee injury suffered with 3 minutes left in his last varsity football game. He is trying to decide on his college options, with his choices pared down to Illinois, Loyola of Chicago, and Arizona State. I am immensely proud of both of them and their accomplishments.
If you are going to post this, I would also like to wish all of my classmates a great holiday season and a happy and healthy 2022.
Again..thanks.
Harvey Pearlstein
12/14/2021
From Marcy 12/6/2021
I am so happy to let everyone know that Frank Curtin is feeling better. Several of you have left messages on his phone. He will get back to people one by one because he tires very easily. He is still very weak. His main problem right now is fatigue. If he gets up out of bed, it doesn’t take long before he needs to get back in bed. Frank wants all of you to know that he is fine but very slow to return message.
Those of you who know him, know that he likes to get a dollar bill in his birthday cards. For the first time ever, I put a dollar in his get well card. He said it made both Rona and him laugh.
UPCOMING SERVICE
Memorial service
Dec, 11 2021
11:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.
Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel
Harry J. Turk, age 90, passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife, Mary Ann by his side on Saturday, November 27, 2021 following a courageous struggle with prostate cancer.
Born in Hamilton, Canada, he was a son of the late Harry and Lily (Galliver) Turk. He moved to the United States at a young age and served honorably in the United States Air Force and following discharge was a technical writer for Grumman Aircraft for a large portion of his working life.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers: Alf Turk, George Turk, Jack Turk and Bob Turk; his sisters: Dorothy Atkins and Margaret Turk.
Surviving are his loving wife of 39 years, Mary Ann; his children whom he loved dearly: Denise Sweeney, Helene Fuller (Randy), Gregor Xythe, Janet McMahan (John), Jeffrey Turk (Julie), Thomas Turk, Harry James Turk, Jr. (Irene Bradley); his grandchildren: Tara Lee, Ryan Fuller, Jena Boynton, Shannon Creed, Mallory Musso, Katlyn Turk, Chris Turk, Josh Turk, Sean McMahan, Sarah McMahan, Stephanie McMahan, Adam Turk (Heather), Michelle Turk, Brandon Hurley and 5 great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel with Rev. John Sullivan officiating. The family will be greeting friends and relatives after the service.
Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of the arrangements
From Marcy 11/30/2021
Asking for prayers for classmate Frank Curtin. He had all three shots. He drove down to Florida to see his daughter and picked up Covid on the way back. He got out of the hospital on Thursday. He’s not taking any phone calls until he can talk.
If you want to send a get well card :
Frank Curtin
49 Maple Street
Walden, NY
12586
From MaryAnn Lavery-Turk
Last night at 6:25pm, my loving husband Harry went home to be with Jesus! He battled cancer for 17 years, he fought a heroic fight always with hope and a smile, he was so courageous, he is and always will be my hero, my love, my best friend, my shining star.
I just don’t know how I will live without him now…….
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MaryAnn can be reached at
4024Grousewood Dr.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588-6792
We received this from Pat Pandolfi Cox. Many of us walked to school on Ranch Lane. Who would think a home in Levittown would be listed for this price!!
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Check out this Levitt house on Ranch Lane. It’s from a local paper
https://patch.com/new-york/gardencity/wow-house-gorgeous-hidden-gem-wont-last-long
Dear Marcy and Honey,
I am finally in my new home, but not without complications….medical complications that landed me in the hospital for the first time in 53 years (since my last child was born, so guess I’m not doing TOO bad! )!
My new address is 13950 Myerson Avenue, Orlando, FL 32827. Ironically, this is a newer section of Orlando which is also called “Medical City” because of the medical school, and research facilities within a short distance of my home. BUT, when I got ill with what turns out to be autoimmune hemolytic anemia, I ended up 30 miles away at the hospital where I used to live. We have huge competing hospital complexes here and “my” doctors are all with the one furtherest from me now, not the one closest to me. It worked out, thankfully, and I now have a wonderful team of hematologists having me come in every week to monitor me on these heavy doses of steroids I am on! The good news it has given me the energy I was lacking to make a move so I am finally getting settled after living out of a suitcase for over a year after leaving Arizona.
I probably told you I was torn between moving back to Orlando or to Jacksonville, Florida where my son and his wife now live. I had been dividing my time between my brother’s home here in Winter Park, Florida and Jacksonville during my year of “homelessness”. But, having this new medical problem made me realize I made the right choice of settling back in Orlando. My brother, Alan, and his wife, Jeri, (both Class of 67) live about 35 minutes from me now, but their son, Scott, is now my neighbor, which is one big reason I moved to this new home. Alan (still a working orthopedic surgeon) and Jeri (a ICU nurse) have been a tremendous help throughout this past year and with the move and especially my medical emergency!
By the way, in the picture, I have not shrunk (I’m still the 5’3” I’ve always been) but that front door is huge! This house has very high ceilings and that door is the biggest front door I’ve ever seen on a house. And, isn’t it nice the builder gift wrapped that door? Not only that, they left me a lot of incredible gifts in the house that day. Never had a builder, ever, as good as David Weekley, and am very grateful to have everything work out as well as it has so far! Best wishes to you both, Love, Lois
Next Friday October 22nd @ 8:30pm on BACK 2 LEVITTOWN! with Danny Tighe on Facebook Live!
His guest is RUSS MULROY!!!
Class of 61'!
LMHS's Biggest Basketball Star!
That's next Friday @ 8:30pm EDT. on Facebook Live!!!
Let's go.....BACK 2 LEVITTOWN!!!!
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(10/14/2021)
Mary Ann (Lavery) Turk is asking for our prayers. Her husband Harry is now on Hospice. She said that the more prayers coming in, the better. I’m thinking she could use a few herself.
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Marcy (8/16/2021)
Received from Barbara Steinman Bengels
Dear Marcy,
Finally trying to get my act together--and you're right: it will be a big help when I can buy some liver and spinach and start wolfing it down. They never found out what caused the anemia and I'm not anxious to ever go through that again. I appreciate everything about being home now!!!!
Here's an up-to date statement if you want to include it on the LMHS1961 website (or whatever it's called:blog?)
As amazing as it seems to me, Dennis and I have been married 56 years with my teaching at Hofstra 53 of those years. The past year and a half has been thoroughly nerve-wracking because of having to learn all the new Zoom technology but surprisingly I learned to love teaching online and felt it was more intimate than the classroom. The students are in my living room! I get to see their pets, their posters, a little extra piece of their lives. We can have Zoom conferences literally any hour day or night (I keep weird hours) and they can go on for as long as necessary, unlike being in my office on campus. This semester, however, I'm up for a new challenge: asynchronous teaching and I have to figure out how to make composition courses interesting and entertaining without the immediate interaction with students. Luckily one of my four daughters is brilliant about technology and has been helping me every inch of the way.
All in all, the pandemic has severely restricted our lives as it has yours. We who loved to travel now only go to the local dog run (though I did get an article out of that experience.) Our passion for theater is fulfilled by streaming performances by groups such as the Irish Repertory Theater. It's amazing the creativity that Zoom has brought forth. The thing we miss most, of course, is seeing our children and grandchildren but we are so grateful that we're all reasonably healthy and lucky enough to have a home and ample comforts. (And thank goodness I've always loved reading!)
I hope all of my LMHS friends are surviving this dystopian world we're now living in--and must add that with all the science fiction I've read since I was 12 years old, I never ever believed I'd be living in a dystopian world filled with so much hate and ignorance. But I'm determined to focus on all the good things we have--and hope you can too.
Stay well, Marcy--and thanks for still taking care of all of us!
Barbara (8/15/2021)
From Barbara Steinman Bengels
I'm finally home from the hospital, feeling good, but no diagnosis which is nerve-wracking. I'll try to send you some cheerful info later.
Take care of yourself! ( Do you live upstate? One of my daughters lives in Napanoch and loves it.)
(08/13/2021)
Please keep Barbara Steinman Bengels in your prayers. I received this after requesting an anniversary picture of her and Dennis.
Barbara can be reached at profbengels@gmail.com.
Marcy (8/6/2021)
Marcy, I quite unexpectedly landed up in the hospital with severe anemia so I won't be able to get a picture to you. Maybe one of my daughters can. I'll try to send you an update....Fondly, Barbara
Dear Marcy, Louise & Honey and all the members of the Class of 1961.
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Thank you all for your support, comments, prayers and generous donation as I try to rebuild my life. I am so grateful for your loving support
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Chickie 7/12/2021
I hope this message from Jeff Chasan inspires someone to pick up the phone and call Gino:
Marcy
Just got off a 40 minute call with Gino. WOW does he sound good. Amazing no depression or feeling sorry for himself. Lots of things going on with and for him in a positive way. Certainly has MANY challenges ahead as well. Currently serious kidney issues that are functioning at around 15% of normal. Doing dialysis 3 X a week hoping to get that function up to 40%. He found out that he probably qualifies for a California insurance called MEDCAL which along with Medicare AARP and Veterans assistance will be a big financial plus for him. Other than obvious problems is being alone. Spends more time looking at the ceiling but he said it in non complaining way. Anything you can do to get others to give him a call I think he would love to hear from any and all of us. Feel free to call me if you have any questions
Jeff (7/4/2021)
Information received from Jerry Murphy.
Sad to report we have lost another classmate. Richie Gise passed away on June 28, 2021. His yearbook photo will be moved to the "Gone But Not Forgotten" Page. Richie was an army veteran and we will add him to the "Veterans Page"
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7/4/2021
60 years ago this week I graduated from high school. I don’t remember a whole lot about the day. I remember going to Jahn’s ice cream parlor after the ceremony. I remember the dress I wore only because there are pictures of me in it. I remember saying goodbye to a lot of people that I honestly thought I would never see again. Lots of promises were made about keeping in touch but very few of them were actually kept. As the years rolled by we met again at class reunions and picked up as if we never left off.
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The amazing thing is that we have remained very close as a class. I look at my friends list and I see there are 53 classmates on it.We are spread out all over the country but we always manage to squeeze in visits.
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75 members of my class have passed away over the years. It makes me feel very lucky to still be here. Congratulations to All the members of Levittown Memorial High School class of 1961. I feel so lucky to have you in my life.
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Marcy (6/24/2021)
Hope you and yours are doing well.
It has been 60 years since we all faced another milestone in our lives. It’s been a hell of a ride.
Do we still need contributions to continue the site? Please let me know if we do. I will need the information to do my share.
Received this from Steve Weissman. (6/22/2021)
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We are so happy to say that we are still very good financially. Our biggest expense in the past was a salary to the person doing our postings. Honey is now doing that and it has become a labor of love. The boosters who supported us all those years are the heroes who kept this site going. That enabled us to stay in touch and facilitate in person visits. Thank you Steve for asking. Little did most of us ever dream that we would still be in contact 60 years from graduation day.
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Marcy (6/22/2021)
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A fire destroyed her apartment in Marietta, GA, Lee (Chickie) Goldberg-Dennis, is currently at an Extended Stay America on Busbee Parkway in Kennesaw. Her phone number is (470) 646-4382
Hi Marcy,
I finally was able to connect with Gino yesterday. He is now in his third room at the hospital.
Room 308C
(626) 430-5750
He's hanging in there.
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As you may remember, I'd send him a birthday card each year and we'd write letters back and forth and chat on occasion. I reminded him how he kindly mailed me his alto sax so I could get the feel of it! We have the same compassion for animals.
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The next email to you has a painting he sent me a few years ago at Christmas and a photo of boat lettering.
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I am holding a vision of Gino following the wisdom and guidance of God.
Love,
Pat Pandolfi (5/26/2021)
Hello Honey,
I just spoke with Gino and he seems to be doing as well as can be expected. In case you don't have it his new room number is 308C and his direct phone number is (626) 430-5750. Just wanted to update you.
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Larry Carballo (5/25/2021)
Condolences to Harvey Pearlstein on the loss of his older brother Joel. Harvey can be reached at HarvLP@aol.com. RIP Joel. Photo on "Our Families 2021" Page in the Informal Gatherings Section
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Marcy (5/15/2021)
Hi Marcy, hope you are well.
I wanted to share that Joyce Megar Kassof and I recently had a 2 hour phone conversation.
We were sorority sisters at LMHS and good friends.
My daughter and I had a visit at her home in Florida about 25 years ago. I recently sent her a birthday card and that started our friendship renewal. Although many years have passed our conversation was like it was yesterday.
Thanks to you and Honey for keeping our LMHS website alive and making it possible to touch base with high school classmates.
Roni Cojac Mintz (4/10/2021)
Today is a difficult birthday for me. My youngest sister, Gladys-Anne, passed away on Sunday, March 28th. She was 61 years old. She and I were so close. Diagnosed with COVID and died within the week.
We usually celebrate my birthday and Easter in South FL every year with her and her family. We are heading to GA tomorrow and will have the wake and then cremation and will all go to South FL next week.
Pat Pandolfi-Cox (3/31/2021)
Dear Honey,
Here's our photo. Not the best, but the most recent, done by a friend via skype. The background is done by photoshop – definitely not Israeli. I think the countryside in Tasmania! (Photo is posted on the "Anniversaries" Page)
March 23 – our 52nd anniversary (and election day).
Stay well,
Doug
Our hearts go out to Iris Kogel Chapman on the sudden loss of her husband Bob. She said it was very sudden with no warning signals and that she is still in a state of shock. Iris can be reached at Irischapman@hawaii.rr.com.
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Marcy (3/19/2021)
Carol Anchor Zachmann passed away on February 21st. Her son Bill said that her heart just gave out. She is survived by two sons, a daughter and a granddaughter. Carol's yearbook picture has been moved to "Gone But Not Forgotten" . Obituary can be viewed "here".
Rest in peace Carol.
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Marcy (2/23/2021)
Phil saw his shadow (according to his official handlers in the Groundhog Club) which means, according to tradition, we are in for six more weeks of
There are some very good suggestions here from Roni Cojac Mintz. Since we all have some extra time on our hands, maybe some of you can take the time to answer some of the questions that Roni brought up. I always thank her for contributing things. Someone please surprise us this week with news or a picture. There are no wedding anniversaries in the month of February so you can all breathe a sigh of relief that I won’t be bugging you for a picture. Maybe people can look through old albums and find some pictures from our teenage years.
Marcy
Good Morning, about the COVID vaccine. We got our 1st shot 1/15 and have an appointment on 2/8 for the 2nd shot. Every day we hear different news about availability.
As for the LMHS site, you are correct in wishing more people participated. Perhaps challenging them with a question? Do you value/enjoy the site? Why? Share the %/ numbers of "active" participants.
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I feel we have more time at home and that could encourage people to participate in some way.
We know it's always the same people....guess that is a fact in any activity!!!I Wonder if a message asking classmates to send updates on what they are doing during retirement or if still working/ volunteering? How COVID has affected them seeing family/friends?
You and Honey continue to keep up the LMHS spirit and I am grateful for your commitment. I appreciate staying connected to a time in my life that brings back high school memories. I also respect the fact that some may have negative memories!
Roni (1/30/2021)
Joel Strom alerted me today of the passing of Jane Lynch. The obit is from a Pembroke/Brown publication. She was very accomplished!!
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Steve (1/22/2021)
Thanks Steve. Jane lived in my neighborhood. She often gave me rides to school. I recently asked Barbara Steinman if she had heard from Jane since I lost contact. Barbara had lost contact too.
She made a difference in the lives of the children she saved. Thanks for informing us.
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Marcy (1/22/2021)
Apologies to Carol Lee Eckhardt Daniel for the typo's in her name. We also wanted to mention that her former husband Jamie Schloss was an LMHS Graduate of the Class of 1960. We have requested Arnie Runge add Jamie's name to his website www.lmhsinmemoriam.com.
Condolences to Carole Lee Eckhardt Daniels and her three sons on the passing of her former husband Jamie Schloss. He was the father of her three sons and passed away from COVID-19. Carol Lee is quite sure that many in our class will remember him. She can be reached at
Carollee15215@gmail.com