Regina High School Class of 1964

Sad news to pass along, class of ‘64.

Bob Canning, Evelyn Roy’s husband and Mary Canning’s brother, died Jan 12. Mary asked that I inform the Reggies. We don’t have further details but I’ll pass along if we receive them.
Prayers for the Canning family.

Whether you were able to attend or not, those of us who were lucky enough to be together recently would like to share some of the joy of our 60th reunion. I'm including pictures taken at the event, the opening toast that Bonnie Boyle gave to kick off our celebration, and a recounting of what the world looked and sounded like in 1964, as well as honoring those classmates that we know of, that are no longer with us.

Regina high 1955-1989 ( A toast by Bonnie Boyle)

“As we gather here today -let us call to mind classmates who have entered eternal rest. There are 20 Reggie Angels from the Class of ‘64 that we know of - Patricia Altimont, Mary Barcus, Sheila Callahan, Helene Clark, Theresa Connors, Mary Doyle, Cheryl Grady, Sallie Haynes, Fontaine Jones, Alice Kennelly, Carolyn Kingsolver, Peggy Mann, Sharon Mann, Pat McCarthy, Marie Naecker, Suzanne O’Brien, Diane Richards, Patricia Taggart, Carole Walsh and Gene Widmayer. May their memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved them.

On a brighter note - A little history - Regina opened in 1955 and closed in 1989. RJM values continue to flourish in our nation’s capital with the 1997 opening of the Washington School for Girls in Anacostia cofounded by Sr. Mary Bourdon, RJM in collaboration with The Society of the Holy Child Jesus and the National Council of Negro Women. To quote them - “WSG was Founded in the spirit of courageous women!” How blessed are we that as Regina High School Alumnae, we will always be a part of this legacy which was gifted to us as young teens.

At a reunion here a few years back, Jinx said to me, “Bonnie, how did we get here?” -meaning our elder years. I just shrugged. Today, I have an answer. Mostly courage and a heck of a lotta Grace! All of us have dealt with serious challenges over the years-some resolved, some ongoing and some new - but here we are together shining!

In your gift bag, you will find a copy of author Ann Lamott’s latest book, “Somehow-thoughts on Love.” Anne writes from the perspective of a woman with a history of a turbulent life but has finally found serenity in her early seventies. She is quirky and amusing but her writing can touch your heart with her honesty. She recently wrote in an essay on aging -“Age is just a number-as long as you keep on shining!”

TOAST-

Today, let us raise a glass in gratitude and pride for being a part of Regina’s enduring Spirit- for being “Courageous Women.” May we be blessed with good health and fortitude as we continue to “shine out with light for all” embracing the RJM values of Caritas and Veritas!

Here’s to The Regina High Class of 1964! Courageous Women All!

“If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible.
I Am Woman!”

The Committee hopes you enjoy sharing these moments and seeing the faces of your classmates as we celebrate 60 years of as Bonnie quoted, "Caritas and Veritas."

Please stay in touch with us, as well as letting us know of any news from fellow classmates we could pass along to the rest. And as we look forward to future get togethers, several classmates are looking into a class reunion/river cruise in Europe, possibly to Spain/Portugal or other destination in 2026 when the majority of us will reach that milestone of 80! We will keep you apprised of this possible trip as we get further along in the planning process.

Fondly,
Your Class of '64 Reunion Committee and all the wonderful Reggie’s who made it to the reunion!

Maureen Craig
Linn Taylor
Anne Howard
Mary Canning
Rose Marie Maisti
Lynne Dean
Mary Gast
Nancy Herchenroeder
Susan Regan
Liz Brown
Francine McKenna
Bonnie Boyle
Sonia Leon
Janet Connolly
Gail Connolly
Rita Toomey
Jinx Jenkins
Donna Gado
Mary Ellen McBride
Tookie Mitchell
Pat Kelly
Beth Harris

Posted by Tookie Mitchell after our 60th reunion
“Just returned from my 60th High School Reunion...
22 (of 120) members of the Regina HS Class of '64 met in Lewes, DE for 3 days of memories, camaraderie, laughter, great food and friendship.
An amazing group of women who are affirming, generous and caring ... How blessed we are to have each other...”

This is so hard to have to keep updating everyone more often than we'd like that we've lost two more of our classmates.

Patricia Taggart passed away last month after a long illness. We never received any obituary or funeral details as it was all private but our class sent along a card from all of us to her family.

And today, Jinx received word that Sharon Mann passed away at a hospice facility in Charlottesville, Va. near her children, after a long battle with lung cancer that eventually metastasized in her brain and that's what took her from us. Obviously, we don't have any more details but will send that along to everyone once we receive it.

Prayers for both of their families and all of us who have fond memories of them at Regina and beyond.

It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of another classmate, Cheryl Grady, this past week at her home. There will be a graveside service this coming Saturday, 7/29 at 1:00 at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20906. Our class will be sending along a sympathy card from her classmates through our reunion committee. Prayers for Cheryl's family and friends.

Reminder to everyone. Deadline to join the class zoom reunion is this Friday, March 10!

Sad news to pass along to our classmates that Nancy Herchenroeders brother recently passed away. Our hearts and prayers go out to her and her family.

Obituary for John Adam Herchenroeder | Cole Funeral Services P.A. Share memories & support the family

Wanted to pass along the passing of Pat Zuraski’s mother recently at the amazing age of 100! Our prayers for Pat and her entire family

ELEANOR ZURASKI Obituary (2021) The Washington Post View ELEANOR ZURASKI's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

Thanks to our extremely dedicated and talented Tookie Mitchell Gentilcore, attached is a beautiful album of photos from our recent small but amazing reunion in Lewes, DE. We were fortunate to have 13 attendees over the 2-day period to laugh, mingle and reminisce and catch up with each other.

We missed those of you who couldn't attend and will keep you apprised in the new year of plans for 2022!

In the meantime, we are grateful to all who contributed both time and resources to make this event happen....the Reunion Committee including Lewes resident, Rita Toomey Jamieson-Gray, who used her first hand knowledge of this quaint little city to make it happen! And to Bonnie Boyle Cote for sharing her love of Italy and bringing us a taste and toast to all of us with her homemade Biscotti as well as Lemoncello. A special shout out to Pat Lanahan Cherry, who although was unable to attend, sent a generous donation to the committee to help cover expenses for the event.

Please stay in touch with us either via email or our page to let us know of happenings in your life and we hope to see you at a future event.

Happy Holidays from your Reunion Committee,

Sonia Leon
Tookie Mitchell Gentilcore
Rita Toomey Jamieson-Gray
Janet Connolly
Donna Gado Schwartz
Lynne Dean Byrd
Cheryl Spicer Watts
Bonnie Boyle Cote
Pat Kelly
Ellen Jinx Jenkins
Beth Harris Dispenza

OneDrive

This post is from our classmate, Donna Gado.

Hello friends,
I received this obituary about Mary Barcus Smith through a friend, who had just learned of Mary’s passing. She and I grew up in Greenbelt and had been friends through college and after. I was in her wedding.

Sadly, we lost touch over the years. You never forget your oldest and dearest friends!
Donna

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/capitalgazette/name/mary-smith-obituary?id=1339407

Mary Barcus Smith Obituary (2021) The Capital Gazette View Mary Barcus Smith's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.