MEMBER NEWS
SAD NEWS
*We mourn the passing of Larry Simon, who passed away on April 10, 2024. Larry taught Industrial Arts for 39 years, primarily at Westbury Middle School.
The celebration of life was held at Brown-Wynne 1701 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 on April 12, 2024 . Rabbi Melissa Simon officiated. Shiva was held at 212 Currituck Ln, Durham NC 27703 (Ann and Larry’s home) for family and invited guests only.
In Lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to any charitable cause important to you or Larry, such as the Michael J. Fox Foundation or Transitions Life Care.
*We recently heard that 2 of our members passed away:
WHS History teacher, Bob Seckler passed away on Nov 26, 2023
and Lavilla Watson, Park Ave and Dryden St. social worker.
In Memorium link at bottom of page
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HAPPY NEWS
**JoAnn Cohn's first grandchild, Jacob Rhys Cohn was born
to Adam and Ariel Cohn on April 7, 2023. He weighed 7lbs. 2oz.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
*we miss you JoAnn
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**Camille Lupa and Marge Parente both added another grandchild to their family in 2021!
Judy Bernstein's 1st great grandchild was born in Israel on April 27, 2022. A girl - Masha Bernstein. Parents are son, Joey and daughter-in-law, Ashira.
Welcome to the world!
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**Camille Block is a retiree from Dexel in her early 90's. Her memoir, Cruising Thru Marriage, is
available on Amazon.
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**from-David Dahle: Wanderlust Retiree!
"At a Zoom meeting of the WSR during the pandemic, a question was floated: Do you prefer a vacation or a staycation? I suggest an alternative to both is travel.
Since retiring from WHS in 2000 I have done the following:
2022: Three weeks of car travel in Alaska.
2008: Six months of van camping from NY to Seattle, down the West Coast,, then across the South to Florida and back to NY. I have been to all 50 states.
2004/2007: Two trips to India, 6 weeks each time.
2009: Six weeks in Australia and New Zealand.
2010: One month in Peru.
2014: One month in Cuba.
2006: Five years in a row to Mari Gras in New Orleans, beginning with the first Mardi Gras after Katrina.
2010: Six times to Burning Man.
Since 2000 I have been to over a hundred music festivals.
For the last ten years I have lived in the Dominican Republic for 6 months each year"
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WINTER BREAK!
Snowbird Ann Sela and vacationing Mikey Parente enjoying the warmth and sunshine at the Botanical Gardens in West Palm Beach, FLA.
February 2024.
June 2023: Retirees!!
1. Seth Brechtel-WHS
2. Mayra Cireseanu-Drexel
3. Celeste Haller-WMS
4. Stacey Kowalski-Park Ave
5. Heather McAleese-Park Ave
6. Carmen Ostolaza-Drexel Ave
7. Tracy Provenz-WHS
8. Philip Quagerelli-WHS
9. Debbie Wachter-Powells Lane
10. Jeanette Williams-WHS
CONGRATULATIONS!
Our 2019 Fall luncheon at EB Elliot's on the Mile, was a huge success!!
NYSUT Conference Oct. 29, 2019
WSR members in attendance: Judy Bernstein, Grace Bryant, Dorie Ciulla, and Carol Gardiner.
UPDATE: Carol Gardiner attended the NYSUT Conference on Oct, 26,2022- click the link below for her notes.
*There was a NYSUT Conference Oct 2023 but no one from WSR was able to attend.
Westbury Middle School/Junior High staff
back in the day!
Do you
recognize
anyone?
​
Do you recognize yourself?
photo submitted by
JoAnn Cohn :)
CELEBRATING OUR MEMBERS
For their years of retirement!!
10 yrs: Camille Anello, Lucian Durso, Sue Gerard, Steve Kaufman, Kathleen Olson, Carlyle Richards,
Ann Sela, Caroll Sill, Diane Watson
15 yrs: Andrea Burnham, Cathy Handy, Laurence Simon
20 yrs: Grace Bryant, Pless Dickerson, Ruben Friedman, Sue Nettler, Lillian Zarcone
25 years: Maria Axer
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
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2023 Scholarship Winners!
The winners of the 2023 WSR Annual Scholarship are the following WHS seniors:
1. Basnight, Jordan
2. Boylan, Grant
3. Cardenas-Ramirez, Thalia
4. Deras, Steven
5. Mouzon, Kiara
HAlisa Desire is the recipient of the Maureen Hocker scholarship for outstanding French student .t
WSR member Marcia Rochester and WSR Exec Board member Camille Lupa presented the WSR scholarships to these deserving seniors at the WHS awards ceremony hosted by Principal David Zimbler, on June, 8, 2023
Middle School Renovations
Mikey and Diane met with Assistant Principal Dr. Thiel to tour the newly renovated Middle School in December 2022. It was great being back and seeing the old mixed with the new! MEMORIES :)
Cafeteria 7/8grade
6th grade wing/main entrance
main office/gym
Center Hallway/Lobby
Main Entrance
Old Building Entrance
Teachers' Lunchroom/Workroom
Center Hallway Skylight
**UPDATE: Since our visit, there was a fire at the Middle School on Monday March 13, 2023 at 2:40 am. Thankfully no one was injured. Reports say it was an electrical fire started in a storage room in the basement. There were many books and papers stored there as well. The school immediately went to remote learning. Happy to report, they went back to in-person learning on April 17th, after they were given a clean air report!
Many of you may remember the Teachers' Row in the basement. That was destroyed in the fire as well as the classrooms down there. Smoke and water damage done to floor above as well.
Click link:
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SPRING LUNCHEON
JUNE 8, 2023
Frank's Steakhouse
thanks for the cake Camille! :)
Holiday Luncheon Dec. 9, 2022 at the Westbury Manor. Always a great time! The scholarship raffle was the highlight- so many prizes!!
IAttendees: Mary Harris, Michael Carpenter, Pless Dickerson, Ann Sela, Camille Lupa, Consuelo Champlin, Rosanne Carroll, Anne Hurst-Smith, Fred Brennummer, Rosanne Keirns, Dorie Cuilla, Marge Parente, Carol Gardiner, Diane Watson, Yvonne Cunningham, Pat McCormack, Kathleen O'Shea, Lias Tintle, Janet DiPietro, Grace Bryant, Guests: Donna Milgrom, Natalie Schwartz, Marty Torrey
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Dec 8, 2021: Return of our Holiday Luncheon at the Westbury Manor! 29 people were able to attend and $400 was raised for our annual scholarship award. No photos BUT, a great time was had by all!:)
Pics below are from the 2019 holiday luncheon at Westbury Manor.
2019 Holiday Luncheon!
Westbury Manor
Raffles!
Great Food!
