Reunion Notes
1958-1963
32
Judith Lavelle of Lakewood, OH,
taught at St. Joseph Academy, at St.
Williams in Walled Lake, and for 30
years in Cleveland, where she also was a
case worker for county welfare.
“Working at City Hall summers while I
went to Siena Heights allowed me to
retire one year earlier. I’ve been
involved with Siena’s Alumni Board
almost continuously since 1961, as well
as with the St. Joseph Academy
alumnae, and am currently president of
both groups.” She also has been a parent
care giver; her father died in 1996 and
Judy now cares for her 95-year-old
mother. Judy is an Adrian Dominican
associate and an active volunteer in two
parishes. She’s been involved with
various civic groups in the Cleveland
area.
Joan Kathleen Lorencz, OP of Warren
taught elementary through senior high
for 26 years and then moved on to adult
religious education for 18 years. While
teaching, she studied for a master’s in
religious studies from Providence
College and a master’s in Christian
spirituality from Creighton University.
She now spends her time volunteering.
Patricia Lang Stewart (formerly Sister
Mary Juana) of Panama City, FL, just
retired after 38 years of teaching, mostly
in the visual arts. She plans to paint, sew,
read, travel and volunteer.
Anne LaVallee Thousand of Madison
Heights enjoyed 27 years of teaching, 18
in special education, before retiring.
Along the way, she earned her master’s
from Oakland University and completed a
substantial amount of additional graduate
work. She and Jack, her husband of 38
years, have three successful children and
seven “grands.” They spend summers in
Garden, MI, returning to Madison
Heights for the winter months, and
squeeze in a couple months in Alabama.
A genealogy enthusiast and president of
the Garden Peninsula Historical Society,
Anne is enjoying retirement.
Sister Grace Ellen Urban (Marie
Urban) of Sylvania, OH, worked for a
year as a caseworker at Catholic Social
Services of Wayne County before
entering the Religious Community of the
Sisters of St. Francis. She subsequently
taught 2nd-8th grades, taught one year at
the college level, and served as
“housemother” for resident high school
students. She also spent a year
volunteering at a local soup kitchen, at
the Interfaith Justice and Peace Office,
and assisting sick sisters. She continues
to be actively involved in justice and
peace efforts, while enjoying reading,
gardening and crossword puzzles.
Joan Klusnick Kerr Watson of Murray,
UT, has four successful children and four
grandchildren (with five and six on the
way). “Enjoyed my working years,
ending as a specialist for the Oregon
Welfare Family Services. I won several
awards. Enjoyed volunteering in schools
and nursing homes, teaching adult
reading, gardening, water color painting,
crocheting, etc. Have been single for 13
years and enjoy my freedom. My dog and
I enjoy doing our own thing.”
Ann Benedict Williams, OP lives in
Burbank, IL, where she tutors and teaches
first grade.
Dorothy Ann Grant Couturier writes
from Lake Leelanau, “After graduating
from Siena Heights, I went on to Good
Samaritan in Cincinnati to do an
internship in dietetics. From there I went
to St. Joseph Hospital in Mt. Clemens for
a year. I married Dave in ‘64 and had five
children: Dorty, Denise, David, Deb and
Daryl. All our children have graduated
from college and married.” Although she
retired in ‘95 from Northport Hospital
after 25 years, she is still doing the
bookkeeping for her husband’s excavating company, but she hopes also to
retire again in three years.
Lois Theismann Keane lives in Decatur,
IN, where she is owner and operator of
Red Duck Antiques. She has retired from
two other jobs: 15 years as secretary for
Reppert Auction School, and 10 years as a
tax preparer for H&R Block. Lois has two
children and two grandchildren.
Siena Heights University
Program in Theological Studies
at the Catholic Diocese of Lansing
(517) 264-7690 or (800) 521-0009, x7690
Not only is Siena Heights the only Catholic institution of higher education in the Diocese of
Lansing, the University also is an integral partner with the Diocese, offering a Program in
Theological Studies for adults involved in the Diocesan Ministry Formation Program for lay
church leaders. Classes are offered at various sites within the Diocese, including Flint, Ann
Arbor, Lansing and Jackson, as well as on the Siena Heights campus in Adrian. Level I of the
program consists of 18 hours of undergraduate theology credit; Level II is an additional 18 hours
in theology. This is a certificate program, but completion of the program can constitute a
contracted major in ministry for a student seeking a bachelor’s degree. The theological Studies
Program, established in 1995, is in its fourth year of operation.
Theological Studies Program Staff: Sister Jodie Screes, OP ‘53 coordinates the program from her
office on the Adrian Campus. Dr. Susan Conley Weeks ‘67 of Siena’s religious studies faculty
oversees the academic content of the program. Mary Tardif is the Lansing Diocese liaison.
Sister Anthonita Porta, OP of Adrian
has taught first grade, Montessori preschool and college classes at Siena
Heights where she has been an adjunct
faculty member since 1972. She is
currently directing a certification program
for Montessori teachers in Adrian, as well
as teaching in Montessori certification
programs in Boston, Orlando, New York
and Miami. She is very involved with the
American Montessori Society as a board
member, school consultant and member
of school accreditation teams. Sister
Anthonita says, “My religious commitment continues to give me life and