Steven Brooks

Jay Ortiz

Thanks, first, to Jim Parmelee for posting Irene Wang's obituary on the site. Irene was one of the most overlooked - and perhaps underappreaciated - members of our class, maybe largely because she died so soon after we all went on with our lives after we left Highland. But, I do remember her, and am glad that at long last she has a permanent place in our respective memories. 

Secondly, thank you, Steve, for keeping us updated about Jeff Diefendorf. Jeff and I competed, fiercely, in all the classes we shared together, and I have always valued not only his friendship, but the challenges he posed to me - challenges that have served me well for the remainder of my life. He, his wife and I sat together at the Saturday dinner during our 50th reunion, and I was grateful for the opportunity to tell him - after so many years - how much difference he had made in my life.

Finally, although I may not be able to join the ZOOM meetings very often, I'd like to do so whenever I can - and would be happy to receive any offline emails from any of my old friends. 

My email address is jay.r.gentry.ortiz@gmail.com, and - as I said - I'd welcome hearing from any of you.

Jack Dettweiler (Dettweiler)

75th Birthday Party

I checked with the Country Club yesterday, and we still have an evening reserved in September

for our Party. However, unless the Governor lifts her restrictions, we are not allowed to have such

a gathering. So, we either need to impeach the Governor or start thinking about a Plan B. If she 

doesn't lift the restrictions, I don't know where we can celebrate. 

Jack

Larry Wyatt

The obituary for Coach Bill Gentry was posted in the Albuquerque Journal today.

I was proud to be a member of the '63 State Championship team and Coach was also my P.E. teacher at Zia in the mid '50's.

So Long Coach

https://www.legacy.com/amp/obituaries/abqjournal/196415161

Gloria Ruiz (Santana)

Thanks to all of you that sent birthday wishes, I appreciate you. Can't believe how the years go by, stage safe and healthy. Hopefully someday we will be able to start,our lunches again 

Tina Russell (Lapides)

Happy late Birthday, Gloria! I still see your shining smile in my mind! I hope to see you in person eventually at a reunion! Warmest wishes, Tina Russell Lapides 

Steve Komadina

Shocked at the death of Jack Freedman.  He was always so healthy and physically fit.  I hope he did not suffer and quietly passed fromhis heart attack.  Once again we are reminded of how fragile life is and need to live each day to It's fullest.  I hope all are doing well today.  

Merl Schafer

Steve Komadina

Another shock at the death of Nancy Bridges. Wonderful obituary of what sounded like a wonderful life. We had great times working in Thespians and on school plays. She and Sharon has be asked to leave the the old Catholic girls school on Lomas down town and the brought a new rebellious spirit to the class. Nancy was fearless. So many fun memories. Taos will not be the same without her energy it sound like. Rest In Peace my friend!

Neal Kloepfer

I didn't know Nancy very well but I sure wish I would have. What amazes me is that she lived in the Taos area since 1970 and so few had any contact with her.

May She Rest in Peace,

Neal Kloepfer

Found this link on Facebook today. for asll of us who have lost someone is heartwarming.

https://youtu.be/yduN-IC7bOA

Mary Ann Simanek (Villarreal)

What a beautiful Eulogy Kathy posted of the recent passing of our friend Rosie Caserta Bowers. I remember the day I introduced her to her future husband James Bowers. It was love at first sight for both. She was on her way to a long and wondrous life. We had many good times together from Junior High through High school. I moved away from Albuquerque not long after graduation and we lost touch. I missed her then and will miss her even more now.  Rest In Peace my friend. My prayers are with and for your family. 

Mary Ann Villarreal (Simanek)

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

I agree with Mary Ann about the eulogy for Rosie that it is a very apt picture of her.  I remember her as a vivacious happy girl and that is how I will keep her in my thoughts.  Rest in peace, Rosie, 

Karen White

Thank you, Kathy for an excellent eulogy for Rosie.  I remember Rosie well from Bandelier and Wilson Jr. High.  She was a class favorite in Mr. Allen's sixth grade--a fun and delightful person.  May her family find comfort knowing that others care.

Kathi Paton (Murray)

Karen,  

Thank you for the kind words about the Euology to Rosie. She was such a great friend for so many years, and I miss her so much.

Would you be able to share the photos of Rosie?  If you are willing to give them up, perhaps you could send them to me, or her husband Jim.  I would give them to Jim and their son David.

Thanks again, Kathi Paton Murray

Karen White

Hi Kathi, Rosie was in my 5th grade and 6th grade classes.  I emailed Neal a copy of our 5th grade class picture taken by Leslie Bell's father.  Lots of HHS folks in it.  I posted a few old time photos from Wilson Jr High in my profile but I will check my photo album for more.  

Martha Glantz (Farmer)

Kathi, from reading your fond tribute to Rosie, I wish I had known her.  My appreciation for that time of our lives continues to grow.  I hope your memories bring a smile to replace her absence in your life.

Kathi Paton (Murray)

Martha,

Thank you for messaging me about my tribute to Rosie.  As you can tell she was a dear friend.  I will also let her husband and son know you wrote.  It means a lot to them when someone is moved by the obituary.

Kathi Paton Murray

Mary Moldenauer (Mortimer)

I just wanted to say that you did a wonderful job Kathi when you shared with all of us who Rosie is. I cannot use the past tense just yet because it is to hard to fathom. I pray that the family has peace and support from those around them and I know that it includes you. I grieve your loss of a very dear friend.

Mary (Moldenauer) Mortimer

Mary Moldenauer (Mortimer)

I didn't know Nancy Bridges when she was at Highland but we both moved to Taos at just about the same time. We sang together in the Taos Chorus and had many conversations at Phoenix Mechanical and it did not include my plumbing or hers :-) She was an angel.

Mary (Moldenauer) Mortimer

Kathi Paton (Murray)

Mary,

Thank you for posting a message about Rosie.  She was indeed special, and I think about her every day.

Kathi Paton Murray

George Boyden

Please add me to the list if we end up zooming or whatever , thank you.

Keep our fingers crossed and every other method possible to eliminate the ongoing health risks, including not only the current virus, but smoking, obesity, murders.......   After all, we are in the high risk category !

‘Keep On  “ Truckin” just like ‘ 63           George

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Martha Glantz (Farmer)

Dear fellow classmates,

We have prolonged making a decision about our scheduled 75th birthday party, hoping as you have, that state health restrictions would be removed.  But, it doesn't look promising.  So, with great reluctance, we are cancelling the upcoming birthday reunion at the Albuquerque Country Club on Sept. 26.  We are NOT, however, cancelling our hope for a date in the future.  Let's stay connected until that time.  We would love to hear from those of you who will set that as a goal.  Until then, live this 75th year fully so we can share life stories when we reconvene! ~Neal, Helen, Betty, Marty, Jack 

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Susan Thompson

I'm so sorry we have to cancel our Birthday Party. Hope we can reschedule soon. Also miss our lunch get togethers. Hope you are all well. Stay safe. 

Rhonda Beauchamp (Blech)