How sad to learn of Jerry's passing.  He was one of my favorite classmates starting in the first grade when the nun at St. Anthony's moved a seat for Jerry to sit next to me in order to help me learn to read.  Because of his help, my interest in books ballooned into frequent visits to the city library where I found the picture-book corner and so enjoyed my experiences there.  I will always be grateful to Jerry for those memories.  My sympathy to his whole familhy for their tremendous loss. So sorry, Irene; so very sorry for your loss.

Much love, Colette White 

How sad to learn of John's passing.  He was a wonderful person as a high school student, and I'm sure he went on to be an outstanding teacher.  In Mr. Knopik's junior-year English class, we were assigned a year-long anthology-type writing project.  We were to include the original saying that we had read or heard, who the author was, and why it made an impression on us. One of John's entries read aloud to us was this:  "God's first, others are second, and I'm third."  I believe it was from an embroidered plaque his mother had sewn for him.  That saying stayed with me for the rest of my life and I thank John for it.  May he be forever surrounded and aware of the peace he's brought to the many people he's touched throughout his lifetime.  God bless.

May Carol enjoy a high place in heaven because I'm sure she's giving God a run for the money!  Her spirit will keep that place hopping and ready to roll.  

I didn't know Carol well in high school, but came to appreciate her vivaciousness when we worked together at Owens during the summer following graduation.  Boy, she was fun!  And sooo gifted at sports.  I remember "playing a game of tennis" with her on a day off when I was astonished at her prowess.  Actually,  it probably was not a real game since I was lucky to return even a single bash back at her across that "high" net.  When we realized tennis wasn't going to work, maybe I could do better at golf.  In another attempt at fun, we tried a game at the Anderson Field Golf Course.  One more time, Carol stood out as a CHAMP.  She had the gift, Carol did.  She was tough, and mightily gifted.  A winner in every game she played, I'll bet.  May her entire family stand taller with pride when her name is mentioned.  And may she rest in peace inbetween her "games" in heaven.  

Colette White.      

Tom Wonders really was a great guy, and his darling wife Patty Brown was just as great.  May they rest in peace forever more together. 

Ted really was a wonderful guy.  During our high school years, I always thought that he and Alice were one of the nicest couples we would see together.  And now at the end of his life, I realize once again how wonderful it was that they were together all through their lives.  He couldn't have had a better caretaker than his own dear Alice.  The two of you together will be among my fondest high school and reunion memories.

My deepest sympathies to you, Alice, and to your children.

Much love, Colette White 

Rosemary was one of those outstanding St. Steven's girls.  They all got along so well and looked out for one another.  I didn't know Rosemary well, but two things stand out in my memory:  she married Jim Hersheway, a St. Anthony's classmate of mine, and I always thought they were lucky to be in each other's lives; and secondly, because my parents spent considerable time at St. Mary's Hospital during parts of their lives, I would often see Rosemary there.  She was always so sweet, kind, positive, and helpful -- I felt better knowing she was there, too, working in the same building where my parents were fighting to get better.  She along with some of the nurses plus Dr. Parsons exemplified all the wonderful Streator and St. Mary's Hospital qualities to my mind.  May she rest in peace and in her family's memories.  --Colette White

Oh, how really sad it is to read of Neil's passing.  For all his love of speeding vehicles and having fun, during our high school years he also had a wonderful sweetness about him.  You can see it in his senior yearbook picture shown above.  He was a big guy; he tipped his head forward and down a bit when he spoke with any of us kids, engaging fully with us.  I think he really liked people, enjoyed everybody, and probably had an amazingly full life with all his family, friends, and workmates.  Rest in peace, Neil, and thank you for your gifts.

So sorry for your loss, Pat.

Sincerely, Colette White