Evening Telephone:5165935733 Address:40 Howland Rd. City:East Rockaway, NY 11518

Birthday:October 23, 1943 Email:susanfreyad@aol.com Day Telephone:8474321233 Address:1167 Crofton Avenue N City:Highland Park State/Prov.:IL Country:US Zip/Postal Code:60035 Occupation:Retired Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2 Grade school attended:Bradwell/Horace Mann Highlights of your life since graduation:Writing a profile for a 50th year high school reunion is a bit mind boggling. How can this possibly be?
For me, high school was, for the most part, idyllic. We had plenty of teachers who were characters – Mrs. Majors, Mrs. Baker, Mr. Williams (who fell asleep in front of the class every day), Miss Von Bremer, but we also had gems. Miss Annan was revered and feared, and I was not one of her favorites (nor was she mine). If she knew that I taught high school English after college, she would be spinning, I’m sure. I can assure you that my teaching did not imitate hers.
A big part of my life in high school was participating in cheerleading. Contact with Betty Lee Feldman, (another character) who was our sponsor continued over more than 3 years. She drove me nuts, but that activity gave me my life-long love of football and basketball, and my teams’ schedules are important!
My college “career” was not a happy stretch of my life. I went to 3 different colleges, changed majors, and generally over studied Memories or anything else you'd like to share:and under dated. I did make it through college, graduated with honors, but it was hard won.
After college, I came back home and taught at CVS. I actually loved it there, and I learned a lot about real life. My classroom was on the top floor so I missed seeing the students who had overdosed being carried out of the school on stretchers. We also, from time to time, had to conduct surprise inspection of lockers. I had asked the principal what I should do if I found a gun, and he said, “Take it out of the locker.” REALLY???? Never did find a gun, thankfully. I also had “protection” from the center of the football team who said, “Miss Merlander, any one ever bother you, you just let me know.” Bless his kind soul. You wouldn’t have wanted to mess with him, trust me.
My husband (Marvin) and I had our first date on July 16, 1966. Richard Speck had murdered nurses not far from our Merrill Avenue home and had not been identified or caught. I took one look at Marvin and knew he just couldn’t be the killer! Lucky for me that I opened the door.
We will be married 44 years this summer, and we’re still working at it! We have been extremely lucky having weathered several major illnesses, recovered from a devastating house fire, and the ensuing reconstruction, survived the fall of Arthur Andersen (Marvin had a 35 year career there), and been blessed with two daughters, one of whom, Alyssa (40 years old), works in the field of change management, and our other daughter, Reni (38 years old), was ordained a rabbi in June, 2003. Reni married Aaron Nessel in 2006. Gabriel Solomon Nessel was born June 8, 2010 and has brought great joy into our lives.
Married and moving NORTH(!) caused me to transfer high schools. I was assigned to Von Steuben High School which I also enjoyed. I still have friends from CVS and VS (faculty and students) with whom I keep in touch.
We have lived in Highland Park now for 42 years in three different houses. In 1988, we purchased a little cabin on the other side of the lake in Lakeside, Michigan. It’s only 800 square feet, but it’s a sanity saver.
I loved being a stay-at-home Mom. I probably drove our daughters crazy, but then, what mother doesn’t? Along the way, our family took up camping and that, for the most part, was how we traveled for the next ten years. We’ve since broadened our scope, love to see other countries and in addition, take what is known in the Dickman vernacular as “Ma and Pa hit the back-roads” trips.
While I was an at home Mom, I was extremely active in several organizations: B’nai B’rith Women, Brandeis National Women’s Organization, and of course, the PTO. The presidency of the PTO left a bit to be desired, but the term ended eventually as all terms do, thank goodness.
After my 20 year hiatus at home, a friend offered me a job in the National Office of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School. The Melton program, affiliated with Hebrew University of Jerusalem, teaches set adult Jewish education courses over a two-year span all over the world. I worked for 10 years, met amazingly dedicated educators who enriched my life beyond measure and saw the organization grow from 22 sites to 63 sites when I retired. I’d like to think that I had something to do with that growth. I know that I benefitted a great deal.
Now, Marvin and I are both retired and have “play dates,” i.e. see what we want to see in the Chicago environs. We also have a passion for theater, and I attend classes at the North Shore Senior Center. No tests, no papers, just pure enjoyment on a myriad of subjects with outstanding lecturers.
An important part of my life now is “tripping” with the "South Side Girls." Every year, (since we turned 50) Arlene Boshes Hirschfelder, Joni Rooth Brochstein, Susie Meitus Gottlieb and I go somewhere in the USA. Our conference calls to plan the trips last longer than the trips! There’s nothing like being with long time friends who know your history. I also cherish continuing relationships with other SSHS friends.
It saddens me deeply to see how many in our class have passed on, some of whom were my very dear friends. Truly, the fact of their deaths leaves holes in my heart.
I think I’m fortunate to be happy with my “lot.” I haven’t scaled mountains, haven’t received the Nobel or Pulitzer, but I’ve never been on the police blotter, either.
Do I have woulda’s, coulda’s, shoulda’s? Of course. Doesn’t everyone?
I do know I can’t go home again, and that’s just fine, but I will always be proud that I grew up on the south side of Chicago.

Birthday:November 06, 1944 Email:dmmatson@gmail.com Day Telephone:8644484651 Evening Telephone:8644484351 Address:100 Sawbriar Ct. City:Travelers Rest State/Prov.:SC Country:US Zip/Postal Code:29690 Occupation:retired Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2 Grade school attended:Parkside Highlights of your life since graduation:Married to Russ Matson 52 happy years, living in Miami FL for 40 of those years. Sailed for many years with our children and still enjoy boating. We have 5 grandchildren--all fortunately living nearby in the Carolinas. Bank officer for most of my career, then changed to aviation leasing. Memories or anything else you'd like to share:The people I would most like to find are Marjorie Carlson, Carol Kubiak, Jennifer Lynn, Pat Melton and Paggy Schneider, none of whom are updated on this website.

Evening Telephone:7737632914 Address:5610 N. Natoma City:Chicago, IL 60631

Birthday:October 18, 1943 Email:diane.zidman@att.net Day Telephone:8473026321 Evening Telephone:8479487393 Address:528 Pine Street City:Deerfield State/Prov.:IL Country:US Zip/Postal Code:60015 Occupation:Retired Website:sshs61.com Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2 Grade school attended:Bryn Mawr Highlights of your life since graduation:I was married in 1964 and have 2 children...Jeffrey (43 years) and Marla (41 years) Jeffrey lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife and 2 children Zachary (15 years) and Kate (13 years). Marla lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, Hallie (10 years) and Ava (6 years)
When my children were young, I owned a plant business with a friend. We did interior decorating with plants and hosted informative plant parties. I then worked as a teachers aide in special education.
When my kids were in school full time, I went back to a real job. I worked in the Purchasing Department of Highland Park Hospital for 5 years. I then left the hospital and worked for Mainstreet Department Stores (now Kohls)in their purchasing department until they were sold. I was lucky and was hired by Crate & Barrel as senior buyer in operational purchasing. I worked my way to Purchasing Manager and 6 years ago was promoted in Director of Purchasing. In my position, I purchased fixtures, lighting, packaging and all operational supplies. I was directly involved in store openings across the country. I retired the beginning of February,2011 and I've been busy "finding myself"
I have many hobbies including gardening, knitting and reading. My husband is a photographer and we both enjoy traveling and taking pictures. One of our favorite places is Costa Rica. Memories or anything else you'd like to share:My fondest memories are friends, sorority and fraternity parties.
Also..,going to Peter Pan on 71st street for french fries and a coke!

Birthday:April 24, 1944 Email:rsstevens@att.net Evening Telephone:8476796441 Address:4255 W. Chase City:Lincolnwood State/Prov.:IL Zip/Postal Code:60712 Occupation:CPA Marital Status:Married No. of Children:3

Email:emirsk61@att.net

Address:10078 Delmar St. City:St. John State/Prov.:IN Country:US Zip/Postal Code:46373