Thankful

 

Geraldine Conn Lindigrin Dies

Geraldine Conn Lindigrin, 83, met her sweet Jesus and fell into his loving embrace, while her daughter Sherry was vigilantly at her side, Thursday, Oct. 24, at her home in Brandon.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Frances Conn; her loving husband, Joe Lindigrin (Class of 1959); and her beloved son, Jeff Lindigrin.  

She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Lindigrin of Brandon; her grandchildren, Lauren (Brendan) Fay, of Raleigh, North Carolina; Mark (Christy) Walters, of Flora, Mississippi; Noelle Clark (Andy), of Raymond; Emily Jones, of Rockwall, Texas, and Mack Lindigrin, of Rockwall; and great-grandchildren, Luke Walters and Annie Walters, both of Flora. She adored and loved her grandchildren dearly and loved being their “Granny.” She loved her family and never failed to show or tell them what they meant to her. Her last words, whether in person or on the phone, were “I love you.” Mother had a warm and loving smile that drew people near her everywhere she went. She was the definition of selflessness.

She is also survived by her two siblings, Ruth (Phil) Geyer, of San Antonio, and Charlie (Sharron) Conn, of Birmingham, Alabama; nephews Joel (Kim) Conn of Birmingham and David (Stacey) Willoughby, of Vicksburg; great-nephew and nieces Ryan and Evan Conn, both of Birmingham, and Camryn, Leighton, and Brooks, all of Vicksburg. She also leaves other family members and friends who were precious to her.  

She was born in Isola, Mississippi, on July 17, 1941, moved to Vicksburg at a young age, and graduated from H.V. Cooper High School, class of 1959. Geraldine was a contractor and home builder for many years in the Jackson area.  

Geraldine and her daughter, Sherry, shared an unbreakable bond and referred to each as the other’s heart.

She was a lifelong fan of Mississippi State University. A Bulldog at heart, she proudly wore maroon and white T-shirts. Joe and Geraldine attended many MSU sporting events. They traveled extensively throughout the USA and Europe, visiting all 50 U.S. states. She loved country music and attended 17 concerts. She was an avid bridge player, enjoying weekly games with her friends every Monday for years. She was a longtime First Independent Methodist Church member in Madison, Mississippi.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. at Skyway Hills Baptist Missionary Church. A visitation and reception will follow the service.

Sue Fowler's Brother Dies

 Thomas McNamara Obituary

Thomas Ray "Tommy" McNamara – age 77, a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and a resident of Mobile, Alabama, died Saturday, August 3, 2024, at a local hospice facility. Mr. McNamara was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.
Tommy was preceded in death by his wife, Sherilyn McNamara. He is survived by two sons, Michael (Kathy) McNamara of Mobile, Alabama, and William Joseph (Darice) McNamara of Newton, Alabama; five grandchildren, Daniel (Sofie) McNamara, Marissa (Alex) Smith, Meghan McNamara, Liam McNamara, and Joey McNamara; four great-grandchildren, Dean McNamara (Sofie and Daniel), Samuel McNamara (Sofie and Daniel) Evangeline Smith and Aurora Smith (Marissa and Alex); four sisters, Sue Fowler (Class of 1959) of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Mary Carol McNamara and Barbara McNamara of Jefferson, Louisiana, and Deborah McNamara of Medford, Oregon; one brother, Albert L. McNamara; nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Tommy's life motto – "May those who love us love us. And those that don't love us, may God turn their hearts. And if He doesn't turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles so we'll know them by their limping." – An Old Celtic Blessing.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Ascension Funeral Home, 1016 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, Alabama 36695. A private graveside service will be held at Springhill Memorial Gardens.

Thoughts and prayers for the family at this time.

Howard Hennessey Found Deceased

A missing Vicksburg man, 48-year-old Howard Hendren Hennessey, was found deceased off Rice Road in Ridgeland, MS, on August 7, 2024.

Hennessey's body was discovered by a surveyor, according to Ridgeland Police Chief Brian Myers.  Hennessey had been at the location for "some time," possibly for at least four weeks, and was decomposed. 

The Ridgeland Police Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Crime Scene Unit, Reservoir Police, and Park Rangers responded to the scene.  The missing Vicksburg man was reported missing on July 13, 2024.  He was last seen in a 2019 white Honda Ridgeline.

We appreciate your prayers for Johnny Hennessey (Class of 1959) and his family during this difficult time.

Classmates Wife Passes Away

Juliet Maire Weber Adams passed away on Monday, August 26, 2024. She was 83. A memorial mass will be forthcoming in October.  Please keep William "Bill" Adams and his family in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. 

In The Still of The Night

 The Five Satins - In The Still Of The Night (1956) 4K (youtube.com)

The Five Satins performing "In The Still of the Night", released originally in 1956. "In The Still Of The Night" is a classic doo-wop song with an unusual origin story. The song was written by Fred Parris, a member of The Five Satins, while he was travelling by train between Philadelphia and his hometown of New Haven. The song talks about holding a girl close on a night in May and hoping to be with her again. Parris wrote the song about a former girlfriend he was hoping would return to him, but she never did. The song was recorded in the basement of St. Bernadette Church in the group's hometown of New Haven, Connecticut. They used the church piano along with drums, a guitar, a cello tuned low for the bass sound, and a saxophone. The church basement had great acoustics and was insulated from ambient noise, making it a perfect place to record. The Five Satins were managed by Marty Kugell, who distributed their material on his own label, Standord Records. "In The Still Of The Night" became one of the most famous songs in doo-wop history. The Five Satins were a fluid group, and their lineup had a lot to do with who was available, as some of the members were in the military. In this song, only four members of the group recorded it, but they called themselves The Five Satins because that was the trend at the time.

Carpal Tunnel/Elbow Surgery

At home recovering from surgery a week ago.  Marian

Classmate's Son Missing

 

Vicksburg Police Department

July 13 at 5:47 PM  · 

Missing!!! Missing!!!

Howard Hendren Hennessy
DOB: 02/29/1976

White male
height: 5-11 weight: 180
Bald head with a full beard(brown)
Last seen wearing a Multi-colored plaid shirt and khaki pants.

Last seen in a 2019 White Honda Ridgeline. Mississippi Tag: WA3294

If you have any information or know the whereabouts of Hennessy, please call the Vicksburg Police Department @ 601-636-2511. 
Please pray for Johnny, Jo Ann, and the Family's safe return of their son, Howard.
Update:  Howard's body has been found and sent to the crime lab for investigation.  No other information at this time.

Happy 4th of July, America!

Uncle Sam 1910

Miss Liberty 1910

A Surprised "Thank You" From My Sister

My sister, Laura, asked me to come as a guest to the Vicksburg Y. M. C. A. off East Clay Street last Friday at 2:00 p.m.  After I arrived, I still did not know what was happening, and then Myrtle, Sue, and Jackie came in the front door while I was waiting.  I was surprised to see Jackie but hadn't seen her in a long time.  We were escorted by Jackie's son, Phillip (Executive Director of the Y, M.C.A.), to his office.  The table was set up with cake and fruit when I went there.  At each table of four was zucchini bread wrapped in foil inside a plastic zip-lock bag.  Phillip told Laura to let everyone know why we were there.  She said this was a "thank you" to Myrtle and Sue for taking me to doctor appointments in Jackson since I couldn't handle the heavy traffic there.  It was so nice of my sister to do that for me, and it was much appreciated.  She also gave us a present, and in it was a tumbler with the Sister of Mercy emblem, the Class of 1959, and our names on the back.  It was a wonderful surprise to be together with classmates.  Here are pictures taken at the event. 

Laura Love Ables, Jackie Melsheimer Doiron, Marian Ann Love, Sue McNamara Fowler, and Myrtle Loviza Curro Alvarado.

Dad's Class 1936 & Happy Heavenly Birthday

First Row: Richard O'Leary Lefoldt, Junius I. McIntyre, Roger P. Chatham and Hugh L. Calvin

Second Row: George S. Rodenbaugh, John B. Mattingly, Malcom B. Montgomery, and Charles A. Bragg

Third Row: Albert H. Melsheimer, Ray R. Woods, Charles R. Kolb, Joseph F. Hosemann and Vincent Bonelli

Fourth Row: Marion E. Love, William O. Hogan, Leonard J. Booth, Henry Bobb, and Clement V. Coccaro

June 12, 1916 ~ November 6, 1987

My Dad's Class of 1936 at St. Aloysius High School, Vicksburg, MS. I have his class ring. Today is his Heavenly birthday. I love and miss him so much.

My Great Aunt, Sister Mary Ligouri, m.s.c.

Picture of Father Charles Palms, Paulist, and Sister Mary Liguori, m.s.c. (Easter 1967).

 

I used to write letters to Mother Liguori and she would write me back with holy cards. I still have them to this day. My Confirmation name is Liguori.  Marian Ann Ligouri Love

SAHS/SFXA 65th Class Reunion

 Saint Aloysius High School ~ Class of 1959

From left to right: William "Bill" Marion Adams, Jr., John Richard Baker, Paul Booth, Edward Franklin Crevitt (Deceased), Ivan Hamilton Cunningham (Deceased), and Phillip Logue Doiron (Deceased).


Left to right - George Quinn Evans, Wayne Morris Evans, Edward "Eddie" Rene Habert (Deceased), John Albert Hennessey, Joseph Lindigran (Deceased), and Walter Pitts Little (Deceased).

From left to right: Louis "Sonny" Harry Logue, Alexander Birchett Mackey (Deceased), Loren "Larry" Laurence Miller (Deceased), Mickey Albert Sullivan, Gordon Campbell Sutton, Jr., and Roy Vernon Turcotte (Deceased).

Robert "Bob" Wilks Witty

We celebrated our 65th year graduating from St. Francis Xavier Academy this past Saturday at the SFXA/SAHS Alumni Banquet at the Levee Street Warehouse in Vicksburg, MS.

(Photo taken at the Rex Brown Steam Electric Station - Mississippi Power and Light, Co., in Jackson, MS, on a Senior Field Trip, May 1959)

First Row left to right: Marie Braun (Deceased), Lynn Stegall (Deceased), Patsy McNamara (Deceased), Theresa Martin, Florence Murphy (Deceased), Billie Price, Ina Lott, Margaret Sheehan (Unknown), Margaret McCormack (Deceased), and Katherine Meyer (Deceased).

Second Row left to right: Vera Marshall (Deceased), Bonnie Smith, Rosalie Wilkerson, Marlene Wilson, Kay Hess, Marian Ann Love, Antoinette Sheehan (Unknown), Jackie Melsheimer, Sue McNamara and Myrtle Loviza.

We had a get-together the night before at Bobby and Myrtle Alvarado's lovely home on Cherry Street. Here are the highlights of Friday night and Saturday's 65th reunion celebration.

Bobby Alvarado, the man of the house.

Lovely table setting with food to enjoy.

Sue McNamara Fowler (Class of 1959)

Glenda Loviza, Marlene Wilson Caston (Class of 1959) and JoAnn Hennessey.

Johnny Hennessey (Class of 1959) and Joe Loviza.

Glenda and Joe Loviza.

Joe Loviza and Marian Ann Love (Class of 1959)

Glenda and Joe Loviza with Bob Witty and Myrtle Alvarado (Class of 1959)

Marlene Wilson Caston (Class of 1959), Juilet Adams and Sam Caston.

Marlene Wilson Caston, Sue McNamara Fowler, Myrtle Loviza Alvarado, and Marian Ann Love (Class of 1959).

Standing are Bill Adams and Bob Witty (Class of 1959).

Standing, Sam Caston, Bobby Alvarado, Juliet and Bill Adams and Sally and Bob Witty.

Juliet, Sally, Bob and Bill.

Juliet, Marian, Sally and Bob.

Juliet, Sally and Marian.

Mary Carol McNamara Lundberg and Laura Love Ables.

Maureen Vedros, Myrtle Loviza Alvarado and Judy Janes Youngblood.

Juliet, Bill, Bob and Sally.

Until we meet again, may God Bless us all!

Have A Blessed Easter Classmates

It’s thought that Easter lilies came to symbolize Christ not only because they embody purity—the trumpet-shaped blooms recall the horns that heralded the resurrection of Christ. And the life cycle of Easter lilies, which grow from a bulb for several years beneath the earth before blossoming into magnificent flowers, recalls Jesus’ death and resurrection. What other springtime flower could possibly represent Easter and Christ better? A beautiful reminder both in the Church and at home in celebration of Easter.

65th Class Reunion Info

 Dear Classmates:

We will have our social get-together at Myrtle and Bobby Alvardo's lovely home, 2125 Cherry Street, at 5:00 on Friday, April 5. Please respond if you can come so we can have a head count. 

Also, we need a head count to make reservations for the Alumni banquet on Saturday, April 6. You can pay at the door at the Levee Street Warehouse.  

The Banquet Cost for  Alumni is $50 per person (dues included)

The Banquet Cost for non-alumni Spouse/ Guest is $25 per person 

Levee Street Warehouse

1609 Levee Street

To register for the banquet, please visit:

https://www.vicksburgcatholic.org/apps/pages/alumni

Send head counts to mariandeer@aol.com for the social and the alumni banquet. 

Ina Lott Whittington in Nursing Home

According to Ina's daughter, Rhonda, her mother is in the nursing home permanently at Shady Lawn Nursing Home. She is doing well and recently celebrated her 83rd birthday. Myrtle brought her a card, flowers, and candy bars. Her hair was cut short, and Myrtle said she looked great and had a wonderful visit. Sue also went by to see her while eating lunch and afterward went to her room to see the pretty flowers she had gotten. Sue said they had an enjoyable visit. You can send her a card to cheer her up to Shady Lawn Nursing Home, 60 Shady Lawn Place, Room 12A, Vicksburg, MS  39280. I know she would be happy to hear from her classmates. Keep her in your prayers, and may God Bless all our classmates.

Classmate Patsy McNamara LeBlanc, Sister Dies

Martha E. 'Shelly' McNamara, 80, formerly of Beaver County, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Hospice. 

Born in Vicksburg, MS, Shelly lived a life of strength, independence, and deep love for her family and animals.

Shelly moved to the area in 1961 and married shortly after. Her professional journey led her to become an office manager at Calebret Chemical.

Shelly was the loving daughter of the late Patrick Joseph and Mary Ruth (DeRossette) McNamara. She was a sister to her late sibling, Patricia (Patsy) LeBanc (Class of 1959). 

Shelly's legacy continues through her devoted children, Lynn (George), Denzinger, Darla (Joe), Gavalya, and Tim (Jeanette) Farley.

Her spirit will live on in the hearts of her six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  

She leaves her seven siblings: Mike (Sandy) McNamara, Maggie (Bud) Husted, Alice Hebler, Pat McNamara, Art (Kathy) McNamara, Maureen (Steve) Nichols, and Laura) Gavalya, and Tim (Jeanette) Farley. 

She also shared a special bond with her dear friends Scott and Linda Kloes.

Beyond her work and family, Shelly had an enduring fascination with trains. 

Her love for animals was evident to all who knew her as she welcomed 

any pets into her home over the years, each becoming a cherished family member. 

Shelly also found solace and excitement in the pages of books.

By her wishes, all services will be private.

BLUE BAYOU : Performed NEW MEXICO STYLE by John Wagner

It's one of my favorite songs to dance to.  

Happy 83rd Birthday to Me!

 

Update & Prayers Needed

I spoke with Rhonda, Ina's daughter, a few days ago and said that Ina was transferred to Shady Lawn Nursing Home for now. 

I was just discharged from the hospital yesterday with COVID-related pneumonia and on my 3rd round of antibiotics and steroids.  Hopefully, I will get better soon and have a home health nurse coming in today to check on me.   

Pray that Chuck and Theresa get their Lake House heating system working and that the pipes are frozen.  The weather has affected everyone.  

Will keep y'all posted, and if anyone needs prayers, please email me, and I will post for all our classmates to see.  

God Bless y'all.

Marian

Jack Baker's Brother Dies

James Thomas Baker (Tom), age 90, of Suwanee, GA, passed away on Monday, January 1, 2024. 

Tom was born in Vicksburg, MS, to his parents, Mary Susan Herbert and Russell Curtis Baker. 

Tom loved life; he loved people, and he loved his family. Tom was an avid fisherman throughout his life and loved the outdoors. 

He also enjoyed camping, canoeing, and hiking. Tom grew up in Vicksburg, MS. He graduated from St. Aloysius High School in 1952. 

He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Hilo, Hawaii, from 1954 to 1957. 

He then attended Mississippi State University before transferring to the University of Maryland, where he graduated with a degree in Transportation Management. 

After graduating from college, Tom moved to Memphis, TN, where he worked briefly for the Frito Lay Company before working for Sears Roebuck & Co. as a manager in the freight division. He then transitioned to being a buyer for the Sears network of stores. 

Tom later relocated to the Atlanta, Georgia, area, where he continued to work for Sears. 

After retirement, Tom enjoyed working at the Newton County Library while still spending time with his local family. 

He also felt a deep desire to stay connected with his family and friends that had spread all over the country. 

Tom is survived by his two younger brothers, Jack (Class of 1959) and David; four children, Russell, Mark, Crissy, and Matt; eight grandchildren: Daniel, Joel, Joshua, Jessica, Alyssa, Andrew, Emily, and Erica, and two great-grandchildren: Henry and Oliver. 

A funeral mass will be held at the Catholic Church of St. Monica in Duluth, GA, on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 11:00, followed by a private reception at the home of Mark and Kimberly Baker.

 Memorial contributions may be made to AccentCare Hospice and Palliative Care in Cumming, GA, in Tom's honor.