More Pictures from Aunt Chilada's

Phoenix alum Mary Z. Chandler gets to know Pi Zeta senior Jennifer Jaynes at the Seniors RecognitionLuncheon.

Pat Wells (right, Gamma Lambda) and treasurer Lorna Green (Alpha Beta) welcome alum/Pi Zeta CCD Nicole Farr (left, Delta Beta) and alum Dena Cunningham (Theta Xi).

Señora Annette Hebert (Iota Upsilon) gets into the swing of things at Aunt Chilada’s Restaurant by wearing a dress in DZ colors!

Alumnae and Initiates Together Again!

This past Saturday sisters gathered to celebrate the lovely seniors of Pi Zeta. Alumnae and collegians alike enjoyed bonding in their shared experiences over a fabulous lunch at Aunt Chilada's in Phoenix. This year's senior celebration will go down as yet another successful event joining Phoenix alumnae with our collegiate counterparts in Pi Zeta.

Happiness for these Pi Zeta sisters is being well fed at an alum luncheon, receiving recognition and roses, and being close to graduation!

Ann Haggerty arranges pink roses for the Pi Zeta seniors attending the April 17th meeting at Aunt Chilada’s restaurant in Phoenix.

Checking each placecard in order to find her table, Sharon Grewell appreciates the colorful decorations.

As alum chapter guests, the 16 Pi Zeta seniors attending go through the buffet line first.

Congratulations are in order for Katie and Shane McCarthy who are expecting a sibling for Madeline! Their new daughter (another legacy!) will be born in September. Congrats!!!

Phoenix alum Karen Lange, our chapter's corresponding secretary, has fractured her back. Please continue to send her your messages of a speedy recovery and good health. Contact Ann Santos if you need her address.

Looking forward to a reunion...

I am so excited about what’s coming up this summer. My college chapter, Zeta Chi (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) closed a couple of decades ago, but thanks to Deb Willey I found out some of our ZX sisters have been having reunions every few years in northeastern Wisconsin. And this is the year another one will take place. The best part is, I will be in Wisconsin at the time and can go to it! And even better, Deb will be there, too. (At least I’ll know ONE sister!) We will take lots of photos and share info with you on this blog. If any of you have similar reunions in the coming months, I encourage you to do the same!

Ann Santos

Young Survivor Coalition

A nationwide support group for young women with breast cancer has organized its first chapter in Arizona. It is Arizona's first support group specifically for young survivors.

Open — and free — to all breast cancer patients younger than 50, the Young Survival Coalition held its first meeting on April 13, at John C. Lincoln's Breast Health and Research Center, Suite 205, 19646 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix. Facilitated by young survivor and Phoenix alum Karissa Ma, the group offers an opportunity for young breast cancer patients to share the special support they need to communicate effectively with their children, husbands or other loved ones while they stay strong to fight their disease. Women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, many of whom have young children, have special needs for emotional and clinical support from others who understand what it's like for them, because they've been in the same situation. Group members can talk with survivors their own age who have "been there, done that" and know what it's like to be a young cancer survivor.

The Young Survival Coalition Support Group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at John C. Lincoln's Breast Health and Research Center.

More information about Young Survivors Group is available by e-mailing yscphoenix@youngsurvival.org or visiting the Young Survivors Facebook page,www.facebook.com/youngsurvivalcoalition.To find out about John C. Lincoln's comprehensive breast health services, visit the Breast Health and Research Center online at JCL.com/breasthealth, or call the John C. Lincoln Breast Health and Research Center at 623-780-HOPE (4673).

Note from a sister...

My family moved to Arizona in May 2004 to be closer to my parents (older with increasing health issues). When I lived in Texas, I was very active in the Arlington Alumnae Chapter. I go back every year in the spring - there is a small group of us (most of us were pledge sisters) - who spend a weekend together just catching up. It started out as my going away party and turned into an annual tradition.
As it turns out, I am leaving for Dallas on April 17 for this annual soiree - so I will not be able to attend the event at Aunt Chilada's. However, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to attend a meeting or event in the future.
All the best,
Audrianne Schneider

Sister Update...

I am indeed still here! I have just been insanely busy with work the last few months (this is a good problem!)! My best friend reminded me that today is the anniversary of our Delta Zeta initiation at Ohio State (Theta)! I did come to the Founders Day luncheon with a sister, Heidi Herman, but we haven't had much spare time as of late.

Once the regular school year ends, I hope to have more time to become involved with Delta Zeta alumnae activities. I've also been neglecting my P.E.O. sisters. I do appreciate hearing about the events that are happening, and as soon as I have time away from work, I will certainly make plans to attend some!

DZ Love,

Becca Kleinberg

A New Legacy is Born

Hailey Samantha was born on 3/29 @ 9:47am.  6 lbs 9 oz, 19.5 in.  Very healthy.  Just eats & sleeps right now.  Such a   good baby...nothing compared to the other DZ legacy in this household.  :)  We got home yesterday & it feels great!  Hope all is   well with you.

In the Flame,
Kristen Thurmond (Delta Chi 94) 

Happy Spring!

... and for those of you who celebrate Easter, Happy Easter!

Graduation for this year’s Pi Zeta seniors is coming fast, and so is the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter’s “Fiesta!” luncheon celebrating their accomplishment.

When: Saturday, April 17, Noon

Where: Aunt Chilada’s Restaurant, Phoenix

Cost: $20 RSVP by April 12th to Mary Pat Pepping

We’d like a big turnout, so be sure to make your reservation TODAY!

I found out a lot about Yvonne (Eve) Burns at her memorial service on Saturday. I had spoken to her on the telephone and at meetings through the years, without actually knowing her, and now I'm sorry I didn't have that chance. Mary Pat Pepping and I sat with Barbara Gallaher, who, knew Eve as not just a sorority sister but as a close friend for more than 50 years. Eve's family was very pleased that Delta Zeta was represented. Eve was a music major at Oklahoma State, and played piano like a pro. She made sure each of her five children learned that instrument plus another one, and she gave each of them a piano for the grandchildren. One of her daughters, Joyce, teaches in the Kyrene School District, and Joyce's eldest daughter has presented the family with NINE children, aged 2 weeks to 16 years! These youngsters all were beautifully behaved and are a product of home schooling. The service was touching and uplifting, and we attended a lovely reception afterwards.

-Ann Santos

Eve Burns was a member of the DAR chapter I belong to, and I didn't know she was a DZ. Pat and I attended their 50th wedding anniversary, and I am so sorry to know of her death.
Doris (Keck) Hussey Kappa, University of Washington

Fiesta, Fiesta!

It's time for a party, a fiesta to be exact! On April 17th we will be recognizing this year's graduating seniors at our annual luncheon. The lunch will be held at Aunt Chilada's in Phoenix. Registration/social will begin at 11:30 with a buffet lunch to follow at noon. Please RSVP by April 12th! Remember if you cannot attend but would still like to sponsor a senior's lunch you can send a check for $20 to Lorna Green. See you at the Fiesta!

A Sister's Passing

Phoenix alums Barbara Gallaher and Yvonne (Eve) Burns were chapter sisters in college (Alpha Epsilon, Oklahoma State). When Barbara attended her first alum meeting here in Phoenix in 1959 or 1960, she and Eve discovered each other again! Both these ladies have been long-time members of this alum chapter.

Sadly, Eve passed away earlier this week. According to Barbara, she had developed Alzheimer's disease a few years ago, but recently was hospitalized with pneumonia.

If anyone can attend services, they are at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, at Grace Community Church, 1200 E. Southern, Tempe. Please represent Delta Zeta if you can arrange your schedule to be there.

A Sister's Exciting Plans

Barbara Gallaher, Alpha Epsilon Oklahoma State, hopes to travel to South Africa during the Christmas holidays, as one of her granddaughter’s is graduating from the University of Capetown at that time. Another granddaughter attends college in Washington, D.C. (We remember when Barbara and her daughter brought the triplets to our Christmas Teas. Now they’re all grown up!)

Sister Updates...

Just wanted to share my lastest good news from a Pi Zeta founding sister alum!! After a long, arduous job search, I have finally landed my dream job!! I graduated May 2009 with a Design Studies degree from ASU and after working 10 months at Wells Fargo as a teller, I came across a wonderful job opportunity. Relentless searches on the internet, yielded dismal results, but I finally came across one that matched my resume perfectly! After submitting my resume the night before, I got a call back from their hiring department to set up an interview. After nailing the interview at 8am Monday morning, they called me back at 5pm to offer me the position! My new title is "Assistant Project Manager" for National Mallfront and Design located in Peoria, AZ. You can check out their website www.nationalmallfront.com for more information, but I was informed that it is a little outdated. I will be working on storefronts for malls across America. Some of our most recognizable clients are Tiffany & Co., J. Crew, Banana Republic, Diesel, The Children's Place, Microsoft, and many more. Wish me luck in my new endeavor! It's been a long search but this truly does go to show that hard, persistant work does pay off!! Just a sign that the economy IS on the rebound and things ARE looking up for us recent grads! Sending DZ love from my little home to all of yours!

-Katie Prokop

Pi Zeta, Arizona State

I’m just trying to get my Master’s paper written before [our new daughter's scheduled birth on March 29] and then prepare for the huge change once again in our household. We are very excited. She will definitely be a DZ legacy and as soon as she is old enough, I will have both Hailey and Paige and more DZ functions.

-Kristen Heilberger Thurmond

Delta Chi, Cal State-Chico

More Taco Salad Buffet...

After the collegians finished eating, alums took their turn creating their salads. The results were GOOD!

The Pi Zetas may look goofy for the camera, but they were serious about liking the taco-salad buffet.

Taco Salad Buffet!

Event chair Ann Haggerty is ready to eat!

Among the Phoenix DZ alums assisting with the fourth annual taco-salad buffet for the Pi Zetas on March 22nd were (from left) Diane Stanton, Deb Willey, Ann Haggerty (chair), Lorna Green, and Mary Pat Pepping.

Heather Watkins (left) stopped by to visit with her Pi Zeta alum sisters Christina Gonsalves (center) and Kara Kissell.

Following their weekly meeting, the Pi Zeta girls were happy to “dig in” on their taco salads, with home-made brownies for dessert.

The Delta Zeta National Convention will be held in Tucson this summer, June 30–July 3. If you think you would be interested in attending some or all of it, please contact Ann Santos. We need an estimate of interest in order to plan the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter's involvement.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

On March 2, Ann Santos (Univ. of Wisconsin, Stevens Point) and her co-worker, Suzi Hubbard (right), spearheaded a birthday party for Dr. Seuss! “The Lorax” was the center of attention, and the staff lunched on green eggs (deviled) and ham (sandwiches). Everyone learned about the Lorax by taking turns reading from the book of the same name. (It’s a fun place to work!) A pineapple upside-down cake with whipped cream was topped by a few birthday candles. Kohl’s stores are offering several of Dr. Seuss’s books and stuffed animals to go with them (only $5 each), as well as “The Green Book.” All profits go toward children’s initiatives nationwide. Some Phoenix alums have purchased these products, which fit in with Delta Zeta’s “Pink Goes Green” campaign. For instance, “The Lorax” is about much more than strange little critters described in outlandish words and rhymes. Its message is we must conserve our environment.

May your blessings outnumber the

shamrocks that grow.

May trouble avoid you

wherever you go.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Taco Salad Buffet

The annual Taco Salad Buffet night for Pi Zeta is quickly approaching. The fabulous fiesta will be held on Monday, March 22 at 6PM at Adelphi Commons, ASU. Volunteers are still needed to donate food, $ and most especially to help with setup and cleanup! Please contact Ann Haggerty if you can help in any way!

A Few Important Updates...

As of March 9th, Kara Kissell (Pi Zeta) is in Banner Boswell Hospital with pneumonia. Let's show our sister some support Please send her some get-well wishes!

Lucky Joan Daniels Dovilla (Beta Sigma, Colorado State) is on a fabulous month-long cruise that includes going through the Panama Canal. Jealousy all around! :)

Welcome a New Sister to the Valley!

The Phoenix Alumnae Chapter welcomes new member Nicole Spurling, who is from Xi Psi at Grand Valley State. She already has signed up to donate supplies for the Taco Salad Buffet! We look forward to meeting her in person in the very near future! Nicole currently lives in east Phoenix.

Congratulations are in order...

Phoenix alum Christina Gonsalves (Pi Zeta) and Tyler Clark became engaged recently! “The BIG day will be sometime the beginning of next year,” Christina says. She and Tyler met on an airplane and have been dating for about a year. He works for Wells Fargo, and she is employed at the Fiesta Bowl.