Suddenly, We Are Changed
At a meeting of the Bishop McDevitt Class of 1967 Reunion Committee on Thursday, September 7th, we were suddenly informed that one of our beloved classmates, Joyce (Donato) Zeiger passed away on Tuesday, September 5th. Our 50th High School Reunion is only 2 weeks away and we get this news about Joyce. I was SHOCKED. STUNNED. Jim Williams made the announcement to the classmates there and offered some very heartfelt comments that caused him to be teary eyed and a bit choked up. For several minutes after his announcement, Joyce and Keith were my focus. There was little else I could consider at the moment. Keith and Joyce are one of several couples in our class who got married following graduation.
I saw Joyce and Keith recently at one of our informal class gatherings in 2016. It was the one at "JoJo's on 22" and it was purposed to announce to our local classmates that planning had begun on the reunion. There were about 40 in attendance, one of our biggest informal gatherings that have been occurring over the past two years. It was the first time I had seen Keith and Joyce in decades and it was a pleasant surprise to see them there. Though it was over a year ago, it seems like only a few weeks ago. I vividly remember talking to them. We had just started our planning for the reunion around that time and we were all looking forward to seeing each other at future planning meetings and on September 23, 2017 at the 50th Reunion. But now, suddenly, only 2 weeks away, we will not be seeing Joyce for the celebration of our 50th. We are saddened.
A viewing and a Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 in St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Roman Catholic Church, 2800 Paxton Church Road, Harrisburg, PA. The viewing will be at 10:30 am followed by the Mass celebrated at 11:30 am. Burial after Mass will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
A viewing and a Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 in St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Roman Catholic Church, 2800 Paxton Church Road, Harrisburg, PA. The viewing will be at 10:30 am followed by the Mass celebrated at 11:30 am. Burial after Mass will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
The obituary for Joyce was published today, September 8th.
On behalf of the Bishop McDevitt High School Class of 1967, I can say we are deeply saddened by the news of Joyce's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Keith and his family. And know that our classmate, a 1967 Crusader, will be remembered at our reunions, the 50th and others to come.
On behalf of the Bishop McDevitt High School Class of 1967, I can say we are deeply saddened by the news of Joyce's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Keith and his family. And know that our classmate, a 1967 Crusader, will be remembered at our reunions, the 50th and others to come.
______________________________
Being involved in planning the reunion has brought me to a sensitivity for classmates that I have not had till now. Since I am maintaining the Class Directory of 400 classmates, I have become aware of 45 (now 46) classmates who are deceased. That has caused me to think much about those who have passed and also about those who are still with us. With that in mind, I recently wrote the following two articles on this blog encouraging us to consider attending the reunion, to renew relationships with our classmates, to remember those who have passed, and to connect with those we have not seen in decades or have seen infrequently or regularly.
50 YEARS, ONE HALF CENTURY
That's a long time. Everything has changed in the 50 years between 1967 and 2017. We have changed and everything around us has changed. Thus, when we see one another again at this 50th reunion time, whether face to face or online, we can engage one another as seasoned learners who have grown way beyond those teenage years at Bishop McDevitt High School. Having been taught and guided by the teachers, parents, and others of our day, we were launched from a strong foundation to become seasoned and aged like a fine wine with wisdom that can be shared with those around us. We must take advantage of every opportunity to do that with our classmates and others. Why? Because if we don't, we may experience another "SUDDENLY THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING" and wish we had shared with those when we were given the opportunity.
 |
| Joyce, 2nd on left in white sweater |
 |
| Mr. & Mrs. Keith Zeiger High School Classmates became Married Classmates for 48 years |
By James E. Barbush
Graduate of Bishop McDevitt HS Class of 1967
2021 Blue Mountain Parkway
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Cell: 717-514-5549
EMail: JamesEBarbush@GMail.com
