Barbara Vestrand (Shema)

Sharon, thank you for the update on Diane. She was a good friend with whom I've been out of contact since she  moved away. It is so very sad and disturbing that she was not vaccinated, and had been in such good health. 

My husband and I got our initial Pfizer shots in February and March, and just got our Pfizer booster this week on Wednesday. We wear masks and are remaining cautious in our activities.

Everyone...please, please, please get vaccinated if you are not already. Please read what Wayne has to say from his experience as a doctor and his colleague's current experience with the pandemic. 

Be well, stay safe...get vaccinated.

Barbara

Scott Hunter

Classmates, it's horrible what Diane is going through. My heart aches for her. The insanity is that it didn't have to happen. I remember in grade school how frightened I was to get polio. Then everyone got the Salk vaccine. Polio went away. I live in Franklin County, Massachusetts. A friend who is a nurse told me that Franklin County is 90% vaccinated. From May through the first two weeks in September there were no COVID cases in Franklin Medical Center. Since mid-September through October they have had 2 cases of the COVID Delta variant. Everyone wears masks in indoor public places. No one in Franklin County wants to die. No one wants to kill their neighbors. I do not understand people who don't get this. They must be curled,up on a ball with imaginary anger, fear, and anxiety. How can they not see that the trolls on social media are spreading lies? For me COVID today is polio in the 50s. You take the vaccine.  Why people do things that are against their interests is beyond me. 

Betty Horvath (Byrne)

I am so saddened to hear of the battle Diane is going thru with COVID!  She was so healthy and vibraint always posting nature pictures of beautiful Tybee Island, or food she prepared.  I have recently missed seeing her posts, and wondered why she stopped.  Now I know.  Thank you Sharon for the update and Jackie for letting us know so that we can send angels to protect her and pray for her, and her medical team to help her fight this battle.  I have seen this virus first hand thru a forever friend, and a distant that I lost, and what it can do to someone healthy.  It is quite frightening and awakening! I exchanged alot of Facebook comments with Diane, but don't have her cell to text.  Hopefully her family is around and supporting her and her husband.  The really trajic part is no-one can be with her to hold her hand - and/or, pray with her.  Keeping the faith!  Stay safe and well!  Keep us updated, please!  --Betty

Wayne Schuricht

I know we are all shocked and saddened to hear about Diane Laskey and pray/hope she will recover.  I am heartened bythe kind words and responses posted on this message board wishing her the best and imploring those of us who have chosen not to get vaccinated to do so.  Obviously this is a personal choice and with every choice there are consequences, good and bad.  I have voiced my opinion and what I and my total nuclear family have done, but I too have family members who have chosen not to get vaccinated.  I love them all and hope and pray they will stay healthy.  So I will not belabor the point any longer

On a second note, I let my OCD get a hold of me and I was interested in seeing how many people actually use this web site.  By my count, 36 different people have actually posted something on this message board starting on July 16, 2012.  This will be posting #178.  And unfortunately several of those people have passed away.  The  profile page lists about 400 classmate names, with 147 having some sort of info.  And well over 100 of us have passed away.  Obviously not a stellar percentage of participantsusing the site.    It sure would be nice if we could get more people to use this site.  So I am asking/suggesting if you know a classmate who is not on or doesn't use this site, to encourage them to sign.  I know I am preaching to the choir, but just maybe we might engage a classmate who really doesn't know about the site and how easy it is to use.  Nuff said, please take care of yourselves and enjoy the time we have left.  Wayne

Sharon Heister (Presken)

To those of you on here, who have not already read Jackie's email post, I am devastated to say that we lost our little cheerleader. Diane passed at 2;30 AM this morning, after a huge fight with Covid. Please say prayers for the family and please,please get your vaccines and use a mask!!!!!

Rebecca Tipton (Boland)

So sorry to hear about Diane. I don't understand why people do not want the vaccine. Things could have been so different for Diane had she received the vaccine. Dan and I have had it and still wear our mask when in public. Trying to protect us and others around us. Prayers for Diane's family. So sad 😞

Tom Orszulak (Tom Orszulak)

Fellow classmates, I have been a silent participant on our web page. I would like add encouragement to all of us to use your best judgement regarding the Covid shot. My expertise is not infectious disease but have collaborated with my colleagues with infectious problems. In my career and now, I try to use information not intimidation to help everyone to make the best choice for their healthcare. We have been blessed with free choice to guide us in life. There is a lot of pressure to conform to policy but after 1 1/2 years of true data, we must realize the vaccine does not guarantee life without Covid but has proven to minimize death from the virus. I wish all of you the best of health and to make the best choice. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas and healthy a New Year. Tom

Chris Dominik (Cross)

Dear Classmates -

Thank you for your updates on Diane and your comments about Covid.  I hope this tragedy, of losing Diane, will encourage those who are not vaccinated to do so.  I saw Diane on her wonderful Tybee Island several years ago. I will miss her and the beautiful photos she would take on her walks. It will take awhile to realize that she is no longer with us  Rest In Peace, Diane.

Angela Redding (Reiter Hill)

I am so very sad with the news of Diane's passing.  I will keep her and her family in my prayers.

Darlene Farkas (Sprowls)

So sad.  So unnecessary.  RIP, Diane.  I just hope that her passing will encourage others to get the vaccine.  My Moderna booster is scheduled for this Tuesday morning.  I don't like shots, but will get this one willingly.

Betty Horvath (Byrne)

I'm stunned and shocked to hear of the loss of our vibriant, vivacious friend Diane.  She so loved her family, nature, humanity and friends.  I sure will miss our short exchanges on F.B. and her amazing pictures from her daily walks. I had hoped to stop at Tybee later this year and see this place she loved!  Diane, I'm confident your "new home" also meets your expectations!  Rest in Peace my friend!  Prayers!

Roger Loughran

Amen Betty. This did not need to happen. This occurred due to poor advice and family peer pressure. She will miss her as will many of our classmates. She was a shining beacon of enjoyment of life, family and where we lived in our retirement and later years. Diane I will miss you. Roger l

Roger Loughran

Amen Betty. This did not need to happen. This occurred due to poor advice and family peer pressure. She will miss her as will many of our classmates. She was a shining beacon of enjoyment of life, family and where we lived in our retirement and later years. Diane I will miss you. Roger l

Bernie Moret (Paulovich)

I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF DIANE'S PASSING.  EVEN MORE SAD THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.  MY PRAYERS TO OUT TO HER FAMILY.  

Yvonne Pelino (Pelino)

Jeffrey Stayer

The tragedy of Diane Laskey's passing is certainly amplified by the fact that it could have likely been prevented. Our own son, who is single, has thus far resisted vaccination, claiming fear of the effects, all the while proclaiming proudly himself a "libertarian". He's continued to play live music events with various bands in Nashville where he lives as well as on the road and has been lucky so far. He finally went to see a PCP who told him his blood work revealed that he carries some COVID antibodies. You can image the angst his position on this has caused for us. It's hard to parent about this to a 41-year-old man who has otherwise led a responsible, exemplary life. Linda and I just today received our booster Moderna shots and our 39-year-old daughter will receive hers next month. At least we will feel more protected to have our son visit during the holidays. Kudos to Wayne and everyone who has spoken out about this issue that is most certainly medical, but too many want to make everything political these days. What a shame. Here's hoping we all stay sane, stay safe and stay well in a time of cultural chaos.

Jeff Stayer

Carol Matviko (Laflin)

Another angel watching over us all.

Wayne Schuricht

Well, Diane's passing has certainly been a shock to all of us, and we are all deeply saddened by losing her.  However, I implore all of us to not too quickly chastise her and especially her family for her choice.  As Tom and I have both stated we all make choices that have consequences and getting the Covid vaccine is not an absolute guarantee of immunity, although I think it has been shown to mitigate the seriousness of the disease if contracted.  Jeff Stayer commented that his son is afraid of the side affects.  To my knowledge they are minimal, ranging from essentially nothing in my case, to significant flu like symptoms in others.  Maybe someone has had a severe reaction and possibly even death from it.  But I certainly would not hesitate to get it again and to advocate its efficacy.  The other question is masking, and my response to that, other than the slight inconvenience, is that it probably does help and doesn't hurt to protect "you" from me.

I would like to thank Chris for sharing that wonderful picture of Diane and her.  Those smiles are contagious.  If there is one shred of good in all this, I think it will bring us all closer together, to share our lives and stories with one another!!!  Peace/Shalom and happiness to all of you!  Now I will go shed another tear for Diane!

Louise Hince

Diane and I got closer again on FB and Messenger. We had to agree to disagree about Covid Vaccines and masking !   I'm already boostered ! But she was so sure !!

I am a retired Microbiologist/Environmental Scientist and worked with genetically engineered microbes in conjunction with two companies-Genex in Md and Genentech overseas ! But Di and her family were all disbelievers !  Most of the family got Covid after the funeral in Fl.  Only Diane was hospitalized!  God I miss our GAB sessions! 
I kind of still can't accept it !! 
Stay smart and safe my friends!!

Sandra Covert (Steele)

Gary Voyten

I also agree with Sandra's comments concerning Diane. Let's be more compassionate and respectful of other classmates' decisions even though they may be different than our own. Life is not perfect!  I also agree with Tom's respectful and insightful comments. Peace,love,tranquility,and goodness to you all.

Wayne Schuricht

WOW, what a wonderful outpouring of love and caring for Diane Laskey Belitskus!!  It is really heartwarming to see so many classmates participate on this message forum and web site.  As I have stated before, this is a wonderful way for the class to keep in touch, much better than classmates or facebook in my opinion,cause it is just for us.  And it is free and free from ads.  So let's continue to share or lives, stories, and families with each other with the obvious mutual respect and warmth of classmates and friends.  If you are reading this, I know I am preaching to the choir, but maybe you know a classmate who isn't on the site or is inactive, that you might just be able to encourage to log in.  And it is sooooo easy to post a picture!  I for one love to see pictures of you and your families.  We all look "a little" different than our glamorous days back in old Ken Hi.  If you are interested and don't know how please call me and I will talk you through the process (817-689-8640).  The holiday season will soon be upon us, so let miss wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and a Blessed Christmas a weeeeeee bit early.  Wayne

Therese Pugliese (DiCicco)

Through this pandemic I learned this from the Jews. When someone passes they say " May their memory be a blessing"... beautiful 

During our years at Mt.Vernon and PJHS Diane and I walked and talked our way all over the neighborhood. We usually ended up on the seesaw on the Mt. Vernon playground. Remember Mrs. Brown Mrs. Brown  what will you give me if I let you down? Well, if you know me you know Diane was usually the one up in the air! She would come up with hilarious things she would give me " to let her down". How we would laugh...

May Diane's memory and the memories of all our departed classmates be blessings.

Ann Bia (Rivers)

I am so sad to hear of Dianes passing! My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.I have fond memories of Diane from high school. she was such a happy person and I remember she was always smiling.   Rest in Peace my Friend  Annie

Michael Capsambelis