5th December, 2002
Dear Anne,
I just found your website and I can't believe all the wonderful
memories
that came to my mind of the time I spent at La Chassote. My name
is
VERONICA ORTIZ; I am from Mexico City and I studied 2nde du Baccaleauriat
from 1980 to 1981. I remember very affectionately Soeur Claire
Hennessy,
Mlle. Rey (French teacher) and Mlle. Chesnes (Math teacher). I
think it's
a splendid idea to meet in 2003. I would like to know if the Sisters
FCJ
currently have any other boarding schools in Europe and finally
I would
love to hear from my dear friends:
CLAUDIA EYZAGUIRRE BARAONA (Chile, Cours de Francais)
IRIS JUTZ (Austria, Cours de Francais)
BRIGITTE BOHLE (Austria, Cours de Francais)
STACEY GRUMMER (U.S., Cours de Francais)
ALESSANDRA and FRANCESCA ZICCHE (Italy, classmates 3eme, 2nde)
ODILLE GOUTERON (Suisse, classmate 2nde)
CORINNE BRAZEROL (Suisse, classmate 2nde)
MARC BRUNNER (Suisse, classmate 2nde)
JULIE CHOI (Korea, classmate 2nde)
FATOU NDJAE (Senegal, classmate 2nde)
I am writing to you from my husband's computer, but my e-mail
adress is:
vortizortega@hotmail.com
Congratulations and thank you for
your excellent initiative!
I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you soon!
Very truly yours,
Veronica Ortiz de Gonzalez-Pier.
29th September, 2002
What a good idea! I have only been
one year in La Chassotte in 1965, but there are a lot of good
memories. I would like to contact: Christa Frischherz, Jennifer
Vischer, Mireille Spirig and Fleischmann Dagmar.
Somebody asked about Panorchand and Pimchand. Their name was Manprasert.
Hope to see you all again.
Martina Hess- Münzel, Bremgarten, Switzerland
e-mail: hessmartina@hotmail.com
27th September,2002
Anne
I have just discovered your website - it is fantastic. I was at
La Chassotte from 1985-1986 doing the L'alliance Francaise. I
made some wonderful friends there but we seem to have lost touch
over the years. Would love to hear from: Lorraine Prendergast,
Isabel Barreiro, Christina Papayoannou, Caroline Lenihan, Yael
Topial - there were so many. My name while I was at School was
Isobel Bradwell.
e-mail : izzandrich@blackburnr24.freeserve.co.uk
Thanks
Isobel
23rd September, 2002
Anne.. une tres ancienne eleve! me
emocione ccuando vi en la pagina web una forto de supinda Chack...nunca
pense volver a saber de ella.
virginia Bakula (1952.1954)
Lima, Peru.
e-mail: vbakula@terra.com.pe
19th September, 2002
I AM SOOOOO GLAD YOU'VE SET UP THIS WEBSITE!! I'VE JUST FOUND TWO VERY GOOD MISSING FRIENDS!!! HERE'S A GLAMOUR SHOT OF ME NOW!!! I WAS AT LA CHASSOTTE IN 6eme, 5ieme, 4ieme, 3ieme 1979-80-81-82, interne. I live in Utah now in the summers and crew on yachts winters in the Caribbean. I would love to hear from or get news of:
Isabel de Teufenstein, Helena Spies, Flore Blancpain, Pia, Eliane & Joanna Moukarzel, Martine, Ana Ledebur, Melanie Ledebur, Marlene (d'Yverdon) Ana Claudia Mendez da Luz
e-mail address: kakurpani@yahoo.com
8th September, 2002
Dearest Anne,
Finally I found the time to look at your home-page! How delightful and cheerful and pure nostalgia!!!
I followed the courses of Cours Supplémentaire 2 pendant l'année scolaire 1961-1962 comme elève interne. I think that a lot of 'the oldies' will remember me, the only pupil at that time being born in Denmark. I still have in my possession all the photoes from this period. Susan Borlase, Sarah, Atessa, Lynn, Maria Overzier, Suzette Perlia and so on, and so on..... I still recollect - as well as the family Dougoud, I also still have a photo showing, Atessa, Olivia, Maria and Anna-Marie from Lac Noir in my photo album! I also keep my prayerbook with all the small religious 'cards' from mates, given to me during my stay in La Chassotte.
I should very much like to attend the Reunion next year somewhere in Europe. It would be a special treat!!
I used to stay next door to 'Tante Jeanne' in the old part of the dormatories. and also 3 doors from La Reverende, Ma Mère Bernadette.
I can tell you that I visited La Chassotte in March 1977 with my whole family and had the pleasure to meet Sister Francis, Sister Antoinette, Sister Franceska, Mother Marie Magdelena, who died in appr. 1985-1988? I am not too sure of the year, but it was published in a Danish Newspaper.
Good luck and bless your heart. Please write me, I shall start digging out all the information I am in the possession of.
Yours affectionate
Else-Marie Hollegaard (MORTENSEN)
8th September, 2002
Dear Anne and you all,
I was amazed to discover the site!
It is a really excellent idea, and I
felt so full of emotion to read names like Mary Finnigan or Atessa
or
still Frédérique Charmoz!
I am Teresa Giovannini. I was a student
there from 1963 to 1969 (If I
remember correctly..). I am now a lawyer in Geneva, doing commercial
arbitration and art law (the site of the firm is lalive.ch...
you will see
how years passed on!). I travel a lot and would be delighted to
see you, in
particular Frédérique, or Mary Finnigan and others
who might have studied
with me..
Please let me know where you are..
Many thanks Ann for your wonderful initiative.
e-mail: tgiovannini@lalive.ch
8th July, 2002
Dear Anne,
Something magic must have happened. The thought of La Chassotte
came to me and "voila" I found your wonderful site.
I was there from 1955 to 1956, it seems so long ago!
I would love to hear from anyone who was there during those two
years. In particular I would love to make contact with:
Mylene Studler; Vera Sarta de Gomez; Annelise Moser; Maria Emilia
Jaramillo; Yolanda Santimone; Marilde Grignani, Maritza and Astrid
Martinez, Florence Gicot, Ileana Serrano; Hiroko Haguiwara; Giuliana
and Cordelia Lauria; Ada Fioroli; Luz-Maria Vallejo.
I left Italy in 1967 after meeting my husband to be in Milan,
he was an American tenor studying voice at La Scala. I have been
living in Atlanta, Georgia ever since. I received my Ph.D in Romance
Languages and I have been teaching French, Italian and Latin.
I have two children, one daughter who is a pediatric neuro-surgeon
in Washington, D.C. and has two children and I also have one son
who is a real estate agent and lives near us.
I love the idea of a reunion. Paris would be great.
Thank you Anne for your dedication and enthusiasm, you are doing
a great job!
Paola Bianchi Terry
e-mail: internationalls@hotmail.com
27th June, 2002
Hi Anne,
I just found your page after several weeks of trying to trace
a friend from
La Chassotte. I was there from 1980-82, as an externe, I did my
classe de
premiere and Terminale. I was in the class with Maria de Azaola
- whom I
have been hopelessly trying to find, and with the formidable German
girls:
Elisabeth, Adelaide and Daisy, one of the Spiess girls - if I
remember the
names correctly. This generation also included Luis Felipe Saldana
who did
not stay in the Terminale and Nicolas Pawloff who did. Many people
I am sure
will remember Anglelamaria Cacciatore. I would love to hear from
anyone who
was in that class and I would be very grateful for any information
leading
to Maria de Azaola, last heard of in ETI in Geneva. I would also
love to
hear news of my favourite ever teacher Mlle Rey and also what
happened to
all the other teachers of the 80's, as well as any news of Soeur
Claire whom
I last saw in 1986. I was 'la Yougoslave' and I am now an 'ex-Yougoslave'
based in the Netherlands.
Thank you for your effort Anne, it is much appreciated.
Best wishes,
Alexandra Oliver-Tomic (used to be just Tomic)
e-mail: A.Oliver@inter.nl.net
21st June. 2002
Bonjour, bonjour!!
Moi aussi je jouais sur le PC cet après-midi... et c'est
en cherchant sur
le web le nom d'une ancienne chassotienne que je tombe sur ce
site
chassottien! Incroyable! Mon nom? Caroline Christiansen, italo-norvégienne
devenue citoyenne suisse à 18 ans, justement pendant mon
époque
chassottienne, ce qui me vaut maintenant en Suisse le privilège
d'être
considérée officiellement comme Fribourgeoise, plus
précisément de
Givisiez! J'étais à La Chassotte entre les années
1980 et 1986. Et cela me
fait sourire de voir que déjà vingt ans avant cette
date-là, les vers de
Lamartine marquaient les mémoires : O temps, suspends ton
vol!!! C'est vrai
qu'il est génial ce vers, il y a des grands moments où
on ne peut vraiment
rien dire d'autre que : O temps suspends ton vol.. et ce site
web le fait
un peu, il faut le dire!
Je constate aussi que je fais partie des toutes dernières
générations de La
Chassotte et qu'il n'y a presque pas de message de mes contemporaines
sur
le site. Comme je suis encore en contact avec quelques-unes, je
vais
immédiatement les alerter, il faut qu'elles soient au courant!
A bientôt et
merci!
Caroline Christiansen
e-mail. Caroline.Christiansen@isdc-dfjp.unil.ch
13th June, 2002
Chere Anne,
Je suis Marie Carmel Fourcand et j'ai ete pensionnaire en 66/68.
Je te presente toutes mes felicitations pour ce merveilleux site
qui m'a beaucoup impressionnee et dont j'ai pris connaissance
par une ancienne Marie Carmel Saliba qui l'a elle-meme connu de
Marie Therese Farage (Misa).
J'aurais beaucoup aime avoir des nouvelles de Chantal Comte (Suisse),
Nora Ley Diaz (iles Canaries), Pim et Panorchand Mamprasert (Honey
and Sugar de Thailande) et toutes les autres que je salue amicalement.
A bientot et encore une fois, bravo!
Mye.
e-mail address: mcetheart@hotmail.com
3rd June, 2002
Hi Anne,
Stumbled on your La Chassotte
page today while playing on the
computer...What an excellent idea. I was at La Chassotte with
Magali
Arcentales. Would love to hear from her and Ana Chicheri who were
my best
friends...I live in Geneva, am married and have two boys (olivier
- age 28
and Antoine age 23). I do a lot of volunteer work in Geneva and
it keeps me
really busy. Would love to hear from any girls in my class and
will tell my
sisters Michele and Fiona who were also at La Chassotte about
your website.
Michele sees a lot of Sarah Trench who still lives in Nairobi.
Michèle
lives in Paris with her husband and daughter and organises very
important
art expositiions in France and abroad. Fiona lives in Grenoble
with her two
children and husband.
Best regards,
Diane Balli (Zoelly)
e-mail address: dianezoelly@bluewin.ch
29th May, 2002
25th May, 2002
Dear Anne,
When I came upon the La Chassotte website while "playing"
on the computer today I could hardly believe it! What a terrific
idea!
I was a student in 1964-1965. My family lived in Bern and I boarded
during the week.
It was very exciting to see notes from some of the girls I knew:
Mary Finnegan, Mary Jo Calderon, Ruth Morrissey and Patricia Brooks...I'd
love to hear from them and particularly since I see that Mary
Jo and Pat live in Chicago, I'm in the Chicago suburbs.
After leaving Switzerland, my family went to Helsinki, Finland,
back to Bern and then Germany. I graduated from Marymount high
school in Paris, went to the States for college but spent my junior
year at the University of Fribourg! If you remember our old history
teacher, a portly old gentleman whose name escapes me, we used
to meet frequently on the street while walking to classes.
Again, it would be lovely to hear from any of the girls I knew.
Mary Liz Logan
E-mail address: Medill412@aol.com
14th May, 2002
I am ecstatic with this website.
I thought, I would never find any
information about my old school. What a terrific job you have
done.
I am also writing because I am looking for an old friend of mine.
Her name
is Tam Bunnag. I lost contact with her many years ago and
I would like to find her again.
Please feel free to post my inquiry in you bulletin or provide
me her email
address, phone number or whatever you might have.
Thank you so much
Julia
SSA/CW3
1st Bde (BCST), 91st DIV (TS)
Bldg 500, PRFTA
Dublin, CA 94568-5201
Office: 925-803-5531
Fax: 925-803-5515
http://www.usarc.army.mil/91div/1bde/
6th May, 2002
Bonjour Anne,
J'ai été heureuse d'apprendre par Mère Elizabeth
que ce site existait. Quelle bonne idée ! Je suis Marie-Carmel
Saliba (Haïti) et j'ai été à la Chassotte
de 1964 à 1968. J'étais en classe avec Misa Farage,
Diana de Toth, Jacqueline Campiche. Je porte toujours le même
nom car je suis divorcée. J'habite la Floride (Miami),
j'ai trois enfants et deux petits-enfants qui sont également
en Floride.
Le mois dernier j'étais à Beyrouth chez Misa Farage
et on s'est un peu promené sur le site. Je me rappelle
avec nostalgie de la plupart des filles, celles avec qui j'ai
gardé contact pendant quelques temps et que j'aimerais
retrouver: Pimchand et Panorchand Manprasert (Thaïlande),
Nora Ley Diaz (Iles Canaries), Helga Lopez (El Salvador) Magali
Arcentales (El Salvador).
Je vois régulièrement Bella Hawariat (Ethiopie)
qui habite NY, Marie-Carmel Fourcand (Haïti) et Misa Farage.
Je me rappelle que quelqu'un cherchait Gladys Handal (Haïti),
J'essaierai de la contacter et lui donner l'adresse du site...
L'idée d'une réunion des anciennes a été
lancée pour l'année prochaine. Il faut que ça
tienne. Ce serait formidable. A Paris peut-être ?
Compliments pour cette initiative... et à bientôt.
Marie-Carmel
e-mail : mcsaliba@hotmail.com
15th March, 2002
Dear Ann
Ruth Morrissey (now Reddy) here from Dublin Ireland - Just happened
when browsing to come across the website - it was great fun to
read news of La Chassotte. I was there for only two years - '65
& '66 I think, the memory is fading! I saw Mary Jo Calderon
was looking to get in touch and would love to hear from her. My
email is:
dfxreddy@eircom.net
Now that I have found the website I will return regularly to hear
of any more news of past pupils
Ruth Reddy
7th March, 2002
Hello there,
First of all congratulations and thank you for this site, it's
brought back
so many memories.
I'm probably not of any interest to any of you old Chassotiennes
(?), since
I wasn't even born when most of you went to school there, but
I thought I'd
leave a trace as well, being an old Chassotteuse (?) myself from
1989 to
1990. So there we are, to anyone who remembers Julie, Cedric or
Sophie
Benker, we're back, and you know where to find us.
Juliebenker@hotmail.com
Would luv to hear from any of you.
1st March, 2002
Great, great, simply great.......
Thanks to you I have found some of
my old schoolmates and my school 'La Chassotte'.
What a delightful idea to reunite us.
Thanks again Anne, you're the greatest.
Michele Schehade Bibi (1960 - 1964) Beirut, Lebanon
Ist February, 2002
This is a great site. Oh the memories!
I was at La Chassotte
from 1966-1967. I am trying to locate the following :
Teresa Oroza ( Bolivia)
Magali Arcentales, Francoise Brasseur ( Suisse)
Elizabeth Finlay ( Ireland), Caroline Berthet (France)
Miriam Feola (Italy), Graine Pierce (Ireland)
Marion You ( Taiwan), Mercedes Aramayo (Bolivia)
Honey (Thailand), Kunang(Indonesia), Didi Perriard
Gloria Wu (Hong Kong), Dagmar, Bela Hawariat (Ethiopia)
Thanks for the memories.
Lilly ( Amalia) Haliasos (maiden name
Yoanidis)
West Hempstead, New York, USA .
Lilly's email address
21st December , 2001
Bonjour ! Ca alors, j'en ai le souffle coupé ! Je n'en reviens pas ! Par hasard, comme ça, j'ai cherché à : la Chassotte, Fribourg, et je tombe sur ton très sympathique site. Wow, what a surprise, je ne sais plus qui tu es, es tu Colette ? Sur la photo de Colette, j'ai cru reconnaître la fille qui était toujours avec la petite blonde adorable du Kenya, qui parlait le Swahili .... Bon, que je me présente : Frédérique Charmoz, aka Rica the freak, hi-hi-hi, ça me fait rire d'écrire ce e-mail. J'étais à la Chassotte entre 1965 ou 66 et 1969, Diana de Toth était ma maraine de comfirmation, Isabelle Darbellay et moi étions toujours fourrées ensemble, nous avions la même coupe de cheveux, et je vouais une admiration sans limite à Ann Lyons, surtout quand elle nous imitait Mick Jagger dansant sur "I can't get no satisfaction", quand elle revenait de Londres, après les vacances. Sur une des photos, j'ai reconnu les deux Thaïlandaises qui étaient toujours premières, dans leur classe respective, Panorchan, qui était dans le cours général, et Pimchan, qui a été deux-trois ans dans ma classe, et les cartes de géographie qu'elle coloriait pour le prof de géo lui valaient toujours des 20/20, damn,,j'étais jalouse....Ah, et Madame Carrigou, et Madame Dougoux et ses fils, trop drôle. Et Mère Elizabeth sur ta photo, en "civile", était-ce la très belle et très sévère Mother Elizabeth, toute de noir vétue, qui supervisait le Pensionnat ? Que de questions, pardon, peut-être vaudrait-il mieux que je t'envoies ce e-mail pour voir si on se connait, pour mieux continuer la discution, même si cela "ne nous rajeuni pas", comme on dit en France, où j' habite, Paris, plus précisément. Amitiés, Rica,
My name is Lara Alexandra Walker (nee Cook). I am an "ancienne"!
I was a border at La Chassotte from 1977 to 1981 when my family brought me back to the United States for high school. I had transferred to La Chassotte after spending 4 years as a border at a small school in Les Sciernes d'Albeuve, Switzerland.
I have NEVER forgotten La Chassotte and OFTEN think of it and all the sisters and girls I met there. The sisters were so wonderful. I was a tough kid and they were so patient and understanding.
I have often REGRETTED losing touch with some of my friends from my years there. My life felt so completely uprooted when my family transferred me from La Chassotte unexpectedly...adapting to my new surroundings and school in the US was hard and I think everything from my past fell behind.
The only person I have managed to stay in contact with from time to time has been Sister Lorenza who was one of our greatest teachers there during my time at La Chassotte. I was last in touch with her a few months ago. She wrote that she was moving to South America and updated me on many of the sisters from my years at the school. I would be happy to scan the letter and send you a copy if you are interested for your site.
I hope that some of my classmates from my years there will find your site as I did today and write in to you too.
I would love to hear from or have news about:
- Sophie Balleyguier (originally from Bedoin then Paris, France
- Christine Froute (originally from Chalette s/Loing, France)
- Isabelle de Teufenstein (originally from Port Grimaud, France)
- Fabienne Theiler (originally from Soultz, France)
- Helena & Antoinette (Anty) Spies (originally from Huckelhovem,
Germany)
- Eliane & Joana Moukarzel (originally from Saudi Arabia)
- Pia Haddatoglu (originally from Iskenderun, Turkey)
- Chantal Gouteron (originally from Lucens, Switzerland)
- Ester Giovanelli (originally from Kappel, Switzerland)
- Camilla Guisberti (originally from Rovigo, Italy)
- Stacey Grummer (originally from Los Angeles, USA)
- Kathy & Debbie Urpani
- Flore
a wonderful teacher,
Mlle. Portmann and so many others...I could name so many names,
but I would take up pages!
I have pictures I can send you if you are interested in putting them up on your site. Some are the official pictures from 1978-1979, 1979-1980, and 1980-1981 and I have a few others from a few fun times.
Thank you for putting together such a wonderful site.
I spoke to someone who worked for the organization that was housed at the school at the beginning of this year after I found a web site that advertised the buildings for sale. I have since found the following site that suggests that someone is considering turning the school buildings into a casino (http://www.rdj.ch/fr/projets/fribourg/fribourg_1.htm), and another webpage that seems to be for an organization that is currently headquartered in the buildings (http://www.invention.ch/iroclub/planduclub.htm). It's such a shame that the school had to be closed.
Anyway, I have taken up too much of your time already. Thank you again. I will look forward to checking your site from time to time to see who else finds you.
Lara's e mail address: lara_walker@mindspring.com
2nd December, 2001
Anne,
Congratulations on your web site. my husband stumbled upon it
and knew I would be SO EXCITED. I was a boarder at La Chassotte
from 1965 to 1972. I knew Mary Jo and many of the sisters.
Since last year I live in Switzerland and would love to get
in touch with as many of the sisters or Anciennes as possible.
I will dig out my old pictures and send them to you next time.
I admire your initiative!
Magali Arcentales Switzerland -
Until 1981 I was in touch with some of
the Anciennes but after marriage
and moving around, it got more difficult to dig out the old address
books
and life just got busy and unfortunately I did not keep in touch.
I am married
to an American (US), we have lived in Costa Rica, in the US, in
Ecuador
and now, since last year in Switzerland but in the German part,
right next
to a cow pasture, I hear the cows, smell the manure and it is
just the
things we hated about Switzerland when we were in the school that
now my
husband loves..we live in a tiny village and my children do not
like too
much the "pastoral" or farmer way of life!! They prefer
Zurich, Lucerne,
Geneva, but our closest town in ZUG about 15 minutes from our
village.
We have two children, our son 17, should graduate in June and
go to the
US or the UK to study at the University, and the little one, 12,
girl, is
only in 7th. Grade. They both go to International schools since
the Swiss
system is rather unique .We are here in Switzerland because my
husband works
for HOLCIM, an international swiss corporation (cement). We do
not know
for how long, but suspect that at least for 5 more years until
my daughter
graduates from high school. Then, we do not know. So much for
me, I would
love to hear from Mary Jo Calderon and some of the other
Anciennes.
Great to hear from you, maybe you can give me Sister Elizabeth
e-mail address...,
I would love to write to her.
Magali includes a list of the pupils who were at La Chassotte with her between 1965 - 1972. She would love to make contact. masermer@bluemail.ch
Paola Castiglioni, Italian
Isabel Enjarada (Labayen ),Spanish
Pilar Enjarada, later Tartiere, Sta. Maria Magdalena36, Madrid
16
Diana de Toth, American
Mary Poltera, UK
Zulay Ramirez, Venezuela
Sarah Trench, Kenya
Jasmine Nicolaides, Greek, office Phone no. 3215633 in Athens
as of 1981
Maria Fernanda Chaux, Colombia
Haruko Kinase, Japan
Maria Elena LaFaye, bolivia
Nora Ley Diaz, Paseo de Madrid 19, Ciudad Jardin, Las Palmas,
Islas Canarias
Rana Helmi, Indonesia
Guadalupe Isola, Peru
Adriana Boatti, Argentina, she last wrote me around 1984 from
Bogota, Colombia
Jeannette Solioz, Republique du Congo
Mary Ann Clarke, Kazakoglu Sok No.21, Bornova, Izmir, turkey
Tam Bunnag, 16-18 Bunsiri Road, Bankok, Thailand
Susy Kirtiputra, Thailand
Odette Carrie, Haiti,
Mary Carmel Saliba, Haiti
Molly Boylan, NY, USA
Panorchard Manpraset, Thailand
Debi mc Manus, Calgary, Canada
Diane Bally, later Zoelly, Geneva, current, I think
Carole Descloux, Fribourg
Chantal Ducry, Swiss, Av. Vaudagne 38, 1217 Meyrin
Anne Giovannini, Swiss, Fribourg
Fanny Nicolay, Swiss, Fribourg
Florence Nouveau, Villars sur Glâne
30th August, 2001
Hullo, Anne, My Friend! Having read
the many messages, I have become quite nostalgic! I remember so
many, in fact all of you wonderful people of the 1960 to 1965
years. I hope you will keep contact. The tall sister to whom you
refer could have been sr Annemarie(Swiss) or Sr Maryrose(Aussie!).The
cook was Sr Josephine who now lives at Naters,Switzerland with
Klara Bruman and Dominique Kaufman who were 'volontaires' and
are now FCJ sisters. The FCJ sisters closed the school because
it was no longer financially viable for boarders.
Sr Luke now Margarita lives in Broadstairs, Maureen(Christine)
is in Australia, Paula is the General Superior of the FCJ sisters.
Srs Madeleine(Australian),Emanuella(Italian) and Claire(English)
have all died which is very sad. Maria Vittoria, Irene, Maria
Gratia and Annamaria are in Italy. Jeanne Marie is in Paris. Seraphina
Kimball is an FCJ and lives in USA. Your admired leader Mere Bernadette
died at an old age as did our much loved Mere Odile. My e-mail
is srccourtnry@hotmail.com I hope to hear from some of you, especially
those of Dortoir Brun!!
Love Sr Cecilia FCJ
Sr Cecilia Courtney( Soeur Francis)
FCJ <srccourtney@hotmail.com>
Spotswood, Victoria, Australia .
22nd August, 2001
Such a wonderful surprise to find
your site! I attended La Chassotte from 1970-1971. Would love
to hear from Sandra Flavia and Dee Dee - or anyone else who was
there at the same time. Thank you for bringing back some old memories.
Hope your reunion will be an annual event so I can attend one
of these days.
Sylvie Lapointe
Seattle, WA, USA.
6th June, 2001
I am so happy to see your home page, I was in La Chassotte during 1966-1967. Love to contact sister Elizabeth and may be some friends during my stay there, perhaps you could help me with that.Do write to me. Thank you.
Love
Marion Yau
moraga, calif, usa.
Dear friends from La Chassotte:
To those who met me back in 1969-70 I am Elia Maria Garcia-Calderón
from Mexico. I would like to contact:
Monica Costa, Magali Arcentales (Sermersheim), Adriana Boatti, Anne-Françoise Schwartz, Isabel, Maylese de la Grandière, Susan (USA), Debbie MacManus(Canada), Agnes, Marisa Rivera-Torres, Ana Cecilia Mena-Ariz, Maria Antonia, Mena-Ariz, Julia Maria Borja, Andrea Bauer, Maria (from Greece), Patricia Hapee. Lucrecia, Rabia Jdid, Danielle, Dominique Bonvin, Carmen Escalante (El Salvador), Marianne (Australia), Yasmine (Greece), Béatrice and Giselle.
J'aimerais bien avoir de vos nouvelles quoique ce soit en anglais, en français ou en espagnol.
I now live in Houston, I am married and my last name is Knapp. May the Lord bless you.
e-mail: begodly@lwol.com
18th April, 2001
Absolutely fantastic...I was attempting
to find info re La Chassotte and could not believe your wonderful
website. My step sister and I were both there in the late '60's..so
sorry it's now closed..what happened? Please continue your good
work.
patricia brooks roberts
chicago, illinois, usa.
MR Supinda
Chakrabandhu is the eldest daughter of the late HRH Prince Chakrabandhupensiri
(born Mom Chao Chakrabandhu Pensiri Chakrabandhu) and Mom Viba.
She is currently producer and host of the children's television
programme 'Phuen Kaew' on Channel 9,managing director of Oscar
Co Ltd, and a conservationist, a hobby that also feeds her television
programme.
She recently produced the cartoon animation version of 'Mahajanaka',
based on the book written by His Majesty the King, to be released
on 'Phuen Kaew' on December 5, 6, 12 and 13, to mark the occasion
of His Majesty the King's birthday.
'I was the eldest of five daughters. We used to sleep in a long
row in the bedroom, and dress alike. When we went out together
in the royal circles, people would say, 'Here comes Prince Chak's
football team! 'One of my best memories of my childhood was
spending summer holidays in Hua Hin.
My father taught at Kasetsart University, and my mother was also working. So we kids would be sent down to Klaikangwol Palace where we stayed for a whole month with a nanny. It was blissful there; we had so much fun running around. The palace staff and the kitchen staff would all know Prince Chak's kids. My father would come for an audience with the King once in a while and see us. We swam, played around in the backyard. I remember seeing Her Majesty the Queen wheeling Princess Ubolratana around in a pram, feeding her tiny pieces of sugarcane.
During the weekends, Their Majesties would show black and white foreign movies, and we would be allowed to watch, sitting on the floor. I would peek at them to see when they laughed, then laugh along as well, since I couldn't understand English.
I went to Switzerland when I was 10 years old. My mother's younger sister, Khun Songlar Kengradomying, was at boarding school there since her father was ambassador to Switzerland. When she came home for the holidays, I was so much in awe of her . She was 15 or 16 and was really cool, coming from overseas. So when she went back, my father decided to try sending me there as well . I was sent to La Chassotte in Fribourg, Switzerland . It was actually a French convent school. One of my aunts used to call me 'the nun's daughter', my clothes were frumpy, and I had only one dress. It was rather traumatic at the time, not being able to live with my parents. I was the only one of the five sisters sent overseas, probably to test the waters. The result was that none of the others were sent overseas after that.
In those days travelling to Europe was not easy. It took a whole day. The first time I went to Switzerland, the plane still had propellers. I would see my father when he went to Switzerland for FAO conferences. I saw him more often than my mother. I didn't see my younger sisters for five years. When my parents travelled to England to visit Prince Chula Chakrabongse, I was able to join them. That was fun. We studied in French, while English was the first foreign language and Thai was my second foreign language. I had two Thai novels with me; Prisana and Ban Sai Thong, and I read them every day. That's where my Thai language influence comes from! But now Thai is my first language, followed by French, then English.
In Switzerland, all the students felt the same way. 'Why have we been sent here?' Actually the nuns took very good care of us. We went to St Moritz even before the Tsar had a palace there. Switzerland is such a beautiful country, but we saw it as being a country full of convent schools. We hated it. Only when I grew up did I realise how nice it really was. Tourists spend a fortune to go there for holidays. We all complained, but I think it was really homesickness that gave me that feeling of hatred.
After five years I was finally able to come back home for a visit with my parents. I was in Switzerland until I was 18, then I went to further my studies in Paris, attending the Pensionnat International. I was invited by my friends' parents to visit them in various places, Portugal etc. They took care of me like one of the family, so it was only then that I had a semblance of family life. I met a Portuguese boy through a friend; he was my first love. We corresponded until I went to France. Finally my father found out, and he decided it was time I came home.
I was about 20 then, so I didn't have a chance to complete college. I didn't get a degree until I was much older, when I was in London. But having left home so early in life made me tough and strong. Even among other small kids, I had to learn how to survive, how to be generous, how to live together, how to compromise. So I actually learned a lot while I was thinking I hated it. But in those days you didn't realise it. The nuns were very kind, but it wasn't home. So people who have been to a convent school always have a little feeling of homelessness inside; no parents, no sisters.
I have two children; a daughter aged 31 and a son aged 30. My daughter studied medicine. When she was young she used to love literature, and wrote scripts and things. After she completed her medical degree, she called me one day and asked if she could attend film school in New York. Her recommendation was written by the head doctor at her hospital! She is now working with films. My son has been a monk at Wat Pa Nanachart, Ubol Ratchathani, for five years now.
They grew up in England. My then husband, a Malaysian businessman, was working there. I didn't have a work permit, so I decided to go back to college. I graduated with a degree in Japanese Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (Soas). I wouldn't ever send my children to a boarding school. I was with my kids until they went to college. They had to say, 'Mother, we're old enough now, you know.' It was probably an attempt to compensate for what I lacked, so I overcompensated with my children. I knew what it was like to be without parents, and I didn't want my children to go through the same thing."
18thFebruary, 2001
Dear Anne, your web site is getting better and better. I do enjoy it so much. Colette sent me a photo you sent her. Have not had a good look yet. Sorry I have not been in touch the computer has been playing up. Looking forward to July 1st everything for the restaurant is booked. Talk soon lots of love,
Susi
susi Borlase-Little
Bramfield Hertford, Hertfordshire, England - Sunday 18 February
2001
11th February, 2001
This website is becoming more and
more exciting, dearest Anne. I hope I hear from lots of old friends.
I guess I won't be attending the reunion unless some type of miracle
produces some money!! However I hope many of the FCJ sisters will
attend. I work at Mackillop College, a coed college of 1400 students
aged from 11years to 18. After doing a science degree in Switzerland,
a Dip Ed in Australia, teaching for many years, I then trained
as a Counsellor and so voila my latest work!!Love you all and
hope to hear from some of you.
sr cecilia(soeur francis)
courtney <srccourtney@hotmail.com>
melbourne, victoria, australia.
24th January, 2001
I love your web site. I happen to
be 'une ancienne' also. I went to La Chassotte at the same time
as Anne Lyons and Ashra Mehrabi and I would love to hear from
them. I have two children a 17 and a 13 year old, two girls, oh
and a husband! I happened to come across your web site as I was
looking up La Chassotte because I had heard it had been turned
into a hotel, is this true? If you have any news or could pass
on my message to Anne and Ashra I'd really appreciate it. I have
been in touch with Pat Sonnino who was at La Chassotte my first
year probably 1962 and she is now living in San Francisco and
is a big architect. Looking at the photograph of the whole school
that you have on the web site, I recognized our litterature teacher,
who was really wonderful, however, was always totally exasperated
with me! I often think of her since for the last 16 years I have
been teaching french and sometimes even french litterature. She
would probably say 'quel horreur!' Anyway, Ann thanks for your
beautiful web site, it really made my day today.
Mary Finnigan Delo
Birmingham, Alabama, USA .
1st January, 2001
Dear Anne
I hope you had nice Christmas and wish you and all your family
a happy new year
Jean
I was at La Chassotte from 1962 to 1963
Jean Clifford Nee Carr, Ware, Herts, England.
20th December, 2000
Very nice. A classmate from La Chassotte
told me about your website. I was there from 1979-82, and would
love to get in touch with old classmates from those years, to
see how their lives have turned out, and what they are doing.
Nice photography!
Olga Feider
Port Jefferson, New York, U.S.A.
2nd November, 2000
It was great to go back all the years,
made me feel young again. Looking forward to hearing from others.
Lorraine Mc Carren Dunleavy
Dublin , Ireland.
30th October, 2000
Dear Anne,
What a great idea to have this website! It is so good to read
all the messages and I remember some of the names. Margarita Byron
was Sr Luke and came as I left. Our General Superior, Sr Paula
was also at La Chassotte. Love to everyone and I have fond memories
of the girls who were often my Saviours as I tried to mix study
with school duties.
Love Cecilia Courtney FCJ .I hope we meet up some time when you
all come to Australia!
Sr cecilia courtney (was
Francis)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
13th August, 2000
Have enjoyed your lovely website again!
Look forward to being able to put one or two Brownie 127 photos
of La Chassotte days on there for us schoolchums to laugh at!
Congratulations, and have a lovely summer holiday.
Sarah Avery (nee Midgley)
Wrington, Somerset, England.
Mary Jo Calderon would like to get
in touch with: Ruth Morrissey(Ireland), Germaine McCourt (Ireland),
Nora Diaz (Spain)
Is there anybody out there who knows where they are?
I received a letter from Sister Winefride Knowles who was at La Chassotte during 1920's to 1924. She is now the grand age of 90 and down at the FCJ Convent in Broadstairs,Kent
27th July, 2000
Hello Anne, What a good idea to have
a web page for La Chassotte. I was on the teaching staff of La
Chassotte from September 1968 - June 1973. I am currently director
of The Craighead Institute in Glasgow Scotland.The Institute is
one of Consultancy Research and Training for lay people in relation
to their role as Christian citizens in society. We are an International
Institute and my time in La Chassotte has helped me greatly in
my religious life. Best wishes,Sr. Christine Anderson FCJ
Sr.Christine Anderson,
FCJ
Glasgow, Scotland.
A mini reunion was held at Sue Little's (nee Borlase) home in Hertforshire in July 2000 with Colette Baigrie (nee Muirhead) and Charmian Puttnam and myself . A great time was had by all. We celebrated with a bottle of Champagne!!
10th July, 2000
I LOVED it! What a wonderful surprise
and gift! I always remember my days in LaChassotte and constantly
realize how it impacted and changed my life! MANY MANY THANKS,
ANNE! I have kept in touch with several of my friends from my
Fribourg School days, especially Anne Julienne (Lyons).I'd love
to widen the scope of my La Chassotte contacts!
Mary Jo Calderon
Chicago, Illinois, USA
2nd July, 2000
Félicitations Ann pour ton
web ! J'étais à la Chassotte de 1961 à 1968.
Donc je me souviens parafitement de toi. Je suis mariée
et j'ai deux garçons de 21 et 20 ans. Je vis entre Beyrouth
et Paris. J'ai donné ton adresse à Marie-Carmel
Saliba qui était à la Chassotte à la même
époque. Grosses bises, Misa Farage
Misa Farage
Beyrouth, Lebanon.
24th June, 2000
Dear Anne, This is growing!! Isn't
it wonderful? I am so delighted. May I just add a word or two
to what I said earlier? Sue mentions the Irish nun who used to
supervise our games and recreation evenings - the name I believe
was actually Sister Dolores. I remember being told that the very
elderly Mother Margaret Mary was actually a princess of Austria
(Hapsburg Dynasty) before she joined the convent, does anyone
know anything more about that? Then there was the very tall thin
sister who looked after the top dormitory. She was there the day
we had a slight earthquake and I remember her walking up and down
the dormitory reciting her rosary, while we lay in bed wondering
if the world was about to end! Sue had a great deal of contact
with the Sister in charge of the kitchens. I still make her recipe
for tuna in white sauce over hard boiled eggs! Wow, we were SO
spoilt when it came to our meals. And do you remember the day
we were allowed to buy cakes in the Grande Salle - they were out
of this world. However, I can't now remember her name. I think
she went to Paris when she left La Chassotte. I would like her
to know that I still think of her meals with pleasure and that
my children will use her recipe for another generation.
Sue Borlase is also in touch with Charmian Putnam who lives in
London.
We simply must try to organize a reunion in London, or perhaps
at Sue Borlase's home north of London and pretty central for everyone.
How can we spread the word internationally? Anne, can the F.C.J.
sisters give out your website address to their convents around
the world? What about advertising in something like the 'This
England' magazine, which often has reunions advertised in its
pages? Is there an F.C.J. annual magazine issued from Paris? If
so we should definitely ask them to mention this website.
Keep up the good work, Annie!
Colette Baigrie (nee Muirhead)
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England.
Dear Anne,
I reckon it is about time I up-dated my news on your website.
I still think that you are doing a fabulous job here and hope
that it will spread faster and faster now. I would love to find
a message here one day from one of those familiar names: Akiko
Okuma, Princess Supinda, Penny Brown and especially Frances McGowan.
I think if I could trace Frances, and she was interested, I might
even save up for a trip to visit her and spend a day or two catching
up on our lives over lots of cups of coffee!
I see from my previous letters that I have reminisced about school
days, but not told you much about my life since. For the sake
of those who do not know, therefore:
I left La Chassotte in 1961 for the French Lycee in London where
I obtained my O and A level examinations. However, I decided that
I would rather train as a secretary rather than continue university
where I had originally thought of a career in history. After a
year at Mrs. Hoster's Training College in London I sent off on
a round-the-world trip in 1965 - a 21st birthday gift from my
parents. I visited South Africa and Australia (where I had relations)
for several weeks and then returned to the UK by sea via New Zealand,
Fiji, Canada, USA, Panama Canal and the Caribbean. Quite a special
year!
Back in London in 1966 I joined The Pilgrim Trust - a charitable
foundation specializing in the saving of our national heritage
by granting funds to buildings, museums, artifacts, etc. The last
year of this period coincided with my engagement and so, perhaps
because I was in love and my dreams coming true, this was one
of the happiest times of my life. I enjoyed my work; liked my
boss tremendously; and was in love with the most handsome, glorious
young man in the world!
In 1969 we were married and immediately after a brief honeymoon
in Austria, left for South Africa where we set up home in Cape
Town. Natasha , Robert and Victoria followed at fairly regular
intervals!
However their had to be an end - after 24 years of marriage my
husband asked for a divorce.
If anyone is interested I could spend hours with a cup of coffee
in my hands talking about that quarter century in Cape Town, but
now the children and I are more or less settled back here in UK.
Natasha (age 28) is married to Dave and working in London. Robert
(age 25) is also working in London. Victoria (age 18) and I are
living in Suffolk with my sister, Pauline. In the longer-term
it seems likely that we will be remaining in Europe.
Now it is your turn! Let us hear more about you out there!
Best wishes to all who remember me -Colette (Baigrie - nee Muirhead)
1960 & 1961
P.S. Je continue de comprendre, et meme essayer d'ecrire en francais
- donc s'il y a ceux que ne comprends pas l'anglais je pourrais
repeter cette lettre dans un francais peutetre incorrect, mais
neamoins comprehensible et donc amusant!
My sister Sally Lyons (her
married name is Ingham) was there in 59 and 60 - I
think. I'm about to call her now to find out! We're American.
Sally married
an Englishman and lives in Wimbledon and is a grandmother... Her
best
friend from that time is Teresa Charmant (British), who also lives
in
Wimbledon and they see each other about 5 times a week. I married
a
Frenchman and live in Paris and have a cat! I'm in constant touch
with a
number of old La Chassotte girls and will be contacting them in
the next few
days. You might have known Misa Farage (Iraqi), and Arshia and
Atessa
Mehrabi (Iranian). Atessa tragically died of cancer a few years
ago. Also Véronique Tuor (Swiss). I see a lot of them and
think they might have known you.
Loué soit Jésus Christ
Ann Julienne
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Dear Anne,Congratulations
on your website page.Am novice in this area. I TAUGHT
AT LA CHASSOTTE 1963-67 and 1978 -84.
I AM in contact with some pupils and teachers of those years.
I have details of closure of school in 1987.I recognise many in
photo. Good to hear from you. ( Mere Elisabeth)
21st May, 2000
Anne your website is great I would
love to hear from anybody who was at La Chassotte when I was there.
Jerry Frepple, American, Penny Brown, Jennifer Adlington, and
does any one remember Mable ? Sister Deloris? etc. I expect that
you all know that Poles is now Hanbury Manor not F.C.J. Convent
anymore. I look forward to hearing from you soon
With Love Susi
Sue Borlase
Hertford, Hertfordshire, England.
26th February, 2000
I have often wondered about my friend
Atessa Mehrabi (younger sister Ashra) from Tehran. For obvious
reasons, she may not have done her legal training in Paris, wars
and things years ago, back in the days of Persia. But many other
friends too - how I wish I'd been a better correspondent when
I left school at FIFTEEN...... Before I go I do want to try and
see a bit more of this wonderful page - WELL DONE ANNE!!!!!
Sarah Avery (nee Midgley)
Bristol, Somerset, England.
20th January, 2000
La Chassotte (1959-1961) with Anne
Eyles and Sue Borlase and Sarah Midgeley. Would love to hear from
Frances McGowan, who also went on to the French Lycee, London,
England at roughly the same time as myself. I was there 1961-1964.
I am in touch with Sr. Mary-Rose Dennehy and Sarah, Sue and Anne,
mentioned above. I also knew Clare Stevenson who was killed in
the middle east shortly after her days at La Chassotte. I believe
Georgiana (?) has also died subsequently. There was a Penny who
was a boarder from east Africa somewhere and many girls from such
far away places as South America, the Phillipines, Japan (where
is Akiko Okuma?) and Thailand - Princess Supinda? Closer to home
there were girls from Germany, France, Spain and Switzerland.
I hope to send Anne a photo from the old days soon. Please contact
her if you read this and remember the good ol bad days! Best Wishes
Colette
Colette Baigrie (nee Muirhead)
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
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