Thomas Downey High School Alumni Class of 1961

Does this building bring back memories? A friend of Terri Bracco-Boersma reminds us how important the owner-operator and building were in our lives in the late 1950s and early 60s. Mamie Noto DiSciascio Alberti Jun. 7, 1910 - Sep. 27, 2004 Wife of George (1911-1982). Mrs. Alberti was a native of Philadelphia and lived in Modesto for fifty-nine years. She owned and operated the famous and unforgettable Knights Round Table across from Downey High School from 1951-84. Mamie was... a former counselor at Fatima Teenagers, an Our Lady of Fatima youth group, and active with Downey High School students Ski Club. She also cooked for the Dads Clubs and the American Business Women's Association dinners. Mamie was a member and officer in the Italian Catholic Federation, member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, American Business Women's Association, and Young Ladies Institute at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. She enjoyed bowling. She leaves her daughter, Theresa Wade of Turlock; stepdaughter, Mary Miller of New Mexico; and eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her children, Frank Noto, Maria DiBona, and Peter Noto. She was 94. See more

Many people appreciate knowing about the lives of their former classmates. It is quite interesting to learn about different occupations, families, and what they enjoy doing most as a hobby in life. We attempt to provide as much information as possible. But I am sure we miss some people. To solve that dilemma, please feel free to add information and photos to the site. Or send it to us and we'll post it for you. As you might suspect, the TDHS alumni of the Class of 1961 is dwindling. As of 2020, we have lost 118 precious lives. If you are interested in learning who, request an updated list and provide your email address. We will send you what we have verified. So if we have missed someone and you can verify birth and death dates, please send us that information. Stay safe!

After graduating from Thomas Downey High School in 1961, our classmate, Betty Grant, later returned to her alma mater to teach Spanish and French. As a top-rated teacher at Downey, she shared her vast knowledge of linguistics until she retired. Through the years, Betty and Maxine Besio-Rix, who lives in the mountains near Truckee, visited together whenever possible. Today I received an email from Maxine, who shared that her high school friend, Betty, died on January 7, 2021.... Many will remember her attendance at our 50Th reunion in 2011. Enclosed is Betty's graduation photo in 1961 and two more recent pictures of the ladies together. Maxine shared some information about Betty's adventuresome life. After attending San Francisco State Betty finished her education in Europe. She then moved to Japan where she taught school. Returning to Modesto she married and started a family. Kristen, her daughter, started out working for the Peace Corps in Mauritania where Betty visited her and traveled locally. Betty also visited Vietnam, Austria, Saudi Arabia, and Germany while her daughter was employed by the State Department at these locations. In the last few years, Betty lived in the Pacifica Senior Living Center for memory care. Due to the pandemic, there will only be a brief family-only service now, and then, later this summer, when it is more appropriate, they will schedule a celebration-of-life for Betty's many friends.

Class of 1961TDHS Alumnus: CarolynAnn Beyer-Straub Please greet everyone! Perhaps one or the other may remember me.... I have two daughters whose families provided me with four grandchildren. I’ve always been an adventurous person: I commenced my adult life at the University of Salzburg, Austria, then Goethe Institute in Radolfzell, Germany. Following a year in Germany, I returned... to San Francisco, graduated from San Francisco State College, and returned to Germany to teach German and work as a librarian in the army. I married, traveled throughout Europe, until 1986 when I returned to Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. Living in Rochester, NY, teaching seventh-12th grade German for over twenty years, I would take my students to Germany, where they lived with local teens, attended the Gymnasium, and toured Southern Germany. This instruction coincided with responsibilities as chair of the middle school/ high school three language department until 2006, when I retired to continue traveling. I particularly enjoyed volunteering in the recovery process following Katrina and spent a summer in Peru instructing orphans in English. I live in Penfield, NY. I would happily to greet anyone from our class who might visit this area or wish to make contact. Thank you for your work. See more

A 1958 photo of some students who would comprise the Class of 1961.

The TDHS alumni committee regrets to share this news regarding the death of James Edward Jackson on July 27, 2020. He was born on August 23, 1943. In 1961, following graduation from Thomas Downey High School, our former classmate, Jim Jackson, attended the University of California in Berkley, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Mathematics/Physics. Early in his career, General Electric Corporation employed him as a Management Information Sys...tems Specialist. As a liaison for the company, he traveled to various parts of the country, including the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas, and NASA Headquarters in Washington D. C. Jim also worked for Lockheed-Martin. After a brief stay in Daytona Beach, he and his family moved to Seminole, Florida for the next forty-eight years. Jim was an avid golfer. He was loyal and respected by everyone who knew him. The Thomas Downey Class of 1961 extends our condolences to his family and friends.

The Alumni Committee of Thomas Downey High School Class of 1961 decided to post-pone future quarterly luncheons until further notice. Our age group is in the demographic age category most susceptible to catching the Covid-19 virus. We wish to take all precautionary actions to ensure your safety. I’m sure you understand and are as disappointed as we. But, as soon as this inconvenience passes, we will once again look forward to spending time together. If you desire, please view Thomas Downey High School Alumni Class of 1961 on FaceBook for the latest news. We invite you to contribute comments and photos. In the meantime, stay safe!

Louise Greer-Hansen Retired Stanislaus County Social Worker

How many of these lovely ladies can you name?

Creators of school spirit and royalty at TDHS in 1959

A few of the more than 550 Freshmen students of Thomas Downey High School in 1958

Remember our second year as Sophomores?

Some smiles never change: Marilyn Mitchell Bauofer. Thanks for joining your former classmates at our quarterly luncheon in Modesto.

It is nice to see Alice Ann McBeth-Shanze again. Midvale, Utah.

Wenona Campbell (October 3, 1943 - November 26, 2019)

Wenona Campbell (1943 - 2019) Guest Book Be the first to share your memories or express your condolences in the Guest Book for Wenona Campbell. View Sign Service Information... Memorial service Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 11:00 AM Hope Chapel 5680 Sonoma Hwy. Santa Rosa, CA View Map Send Flowers Obituary Send Flowers Wenona Jean Campbell October 3, 1943 - November 26, 2019 She proudly described herself as an 'Okie Girl' from Hanna, Oklahoma brought to California as an infant by her parents seeking work in the farming paradise of the Central Valley. 'Sis' to her family, 'Wendy' to her business peers, and 'Nonie' to her grandchildren, Wenona died peacefully and on her own terms November 26 , in Santa Rosa, Ca. Preceded in death by parents, J.C. and Tressie Campbell, and survived by brother Larry Campbell, daughter Allie Hile, son Jason Stolp, and grandchildren Paige Hile, Kacey Hile, Ford Stolp, Clay Stolp, and Raquel Zuniga, she will be missed by family and friends alike. A graduate of Downey High School Class of 1961, crowned Miss Modesto Industry 1960, the first woman President of the Stanislaus County YMCA, and recognized as a Million-Dollar Roundtable insurance broker for New York Life, Wenona's indefatigable spirit and smile made her a mainstay of the community. True to her Christian faith, she never met a stranger who didn't walk away a friend. In retirement she volunteered as a Sonoma County Sheriff's Chaplain and was a welcome source of comfort to many in their most trying times. A memorial is scheduled for January 4 , at 11, at Hope Chapel in Santa Rosa, 5680 Sonoma Hwy. Donations to Hospice of the Bay are encouraged in lieu of flowers. www.cvobituaries.com

T.D.H.S Varsity Football Team 1960-61

TDHS Football 1961

Judi Friedman-Baker is looking very stylish these days.