Johnny and Marie Thompson Celebrate their Golden Anniversary
Marie Thompson of Laureate Alpha Rho, and her husband Johnny recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a trip to Vancouver, Canada taking in numerous sites including those for the 2010 Olympic games. On their anniversary, they boarded the MS Zuiderdam for an Alaskan cruise. Their renewal of marriage vows was performed on the cruise liner by Captain Werner Timmers.
Johnny Lee Thompson and the former Marie Antoinette Rodman were united in marriage September 5, 1959 at St. Patrick's Catholic church in Raton, NM with Monsignor Thomas Lynch officiating. The date was Johnny's parents, Felix and Martha Thompson's 24th wedding anniversary.
Johnny served in the U.S. Marines and retired in 1994, closing his mechanical contracting firm. In 1996, Marie retired as VP-Operations-CFO from Farm Credit of NM after 26 years. Johnny enjoys gardening and fishing. Marie's hobbies are cooking and baking, sporting events and traveling. She has spent many years volunteering for numerous causes.
Marie is a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi. Her chapter is Albuquerque, NM Laureate Alpha Rho. She has held many offices in her chapter; chaired many citywide functions and is a past Albuquerque City Council President.
Johnny and Marie are proud parents of a daughter, Johnnie Lynne Thompson, and grandson, Justin Lee Baca. These two, loves and joy of their lives, accompanied them on their trip and were attendants at the renewal of marriage vows.
Johnny and Marie on their wedding day in 1959:
Johnny and Marie on their 50th wedding anniversary in 2009:
Here is a fun collage that Marie put together capturing each decade of their life together:
Laureate Alpha Rho's Beginning Day Tea
Becky Bradshaw, Laureate Alpha Rho's outgoing President
Robin Chall, 2008 City Council Woman of the Year
Our City Council Woman of the Year was selected by the Beta Sigma Phi International Office from the nominations submitted by the Albuquerque membership. This year's honoree is Robin Chall from Laureate Alpha Rho.
Robin started her Beta Sigma Phi affiliation in 1972 as a Nu Phi Mu Pledge at a Citywide Rush. At that time, the proud native of Albuquerque was a full-time UNM student, working 24 hours a week. She wanted and needed to add some fun in her busy schedule. Having witnessed the joy that Beta Sigma Phi had brought to her mother, she was eager to join. Robin had brothers but no sisters and liked the idea of instantly having so many new sisters to support and mentor her throughout her life. She has learned a lot from and has been inspired by many of the outstanding women within the Beta Sigma Phi Organization. Feeling the need to give back to this sisterhood, she has actively served as City Council Representative for her Nu Phi Mu, Ritual of Jewels, Exemplar, Preceptor and Laureate degree chapters. Robin has enjoyed working with the Albuquerque City Council serving as Corresponding Secretary on Diane Benedetto's Executive Board, as a member of Karen Swelling's City Council Guest Day Committee, as a City Council Parliamentarian for Margie Fellerhoff's Executive Board, as City Council President, as a member of the City Council Advisory Board and as Chairwoman of the City Council Advisory Board.
Laureate Alpha Rho meets the third Tuesday of the month in the afternoons and sometimes in the early evening (5:30 pm). We have one other social per month.
Chapter Birthday: January 11, 2005
Active Members: 7 Laureate Alpha Rho is looking for new members. Contact Robin Chall for more information 823-9537.
Service projects: Daffodils for Hospice, ABQ Rescue Mission
Social Events: Annual Santa Fe gallery tour, live theater visits, couples dinners, girls lunches, ABQ Museum tour. We have a special rod trip planned to Pagosa Springs, CO in May. We will be doing all of our annual planning for the year.
