Scecina Sweethearts

By Rose Branson

Chances are you know a couple from the Scecina community who met while they were at Scecina. It could have been while they were in school, with friends, at a reunion or a Scecina event, through work (like me) - the list is endless! We want to pay homage to those infamous couples who met through our beloved and favorite school, Scecina. 

Brian '83 and Karen (West) Lyons '84

"My husband, Brian Lyons '83, and I (Karen West Lyons '84) have known each other from Little Flower and Scecina for many years. Our parents were well acquainted during this time. We reconnected in 2008 and have been married since 2010. We both love Scecina and feel that our experience there as students gave us a link to lifelong friends." 

Lisa (Striby) '78 and Dennis Hanley '78

"My husband and I met at Scecina in 1977-1978. St. Mary Academy closed after my junior year and I attended Scecina for my senior year. At the time, St. Mary's closing was quite devastating to me, but if it hadn't happened I probably would have never met my husband. Dennis fell for me hard at Scecina and followed me to Marian College. After a few years as friends, I realized that I had fallen in love with him and we were married in 1983. We have three wonderful sons, one daughter-in-law and two grandsons."

Tim '93 and Cari (Roembke) '93 Gallagher 

"Tim and I both graduated from Scecina in 1993. We met our freshman year but did not start dating until after high school. We have been married for over 20 years, and have four children. Elizabeth, 19, graduated from Scecina in 2015. AJ is 17, Max is 13 and Nate is 10."

Rodgers Family

A family of Scecina sweethearts! Oldest sibling Bill Rodgers '59 married Ellen Breinlich '60 in 1963. They have been married 53 years. Next, second-oldest son Terry Rodgers '63 married Martie Schneider '63 in 1967. They have been married 49 years. Next, third-oldest son Jim Rodgers '68 married Brenda Davis '68 in 1970. They have been married 46 years. Next only daughter in the family, Judy Rodgers '72, married Ron Chaplin '72 in 1973. Finally, fourth son Pat Rodgers '70 broke the tradition and married Bishop Chatard grad Debby Gutgsell in 1977, and they have been married 39 years.  

Joe '83 and Rozanne (Smith) '83 Crump 

"Wild and free, we are the Class of 1983! Spring break '83 sealed our fate. All five of our children attended Scecina. Meet our new love, Artie Rizzo Padgett, future Class of 2035."

Ed '77 and Mary (Remmetter) '79 Quiett

Ed Quiett of St. Philip Neri '73 and Mary Remmetter of Little Flower '75 had their first date June 3, 1976. Their song is "Heard It in a Love Song" by The Marshall Tucker Band. They were married on May 1, 1981 at St. Philip Neri by Father Jerry Kirkhoff. The reception was held in the Scecina cafeteria catered by Anne Kirk. Ed and Mary have four children and eight grandchildren. They are current members of St. Monica in Mishawaka, Ind.

Tom '80 and Brigid (Sweeney) '80 Gedig 

"My wife and I met at Scecina in 1977. Brigid Sweeney went to St. Mary's downtown in 1976. St. Mary's closed that year and she transferred to Scecina in 1977. She is from a family of nine kids from St. Philip Neri and I am one of six kids from Holy Spirit. We did not really meet until senior year until we were in the Spring musical together. John Riley '80 got us together for Prom 1980. We were married in September 1984 and we will celebrate our 33rd anniversary this year. We have two children, Patrick '12 and Emma Rose '20. We are very proud of our children and how they are giving back to Scecina. Patrick is an assistant coach for the baseball team and Emma Rose is an assistant coach for the Lady Crusaders Jrs (travel) volleyball team."

Megan Whisler '14 and Elijah J. Broschart '14

"Both of us were assigned to a random critical thinking class junior year at Scecina and the rest was history. Four years later and couldn't imagine my life without EJB. Thankful for Scecina for giving me the love of my life."

Jim '80 and Sandra (Kleifgen) '83 Doyle 

"Chris Kleifgen '78 and his wife, Cathy (Doyle) '78 Kleifgen, had their first child, Rachel (Kleifgen) Cougan '02, in 1984. Chris and Cathy chose us, Jim Doyle '80 and Sandy (Kleifgen) '83 Doyle, to be her godparents along with a little matchmaking. Well, it worked! We married in April 1986 and we will celebrate 31 years this spring. We have three daughters Cara '07, Lindsay '08, and Jackie '12, who all graduated from Scecina. "

Rachel (Kleifgen) Cougan '02 and Joey Cougan '01

Rachel '02 and Joey '01 knew each other from afar at Scecina. They reconnected at a party in 2007 and have been together ever since. They married in 2013 and have two boys, Finnegan and Sawyer.

David '68 and Ann (McAtee) '67 Gandolph 

"Dave and I met at a track meet at Chartrand Hight School (Roncalli). The baseball game had been rained out so he decided to head south to watch his good friend, Dave White '67, compete for the Crusaders. My boyfriend, at the time, was also on the track team. We all sat together in the Scecina section. That was the first time I had ever noticed Dave Gandolph. I'm not sure he noticed me, but I made sure he did, eventually. On May 5, 1967, Dave knocked at my front door, and so the story goes. This May we will celebrate 50 years together."

Chris '78 and Cathy (Doyle)'78 Kleifgen

"My husband, Chris Kleifgen, and I both graduated from Scecina in 1978. We have known each other since freshman year but did not start dating until after graduation, and we have been married 34 years!"

Kyle '01 and Samantha (Crump) '08 Padgett 

"We met at a Brad Paisley concert in 2009. We got engaged at Scecina and had our reception there. This is our son, Artie Rizzo, future Class of 2035."

TJ Flinchum '06 and Cara (Doyle) Flinchum '07

"TJ '06 and Cara (Doyle) '07 Flinchum met at Scecina by mutual friends. TJ and Cara went to Prom at the Children's Museum on May 13, 2006. 10 years later on May 14 2016, they were married at Holy Spirit Church. They bought a house on the East side, and can't wait to have children one day! "