Chronicle 2019

By Erin Morawetz 2007

T hey laugh about their school days as if they were yesterday, poking fun at one another the way you only can with friends you’ve known forever. Only fitting, then, that it was on February 13th, the eve of Valentine’s Day – colloquially known to them as Galentine’s Day (a day to celebrate your girlfriends) – that I spoke with Jill Bennett, Jane Robinson, Margie Pacini and Kathy Southee, four women whose Havergal- born friendship has kept them connected since they graduated in 1970. While Havergal was not the first place they all met

to bridge the distances? “We didn’t,” Kathy laughs. “There wasn’t a lot of communication in those days. But we still shared information when we could. And luckily, whenever we did see one another, we picked right back up.” All four women agree that they’ve been closer than ever in the last 20 years. They travelled to Alberta for Jill’s 50th birthday, and they get together every time she comes back east; they arrange summer weekends at Kathy’s Georgian Bay cottage and in 2009 they spent a week in Florida, visiting Universal Studios. They even sat through a timeshare presentation together.

(Jill and Kathy started at Havergal together in Grade 5, but Jill had been going to summer camp with Jane andMargie before they joined in Grade 9 and 10 respectively), it’s what brought them together. “The atmosphere of Havergal – to make us independent but also really nurture our friendships – was such a benefit,” says Jane. This was in the ’60s, a time when the friends were exploring, experiencing freedom and

In between the jokes and laughter, the depth of their friendship shines through. For 50 years, these women have been there for each other, providing a shoulder and a listening ear. Jill recalls showing up on Margie’s doorstep after her mother’s death. Margie tells the story of when Jane took her to a day spa when she needed it most.

experimenting with their futures. True enough, their lives took them all in different directions – Jill out west, Kathy to Ottawa, Margie and Jane staying in Toronto – with careers in academia, finance, tourism and the non- profit sector. There were years when they weren’t able to see each other, but Christmas cards, long-distance phone calls and especially class Reunions, organized by Class Reps Margie and Jane, have kept them connected to Havergal, to their class and to one another. As is the case in most decade-spanning friendships, there have been lulls. How difficult was it, I asked, to stay in touch in those post-Havergal years, when their careers and lives took them in different directions; when there was no Facebook, iMessage or FaceTime

“I feel these three ladies would have my back at any time,” Jill agrees. “I wouldn’t hesitate to call upon any of them, even if I hadn’t seen them in a couple of years.” “We’ve been able to reach out and touch each other when we can and keep that flame burning,” Margie added. The flame is still going strong: on our call, Margie and Jane made sure to remind the others of the date of their 50th Havergal Reunion, coming up in fall 2020. And as we prepared to say goodbye, they started planning their next group call, this time just for fun. “It’s a good idea, don’t you think, girls?” Kathy asks, to laughs and resounding agreement. And the flame burns on.

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