Class Notes

Catch up on classmates, housemates, faculty, and friends.

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Marking career and personal achievements, special milestones and the birth of future ľĹĐăÖ±˛Ą alumni - Class Notes helps you stay in touch with former classmates, housemates, and faculty.

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  • 1970s

    Sheelagh Anne Barrable

    – Arts’72

    Spring 2023

    Sheelagh Anne Barrable, who lives in Bermuda and is a tireless advocate for the island’s children and vulnerable families, was appointed as an officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in January 2023. In 1992, Sheelagh was the founder of the Coalition for the Protection of Children, serving as chair of the charity for 27 years. In collaboration with the Women’s Resource Centre, she also helped bring the Transformational Living Centre to completion in 2021. The centre provides safe shelter for women and their children, along with support in education, life skills, and employment.  

  • A man, with grey hair and a beard, wearing glasses and a suit, smiles at the camera. He has a medal pinned to his lapel and there are painted portraits in the background.

    1960s

    Barry Wellar

    – Arts’65

    Spring 2023

    In recognition of 35 years of practise as a full member and qualifications as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) in good standing, Dr. Barry Wellar received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute at its 2022 joint conference with the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. 

  • 1960s

    John Armstrong

    – Arts’64, MBA’66

    Spring 2023

    John Armstrong is pleased to share the news that his granddaughter, Madelaine Armstrong (NSc’26), is the fourth generation of her family to attend Queen’s. Maddie follows in the footsteps of her great-grandparents Malcolm Armstrong (BA’29) and Elizabeth Murdie Armstrong (BA’30); great-uncles William Armstrong (BA’54, MA’55) and James Armstrong (Sc’58); and cousins Steven Armstrong (Artsci’83) and Kenneth Armstrong (MSc’96). 

  • John Devai sits in a chair holding a baby in his lap.

    1950s

    John Devai

    – Sc’56

    Spring 2023

    John Devai celebrated his 90th birthday this year on March 7. John proudly graduated from the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science in 1956. Upon graduation, he and his wife, Irene, moved to Oakville, Ont., where they raised two children, John Jr. and Susan. John and Irene were married for 63 years. Irene sadly passed away in 2018. John had a successful engineering career, which included senior positions at Petro-Canada and Sunoco, as well as consulting internationally. He has three granddaughters and three great-grandsons. 

  • Ryan O'Callaghan hugs his wife, Shea Wood, from behind. Shea is wearing a wedding dress and holding a bouquet of roses.

    2000s

    Ryan O’Callaghan and Shea Wood

    – Artsci’07 and Artsci’08

    Winter 2022

    Ryan O’Callaghan and Shea Wood’s love story started in 2007, when they exchanged flirty looks across a classroom at Queen’s. They noticed each other around campus and downtown Kingston, but it was one autumn day in particular that shifted everything. As they were passing each other on University Avenue, Ryan boldly asked Shea, “Will you go on a date with me?” And without hesitation, Shea replied, “Of course!” Their first year was filled with long talks through the night, road trips, thoughtful gifts, loving gestures, and a memorable Christmas. Life ended up taking Ryan to New York City and Shea to Montreal. Though distance separated them, there were certain things that tied them together: claddagh rings, birthday wishes, and a love that was hard to forget. They found their way back together when their paths crossed in Toronto. Since that reunion, they’ve never looked back. Ryan proposed on the beautiful coast of Puglia, Italy. On another autumn day – Oct. 22, 2022 – Ryan and Shea were married in the Thousand Islands at the Ivy Lea Club surrounded by family and friends.

  • 2000s

    Kristine Beese

    – Artsci’03

    Winter 2022

    Kristine Beese was featured in Exige International’s Leadership Series on Apple podcasts. Beese is CEO and founder of Untangle Money, a company that seeks to empower women by providing financial management tailored specifically for them. In Exige’s podcast series, Exige International, Beese speaks about her entrepreneurship journey and how Untangle Money was started, as well as the financial disadvantage that women face. Listen to the .