Let us remember Gerda and Marie, the Pahnke sisters, two alumnae who left bequests to their alma mater.
Both were born on Staten Island.
Both attended Wagner College.
Both married fellow Wagner graduates.
And both became teachers.
Gerda Pahnke ’45 married John W. Mentha ’46. She was a primary school teacher — first in Ardsley, New York, then in Washington, North Carolina, where John’s work as a pharmaceutical chemist had taken him. They were prosperous, thanks to John’s work, and retired to a new house outside Raleigh, near their son and new granddaughter, where they spent their remaining days.
Marie Pahnke ’52 M’53 married Philip D. Pflaum ’50 M’54. Both Phil and Marie were lifelong educators in Bergen County, New Jersey — Marie in elementary school, Phil in math and science. After retiring, Philip joined the Bergen County Retired Educators.
All of them have passed on over the last few years — and both couples left substantial gifts to their alma mater. The bequest from Marie’s estate will be used for scholarships for future teachers, while Gerda’s gift will go toward the purchase of equipment and supplies for programs in the physical sciences.
Please join us — please remember the Pahnkes, with thanks.
