Tri Psi News

---

Leaving home to head to college at any time is a mixed bag of emotions. Heading to college during a pandemic is another story. The dreams of socials, fun on the quad, late night snack raids would not be a part of the college scene in Fall, 2020. Instead, those were replaced with masks, quarantine, food delivery to the dorm room, zoom classes. In short, a near complete isolation for all students who came to school to meet lifelong friends and enjoy common experiences. 

Greek Life pledging commenced at the Butler University campus in Spring 2021. To say this was difficult was an understatement. For Mary Kate Daley (MK), the acceptance into Tri Delta was a welcome change from the fall semester’s lack of socializing. The family matriarch, Pyper, who would go on to graduate in Spring 2022, joined with Hannah, MK’s soon to be big, to create the Dove Family of the Butler Tri Deltas. Together Pyper and Hannah welcomed MK into sorority life, embraced, mentored and allowed her to grow and enjoy all that TD had to offer. The bonus, of course, was a brand-new house to move into in Fall of 2021. 

Getting involved with the TD family was easy, with many options for MK to use her talents. As the year progressed, recruitment for the next generation of this family took place, and Mary Kate had the honor of not one, but two Littles, Emma and Olivia - total opposites - that wanted MK as their Big, and so the family grew. 

In 2022, MK was tasked as Director of Recruitment, guiding her Littles through the process, and with her guidance her Littles found their Littles - Kennedy and Amanda Lily, and thus the family was complete. While this is a normal progression of Greek Life for all sororities, what sets this story apart is the close bond that has evolved with this particular family. With GGB Pyper, GB Hannah, and Mary Kate as the initial tribe, Olivia and Emma adding to the mix meant that more outings together with formals, outside outings and TD activities would be enjoyed together, and adding the Grand Littles meant they always had to request a table for 6 or 7. 

They worked together on sorority projects, celebrated holidays together with parties, planned fun for formals, and celebrated Dude’s Day and Ladies’ Day together. It is not uncommon to see them in a cluster in the house, on campus, at a senior house, studying, watching the latest program, working on banners or just being themselves. The unique bond that crosses over with Seniors to Freshman is not missed on many. They truly care for one another. Their loyalty and love for each other is apparent to the other TD sisters, and recently played out while preparing for next year’s officers. 

When it came time to decide who would vie for the position of TD President, two members of the Dove Family were interested. Mary Kate and Olivia were great choices, both with the ability to lead the chapter. But it was discovered that a position on Pan Hellenic Council was open, and the Tri Delta’s had no representation. Without hesitation, Mary Kate put her name in and was elected to the Pan Hell council, to secure that Tri Delta’s had a voice in the coming year within the Greek system. 

With this decision, Olivia was named President of the Tri Delta Chapter, giving the Dove Family a strong presence to make TD the best they could be in the coming year. These choices are not by chance. They are made because this particular sorority family truly lives the TD motto “Let us steadfastly love one another.” Only through those sentiments, can Tri Delta truly thrive when the world tells us to put ourselves first. For loving one another puts the focus on another, and for this group of young women, that is exactly what they intend to do as members of Tri Delta. 

While some will look forward with eager anticipation for the year ahead, others that will graduate this spring, or will be seniors next year, will find it bitter sweet. But no matter the sentiment, there is no doubt that this amazing extended family at Butler University, is one that knows how blessed they are to have each other, and will be one that endures for years to come. 

What a blessing to know that a pandemic did not break the spirit of what it means to be a family. 

Felicitas Medina, 95, of Overland Park, KS passed away on March 17, 2023.

She was born on March 6, 1928 in Kansas City, MO to Jose and Maria Vasquez Munoz. She married Mark Medina in 1946 and they settled in Kansas City, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Raymond, and Joe V.; and sisters, Bartola Lopez, Trinidad Florez, Teresa Bernal, Manuela Hernandez, Simona Cirlincuina. 

Felicitas was a warm, loving, and generous mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt. She is survived by her seven children: Nancy Medina, of Overland Park, KS; Mark R. Medina (Barbara), of San Diego, CA; Tom Medina (Sharon), of Olathe, KS; Stephanie Tatum (Larry), of Mission Hills, KS; David Medina (Darla), of Tacoma, WA; Linda Medina (Jerry Belcher), of Overland Park, KS; Janet Long, of Overland Park, KS. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren. 

Extended family and friends: Robert Hazelwood, Chris Coffey & Charles Michel, Deb Mathine & Kooper. 

Felicitas kindness and compassion for others began in her late teens when she worked as a doctor’s aide. Always supportive in others’ lives, she was a helpful caregiver for family and friends. She was proud to have earned her GED, getting a driver’s license and working outside the home after her children were raised. When Mark retired in 1984, they traveled in a working partnership of F & M Consulting. Together they traveled to all 50 states across America. 

Felicitas loved to read, crochet, embroider, knit, making bead jewelry, painting and ceramics. Coloring books became a more recent passion. 

She also loved flowers and would often put her husband to work to make her garden plan bloom. Mom often found diagrams and plans that had dad in his workshop putting them together his own way. From fountains to birdhouses, he constructed his gifts to present to mom in her latest hobbies. 

Felicitas was active in Psi Psi Psi mothers’ sorority for Delta Delta Delta. She received a Violet Award in 2022 for over 39 years of service. She held offices at the local and international levels.

The family requests no flowers and donations in memory of Felicitas to St Jude’s Children's Hospital at https://www.stjude.org or mail donations (checks & money orders only) to:

ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105 

Donations may also be made to the Psi Psi Psi Scholarship Fund.

She loved her family dearly and will be missed by all. We will always carry her memory in our hearts. A celebration of life will be held later this year. Fond memories and condolences may be expressed at www.porterfuneralhome.com

A private service was held followed by entombment at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa.

 Hello Tri Psi Sisters,

As promised, here is more information on our new member-at-large, Beth Dees Applebaum. Beth considers herself privileged to serve as Tri Delta’s archivist for 20 years, caring for the Fraternity’s sizable historical collection and sharing the organization’s stories with others. A Texas native, she grew up as a military brat fortunate to be stationed in interesting places across the United States and overseas. Beth attended Texas Christian University in her father’s hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, where she was initiated into the Phi Lambda Chapter of Tri Delta. She first learned about Tri Psi from her grandmother, Lila Conn Dees, who was a member of the Fort Worth chapter.

Beth has been a professional genealogist and family historian for over 40 years. An avid gardener, Beth particularly enjoys antique and heirloom flowers. She and her retired husband, Wayne, love traveling to new places and also share an interest in cooking. They share their Plano home with their Belgian Malinois, Cirque, and a feisty calico cat named Pistachio, who keeps everyone in line. But, of course, the best times are spent with her sons and two grandchildren.

Beth has been instrumental in assisting Tri Psi with our wall display in the Tri Delta museum. We expect to get detailed layout proposals soon. It is exciting to know all Tri Deltas visiting the museum in the future will learn about the rich history of Tri Psi!

Beth Burkes, Tri Delta Chief Development Officer, reports our Tri Psi digitization project is coming along very well. You can actually see for yourself what’s been uploaded and meta-tagged to-date at: https://tridelta.historyit.com/search.php?q=Tri+Psi&ex=on or search for specific items yourself by going to tridelta.historyit.com and typing in the white search bar. You can type Tri Psi in the search bar (make sure you check the button that says “Exact Match” so that you’re not also getting everything that has “Tri” in it.)  Beth spent time reading some of Sarah Ida Shaw’s letters to Tri Psi and says they are fascinating! 

It’s very exciting to have Tri Psi’s items digitized for everyone to see!  In order to further preserve our rich history, we are continuing to fundraise.  If you would like to donate, please visit https://give.trideltaeo.org/tripsidigit or mail your check to Tri Delta Foundation, 14951 N Dallas Pkwy, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75254. Your donation is tax deductible. Thank you so very much for whatever you can contribute!

Scholarship Fund Treasurer, Leanne Dodson, reports we have received $5,831.00 in scholarship donations so far this year. I know I will be sending a donation in memory of Felicitas Medina, our beloved member who passed away recently. If you would like to donate, you can mail a check to Leanne at 6184 N Pinnacle Ridge Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718-3503. Our fiscal year closes April 30th.

I have received my new Tri Psi charm from Herff Jones! I look forward to wearing it Saturday to our Alpha Mu chapter meeting and lunch in Tucson. Charms and lapel pins are available for $20 at www.hjgreek.com, Sororities, Psi Psi Psi. The charms look beautiful on a chain, too!

Tri Psi Tamara Daley shared a lovely story of her daughter, Mary Kate (MK), who joined Delta Lambda chapter of Tri Delta at Butler University during Covid. Her “big” and “little” sisters have become a very close-knit family. They work together on sorority projects, celebrate holidays together with parties, plan fun for formals, and celebrate Dude’s Day and Ladies’ Day together. It is not uncommon to see them in a cluster in the house, on campus, at a senior house, studying, watching the latest program, working on banners or just being themselves. The unique bond that crosses over from Seniors to Freshman is not missed on many. They truly care for one another. Above in the header of this page you can see some pictures and the full version of the story below the images.

I trust all chapters and all members-at-large have paid dues for this year. If not, please send them to Naomi Anderson, 11823 E Fairfax St., Wichita, KS 67226-0105. In the philanthropical spirit of Tri Psi, I hope you will include a donation to scholarship along with your dues. This allows us to award $1,000 scholarships to deserving Tri Deltas entering their Junior year of college. The number of scholarships awarded is determined by the amount of contributions we receive. Thank you for any donation you can give!

Remember, Tri Psi membership is for a lifetime. We are a philanthropical organization supporting Tri Deltas everywhere.

Tri Psi Love,

Tess Holcomb

Tri Psi Sorority International President