The Galveston County Daily News

Jeneane Rourke Rice and her husband, Barry, are both recovering from surgery at home and doing fine after the experience of a lifetime.

Barry had polycystic kidney disease, and one of his kidneys needed to be removed earlier this year. He was on dialysis and desperately needed a replacement.

While he was in the hospital, Jeneane had the medics test her for a possible match as a donor. Lo and behold, they found she would make a perfect donor, so last week she gave her husband the ultimate gift of one of her kidneys.

They are home now and the kidney is working wonderfully. Barry is looking forward to his future without dialysis.

Their boys, Barry Jr., who works for Wells Fargo in Dallas, and Parker, who is in college in Dallas, are relieved, natch.

Jeneane is the baby sister of Jo Ann Rourke Doherty, and thanx to Jo Ann’s hubby, Dennis, for bringing the story to the Diva.

It’s Taormina Time

News from yet another Old Galveston Family — 87, count’em 87, members of the prestigious and prolific Taormina family gathered at Benny and Peggy Crawford Holland’s bayside snazzienda, making for a really great time for the young ones, who not only got to swim in the pool and ski cruise but also enjoyed a boat ride (à la Benny and Peggy) all over the bay out under the Galveston Causeway, showing them the island from a distance and all the sea critters that were visible.

Adding to the catered noshes, everybody took along a special cooked item to make the dinner and dessert menu more special. Everyone talked about all the good food they have had through the years.

The party was a big debut for Chris and Mari Goerlich’s quadruplets, Noah, Finn, Cohen and Sophia. Chris is the son of Ellen Taormina Goerlich and their great grandparents are BOIs Charles and Lily Mae Taormina (they married 65 years!).

Their son, Sonny and his wife, Sheila, were also there with their daughter, Joanna, and daughter Candace. In fact, the next generation was well repped and enjoyed by all; Pauline Taormina Summerville’s son, Gary with his family; her deceased son, Earl Summerville’s wife, Alice, there with Trey and Donna and daughter, Lisa and Ray Callas and their families.

Rose Taormina O’Rourke’s (of First Hutchings-Sealy fame) daughter, Cheryl O’Rourke Day, there with husband Redus and daughters, Lauren and fiancé and Jacque and her husband, Curtis and family.

Newly turned 79 was baby Margaret Taormina Tramonte, there with her brood, including real-estate magnate V.J. In from Wisconsin was son Tra and Kay and kiddos (their visit the party reason d’être); daughter Christine Tramonte Callahan and son Michael (stuck in ChiTown were the infanticipating Jack III and Amanda).

The late Mary Taormina Holland’s family repped by Joyce Holland Whitehurst and fam; daughter Susan and Frank and son, Rod Whitehurst and his Jo Alice.

The late Antoinette Taormina Piperi’s family included daughter Sharon Piperi Dillard with husband, Howard and beautiful daughter, Nicole.

All missed other daughter Tiffany.

Frances Taormina Levisee, daughter of the late Annie Taormina Summerville, was there with her husband, Ben, and her daughter, Angela Stanfield Wells and husband, Eric, with sons.

Frances’ son, Alan Stanfield and wife, Beth, there with their children.

This is a really close-knitted family, loving nothing better than each other’s company.

These folks, like many other families, are the fabric of the island and the reason we will all continue to flourish. And rounding out the fun were Benny and Peggy’s kids; Pam Holland Apfel and Darrell; Dana Holland Hansen and Ronnie, and Amy Holland Russo and Joe and their families.

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Volunteers And Some Donations Needed

Football season is here and seven bux’ll getcha’ a delicious meal à la talented KC mems and their wives.

They’re complete with bevvies and dessert, so stop by and watch the game at the hall.

They do need volunteers to cook, if you would like to help one Monday night please let us know.

For info, contact Harry Abbott at ha9978(at)aol.com.

Meanwhile, the Knights of Columbus’ annual auction and dinner is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m.

They’re looking for auction donations. For more info or to donate an item, please contact Joe Cappadona at 762-4888 or joecappado(at)aol.com.

Aaannnddd ... chilly day chili à la Rotary Club, Nov. 5 at Ball High cafeteria, more to come, you know the drill.

Also, coming up on Dec. 12 is the Junior League of GC Inc’s “Old Galveston Glamour.” Invites are in the mail. Stay tuned for deets.

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Next Scenes ...

Baby Applers trod the red carpet and we mean Emmy red!

D’ya wannabe Divafied, folks? If so, send deets ’n’ pix of your parteez ’n’ proceedings to have your name made part of The Diva’s Scenery. Call ahead and we’ll help with the pix. E-mail divascenes(at)aol.com or call her at 409-744-6540.