The Light - An Alumni Publication Fall 2015 | Page 20

Faces of YFU

Les Soeurs Francaises in 2015: Lisa Estabrooks, Sue Rapp, Mary Jo Gilmer, and Tally Orange with their husbands, above.

LES SŒURS FRANÇAISES
In 1965, four young women from Michigan became
next 8 years. Time and distance did not change the bond
YFU summer exchange students. The girls, previously
they shared. Their spouses had opportunities to meet
unknown to each other, were all assigned to the Boisnier
sporadically and found they shared a lot of interests
Family of France. They spent the majority of the summer
as well. Now grandparents themselves and mostly
as a quartet; sleeping in the same room and sight-seeing retired, “Les Sœurs FranÇaises” found reunions easier
together. The girls lived in Paris for 2 weeks, then moved
to accomplish. Fourteen months ago, they planned
to the family’s farm in the Loire Valley for the remainder
a 50th Anniversary Reunion trip with their spouses to
of the summer. They became fast friends and stayed in
visit France. They chose a week-long river cruise on
touch for several years upon returning home to Michigan. the Saone and Rhone rivers with added time in Paris.
Tally (Cone) Orange and Sue (Skingley) Rapp ended up
“Les Sœurs FranÇaises” are all in their late 60s and
in the same dorm at Albion College, while Lisa (Lowe)
early 70s now, and realized that the odds of everyone
Estabrooks and Mary Jo (Strauss) Gilmer both attended
being healthy enough to reunite were not in their favor.
Michigan State University. Over the years, they drifted
A data expert figured the odds were 4,800 to 1 that
apart as marriage, children, and careers consumed their
all eight individuals would be able to complete the
lives. Lisa moved west and lost touch with the others,
trip. Determination, love, and a lot of “bon chance”
who were able to maintain a modicum of communication.
persevered. All eight friends enjoyed a wonderful
Fast forward 30 years: Lisa felt a yearning to locate her
vacation together in the country where it all began
long-lost “Les Sœurs FranÇaises” as they came to call
and are already thinking ahead to their next adventure.
themselves. The lost were eventually found, and the
These amazing experiences never would have happened
ladies joyously reunited at each other’s homes over the
without the careful planning and support of YFU! ■
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