Class Notes

When the hurricane hit Houston, Pat Voelker Donnell’s home survived with no damage; but she and her friends shared feelings of frustration and depression that they were too old to be of use in the rescue efforts. She received an email from her church for volunteers to interview hurricane victims who needed financial assistance. Since Pat had spent 16+ years of her life interviewing for Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Workforce Commission, she is well qualified. Thanks to Pat and other volunteers, over $300,000 was disbursed to hurricane victims, and she is still doing interviews for additional grants. She says it is one of the most rewarding jobs she has ever had.

Sherry Farrington Green reflected that moving to Pacific Northwest 24 years ago as a widow, created a whole new life for her. She still fences, Is still a birthing babies, including two stints in Kenya; and except for obvious old-age aches and pains like the rest of us is still thriving. Gaye Roberts Olsen, thanks to her motorized chair, is buzzing around her apartment bldg active in many activities; and has frequent outings with friends by van transportation. Always eager to be on the go, says she has a “one-track-mind,” sometimes gets derailed, but can’t wait to get back on the track again.

Jean Eubanks Holland, in spite of medical issues, still attends continuing education classes at Johns Hopkins, and enjoys her grandchildren. Betty Ditmars Prosser shared she has a serious medical issue but is convinced she will be better. Her son was in Las Vegas during the shooting as a medic, and helped set up a triage center. Gretchen Squires Best, feels blessed by long-time friends, is involved in a great church, has 13 grandchildren and 3 greats; and is staying young at heart.

Karen Larsen Nelson Rather than celebrate Christmas with our daughter and 10 family members—5 of them under 6, we chose to visit in early December to celebrate Darrell’s 80th birthday. Our son from FLA was also in Vegas, and it was a great party weekend with them all. Here in Mesa, we are extremely busy with our church, which is embedded in an assisted living facility, and have been asked by another new senior apartment community nearby to plant a church program in their facility this year. How 5 couples in their late 70’s are going to manage two churches is going to be interesting! It looks like Darrell and I will get our R&R at Juniper Ridge this summer.

Joanne “Jody” Campbell Close Genealogy continues to dominate my time. I am well into my term as President of our local Genealogical society and have been completely wrapped up in providing educational programs and overseeing all our myriad volunteer activities. I finally dispatched the first “volume” of my own family history to my children and grandchildren, in which I tracked the earliest founding ancestors in our 12 core families and demonstrate how those disparate folks became intertwined. I am fascinated but getting mixed reviews from the recipients-much polite evasion and eye rolling. Oh well, someday they’ll be glad I did the ground work and it satisfies my yearning for learning, for staying intellectually challenged. All that library research reminds me of the stacks in E. Lee Trinkle library (now Simpson Library). Remembering family is like remembering all of you- it elicits much affection and admiration. Hope 2018 is proving to be kind to you and yours.

Please send news to the designated class agent according to the first letter of your maiden name.

From Connie:
Kelly Cherry’s newest book, her 27th, is Temporium: Before the Beginning to After the End. “It’s a fun book because it was fun to write. It is made up of short-shorts and flash fiction, which means it’s an easy read. Available from Press 53, a small press in NC. Burke and I plug along, both of us in love with our little dog.”

Jerri Barden Perkins wrote, “Recently, UMW invited Dr. Reed, Harvard Professor, to speak at UMW on Thomas Jefferson and Paris which I happened to see on C SPAN. So inspired by her presentation, I will join her Custom Seminar to Paris on this topic in May. Again this year, I am delighted to correspond with another bright student in the 1908 Letters Program. Although I am uncertain how much students learn from me, I am amazed at their knowledge, ambition, and enthusiasm. How different students today!! In September I look forward to returning to UMW and meeting our newest recipient of the Perkins Travel Abroad Scholarship. Whereas I established scholarships in memory of my husband, Cal, I confess I have received great joy in knowing that we can provide some educational benefit today to students. I still enjoy learning, teaching yoga, and this year taking 3 of my grandchildren to Europe. How wonderful to share knowledge and travel with others, especially loved ones. We are often reminded to thank members of the military but I also wish to thank all my inspiring teachers who made a difference in my life.”
Dee Doran Cairns wrote, “After almost 2 years of living in San Antonio, Doug and Dee moved back to Montgomery, Alabama. We did love Texas, but it was a bit far for keeping up with kids and grand kids in the Southeast. Even our first great-grand daughter moved back to Alabama with her parents from San Francisco! Please note our change of address, 5552 Ash Grove Circle, Montgomery, AL 36116, deecairns61@gmail.com, (334) 647-1338 (home), 334-260-2987(cell).”

Patty Cairns Hourin and Jim are “still alive and kicking in Mississippi! We have a new granddaughter, #6, and she helps keep us young. All children are doing fine.”
Carole Grant LeMay says, “Things have been kind of slow here (Natchez, MS) recently. We have not done much travelling–just short trips. My daughter, Jill, had a serious cut on her foot which required several surgeries, and I spent some time with her and family in October taking care of her and of course that included housework and cooking (ugg), but that is what Mama’s do. Bee Stone Byrnes and I are planning a trip to Richmond in April as it is Garden Week along the James River. We have been on several of these trips sponsored by a local historian. It will be like going home. I hope to see Tommy Hulcher Thompson , my Freshman roomie, while there. Ralph and I have a cruise planned on Oceania in September to Cuba, if the President allows it. We have been doing some updating of our house, which is tedious but necessary, and I am still guiding and playing bridge on a regular basis, so that keeps me busy.”

Clara Sue Durden Ashley wrote, “Last June I began chemo for treating cancer for the third time. At this writing, (Nov) I am waiting for the results of my latest PET scan. I am optimistic. Never did I feel sick nor did I miss a day at my part time job. In October Clarence and I went to the funeral of John Lowe at our church in Great Falls, VA. John was the lawyer who filed suit in federal court in Richmond to allow women to enroll in the University of Virginia and receive a bachelor’s degree. We all know he won the case.
If you were watching TV when Jeff Sessions was being questioned by the House Judiciary Committee, you my have seen our son Andrew. He was wearing a tan suit and sitting the end of a long table. He is the military legislative assistant to the congresswoman from AL.”

Matte McCeney Campbell reported, “My dear husband, Gil (“Ace”), of 54 years died in February after spending the last four years of his life in a nursing home here in Nashville. He still knew everybody and he was the staff’s favorite patient. When I went to Natchez, MS to a Colonial Dames conference, I saw Carole Grant LeMay while taking a tour and we talked about ol’ times at MWC.”

Elizabeth Alrich Latta (Betty) wrote, “I have a chronic health condition–SLL, (a chronic form of lymphoma) that I am taking medication for. My doctor is pleased that the drugs I started taking in the early summer have put me in or near remission. But side effects (joint pain & fatigue) have slowed me down a bit. My volunteer activities are fewer at this time, but hopefully will get back to normal in the new year!
A highlight of my year was a trip in April with friends from the Widow & Widowers Assoc. I belong to. We went to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. Didn’t see many cherry blossoms, since they had bloomed early, but loved seeing the Virginia dogwood and redbud! After seeing the parade and some other sights in D.C., we went to Quantico to see the new Marine Museum. (Hadn’t been to Quantico since I was dating my husband-to-be, Jerry.) Then we went to Charlottesville and had a wonderful tour of UVA. (Had only seen it at night, when I went to a mixer dance there.) After seeing other sights, I left the group and went to Richmond, where I saw a cousin and also saw my nephew’s new baby twin boys. I really felt like I had ‘come home’! Another trip I took in the spring was to my timeshare in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Each year I take one of my three sons and their family. This year it was my eldest, Dan, who lives in Portland, OR. Since it’s in a hotel, it’s a vacation for all of us–no cooking and lots of beach and spa time! In November, my youngest son adopted his wife’s two young daughters. (She had adopted them before she met my son.) Such a special, fun court day! Now I have eight grandchildren, six living near me (Los Altos, CA). This Christmas will be even more special. New Year’s Eve will be spent with more W&W friends in Memphis. We will be staying at the new Graceland hotel and probably seeing lots of Elvis impersonators!”
Since June, Andy and I have been healthy and busy, thank goodness! In July we went to Toronto for a wedding, in August drove to Columbia, SC to view the solar eclipse totality, in Sept. went to UMW for the Legacy Breakfast with my sister Linkey whose granddaughter Emily is a freshman, spent our 54th anniversary (9/28) in the western NC mountains in Highlands, and another trip to Delaware. Just after Thanksgiving we had a wonderful visit with Dee and Doug Cairns at their son’s home on Emerald Isle, near Camp LeJeune. Their granddaughter Katye is a freshman at East Carolina U. studying physical therapy on an ROTC scholarship. Grandson Nathan left West Point and is working and going to a local college. This spring we are going on a Mississippi Riverboat cruise from New Orleans to Memphis and are looking forward to a guided tour of Natchez sites by Carole Grant LeMay! Many thanks to you who sent news! Let’s hear from more of you for the next time.
From Lynne:
Very little news to report this time. I guess everyone is busy preparing for the holidays, including yours truly!!! We’re actually spending Christmas and New Year’s Eve in the city this year …. I’m not complaining!!! We have family staying here, including my sister’s grandson, age 18, from Dallas, who adores NYC… Should be fun!
Polly Updegraf Champ writes the following: “I’m still working part-time as a dresser for Broadway Touring Shows in Hartford, CT. My two shows this year were KING & I and FINDING NETHERLAND. I dressed the children’s ensemble in both and caught their colds.
We’re looking forward to our condo in FL, the Palm Beach Opera season, walking daily, ‘Early Bird’ dinners, biking, enjoying friends, and visits with family. I have 4 UMW PUC’61 Scholarship students this academic year. It’s exciting that from 2001 with my annual contributions to my fund I’ve been able to help 17 students.”
Eleanor Saunders Sunderland writes: “I have had a quiet spring and summer, but the fall and winter are proving to be busy. I just returned from Cincinnati where I spent a week at my son’s with a large contingency of Sunderlands for Thanksgiving. On 15 December I leave with a friend to Lisbon for a week in the Algarve. Back 22 Dec for a quiet Christmas with my daughter Jane. Then I leave 15 January with my son’s eldest son (22 yrs) for a trip to Milan, Italy to visit my other daughter Jude. We will spend a week, with my grandson discovering, he hopes, more of Italy plus San Marino. I will be ready to curl up with my cat and my fireplace for the rest of winter! “

Nancy Wright Wright wrote, “I moved last year about 2 miles from my old address to a lovely retirement community called Greenspring, an Erickson community with medical care available on site and dining every night. I’m spoiled! Fortunately, I’m in good health and my three sons and families live in the area. New address is: 7450 Spring Village Dr., CC-528, Springfield, VA 22150. Telephone is: 703 569-0838 and cell is 703 434-9325. My sister, Katherine Thomas (Wright) Pratt Waters is six years younger than I am and was in the nursing program at MWC, ~1967. She lived in Greenville, NC, had a wonderful career and was loved by her doctors and patients. She is retired and lives on a horse farm with her second husband in SW VA near our little town of Damascus. Her husband, Wes Waters, was her high school boyfriend! She has two daughters–one an MD in Chapel Hill, NC, and the other a physical therapist in Greenville, NC. We bought a small home in Damascus, VA together around 2006 and my sons I love going down there. I go down at least twice a year–usually for the 4th of July and then again in early October for the fabulous fall scenery! We have a million-dollar view of the mountains from our front porch.

Class of 1961 News – RENEE – January 2018

From Renee:
Mary Hatcher’s furnace went out…not a good thing to happen in December! Mary has taken frequent trips to Colonial Williamsburg for meetings and a trip to Ireland and then to Phoenix were high on her agenda in recent months. Hope that furnace is fixed!

Sandy Phillips Conklyn has written a small book called Dr. Martin’s Healing Garden. It was inspired by a medicinal herb garden that she and other volunteers planned, researched, and brought to life at Landis Valley Museum in Lancaster, PA. “Dr. Martin” is an heirloom lima bean that is grown by the Heirloom Seed Project. It was published online. Another good thing about retirement is that as a former chem major, Sandy has had time to develop some art skills. She sent me photos of two of her Steampunk Art (metal sculptures). She is amazingly talented! And all self-taught. I wish the photos could be included here. Somehow, maybe for next time, we can get them into the magazine. She has arrived at Steampunk Art through learning to make blanket chests with dovetail joinery, to building ornate and replica birdhouses to Steampunk. Bravo to you, Sandy!

Deborah Phinney Wylie has been busy with grandchildren graduating from high school and then off to college. Five of the eight of them are in college now and spread all over the place. Debbie has taken trips to Georgia and Missouri along with their yearly stay in Maine at the family cabin on the lake. She is still involved with her town library and food pantry and still plays bridge and tennis. Busy lady. She says that life is good. Love hearing that!

Marcia Minton Keech and hubby went to Virginia in late October/early November to be with their daughter for an operation. While there, they decided to look around for a retirement community. The kids have been begging them to return nearer to them. After five days of looking in Northern Virginia, they found nothing they liked, so they went west to Winchester and revisited Westminster Canterbury Shenandoah Valley. They fell in love with it, put their name on a cottage, and returned to Savannah to sell their home. It sold in three days! It settled on Dec. 15th, so they rented back for 30 days. They’ve been in a tizzy ever since. Gad, I guess so! They should have been in their new home between Jan. 12th and 17th. The new address is 105 Cottage Drive, Winchester, VA 22603. Phone: 540-655-5968. “How is that for starting the new year off right? Moving is not fun, but it will be a wonderful place to settle, closer to all of the children and in Virginia. Congrats, Marcia. And here’s to much happiness in your new home.

Peggy Howard Hodgkins has hosted two fall weddings in her yard and is not tempted to see if there is a future in being an event location with a hired manager. Her granddaughter, Breana, was one of the beautiful brides. Extra benefit is a beautiful granddaughter, Miss Charley. Peggy, with that gorgeous place of yours, becoming an event location is a great idea!
And now for the not so good news: during the same 16 months, Peggy fell four times resulting in four concussions and two broken bones…right hand and nose. She is now happily wearing an emergency alert button and trying to protect her brain. Wow. Here’s hoping Peggy’s recovery is full and that there will be no more falls.

Sylvia McJilton Woodcock writes no news to speak of because Stuart has had a terrible time with pancreatitis. Happily, he is on the mend after six weeks of treatments and is finally back on solid foods. It came from some medication prescribed by a cardiologist to lower triglycerides. In two and a half weeks, he lost over 23 pounds, so one can only imagine how difficult a time he had. So, Sylvia and Stuart, here’s to a new year of good and restored health and good times.

My News: Still enjoying classes at UCLA Extension, still busy with the fur children, though I lost my beloved cat, Dickens, on August 1st. He was almost 19, a big, beautiful part Persian boy. Losing him broke my heart. I have had a miserable bout with Benign Paroxysmalositional Vertigo. Doctor sent me to physical therapy at the Balance Disorder Institute. Who knew there was such a thing? Anyway, a few sessions of doing something called the Eply Maneuver, it is finally getting better. Because of it, I’ve put on hold my search for a house in Palm Desert while working to get ready to sell this place. My garage is full of “…well, you never know!” Trying to purge the “you never know” along with dozens and dozens of books and other collected “lifebilia”! It ain’t easy. I don’t know how Marcia and Bill did it in so short a time. I’ve decided on Sun City Palm Desert. I have gone there often lately, as I have several friends who live there already and others in nearby Rancho Mirage and Cathedral Cove. Sun City is an over 50 community. Fabulous place. Like adult camp, but year- round. Countless activities, clubs, lessons, fitness training and huge gym, restaurants, and so on. I do think I’ll rent in L.A. for the summers, though, 110 + is just not my cup of tea! I had cataract surgery on my right eye and will have the left one on Feb. 5th. It is simply miraculous! I haven’t had vision this clear in over 30 years!! Can’t wait for my second one! No glasses now!! Well, I’ll need readers because I opted for a mono-focal lens. I knew I’d go nuts with a permanent bifocal lens. And I don’t mind using readers. Here’s to a most happy 2018 to all of you.

CONDOLENCES

Matte McCeney Campbell ‘61 who lost her husband

From Kathleen:
Happy New Year Ladies: As I gather our class notes for this deadline, the temperature
In Fredericksburg is two degrees! I have visions of girls in trench coats sliding in boots
In 1962 preparing for January exams .Wow! And now exams are given in December
before the holidays! Today the warm memories of our 55th reunion in June still linger.
A wonderful group of 20 chattered and hugged. Yet it was sad to realize so many health and family issues affected our attendance, and we had lost four classmates recently.
We had an elegant private dinner and one of the highlights of the evening was the
surprise entrance of Dr. Paino. He also presented an award to Nancy Powell Sykes
for her generous donation to the college. Her labor of love also includes being the
president of the Alumni Association 1985 -88. Thank you again, Nancy.
Our discussions included the idea that we should grab the moment and aim for “mini”
size gatherings before our 60th! MarySue MillerMcDonald and Emily Lewis met the challenge by passing the word and made a reservation at “Keswick” off Rt. 29 for an
early Christmas lunch. Those of us who attended were Joan Akers Rothgeb, Bettie
Stewart Klinenast, Georgianne Maloy Hull, Maggie Walker MacAllister, and myself.
We extend our deep sympathy to Maggie who recently lost her husband and is recuperating from knee surgery. Our concerns are also with those who have very ill husbands:Myrtle Dean France, Ann Tench Huml, and Carolyn Powell Piotrowski.
Louis Lacy, the devoted husband of Joyce Wilborn Lacy, reports Joyce has recuperated
well from her hip surgery, but has other health issues. Donna Floyd Parker has been back in Roanoke helping her sister after surgery.
On a happy note, the oldest of my eight grandchildren just received her Master’s
in December in music. And I am again playing the piano for church and specials after
months of therapy, pain pills, and a neck collar to relieve a pinched nerve in my neck.
Good news also includes Diana Copple Smith’s move to be near her daughter in
WIlmington, N.C. Betsy Carper Cole has a new great grandson in California, and she
attended her son’s 50th Birthday in Pawley’s Island. Sue Granby Farrar continues
To arrange outstanding exhibits in Montgomery County Museum and is off to a trip to
Greece. Faye Greear Metzl and husband Jim enjoy Kayaking and traveling between
Camden, S.C. And the Va. mountains renovating her mother’s home she inherited
recently. After teaching 32 years in Fairfax, Rebecca Cross Solzinger has retired
And enjoys her first grandchild and visiting her son in Denver and family in Hanover.
Gale Taylor Drew and husband Louis are active and travel with the Richmond Symphony.
Sally Rambo has retired after 36 years as a microbiologist. Her travels include
7 continents and 80 countries. Now with COPD she is restricted and reads 150 books
A year.She learned to do that in the browsing room at the MWC library!
Pat Mackey Taylor has had another one of her son’s to wed, this time in Cape May.
Mary Lott continues to be active using her creative talents involving their boat for
charitable events. In the meanwhile Liz Goldblatt Shapiro still loves to fish , and we named her husband an honorary member of ’62 as he faithfully attends every reunion, as well as Pat Barrett Gibson’s husband who drives her from S.C. each time.
This brings me to the time I need to share with you our concerns and prayers for
our dear Joan who is recuperating from serious eye surgery at UVA Hospital.
Joan would also like to extend a huge thank you to our classmates who were so
supportive during her husband Eddie Rothgeb’s illness and after his death. AT this difficult time she finds it necessary to resign as a class agent. Nancy Powell Sykes,
who has just returned from visiting with her daughter in California, has graciously
accepted to help with this job. Please note that any updates, mail or emails can be
sent directly to the address listings under the section CLASS NOTES in the magazine.
Sincere thanks to my agent partner Joan and all who shared the news for this issue.
I leave with you classmates of ‘ 62—
A touching quote:
“Here’s to the nights I’ll always remember—
With the friends I’ll never forget”

It’s hard to believe that we are in 2018 and we have our 55th Reunion coming up in June. I hope many of you are planning to attend.

Linda Gulnac Steelman is still serving as Senior Interpreter at the Nantucket Whaling Museum in addition to being as the “de facto” choir advisor at church. Husband, Bill is handling the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease quite well and has even preached and conducted services while their Senior Minister was on sabbatical. They welcomed their 6th grandchild last Fall.

My freshman roomie, Mary A. Settle Johnson has had a cancer diagnosis and asks for prayers. She is still living in Florida and has her sons nearby, thank goodness. My sophomore roomie, Jeanne Chabot Wallis had back surgery which has curtailed her golfing somewhat. She and Wally spend several months in Florida each winter. Junior year roomie, Rosalie “Ding” Moyer Schwarz and Gene have done a bit of traveling this past year and also enjoy time with their grandchildren. My senior year roomie, Barbara Scherberger Offerman posted a picture on Facebook of her two white dogs after a walk during the awful Ventura County fires this fall. Both dogs were covered with gray ash.

Arlene Drescher Wilson sent news about her art show. Last April, she had a solo show at a private home in Nashville TN as a fundraiser for the Nashville Tree Foundation and raised $3400. Many volunteers, donated champagne and she had barefoot cello player whom she paid with one of her paintings. Arlene says, “It was a blast worthy of Music City!!!”

Betsy Lydle Smith sent the following: “Here’s the video of Nancy Slonim Aaronie in an interview with Deanne Barrett of Whole Hearted Parenting. Nancy talks about creativity and writing, as well as relationships, including her journey with her son Dan, who had multiple sclerosis, and stories showing her humor, wisdom and life experience. https://vimeo.com/237834911/b7fbc14a2c.” It’s interesting how Nancy’s name pops up. In the acknowledgments section of a book I (Linkey) recently read, Nancy and her Writers Workshop were mentioned.

I was delighted to hear from Barbara Grant Fox who wrote that she and her husband, Dave will have been married 54 years in June. They have lived in SW Michigan for 28 years. Son, Derek, is a Full Professor of Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Daughter, Susan, who graduated from UMW in 1991 lives in Lake Havasu City, AZ and she has one daughter, Alexandra.

David, my sister Connie Logothetis ’61, her husband, and I enjoyed a wonderful weekend at UMW last September. We attended the Legacy Breakfast with my granddaughter, Emily Rossi ’21. It was neat to be on the campus while the students were there. David and I were lucky enough to stay in the Alumni Guest House which is old Trench Hill. It is now called Kalnan Inn and it is beautiful.

Come to Reunion!!!!

Susan Rowe Bunting of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, has volunteered to be the class agent for 1964. Write to her at the address above with your notes for the fall/winter 2018 issue of the magazine. The deadline for notes submissions from classmates to their class agents is June 15.

Barbara Burton Carlson ’64 sent in this reminiscence about living at Trench Hill during her freshman year:

Steve Jones’ article in “Alumni Features” describing his experience as one of the first male students at Mary Washington in 1972 and living with the small group of other men at Trench Hill was of interest to me. I also lived at Trench Hill but at an even earlier time, and enjoy remembering that interesting place.
The year was 1960 and I was starting my freshman year. I came from Connecticut, really suburban New York City, so the south was totally new to me. I was also part of a program offered at Mary Washington and held at Trench Hill called the Liberal Arts Seminar. This program included girls from each class living together at Trench Hill and participating in a weekly program of reading and discussion conducted by two philosophy professors, Dr. Van Sant and Dr. Coffin. These programs were held at Trench Hill on weekday evenings and carried no credit. Books chosen focused on important works of philosophy, history, and literature and provoked lively discussions which were held in the gracious living room with its beautiful fireplace. Seating was on the floor or in the comfortable sofas and chairs.
But in addition to the seminars, the life at Trench Hill was also lively! At that time, the dorms on campus were divided by class, so it was unique to have girls from the sophomore, junior and senior class living together with freshmen. My room that year was the second floor back, a spacious, high-ceilinged room with freshmen roommates Bobbe (Virginia Barbara) Kellam and Carol Carrera. A wonderful large bathroom led the way to four or five suitemates. I remember senior Barbara Corcoran and many others…..we all got along and had lots of fun in the large , homey kitchen downstairs. Housemother Mrs. Irby kept us in order (I was fascinated how the southern girls pronounced her name “Miz Irby”). I also remember calling home from the payphone on the second floor. And in the early spring, we would work on our summer tans stretched out inside the empty swimming pool!
Bicycles provided transportation over to campus and my old English bike became very slippery in slick weather. Coming from the north, I remember being amused at the campus just about shutting down with the first flurry of snow. Nobody could get up the hill!!
And I also enjoyed walking down the hill, looking at Civil War gravestones in a cemetery on the way downtown. History major that I would be, it was fascinating to live in a town where so much history had actually taken place. The movie “Gone With the Wind” was shown at the local theater as a 100 year anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, and I remember it was an old, dusty, unimproved print, but seen for the first time since it had been produced.
My sophomore year I found myself on campus (Randolph and Mason were the sophomore dorms) but life in a large dorm seemed very different in spite of the Trench Hill roommates also moving on campus. Even then I was grateful for the unique Trench Hill experience……the association of girls from all four classes living together combined with the interesting and arresting Liberal Arts Seminar. Many happy memories……..

I hope everyone had a good 2017 and has a healthy 2018! Please send me your news and updated email address! I spent 5 weeks in October and November on a cruise circumnavigating Australia. It’s an amazing country, but the trip was too long for me and the ship too big!. This summer I’m taking a more manageable cruise around the British Isles on a small ship for just two weeks. Suzanne Mason Haff writes that she received a new knee in September and has a new lease on life. She and Martha Hanks Cooper (’64) went on a Road Scholar excursion in Key West in late January. Suzanne and husband Pete’s daughter and her husband live in Canberra, Australia where they work at ANU in biology. They have two children.Their son Jesse, and his girlfriend of 14 years live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She is a practicing psychologist and he is founder and VP of NationBuilder. Suzanne and Pete live in Chapel Hill, NC. Suzanne also keeps up with Connie Marsh Pollard (’64) her freshman college roommate in Willard. She is going to Viet Nam for most of the month of January. Lee Smith Musgrave writes that everyone is welcome to stay at her home if they are ever in Blacksburg. Rebecca Tebbs Nunn was crowned the new Ms Virginia Senior America in Falls Church in June of 2017. Nunn performed three selections at her final pageant before relinquishing the crown. She will now take over the reins as the new State Director of the Virginia Senior America Pageant. She and husband Spike, retired American Airlines Captain, travel extensively. Spike is a certified State Planning Commissioner and serves on the Kilmarnock, VA Planning Commission and Rebecca (Becky) continues as the Vice-Mayor. She is serving her third term. Louise Stevens Robbins traveled to Maryland to assist her younger sister Joyce in rehab following back surgery. She stayed with Dianne Copty Fadely, while driving back and forth to the center. Unfortunately, her sister did not recover from numerous infections and died June 8. Meanwhile, Louise had hip replacement surgery in April, followed by a femur break below the hip, requiring another surgery May 5, keeping her homebound. She was inducted into the Wisconsin Library Heritage Hall of Fame in October. The year ended on another sad note, however, as her niece, Denise Elena Boyd (daughter of Donna Stevens Boyd ’62) died while in surgery to receive a third liver transplant. Martha Jo Dillard Walters writes that she is in several book clubs, does volunteer work, participates in choral groups, and travels. Her son and his family live in Hickory, a short trip from her in Charlotte, and she enjoys her four grandchildren from a comfortable distance! In March she went on a mission trip to Haiti. In July she celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of her roommate, Katharine Dodd Hardin, and her husband Ennis at their home in Southport. In October she traveled with UMW Alumni on The Portrait of Italy excursion. Joanne Lott Byrne retired from Northrop Grumman in 2010. she is doing more traveling, a lot of it to visit either Dick’s or her grandchildren. This fall, she went on a Royal Caribbean cruise to New England, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. She also has been doing some oil painting and traveled to northern Italy to do some landscape painting in the small picturesque towns. She keeps in touch with her roommate from senior year, Marcia Pexton Peura ’66 who now lives in California with her husband, Ed. Janice Deane Helvey Robinson and husband Rob are still enjoying their retirement in suburban Atlanta. Both of their children live in the Atlanta area sot they get to visit with them often. Their oldest grandchild, Katie, is now at UGA in Athens. Their other three grandkids are 5, 8, and 10 so college is a long way off for them. She and Rob spent a week in the Salt Lake City area in May and did lots of touring, including an overnight visit to the Arches National Park. In the fall, they visited Deadwood, SD, for a week and also traveled to Hilton Head for a week of marathon bridge. Evie King Cox and husband Herb continue to live in the beautiful Northern Neck of Virginia on the Coan River. They grow oysters and crab off of their dock. Alice Funkhouser Flowers’s husband George died in 2017. She is keeping busy and still doing archives, publications and special projects at St. Christopher’s School. Her children and grandchildren live in Raleigh, Holly Springs, NC, and Oden, MD. She sees Gail Owen and Martha Ryan periodically, as well as several of the 1964 MWC alums. Kathryn Burruss Stapleton (Kitty) and husband Dan still love living in their log house on Bull Run Mountain. They keep busy by volunteering in the community and at church. They also enjoy visits with their younger son and his family who live only eight miles away and their older son and his family who live in Florida. They spent five weeks in Europe traveling from Normandy in France to Kaunas in Lithuania while visiting friends along the way. Judith Strawbridge is a widow after 46 wonderful married years. She and her husband had moved to Morehead City, NC several years ago to be near their oldest daughter, who also happens to be a widow, with two children aged 16 and 11. She also visits her youngest son who lives in Kinston, NC and her older son who lives in Benton, Arkansas with his wife and almost 5 year old son. She enjoys cooking for her friends and playing an occasional round of golf, attending book seminars and reading.

Barbara Bishop Mann organized a MWC Lunch Bunch meeting in
September at La Petite Auberge in Old Town Fredericksburg, where the
food is delicious and the parking is risky. Anne Meade Clagett drove a
diffferent vehicle to avoid getting a ticket since she got a warning every
other time we met there! Sheila Denny Young and Carolyn Eldred, both
local residents, knew to park safely in the next block. Katharine Rogers
Lavery , Lois Rucker Scott, Eileen Goddard Albrigo, Anne Kales Lindblom,
Joan Cuccias Patton and Caroline Hogeland Ruppar traveled from
Northern VA; Jana Privette Usry and Bobbi came from Richmond. The
lunch was delicious and the conversation was varied and lively. Face Time
provided a connection with Kathleen Goddard Moss, who was missing the
luncheon for the very first time since she had recently become a California
resident. Mary Kathryn Rowell Horner’s plans to attend were short-
circuited by real estate appointments in her search for a smaller house.
Susan Hanes Chaney was en route to Ohio to visit relatives and Sandra
Hutchison Schanné was in the midst of cataract surgery pre-ops and
reluctantly missed the lunch.
Carolyn Eldred participates in the MW ElderStudy and attended their
holiday luncheon at Belmont. She corresponds with a UMW student under
the 1908 program and attends the UMW live theater, where the
performances display an outstanding level of professionalism. The group
also takes field trips to stage plays in Washington DC. Carolyn has renewed
her long-standing interest in historic preservation and love of old buildings
and homes by volunteering for the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation.
Susan Hanes Chaney and husband Bill celebrated their July wedding
anniversary in the coolness of Snowshoe WV with a ride on the Cass
Railroad. In November they were in Pensacola Beach for Bill’s Navy
reunion, where he was the only WWII veteran in attendance. Previously
Susan and Bill had visited the Ocracoke Island NC Coast Guard station to
see how much it had changed since Bill was stationed there. Back at home
Bill bought a 19-ft center console cruiser for river fishing and spent many
hours challenging the fish. Susan and Bill mourned the loss of their beloved
dog so much that they welcomed puppy Casey into their home, and now
they are really busy!
Barbara BIshop Mann and Robert took a June Rhine River cruise from Lake
Louise to Amsterdam in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. In
July Bobbi went to Myrtle Beach SC for the DKG Society International’s
Southeast Regional Conference and later attended the DKG State Executive
Board meeting in Roanoke. While working on state and local election
campaign activities Bobbi was honored to attend a roundtable discussion
on public education in Virginia along with Linda Bird Robb (Chuck Robb),
Dorothy McAuliffe (Terry McAuliffe), Pam Northam (Ralph Northam), Anne
Holton (Tim Kaine) and Dan Gecker, President of the VA Board of
Education. Senator Jennifer McClellan presided. Bobbi learned that one of
her retired teacher friends was on the same August anniversary cruise with
Roger and Ryan Stewart Davis and met them on the steps of the Hotel
Savoy in Rome!
Judy Wells Clark continues working as a musician, serving as organist at
South Roanoke United Methodist Church and freelancing as a pianist. She
and friends played a return tour in Japan last year, produced CDs of the
concerts, and have two programs pending for 2018. Judy has become
Godmother to the violist’s baby boy.
Winnie Woodson Stribling uses her musical talent to direct two handbell
choirs. She also works with CA Catholic Charities who flew Afghani
refugees to Oakland from Kabul. Winnie tutored one illiterate mother in
ESL and assisted other volunteers to help that family (with five boys under
ten) ease into Western society, find employment and help the children in
school. Last May Winnie and Brad toured the American Southwest and its
national and state parks. They stayed in Monument Valley AZ and
celebrated her birthday in Zion. Winnie wrote just after the North Bay CA
fires had abated to say that her East Bay area had been spared any
damage. After having such a good time last reunion Winnie and Eleanor
McJilton Thompson have already resolved to attend our next reunion in
2021.
Mary Kathryn Rowell Horner and Charlie spent the winter in Naples FL,
escaping the cold, playing golf, enjoying the sunshine and happy hours.
Their only hurricane damage was landscaping mishaps. Mary Kathryn
applauded our NASA-interning math majors’ feature in the fall issue of the
UMW magazine, thanked Marty Spigel Sedoff for spearheading the input
and enjoyed reliving those moments. Marty sent a last-minute bulletin that
her son, John Riedlinger, directed the play “The Visit” at Edina High School
and it has been selected by the International Thespian Society to show this
summer on the main stage in Lincoln NE.
Katharine Rogers Lavery, also a math major, enjoyed the book and movie
“Hidden Figures,” but missed the internship opportunity because of
student teaching in Fairfax VA. That turned out to be a very successful
summer even though MWC had neglected to alert my supervising teacher
that I was coming. As Dr. Merchant and I stood in the corridor and
explained I would be a student teacher, Mr. Mitchell drolly remarked, “You
know, I haven’t had a vacation in ten years.” He turned on his heel and
walked away, never to be seen again. My new supervisor, Cdr. Roundtree,
was happy to step in, saying, “Katharine, I think you know more about this
than I do, so if there’s anything I can do to help you, just let me know.” For
the entire session he was essentially my assistant and I taught the algebra
classes on my own.
Gerry Sargent Habas and Sally Souder continue their tradition of meeting
in St Petersburg FL for lunch and “catch up.” Sally takes advantage of the
wonderful arts in Sarasota and was in the throes of kitchen remodeling,
giving her much to talk about. Gerry keeps busy with family plus substitute
teaching in some underserved schools in Orlando, which were affected by
the influx of Puerto Ricans after their disastrous hurricane.
Yvonne March reported that the eye of Irma passed over her home,
causing widespread power failures and fallen trees. One massive tree
narrowly missed her house! Last summer Yvonne took an “out west” tour,
nursed husband Chris through surgery, then they both traveled to Bolton
MA for a niece’s birthday celebration/family reunion. They spent
Thanksgiving in FL with Chris’ family and Christmas at home. Yvonne
regurlarly takes classes at the rec center while Chris works out and they
spend much time dancing. Chris published an article about his great
grandfather, “Pa Tim” Regan, in the Owyhee Outpost, the annual
publication of the Owyhee County Idaho Historical Society.
Katie Green wrote that Hurricane Harvey’s extensive damage in the
Houston area reached close but not quite to her home. The airport
reopened just in time for her to fly to London to visit her son, his wife and
baby girl. From there they all went by train to Brussels, stayed two blocks
from the Grand Place and were able to walk to the Brussels City Museum,
Magritte exhibit, lace-making exhibits, sampling delicious Belgian mussels,
beer and chocolate along the way. They spent four days in Amsterdam
touring Rijksmuseum and VanGogh museums, walking the canals,
partaking of Dutch cheeses, wines and specialty dishes. One highlight was
an overnight ferry across the North Sea before Katie headed to Cardiff,
Wales, to visit her other son and family living there. Houston had
recovered significantly by the time Katie returned home, but the Wortham
Center, home of the Houston Grand Opera, will not be fully restored until
Spring 2018.
Annette Maddra Horner and husband John have renovated a home in
Richmond and moved there from NC in November. They were drawn back
to their Virginia roots, where they enjoy extended family networks
including their daughter and grandchildren. They appreciate their multi-
generational family life and the expanding Richmond cultural life, which has
changed considerably since they left the area in 1980. After living in PA, OH
and NC Annette and John are glad to be “back home” again in RVA.
Anne Powell Young and her husband are relocating from Knoxville TN to
Stafford VA, building on a 3-acre spot about five miles from the Potomac.
The effort of “staging”, marketing and selling their home was quite a
challenge for a 73-year old couple, but Anne is terribly excited to be back in
the Fredericksburg area, close to family, just five minutes from their
daughter and 45 minutes from their son in Springfield. Anne anticipates
joining MW activities and hopes to see classmates from time to time. In
fact, she invites us to visit her in her new home. Anne will sorely miss
Betty Birkhead Vickers, who has been a very close friend and neighbor for
nearly 50 years. Anne mentioned that Betty and Vick traveled to Pasadena
CA to visit their daughter’s family for Christmas and stayed to attend the
Rose Parade and parties on New Year’s Day.
Cathe Cantwell Luria and husband Eric have loved living in Mexico for
many months so much that they have purchased their rental home in Ajijic
and are working diligently to add skylights and upgrades. It’s not far from
Guadalajara, making travel back to Gig Harbor WA manageable. Cathe and
Eric continue their music activities and dancing. They traveled to France in
May to participate in “English Country Dancing in a French Chateau” and
shared FaceBook photos of their gorgeous costumes. In December the
whole family celebrated daughter Sacha’s 40th birthday together in Playa
del Carmen, Mexico. Cathe invites us all to visit!
Pat Lewars Pace and Linda Glynn Hutchinson traveled in September to
Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece, with day trips to Kosovo and Serbia. It
struck them that all the powerful strongholds were built in the highest
possible places available. Visiting middle ages monasteries like Meteora,
ancient oracle and temple sites (8th century BC Thracian in Bulgaria)
required basic rock-climbing skills, often in 95-degree heat! Pat and Linda
were very grateful to end up in Santorini with a guide who was more
sympathetic to 73-year-old’s stamina. Despite Linda’s lost luggage and
Pat’s lost ATM card the two ladies enjoyed beautiful, interesting sights and
had a grand time with the ever friendly local people there.
Jana Privette Usry spent 17 days in Italy on a UMW-sponsored tour. The
travelers were 24 alumni from classes of ’65 to ’17: married couples,
mother-and-daughter, plus many singles. Mark Thaden, Director of Alumni
Relations, had compiled biographical sketches and photos of everyone and
hosted a cocktail party for them. Consequently, the group became
comfortable before embarking. One member, Karen Wells Scott ’68, was
Jana’s sister’s high school classmate, and they became fast friends and
shopping companions. The tour began in Naples at the Amalfi Coast resort.
They toured the mountainous region by chartered bus, stayed three days
in Ravello, then contined to Rome, where they visited all the famous sights,
too many to name. Jana’s birthday was celebrated in Rome with a surprise
bottle of champagne and a birthday chorus. The tour included Orvieto,
Assisi, Perugia, Siena, Tuscany, Florence, Sorento and finally Venice.
Throughout the trip Dr. Marjorie Och (art history) and her husband,
Preston Thayer (architectural history) provided wonderful insights and
evening lectures. During the holidays Jana performed several concerts with
her choir and her auditioned ensemble, then visited with her sisters and
cousins.
Sandra Hutchison Schanné traveled to Denver CO in August to care for
three grandchildren while thier parents were away. Daughter Amy
accompanied husband Shawn Mills to be recognized for meritorious work
as an entrepreneur in the field of data preservation. Amy, a well-
established nurse practitioner, has been honored for her work in nursing
education, receiving awards for her leadership in the development of
programs for critical care nurses in St. Anthony Hospital and Regis
University. In September Sandra began the process for replacing cataracts
in both eyes and now happily reports that her vision is better than ever
before! Sandra sadly wrote that her dear friend and suitemate, Katie Hales
Fleming, ’65, passed away in December. Katie’s son remarked that
although Katie earned an MA from Alabama and a PhD from Ohio she
“proudly and continuously wore her MWC class ring until the day she
died.”
Susanne Landerghini Boehm thought about all of us while watching
Warren Beatty’s film “Rules Don’t Apply.” Beatty, who was born and raised
in Virginia, mentioned more than once in the film that the young aspiring
starlet had received a scholarship from Mary Washington — small world!
Pam Kearney Patrick and husband TaB spent Thanksgiving in Cape May,
enjoying the final stages of remodeling. Their son flew in from Sacramento
to join them. Pam displayed three miniature watercolors in the Strathmore
(Bethesda) art show during the holidays and won an honorable mention.
Pam’s best painting buddy, Carol Bingley Wiley, has also displayed a
variety of fantastic watercolors. Besides painting Pam has cultivated a new
pasttime, being a “political junkie.” She joined the Women’s March and has
brushed up on the workings of government, a fascinating subject. Pam
keeps in touch with Ambler Carter in Philadelphia and has plans to visit.
She also attended her 55th high school reunion, had a blast, and has come
to grips with being a septagenarian-no more pretense!
Terry Caruthers compiled a 2017 synopsis beginning with her trip to the
New Orleans Jazz Festival in April for her sister’s 66th birthday, an Alaskan
cruise in June with recent-graduate grandsons plus a stop in Seattle, and a
50th wedding anniversary trip to Myrtle Beach where she and Don spent
their honeymoon. They attended a solar eclipse raft-up on their lake with
over 50 friends, traveled to Orlando in November, and celebrated Easter,
Thanksgiving and Christmas at home with their whole family.
Kathy Goddard Moss and Tom have settled nicely in their small apartment
in Oakland CA and are enjoying the myriad of activities offered there. It’s a
small retirement community with a wide variety of residents who share
interesting stories and experiences, making dinner conversations always
appealing. Also they are close to their son’s family and enjoy many close
family gatherings. With family members in Florida, Ohio and even Spain
Kathy and Tom still have many opportunities for travel – they spent
Christmas in Spain! Kathy invites us to visit so, as her dad used to say, “we
can swap lies and grumble about our aches and pains.”

Nancy McDonald Legat and her husband Dan live in Lexington SC and enjoy lots of family time with their 3 daughters, their husbands, and 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Nancy also enjoys a little writing, a smidgeon of gardening and trying her hand at making cards.

Editor’s note: After 12 years as a class agent, Nancy is ready to turn over duties to someone new. If you’d like to volunteer, please email classnotes@umw.edu.

Class agent Meg Livingston Asensio has had a busy spring preparing to sell her home in California and move near relatives in Denver. She plans to attend reunion and hopes you will too. She writes: “Your 1968 Reunion Committee is busy planning a spectacular 50th class reunion weekend. I am looking forward to seeing each of you in June as we return to MWC to reconnect and celebrate!”

Some very eventful things happen in the lives of our friends and classmates. I will go first to demonstrate our lives are anything but boring in retirement.

Ann and I lived through the life threatening Santa Rosa wildfires on October 9th, 2017. I woke up smelling extreme smoke. Our house was not on fire, but something was. We went out on the deck and in the close distance we could see roaring red and huge billows of unending smoke.

The winds were hurricane force speed, so we knew we had only a few minutes to get out. We got a call from our dear friend who said “get your cat, get your meds and get out!”

We decided to take Ann’s guitar, which she has had since she was 12, our cat, his litter box, his food, my golf clubs which were in the car, our pickleball paddles, cash on hand, & checkbook.

The evacuation story is long…for 8 days we did not know if our house was still standing, as the fires kept expanding so that our community of 3000 homes was surrounded by fire on 3 sides until the 8th day when we finally got word the community was saved and only lost 2 of the 3000 homes. Miraculously we were spared.

I am now doing a lot of volunteer work to get several of my golfing friends into a rebuilding situation and I am on the rebuild committee of my golf club, as our 3 story clubhouse burned down.

I learned never to take clean air for granted. We drove two hours south in our Tesla SUV, and used the biohazard button in the car to keep from choking on the smoke. Who knew such a car button could be so life saving!

And if you have a home insurance policy, whatever you signed up for, it is not enough. Raise the policy as high as they will let you. Almost everyone was underinsured. Needless to say, Thanksgiving was very special this year.

Bev Holt and her wife Deb went to the Bahamas for Christmas to get out of the cold North Carolina winter ( Bostonians er heart out!) They have deer hanging out in their Cary, NC yard, as they know they are safer in the suburbs than in the open woods during hunting season. Bev is still volunteering at the local museum. Her town has a huge American Indian festival each November. NC has the most Indians east of the Mississippi.
Bev’s mom lives in Richmond in a retirement home and is aging gracefully.
Her mother still looks beautiful to me.

Jean Kelley Horne let us know of the recent passing of her mother, Grace Pannill Kelley Chapman, Mary Washington class of ‘41! She as 97, quite active, strong and spirited…..just what we would expect of any Mary Wash grad. Her mother loved Mary Washington, her professors, the campus, and her lifelong college friends.

Sharon Dobie spent a month in Oaxaca, Mexico, working on her Spanish while enjoying the rich politics, art, music and dance culture there.
She has joined a Board of the Schleroderma Research Foundation. She wants to help advance therapies for this rare disease, now that her son has died from it. This has been a very painful loss for her.

As she gets closer to full retirement (40% there) she is very politically active at the moment in her desire the see the national direction of country get moving toward the 21st century instead of away from it.
She will probably write more books when retirement finally arrives.

Linda Hood is very excited that Pat Gwaltney is one of two new members of the Board of Governors. And our very own Suzanne Van Ness is serving on the UMW Board. Go class of ‘69!
Linda has had both of her knees replaced 2 years ago and with her experience and compassion helped her mother in law recover from a knee replacement recently.
Linda is worried about our country and hopes the Russia threads prove fruitful. She & her husband Rick went to the huge Women’s March in Seattle and the ACLU’s PeoplePower movement. They met with the Auburn Chief of Police to understand their role with ICE and their deportation policies. She was pleased to learn they do not make arrests for ICE.
She and Rick spent Christmas in Victoria, British Columbia, where it snowed on Christmas Eve….and while sounding romantic, it was 10 degrees below freezing.

Betty Wade and her husband Boyd celebrated their 43rd anniversary in September with a romantic trip to Hawaii. Lots of golf for Boyd while Betty went to the spa, shopped and read. They love their low key retirement life.
They have 3 grandkids.
She loves cooking, knitting and reading, weekly canasta and watching downloaded movies in the comfort of home. She volunteers at Roc Solid
Foundation, which provides hope and support for children with cancer.
She is thankful for her many blessings and her good life…

As we all should be.

Until next time…

Iris Harrell, class scribe