Class Notes

From Miriam “Mim” Sollows Weiland: As you know we lost our dear Secretary Dorothy Held “Dottie” Gawley on February 3. She was in a lot of back pain and could no longer do anything, so she peacefully just went to sleep after calling me to wish me a “Happy Birthday”—her last thoughts. Her funeral was a lovely family affair with both her boys speaking and playing music while pictures of Dottie’s smiling face at different events through her life flashed on the screen. Yes, the boys had found some UMW reunion pictures as well as the days we shared over the years at our Cape Cod home.

Unfortunately, Earl and I can no longer enjoy long trips up there anymore due to our medical problems. Our son, Tom, has taken us up at different times and we treasure our memories there.

By the time you read this, Earl and I will have sold our house and moved “up the hill” to our retirement campus. It’s been three years in the building. Our address after September 7 will be: Mr. and Mrs. Earl Wieland, 539 Mountain Ave #806, New Providence, NJ 07974.

Before this happens, I may have to have hip surgery on July 27 and will be in a lot of therapy. At 88 it isn’t something I choose to do, but hopefully I will be able to get around in our new home. Luckily we have packers/movers and family ready to help. All I have to do is a lot of therapy for back and hip for our adventure at “Lantern Hill” for the rest of our life.

I do hope all of you who have been so loyal to Dottie with reports of your doings will continue to let Marcy and I know of your doings. Dottie would be so happy to know that HER newsletter will continue. Marcy has been working on the plaque to go on a bench on the UMW campus to remember our special friend.

From Marcy: This column will be based on news I have received since Dottie’s passing. Do keep me or the Alumni Office informed of your news so we can keep our Class of 1950 together just as Dottie successfully did for so many years!

Pattie Head Ferguson continued her travels with a cruise to Easter Island which was well worth the stormy weather getting there. Statues of the Moais, the people who inhabited the island, still stand guard. There were more storms as she headed to Pitcairn Island and on to Bora Bora and Papua, New Guinea, where she stayed over to view the Papuan Museum and other interesting and beautiful areas. “She was one of a kind—always cheerful and always after us for MORE news,” Pattie said of Dottie.

Nan Riley Pointer wrote of her sadness to hear about Dottie’s passing and shared thoughts echoed by everyone of her college and more recent experiences. “She was such a lovely and joyous person who made everyone around her happy.”

Carol Bailey Miller is still attending horse shows and enjoying visiting old friends, which include members of the Hoof Prints riding club from her days at MWC. She said, “Dottie was loved by all and will be missed!”

Our news includes two grandchildren’s weddings: Natalie, Tip and Laura’s daughter, married Chris Hanway on April 9 at the Columbia Firehouse in Old Towne Alexandria and Paul, Tip and Laura’s son, was married to Cassandra Lewis on July 4 in our backyard! Both lovely affairs! Both Paul and Cassie are UMW graduates! We also are so thrilled that our great-grandson, Lucas Prunczik, will enter UMW as a freshman this fall!

Dottie was one of the sweetest, most caring people I’ve ever known. Working with her for our many reunions was a special, lasting bond.

Miriam Sollows Wieland, Dottie’s close friend since freshman year at MWC, wrote a very precious letter. Wish you could all read it! Mim’s sorrow is so genuine and her memories so special! “Dottie was like a sister to me, and we had a 70-year friendship. We met the first day of college in 1946 and roomed together the last three years,” she said. Their friendship lasted until Dottie’s death early this year.

I had a surprising, joyous, letter from Jerry Hipp Elliot, who attended MWC our first two years then returned to California to finish college at U.C. Berkeley and marry Gilbert P. Elliot, now deceased. They had two daughters, Paula and Marcy (yes, named for me—what an honor and surprise to find our after all these years that I have a namesake!), four grands, and six great-grands! She didn’t know Dottie, but sent a donation in her memory because of her wonderful memories of her two years at MWC.