Class Notes

These are the unedited class notes as submitted by class agents and other alumni. Edited notes appear in the print edition.

If you prefer to submit Class Notes by mail, send to:

UMW Magazine – Class Notes
1301 College Ave.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

1960s

1960

Joanne Campbell Close
jclose2@cfl.rr.com

Karen Larsen Nelson
karenlarsennelson60@gmail.com

Judy Davidson Creasy was featured both for her art and her fly fishing prowess in the January, 2016, issue of California Fly Fisher magazine. Diane Delamarre Madgic’s husband Bob, who writes for the magazine, saw a wonderful image that Judy painted of her husband fly fishing in a New Zealand river. He thought that Judy would be a perfect subject to feature since, besides her beautiful painting, Judy herself has long been an avid fly fisher whose lifelong commitment to her art is driven primarily by her own inner desire to create and contribute.

Sandy Poole wrote that her partner, Barb, has been approved as a postulant for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church, and expects to be ordained to the priesthood soon—her lifelong dream.

Joyce Neill Krost still spends time in Spain with her sister and her Spanish family, right on the Mediterranean, spending most of her time painting and visiting little villages in the area.

Jane Denslow McCrohan enjoys her beautiful home on Puget Sound, and she and Ed keep current with frequent contacts with their college-age grandchildren.

Sherry Farrington Green has given up competitive fencing on an international level, but still fences in local tournaments; she enjoys being “run around the strip” by kids who are younger than her grandchildren. Sherry says, “It’s good for them to realize that ‘Old Broads’ can still kick butt!” She adds, “I thoroughly enjoy my work as a doula and will never cease to be in awe of the power of a birthing woman.” Sherry also said that her daughter has been ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in New Mexico.

Betty Ditmars Prosser writes from New York, “Remember the energetic and youthful young women we were in Fredericksburg? Those young ladies are STILL in all of us. So find her and celebrate what a great gal she turned out to be!”

Sue Smith Goodrick hopes to sell her home in North Carolina and move to Illinois to be near her son.

Bonnie Davis Hall, in her April update to us, was finally released by her oncologist and can get back to a normal life. She is now on maintenance until September, but will take a pill for five years.

Judy Wandell Potter went to a quilting camp in the beautiful Sonora foothills of California.

Liz Hill Heaney wrote that traveling with her walker is difficult.

Gaye Roberts Olsen had a severe medical crisis at Easter, and was diagnosed with multiple blood clots in her lungs. She is now on Coumadin and oxygen, learning different ways to breathe. We had a note from her in early June that she was stable, and on her birthday she was able to travel in her battery-powered chair with friends to a local restaurant for dinner. She thanks everyone for their prayers.

Dana Lee Dunn Wasserman stays busy with two “federated” garden clubs, which means they must contribute to the beautification of the city. She is active in a book club that she helped start in 1985, and she has started them everywhere she has lived since 1968. Cooking and reading are two of her biggest passions. She reminds us that her daughter, Lee Walker Shepherd, graduated from Mary Washington in 1984 and has her own internet company with unique gifts.

Jet-propelled world traveler Rose Bennett Gilbert slowed down enough to send this news: She has made the rounds of the Virginia/North Carolina furniture markets; spent time on the Outer Banks beaches writing business a newsletter for the SURETEX art show in New York; and is planning a social event for International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) on whose board she sits. She took a remedial Italian class, and was off on a cruise from Amsterdam to Iceland, Scotland, Norway, and London, getting paid to write travel articles about the trip.

Coleman McPherson Chambliss moved to Columbia, South Carolina, in 1978, when her husband, Jack, retired from the Marine Corps. She was the Executive Director of the Richland County Bar Association for 24 years and recently retired. Her husband passed in 2010.   She has been involved with Springer (spaniel) Rescue for 25 years, but when her last Springer died recently and there was a long wait for a new one, she “jumped ship,” and adopted a cute “hairy” mutt and hopes to outlive him. Her two daughters and their families both live in town.

Coleman also informed us that Sue May Smyth Lam passed recently; and shortly after we learned from Syd Collson Chichester that her old “twin” and running mate Cynthia “Cyd” Day Getchell has left us also.

Gail Mooney Grobe, when she learned of Linda Fuller Watkins’ passing, sent us two pics—one of her with Linda and Dodie Tyrell, and one of Miss Wynn, our House Mother in Betty Lewis freshman year and again in Bushnell our senior year.

Marilla Mattox Haas, whom we haven’t heard from in ages and lives in Fredericksburg, sent us a newsy note: “I don’t think ‘old age’ will be a reality until I stop working! I’m still working full-time for the Commissioner of Revenue in Fredericksburg, and I also am enjoying accompanying three community choruses and am in my 58th year as the organist at church.”

Penny Engle Burkhardt and Brad’s first adventure this year was a Viking River Cruise on the Seine, which included many interesting stops that were on their bucket list. Their second adventure, shortly after, was to Texas to visit their new twin grandchildren.

From Jody: We know we have quite a few classmates who seem to be managing without email and depriving themselves of our class network, but we suspect some of you may have acquired email capability or changed your email address since our last survey and didn’t realize you have to send that address on to us, too. We have more in-depth news, birthdays, and notice of passings to share with you monthly, in a more timely fashion. You don’t know what you are missing; but we certainly know we miss hearing from you.

From Karen: Darrell and I made it through our round dance season, prepared to transition to our summer home near Show Low, Arizona. We were there two weeks when the Cedar Fire broke out, and the smoke sent us back to Mesa for a time. We are also planning an early fall camping trip through Colorado, Yellowstone, and Wyoming. By the time you read this, we will have a new great-granddaughter, hopefully born on or near our anniversary in September.

On another email address issue: Please note our new email addresses above. We just learned that MW will no longer be supporting the “alumni.umw.edu” mailbox for individual alumni, so those two will be the only addresses ones you can reach us at. AND—if you change your e-mail address—PLEASE notify Jody or Karen directly, or we will lose you!

1961

Connie Booth Logothetis (A–G)
connielogothetis@gmail.com

Renee Levinson Laurents (H–Q)
arjle@aol.com

Lynne Williams Neave (R–Z)
lyneave@aol.com

Please send news to the designated Class Agent according to the first letter of your maiden name.

From Connie: Our 55th Reunion was such fun—renewing friendships, being back on our lovely campus, and learning about the changes going on. Our thanks to Lloyd, Lynne, and Sylvia for their wonderful job coordinating the special events of our class! We had 21 classmates and 10 husbands in attendance from far and wide: Patty Cairns Hourin and Jim (Mississippi), Carolyn Crum Pannu (California), Dee Doran Cairns and Doug (Texas), Clara Sue Durden Ashley and Clarence (Virginia), Jane Ewers Robinson (Virginia), Pepper Jacobs Germer and Hank (Arizona), Sarah Leigh Kinberg (California), Renee Levinson Laurents (California), Sylvia McJilton Woodcock and Stuart (Virginia), Marcia Minton Keech and Bill (Georgia), Janie Riles (Florida), Cherry Sarff Everett and Woody (Virgina), Eleanore Saunders Sunderland (Virginia), Pat Scott Peck (Texas), Vesta Smith Newhouse (Virginia), Lloyd Tilton Backstrom and Art (Virginia), Becky Turner Perdue (Virgnia), Polly Updegraff Champ (Connecticut), Graham Walker Burns (Tennessee), Lynne Williams Neave and Sandy (New York), and yours truly with hubby Andy from North Carolina!

It was a very special treat to see Graham, our freshman class president and first time reunion attendee! She was so thrilled to be with us, as she says we have stayed close to her heart, even though she transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill after sophomore year. She has seven grown children and still lives in her childhood home in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, and is a realtor.

Events for our class began Thursday evening with a casual dinner at Gari Melchers Studio. By Friday, rainy weather threatened and forced the President’s Brompton reception to be held in the University Center (new since our 50th) where Chandler Hall used to be. Instead of having meals in Seacobeck, the University Center was the venue.

Our Friday Class dinner was held in the renovated “tunnel,” now “The Link” between Mason and Randolph, a lovely intimate space. Alumni College sessions, varied and interesting, were held in some of the old buildings. Saturday events included the reunion picnic lunch on Ball Circle and the All-Class Party in the University Center, where we dined on substantial hors d óeuvres and danced to a terrific band, joined by Rick and Rose Hurley! A Sunday Farewell Brunch in the Jepson Alumni Center (near the former Trench Hill) closed out the weekend.

Carolyn Crum Pannu and daughter Kara and were off to Paris at the time of the class notes deadline. She wrote, “Will work at school today, then it’s ‘au revoir!’ So good to see many of our beloved classmates at Reunion. Hugs and love.”

On June 15, Clara Sue Durden Ashley and Clarence will be leaving for Charleston, South Carolina, where they will attend a family wedding. From there they will drive to St. Augustine where they will visit Dennis and family for a couple of days before they have to start home. The third week of August they will make the trip to Ohio to visit Park and his family for a few days. Caleb will be playing his viola in a concert and Celeste will be preparing to return to college for her sophomore year. In the spring she took a week’s tour in Europe with her college choir. Christopher, their oldest grandchild, graduated from college this year. They’re still holding at 14 grandchildren.

News from classmates who couldn’t be with us follows:

Betty Alrich Latta says her life is staying very busy; some health issues, but she keeps going! She tells people she’s in her “third life.” (Her first was birth through college. Her second was marrying “her Marine” two weeks after graduation; her several years of teaching; and being a “stay-at-home-Mom” with their three sons, which included a lot of volunteer work at their schools and in the school district.) Her “third life” started with the death of her husband after more than 47 years of marriage.

She is very busy in widowhood being a grandmother of eight, starting her 40th year this fall as a Los Altos Art Docent, doing yoga and other exercise, square dancing, traveling, and trying to make new friends.  She just returned from a trip to France. Yes, she was in Paris a couple of weeks before the recent flood which closed some of the museums! Then she took a river cruise from Lyon to Avignon. She still lives in the same house they bought 45 years ago in Los Altos, California, and, though it does take some work, she enjoys the flowers that bloom nearly year round and the hummingbirds that drink from her fountain.  She says, “Sorry I was not at our reunion. I really enjoyed being at our 50th and seeing so many familiar faces.”

Jerri Barden Perkins was in Provence for a yoga workshop in early June and enjoyed both the yoga and the historical significance of Provence. She visited the poppy fields often painted by Impressionists, the hospital room and facilities of Van Gogh, and the Cézanne studio, as she loves both painters. Paris was lovely as always; she visited the Luxemburg Gardens for the first time and was surprised to find a live concert. At the end of June, she was off to St. Petersburg and Amber Coast on Sea Could 2 with Harvard Alumni.

Barbara Ashley Firesheets lost her husband of nearly 55 years in January and Hilda Corker Kelly lost her younger sister, Gwen Corker Bennett, on June 10, 2016. Gwen attended Mary Washington, but transferred her sophomore year. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you both. Barbara lives in West Point, Virginia, and Hilda in Ashland, Virginia.

Kelly Cherry wrote: “Not much news here. I’m still writing, Burke’s still reading into the wee hours, and we both like to go to movies.”

Bev Carlson Shea, Ellen Grumbly de Gail, Nancy Wright Wright, and Joan Gibson Lippold got together for a mini-reunion in Annapolis in April. They had a lot of fun seeing old sights and catching up on news. Ellen flew in from Wisconsin. Nancy looked terrific, per usual. Joan and her Jim are touring England, Scotland, and Wales. They have all had grandchildren graduate at various lower levels of education, but the most exciting one is that Nancy’s oldest granddaughter just graduated from the College of William & Mary. They all keep very busy!

From Renee: News submitted this time is from just a few, but since I could not improve on what our classmates wrote, I quote them.

Mary Hatcher: “It has been a busy year with a week in Williamsburg, Virginia, after Christmas. Trips to Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Niagara Falls, Canada; and a two week trip to Italy followed. We flew to Venice, stayed a couple of nights, took the high speed train to Florence where we stayed five nights, then picked up a rental car for a week in the Tuscan area south of Pisa. A quick trip to Williamsburg allowed me to have a long delayed lunch with my roommate, BetseyEllen Hueston Hansen. Renovations to my house in Wilmington, North Carolina, are ongoing throughout this year, a little at a time. Trips to Maine; NYC; Newport, Rhode Island; and Phoenix, Arizona are on tap for later this year.” Wow!  When do you take time to breathe?  It all sounds great.

Marcia Minton Keech: “We left MWC after the reunion, went to NVA and had time with kids. Then we drove home with oldest daughter to spend time with us. I AM EXHAUSTED!!!!!! I had a great time, though. It was wonderful, as usual, being back with all of you. The 55th Reunion at MWC for the Class of ’61 was so refreshing since there was no pressure to do anything but enjoy one another. I was both amazed and pleased at how many of us continue to return. We probably do so because of our age and perhaps thinking about the future. Some of the same husbands returned as well and I think these men have strong feelings for our school and felt free to say so.

Some of the highlights of the weekend continue to be the classes offered on both days and of course the new buildings and energy on campus. The sad part of the experience was saying goodbye to the Hurleys. What a mark they have left with us and both will be greatly missed. Now we shall meet our new President and continue to support and cherish our MWC. Many thanks to all of my classmates for making this time so memorable.”

I couldn’t agree more. Our reunion was really a wonderful event. I found myself wanting more time with all of you. The decades seem to melt away when we see one another. Hard to believe that our days at MWC were 55 years ago.  Gad.  One nice part—we still look like ourselves, are still as young inside as we were then, and still have active lives!  Hooray for us, right?!!!

I’m still enjoying my classes at UCLA Extension.  I’m taking Astronomy, Current Events, and a writing class, and I’m teaching one called Our Constitution. It keeps what’s left of my mind intact!!

In late March and April, I went to Australia and New Zealand.  Boy oh boy, whatta sensational trip. I went by myself with a tour company that specializes in small group travel (OAT). There were ten of us. The flight from L.A. to Melbourne was a loooong 16 hours. Awful, but worth it. We spent a few days in each place, we visited Melbourne (that’s pronounced Melbn in ‘strain), Adelaide, Alice Springs, The Outback to Uluru (Ayers Rock), and a similar “rock” called Kata Tjura. They are gorgeous and magical. I don’t know why Kata Tjura doesn’t get the same press as Uluru; it is every bit as impressive. Then, we went to a beautiful place outside of Cairns called Palm Cove, overlooking the Coral Sea. Took a longish catamaran ride out to the Great Barrier Reef and snorkeled there.  Amazing.  Beautiful. Saw thousands of fish including a school of “found” Nemos!  Then to Sydney.  There are no words.  It is a GREAT city.  I visited the Law Courts and The Supreme Court of New South Wales there.  I really enjoyed that experience. Needless to say, a trip to the Opera House for a private tour! Some people I hung out with on the tour and I had dinner there, outside on the water looking at the Harbor Bridge. “Wow,” is all I can say. Then, on to New Zealand.  I visited Auckland, Christchurch, Fairlie, and Queenstown. Took a cruise along the fjords and out to the Tasman Sea. That’s about the “bottom” of New Zealand, halfway between the Equator and Antarctica. Along the way, I rode a camel, held a koala, and patted a couple of kangaroos! It really was the trip of a lifetime.

Sylvia McJilton Woodcock: “I hope our classmates who were at the reunion were impressed with the campus and how it has ‘tastefully’ grown, with columns on all new buildings. We owe so much to President Hurley and his outstanding leadership. I have good feelings that the new president, Dr. Paino (from Truman State University), will lead the University forward in positive and exciting ways. Our classmate, Becky Turner Perdue, is being considered for a position on the Alumni Association Board in 2017. With her past experience, I am sure she will be a strong and effective Board member.”

Peggy Howard Hodgkins: “Two weeks spent this past May in Finland were delightful. I unexpectedly accompanied a friend of many years who was born and raised there. I will fondly remember this as a favorite experience even though it included a fall and probable concussion. Minor headaches and vision changes are a temporary inconvenience. I never imagined I would be subject to so many falls. Luckily, no broken bones this time.

Helsinki was beautiful and the folks I interacted with were warm and welcoming. We had lots and lots of salmon prepared in so many delicious ways. The varieties of breads were all yummy as were the Fazer candies. I loved the scenery and small red houses with white trim we passed. I visited in the homes of friends in several small historic towns where the old wooden houses were closely set to each other and to the narrow streets. They were painted in a variety of charming pastel shades. The harbor of Helsinki was a centerpiece of activity both on land and water. Handsome homes and apartments, government buildings, and embassies lined its shoreline.

The people-watching was excellent. There were lots of folks enjoying the stores, sidewalk cafes, and crowding into the very efficient trams with their bundles. As a fairly experienced traveler, I found these two weeks to be filled with fresh new sights, tastes, understanding, and history. I had to miss reunion a few weeks later due to a grandson’s graduation. That was a disappointment, but speaking to classmates as they partied on Saturday night was a fun alternative way to participate. You all sounded so lively and young! See you at the 60th.”

From Lynne: I must start out with a few words about our reunion, which I believe was enjoyed by all who attended (21 classmates and 10 spouses). Those classmates who were not able to be with us were sorely missed, however. The campus is truly amazing, with all of the new buildings and renovations, and the landscaping is spectacular. Art and Lloyd Tilton Backstrom had a constant flow of classmates in their suite (which they named the “’61 Hospitality Suite”) at the Hyatt Place.

Eleanore Saunders Sunderland and Polly Updegraff Champ reunited with us, and both seemed well, although Eleanore said it has been a quiet year for her with minor health issues and no big travels. She lives in Falls Church, Virginia. Polly has not changed one little bit, still full of fun and enjoying an active life in Florida and Connecticut.

Patricia Scott Peck says she had so much fun at the reunion. Of course the activities, lectures, and music were top notch, but just being a “girl” again with such special classmates was wonderful. Also, having Carolyn Crum Pannu (her freshman roommate) stay a few nights in D.C. really reminded her how good friends should make the effort to see each much more often. By the way, Pat’s new knees stood up quite well on the dance floor! Remember, she will be in Calais, Maine, until mid-September with three extra bedrooms. Her cell is 305-205-0400! Pat came from San Antonio, Texas, and Carolyn from San Mateo, California.

Jim and Jane Riles are leaving for a month-long cruise in June, flying to Copenhagen, visiting the fiords of Norway, the Shetland Islands, and Great Britain before returning to Copenhagen to tour the Baltic region. Janie is most excited about visiting St. Petersburg and seeing the Hermitage. In August, they return to their home in San Diego: they spent the winter and spring in Ft. Lauderdale. Be sure and check out Janie’s new website: www.janerilesart.com.

The remainder of news came from those who were not able to be at our reunion.

Sandy Walters Julifs was sorry to miss the reunion, but was in the middle of a major bathroom remodel, a deck repair and re-staining, and then the installation of a new air conditioner—all in the same week as the reunion! Beyond that, their oldest granddaughter is to be married on August 6. She wrote that “he’s a very nice young man, so we’re happy for them. They’re both alums of the University of Missouri (Mizzou).” She lives in Sterling, Illinois.

Lynne Wilson Rupert writes that she is healthy and keeping busy with AAUW, P.E.O, and volunteering at the library. She plays bridge and is in a couple of book groups. Her oldest daughter and family are with her in Temecula and the youngest is only a couple of hours away. Her three oldest grandchildren will be seniors in high school next year, and youngest in eighth grade. Sister Kay and she are going on a Canadian Rockies tour and Alaska cruise in July. Lynne said that she has lots of room in her place in southern California—great wine country.   Watch out, Lynne; your namesake classmate may take you up on your offer!!!!

Marcy Trembath Pitkin is attempting to simplify her life in Stuart, Florida. She moved to a condo from her house and yard earlier this year. She is recovering from some elective surgery and expects to be fine soon. She spends time with her daughter near Philadelphia.

Kay Slaughter sent a marvelous message full of news of herself and other classmates; I am leaving it as she writes: “I am about to travel to Alaska for the first time and am looking forward to adventures in Denali and then south along the coast from Seward. I am trying to finish a draft of a novel by September 1 and have a lot of encouragement through my writing team buddies. I’m busy with preservation issues on the Board of Preservation Piedmont and now am going to do some administrative work for the Center for Palladian Studies of America. I stay busy with other pursuits as well—walking, birding, and reading. Most recently I went to NYC and saw Hamilton, which was worth every penny.

I heard recently from my MWC roommate, Cynthia Scott Cozewith, who transferred to Carnegie Tech for art and where she also met her husband Charlie. After many years in Houston, they’ve moved to Washington’s Crossing, Pennsylvania, in a senior community where they are near three of their children. Cynthia still does a lot of art and they both have found new friends in their community. I also stay in touch with suitemate Judy Kennedy Matthews, who lives in Martinsville, Virginia. Judy, who graduated from nursing school at UVA after MWC years, has survived a couple of serious illnesses but is going strong. I need to go see her this summer. Kelly Cherry (Halifax, Virginia) was here in March with her husband, Burke Davis, for the Virginia Festival of the Book and read from her new short story collection, Thirteen Women in a Country Called America. If any of you come to Charlottesville, whether for a day or a week, please contact me, as I’d love to see you.”

I was delighted to hear from Barbara Steen Paulman, who hasn’t sent any news in ages. Fortunately she and her husband, Roger, are healthy and well and travel quite a bit. They have lived in Barrington, Illinois, since 1971 and have a house in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where they spend about a week every month. They visit their daughter and her family in England once or twice a year. Their son and family live four minutes away from them. They have six grandchildren, ages 10 through 16. Barbie also said that she speaks to Prudie Shepard, but didn’t provide any news about her (she lives in Sandy Hook, Connecticut). Let us hear from you, Prudie.

Nancy Wright sent news: “I’m looking forward to my move. I have recently returned from the Villages, Florida. A friend and I owned a house in the Villages six months per year there for the past six years, but I felt it was time to get back home permanently. So here I am, getting ready to down size and looking forward to a new lifestyle!”

Barbie Upson Welch was very sorry to miss this reunion, but she and Chuck were leaving for Alaska soon after and said it was too soon to do both trips. They spent a month in Arizona in February and she plans on enjoying their lake house this summer in the Poconos, paddling her new single person kayak!

 

1962

Joan Akers Rothgeb
erothgeb@earthlink.net

Kathleen Sprenkle Lisagor
klisagor@yahoo.com

Jane Walshe McCracken
janemcc@cox.net

From Joane: Jeanne Craig Gough continues to travel and enjoy life! She went to the Panama Canal and then later had a trip on the Douro River in Portugal. She writes beautiful descriptions of her journeys. In the summer of 2016 she will be in Colorado for three weeks and will attend concerts for the Music in Mountains series. Then in the fall she and Bob will be taking a barge trip on Canal du Midi in France with several days in Paris. Her grandson will enter West Texas A&M this fall; her granddaughter will be a junior at Texas Tech in Lubbock.

Julia Shumaker Bailess had a great visit with Susie Miller McDonald, Noel Sipple, and Dale Worsham Phillips in Linville, Virginia, in early May. Julia sees Ann Tench Huml at Emerald Isle when she is at her beach house. She and her husband have seven grandchildren and she is looking forward to the next reunion.

Nancy Cheek Mitchell‘s grandson has finished his first year at VMI so Nancy and husband Bob have made many trips to Lexington. Bob is a VMI alum and was an outstanding member of the football team there.

Pat Mackey Taylor wrote that she spends much time with her seven grandchildren. Two are in Virginia Beach and five are in northern Virginia.

In the fall, Mary Lott Haglund, Gale Taylor Drew, Donna Floyd Parker, Betsy Carper Cole, and Sue Grandy Farrar spent several days at Wintergreen. This was arranged by Gale who really enjoys her place there. She has a new grandson, and she and husband Lewis will be at Wintergreen for the summer concert series. Sue continues to do an impressive job as director of the museum in Christiansburg. Betsy spends time at her place at Pawleys Island and thus can see her grandson who lives there. Mary is a busy Houston lady using her creative talents helping at many benefits. Donna loves her visits to Virginia from her home in Atlanta; she brings such enthusiasm and love to everyone and everything.

Lucy Ritter Todd and Janice Tucker Goebel attended a dinner with President Hurley in the spring as he made his last tour to Texas. Lucy will be spending a month in Portland, Oregon, visiting family.

Thanks to Ann Tench Huml, who sent news this spring. She had heard from Nancy O’Neal Robinson; Nancy received a leadership award from the Walnut Creek California Lions Club. Helen Alexion James and her husband, daughter and grandchild enjoyed a wonderful trip to Disney. Ann’s oldest grandchild was married at Emerald Isle where Ann and Jerry live; Ann said it was a beautiful ceremony and day in May. Emily Lewis and husband Tony have been doing a major kitchen renovation and to quote Emily, “These things take much longer than expected.”

Two pieces of sad news: Lynda Puckett Howell‘s husband died on April 17 after a long battle with PSP and Barbara Schwab Jesser left us on April 2. She had done mission work in China, had lived in South Africa, was a world traveler, and crafted jewelry and painted in both watercolor and acrylics. Emily Lewis, Helen Alexion James, and Joan Akers Rothgeb attended her beautiful memorial service in Charlottesville.

From Kathleen: In April, Joyce Wilborn Lacy and her husband, Lou, Sr., celebrated the birth of their ninth grandchild, Carson Joseph Lacy who was born on his daddy, Lou, Jr.’s, birthday.

Betsy Williams Brothers, Reba Calvert Bayliss, Marsha Arlott Wooster, and

Liz Kennedy Thomas Slate spent five days at the Homestead as guests of Lynda Puckett Howell in mid-May. What a special MWC gals gathering after Lynda’s husband passed away on April 17. They laughed a lot, went full pace, did Jefferson Pool, and spent one fun day at the Greenbriar. No telling where they will end up together again, but it is always special!

Dear Classmates: In early March I found myself reminiscing about “good ol’ days” spent with old alumni friends, while snowed in at The Greenbriar. I arrived there just following a wonderful visit with Louise Couch Girvin and her family. We had attended a concert given by the University of Kentucky’s talented musical faculty earlier that evening. While visiting, I noticed a plaque in their home which touched my heart.  The plaque read, “God gave us memory so we can have roses in December.”

While staying at the Greenbrier, the plaque’s quote lingered in my thoughts. Memories brought me back to treasured moments at Mary Washington College, now known as the University of Mary Washington. I still remember the first day back in 1958 when I arrived at the most beautiful campus. Who among us could possibly forget the green freshman beanies we had to wear until Devil Goat Day?  My mind then wandered to our 50th reunion and the wonderful time had by all.

Recently, I chatted with Mark Thaden, who was the new Director of Alumni Relations in 2012. He vividly recalled when the skies suddenly opened and claps of thunder filled the air, only to become part of our 50th celebration memories. Despite the weather, the event ended wonderfully, thanks in part to Mark and Dr. Bill Crawley’s humorous tales.

Going forward five years, I’m sure we will have much to share at our next reunion. There have been so many changes in these last 55 years. The college has gone through a name change. Once known as Mary Washington College, it is now known as the University of Mary Washington. During these past years, other changes took place such as the admission of men, the addition of new buildings, and the new Jepson Alumni Executive Center, which is elegant for any occasion. The beautiful architecture of the new University Center on College Avenue makes the Ball Circle and Chandler Hall area truly come alive. The gateway to Eagle Village on route one is a masterpiece.

The University of Mary Washington has other things to be proud of as well, such as many Peace Corps representatives, three Fulbright Scholars, and the late Claudia Emerson’s Pulitzer Prize for poetry. We have been recognized for the music, theater, and art departments, which hold a place in the global competitive field. Our University even has a Philharmonic!

As the original amphitheatre built in 1913 is currently being restored to its original grandeur, it’s important to recognize our school’s history and continue celebrating its bright future. Let us always appreciate our beloved Dr. Grellet Simpson. We wish the best for the retiring “Man for All Seasons,” President Rick Hurley, while we welcome the new president, Dr. Troy Paino.

Let us pray for peace, our beloved campus, the students it educates, the leadership, and the future changes! We treasure our memories as Goats of ’62. If you did not enter Mary Washington College (as it was named in 1958), no worries! We will make you an honorary goat!  Looking forward to seeing you all at our 55th!

1963

Linkey Booth Green
linkeyg@embarqmail.com

Betsy Lydle Smith
betsy@virtuestraining.com

From Betsy: Bev Bird Miller said: “In the last six weeks, a lot has happened! We bought a house in Hoschton, Georgia, just outside Atlanta. After 38 years in our Stone Mountain house, downsizing was a challenge. We love our new home in this Del Webb gated community and are enjoying meeting new people and learning new things, as in pickle ball, and back to line dancing again. We are much closer to both of our children now—15-30 minutes, so life is good.”

Barbara Wheeler writes: “I am sad to report that my husband of 54 years, Jim Wheeler, passed away in April, following a long illness. My family and I and our close friends miss him very much.” You can reach Barbara at babswheeler99@cox.net.

From Janice Coleman: “Although we still have a tiny apartment in Fredericksburg, our official address is now in Florida. MW alumni office provided the names and phone numbers for other MW alums here to give me a chance to start a MW group/club; however, none returned my phone calls—perhaps they thought I was simply fundraising. My only news is the happy conclusion of adding funds to my scholarship at MW to increase the annual award. For any of you who have granddaughters (or friends with granddaughters) who may live on their own family farm that is functioning as a true agricultural enterprise, you may be interested in passing along info about this MW scholarship. The process started with the difficult and very time-consuming task of accomplishing a VDOF Conservation Easement on my family’s farm. Once the farm was fully protected from development, I donated it to MW to boost the Coleman Family Farm Scholarship. The real challenge has been and remains to be getting the information to high school students who are in remote agricultural areas. If anyone would like more information about CFFS before you contact MW, please feel welcome to use my email address: countryjanice07@aol.com.”

Nancy Maynard writes: “I have remained quite busy, especially with the continuation of work activities.  As mentioned in my last note, I moved to Florida where I am a Visiting Scientist at my other alumna school, University of Miami, in the Cooperative Institute for Marine & Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) and the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) in Miami. I am continuing research on climate change, and in particular, on a three-year project with Indigenous Norwegian researchers and reindeer herders at Sami University College and the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry. Together with these colleagues, with whom we have worked for over 10 years, we are focusing on both challenges and opportunities for sustainable reindeer husbandry using both scientific and Indigenous knowledge in these current times of rapid climate change in the Arctic. I am also serving on the National Research Council (NRC/NAS) Polar Research Board, am a member of the Advisory Board for the Florida International University School of Environment, Arts, and Society (SEAS), and am especially pleased to be grandma to a wonderful two-and-a-half-year-old grandson.

Ginger Logie Carr writes: “We visited Carol Van Ness Clapp and her husband Dick at their beautiful home in Orleans, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Eileen Hildebrand Andrews and her husband, Ray, joined us. We had a great time catching up. We spent a few days with both couples last September at our home in Boothbay, Maine. It has been great to be able to spend the time together. On June 24, our two daughters and their husbands and seven grandchildren in total joined us to celebrate our 50th anniversary at Mohonk in New York State.

Nancy Slonim Aronie says: “So I saw in our alumni news that you so brilliantly put together that Linda Gulnac Steelman lived on Nantucket (what we call THE OTHER ISLAND) and I knew I was doing a workshop over there. Called information, got her number, called her, and we talked for an hour. Then a few months later I flew over there and the day I finished my workshop I called her. We met for lunch. A total ball. Nostalgia with balsamic dressing!! (Nancy attached a photo of the two of them with huge smiles!)

Linkey Booth Green says she’s still very involved with AAUW, the local library friends, and Celtic Hospice Pet Therapy. Linkey enjoys keeping up with classmates on Facebook.

I recently talked to Judy Wolfe Allen ’62, who just completed her 30th-plus walking trip in the UK. Judy and Jack Allen have been my longtime friends since we first met in August of 1963, when I left Virginia for San Diego to teach in San Diego City Schools. San Diego recruited for teachers at Mary Washington, and Susan Rutan Joehnk, Cathy Foster, Nancy Slonim Aronie, and I all went. Judy and her fellow MW grads welcomed us with strawberry daiquiris, and we all lived on Mission Beach, dated Navy and Marine officers, partied, and taught school. Everyone else made fun of our Mary Washington “funny shoes” (weejuns), because no one else wore them. We all became California girls, danced to the Beach Boys, and moved out of our beach houses each summer when the rent went up. We cheered Nancy on as she did stand-up comedy at local clubs. Judy and Susan married and moved up the beach to La Jolla, where they still live. Linkey and Polly Roesgen also lived in the San Diego area in the 60s. Mary Washington was well represented. Judy and Jack Allen have hosted three generations of my family throughout the years, and I am so grateful for their friendship and generosity. Judy was also my excellent mentor several years ago after she donated a kidney to her sister; she mentored me as I donated a kidney to my husband. I’m happy to report we are all doing well.”

In a short writing class I took in the spring, I wrote about the first days of our freshman year at the amphitheatre, singing, “standing in the doorway, telling you goodbye.” Several of us emailed each other, including Linkey, Karen Vandevanter Chapman, Kathy Friedman Levinson, and Susan Rutan Joehnk, trying to remember the words of the song. If anyone remembers the words, please email me. I recently redesigned my website (www.virtuestraining.com) and still love facilitating workshops and webinars. If you’re visiting the Seattle area, I’d love to see you!

Please send us your news for the next issue! – Linkey & Betsy

1964

No Class Agent
classnotes@umw.edu

Susan Orebaugh Nicholson and husband, Nick, are planning their second visit to Vietnam in October. This time, they will concentrate in the northern part of the country, hiking in the Sapa area, followed by time In Hanoi and nearby parks. Why? It’s our era and a country filled with history, beautiful scenery, lovely people, and great food. Those Vietnamese under 40 know very little about the “American” war.

Patti Jones Schacht is the proud great-grandmother of little Melody Joy, born in February, and daughter of her firstborn grandson, Scott Schulman. A longtime genealogy enthusiast (addict), she published an article in The Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Magazine (December 2015) on her great-great-grandfather, steamship Captain Lindsay M. Jones. Several of her ancestral families go back to the 1630s, many of whom were DAR Patriots. Still enjoying travel, Patti and hubby Richard did a classic train tour of Switzerland last fall. They then went to Luxembourg, where Patti was able to trace several generations of her family, and then rode “le TGV” to Paris, where her French cousins met them. They had fun exploring Paris again (after many years) and the palace at Versailles.

Vicky Taylor Allen is taking a break from being class agent as she is working on selling one condo and moving to another. She continues working at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich and loving it!

1965

Phyllis Cavedo Weisser
pcweisser@yahoo.com

In the last few months, I’ve heard from several classmates with their news. To those of you who haven’t sent any in a while, please do so because I know our classmates would like to hear from you. My news consists of continuing to play tennis (three teams), enjoying book clubs (three groups), and visiting with my daughter’s children frequently who moved to the Atlanta area last year and live just eight miles from me. My son was due to leave the Navy next year after 17 years to build a home in North Georgia. However, the number six Blue Angel was killed this year in a practice at an air show. My son has been called back to replace him, so he will be the Blue Angel Opposing Soloist (number six this year), and the Lead Soloist (number five) next year. If they perform near you, I hope you will see the show and say prayers that all the pilots stay safe!

Janice Helvey Robinson writes that they are still in the Atlanta area and still close to their kids and four grandkids. Their oldest, Katie, took a whirlwind college tour in the spring. The first college tour they had was at Mary Washington and she really liked it a lot. They visited Virginia Hall and Mason Hall for old times’ sake, but also many of the newer buildings. They based their trip out of Williamsburg so they were able to show Katie Colonial Williamsburg and the two Jamestown sites. They also visited William and Mary, Duke, and Clemson but she liked Mary Washington best!

Martha Wangler Ryan writes that she and her husband Chris of Richmond, Virginia, often visit their daughter and son-in-law in San Francisco for several days and then tour different parts of California. They also visit their son and his family in Atlanta.

Connie Marsh Pollard ’64 and Martha Hanks Cooper ’64 visited Martha this summer. Connie is traveling to Prague, Italy, and the Oregon Wine country. Martha Hanks Cooper keeps busy with her grandchildren and trips to Washington, D.C., to see her daughter. Both Martha Hanks Cooper and Martha Wangler Ryan take classes at Open University.

Pat Hartman Bownlee writes that she and her husband still live in California. They have four daughters and seven grandchildren. All of them live within 15-40 minutes of them. Pat and John love to travel and she still is active with Mary Kay. Recently they took a cruise from Miami through the Caribbean, ending in Puerto Rico. In April, they went to Hawaii for their yearly trip. Their youngest daughter, Jamie, got her Ph.D. at Regent University in Norfolk, Virginia. Pat and husband enjoy good health and invite friends to call them when they are in California.

Agnes “Missy” Bush Shives writes that she, Sonja “Toni” Algren Schuyler, Ophelia “Ophie” Baker Crowley, and Elizabeth “Liz” Kelling Leasure ’66 got together for a suitemate reunion in April. They stayed with Liz and her husband Bill in their beautiful new home in Odenton, Maryland. With Liz as their guide, they toured the Maryland State House in Annapolis, visited the Baltimore Museum of Art, and explored the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. They are trying to get together every year now, and hoping to meet in Boston in 2017.

Carolyn “Cookie” Davis Lakin Davis writes that retirement has been wonderful. She and her husband enjoyed a cruise of the Danube and enjoy entertaining their grandchildren. She has been active with Historic Port Royal coordinating docents at their three museums and has served as president of the group for the last two years.

Margaret Cobourn Robinson writes that after 23 years, she and Kenny married in April. She, along with Lisa Corder Wharton, Barbara Hagemann Hester, and husbands attended Donna Lingo Rauch‘s husband’s memorial in Snow Hill, Maryland. Eric, who Donna met at an MWC mixer, fought pancreatic cancer for nearly three years. Meg and Kenny are working on his bucket list which includes touring every state capitol building. In January they will fly to Honolulu, then cruise some of the islands. The last time she was there was on an MWC trip in the 70s, and Kenny passed through on his way back from Vietnam.

Lisa Corder Wharton periodically sees Trudy Kitchin Kohl, who lives in Raleigh, since the mishap that left her a quadriplegic. She is an inspiration. She said she would like to convince David to retire so that they could travel more, but they do love spending time at their place on the Chesapeake—great sunsets!

Carol Meese went to Iceland in June to paint. She has had two solo shows of her art in galleries and a performance piece at The Sacred Heart Cathedral in Richmond. She developed a new website we can visit: www.carolmeese.com. Her family is all well, with the oldest of eight grandchildren heading to VCU and youngest starting kindergarten. She and her husband are seeing the world: Morocco, Turkey, Tanzania, and U.S. National Parks.

Susan Ford Irons writes that she is beginning a new chapter in the journey; they are expecting their first grandchild in September! She can’t wait for all the fun that follows. She and her husband are traveling; they are about to go to Alaska for a first visit, land and cruise, and are enjoying their Palm Desert Marriott time share many days during the year with golf and visits from family and friends.

Joanne Lott Byrne writes that she and husband Dick now have nine grandchildren between them and they do a lot of traveling to visit them. Being a grandmother has been great! Her youngest grandson was just born on May 23, 2016. His name is Declan, and he is her youngest son’s first child. He and his wife live in downtown Washington, D.C., so it is nice to have a grandchild nearby. She has four grandchildren in total. Three of them live in Fort Worth, Texas, with her oldest son and his wife. They try to visit them every three months or so. Dick’s grandchildren are in Denver, Colorado, and New Jersey, so they keep busy. Now that she has retired, she is doing some oil painting, mostly still life. She enjoys Tai Chi and aerobics classes to try to stay in shape. She also does some gardening, but enjoys looking at the flowers more than planting them these days!

Cheryl Yancey writes that she drove from San Diego to Virginia with her daughter, Anne, and her black Lab this summer. Anne is married to a Captain in the Navy and they have orders for the Virginia Beach area. Cheryl will be so glad to have them back close to home.

Lee Smith Musgrave writes that she had an exhibition of her sumi-e paintings at her community village center. She discovered that Sidney Mitchell, who was on the English faculty when we were at MWC, lives in her retirement community. His wife (Nancy, now deceased) was also in the English department and taught Lee freshman English—small world. After they retired, they bought a farm in West Virginia and raised sheep. Nancy was a wool spinner and weaver until she died.

Carolyn Kennet Barry writes that she and her husband Richard just made a donation valued over time at more than 35 million to Old Dominion University for a new art museum. The Barrys will bestow their multifaceted art collection to serve as the museum’s initial foundation, and they will also provide support through pledged annual gifts and a permanent endowment from their estate. Carolyn is a longtime art collector. She is currently a master docent at the Chrysler Museum of Art, specializing in glass, and she also serves on the museum’s board of trustees.

1966

Katharine Rogers Lavery
hlavery1@cox.net

Barbara “Bobbi” Bishop Mann beautifully summarized our reunion weekend saying, “What a fantastic 50th reunion!” It was a team effort to coordinate, and the wonderful staff at Mary Washington was only an email away! They were really helpful and cheerful about all the arrangements and assisted us throughout the weekend. Bobbi was personally delighted to see so many dear friends face-to-face after emailing, texting, and posting on Facebook.

Jana Privette Usry exerted extra effort to collect and compile classmates’ stories in a printed booklet so each of us could have a copy. She facilitated our orders of light blue polo shirts and arranged to have our original MWC of UVA seal on the front. Jana and Carolyn Eldred found three mannequins, dressed them in period outfits, and displayed them in front of our class tent at the Saturday picnic, as well as set up guest booklets, and caused us to win a third-place ribbon in the tent decoration contest.

Joan Cuccias Patton directed a Memorial Moment preceding our Friday night class dinner in the Jepson Center and chaired our Saturday class meeting in Ball Hall, our senior dorm. Joan assembled three displays of classmates’ pictures including Dr. George Van Sant, our beloved class sponsor. Friday evening we had a moment of silence and raised our glasses to toast our classmates who are no longer with us. Saturday afternoon, when the math majors assembled for a group photo at the foot of the stairs in Ball, there was a light shining behind them!

Our Class of 1966 dinner in the Jepson Alumni Center brought together 72 classmates. Ginny Bateman Brinkley remarked that the number very closely matched our age! The highlight of the evening was Terry Caruthers’ fantastic slide show. She not only matched our yearbook photos with current ones of each of us, but she also gathered, amassed, and organized an outstanding selection of nostalgic pictures plus recent photos of practically all of us! Terry also produced multiple DVD copies and made them available to everyone. Later in the evening we were each presented with a little velvet bag containing a pin for the 1908 Society. As members of the 1908 Society, we are, “invited and encouraged to attend all future Reunion Weekends and other alumni activities.” The pin features the 2004 adapted UMW seal symbolizing the importance of learning and knowledge and prominently shows the motto, “For God, Home, and Country.” (Our spinning wheel has been replaced with a flaming torch.)

At the Saturday night All-Class Party, the Class of 1966 shined and danced. Barbara Bishop Mann was awarded the Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award from the UMW Alumni Association. Bobbi was overwhelmed when she learned of this, thinking she was “just doing what was right for UMW and the College of Education.” She continued to say that it has been her great pleasure, along with Katharine Rogers Lavery, our Class Agent for 40 years, to help keep our class together. She even credited Katharine as our unsung hero for faithfully submitting our “class news” while presently competing with the instant gratification aspect of Facebook.

Bobbi also fervently mentioned that many alumni feel that a public institution such as UMW has all the money it needs, but are unaware that Virginia has been “shortchanging public education forever.” UMW receives about 21% of its budget from the state, with the balance coming from grants, tuition, donations, and contributions. Our class helped significantly with this year’s fundraising.

Tyla Matteson was especially pleased to see President Hurley to thank him for his vital role in moving UMW to divest from fossil fuels. Tyla attended the historic climate conference last December in Paris where 195 countries signed an accord to decrease carbon emissions. As the U.S. works to do its share, Tyla has spent three years in a campaign to seek divestment of fossil fuels from the University’s endowment. She even sat with UMW students in a demonstration and together they prevailed. In April, UMW became the first university in Virginia to divest! The students, President Hurley, and the Board of Visitors show a commitment to environmental sustainability.

Diana Hamilton Cowell “loved our terrific 50th reunion!” It was a great time to renew friendships and to make new, unexpected connections. She enjoyed her time with Mary Bishop Morris, her freshman class Psychology lab partner and fellow Framar resident. Diana had a mini-reunion with MWC grads Margaret Winton Engvall ’65—her sophomore roommate—and Bonnie Wohlfeil Weatherall ’65. Bonnie and Diana’s fathers were both classmates in “K” Company, Class of 1939 at West Point. Diana continues to “count fish” around sites on the Assawoman Bay as a citizen volunteer for the Inland Bays in Bethany, Delaware. It is part of a research study to monitor the health of the water and wildlife in the estuaries.

“Entrepreneur” is Diana’s newest volunteer title as manager of the new apparel sales for the South Bethany Property Owners’ Association. She has never taken a business class but is enjoying developing the products and managing the accounting of a tiny business. Its purpose is to help the community with their branding as “The Best Little Beach in Delaware” by making items available to summer visitors. Diana is still very active in the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company, serving as Secretary of the Ladies Auxiliary.

Katie Green attended our reunion for the first time ever. She was pleasantly surprised to find that she could match many senior class photos with new faces, renew old friendships, and make new ones. She lamented that Linda Bausserman, Carole Trent Fletcher, and Alice King Smith were not in attendance. Katie enjoyed seeing the old dorms and classrooms and marveled at the beautiful campus with all its expansions. One significant change is that Chandler Hall, where we took our English classes, has been rebuilt into a magnificent University Center with offices, banquet hall, and a major cafeteria facility.

After the reunion, Katie took a road trip through Virginia to visit three historical sights she hadn’t seen since eighth grade. She spent a day at the original Jamestown site—a wonderful archeological tour. Her day at the Yorktown battlefield was inspired by reading Ron Chernow’s biography of George Washington. She then moved on to Williamsburg, Appomattox, and Poplar Forest, Jefferson’s second home near Lynchburg. Katie plans to return to UMW as a member of the 1908 Society and hopes to see more classmates there.

Nancy Dean Wolff was unable to attend our reunion but sent a note with vibrant memories. Her arrival on the first day was somewhat familiar since her sister had just graduated that June. Nancy has fond memories of her Virginia Hall roommates Linda Harvey and Katharine Mooklar Courtney; the community bath down the hall; one phone on the floor: “Lights out, girls—Good night!” from Mrs. Chase, the house mother; not being allowed to wear pants anywhere; and curfews. Nancy plans to attend our next reunion.

Elaine Gerlach McKelly enjoyed attending her first reunion in several years and loved seeing everyone and the improvements on campus. She returned to Northern Virginia from Wake Forest, North Carolina, the following week for her grandson’s graduation from Woodbridge High and also gave her granddaughter admissions information in hopes that she may attend UMW.

Carolyn Eldred had an inside view of the reunion preparations by serving on our reunion planning committee. She echoes all our kudos to her teammates, Bobbi, Jana, and Joan, for their wonderful, productive collaboration and to all our classmates for being so actively involved all weekend. Carolyn noted that at the All-Class Party, “We could have danced all night—and we did!” For some time our class members outnumbered the Class of ’86 and younger alums on the dance floor. Carolyn is excited to make a donation of a valuable antique to Brompton and will give us details in our next article.

Susanne Landerghini Boehm declared it was a real joy getting together with alumni friends at our 50th and is already looking forward to our 55th reunion! She and husband Ralph are enjoying his retirement from the Manassas public school music program. Ralph still keeps busy with private violin, viola, and cello students and occasionally performs for weddings and parties in the D.C. area. Susanne and Ralph spent a month last summer in Long Boat Key, Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico, where their two sons joined them for a while. At home they relax watching numerous birds at their backyard birdfeeders along with deer and red foxes. They will soon start decluttering the decades of “stuff” accumulated in their basement.

Susan Roth Nurin priced a rental car in NYC to drive to the reunion. The cost was so outrageous that she took a bus to Baltimore, rented a car there for a quarter of the cost and drove to Katharine Rogers Lavery‘s home in Vienna, Virginia. Betsy Chappelear Tryon flew into Dulles and also went to Katharine’s home, where the three of them had a mini-reunion before driving on to Fredericksburg. Susan and Betsy stayed at the Hyatt within walking distance of campus, registered, and took their own walking tour of UMW before attending the elegant dinner at the Jepson Center. They joined the other Hyatt guests afterwards and stayed up into the wee hours visiting and reminiscing. Betsy commented on all the beautiful floral arrangements at the Jepson events plus the wonderful food and royal treatment we received.

Susan returned to her tiny apartment overlooking Central Park and resumed her never-ending sequence of cultural activities. Betsy stayed an extra night with Hank and Katharine before flying back to California, where she enjoys her “meet and greet” duties with Princess Lines at LAX.

Yvonne March was sorry to miss our reunion because of too many other travel plans! She and Chris Ferree married last year and had plans to travel to Paradise, Pennsylvania, to visit his family, check out several historical sites, then visit other friends and relatives on the return trip in July. Yvonne also had plans to take a GoAhead tour to Paris in October and include a river tour while there. Her main objective, however, was to refresh and refine her ear for French.

Barbie Barriga Rowe couldn’t get away from her full-time job as Director of Admissions in an independent school near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which operates until the end of June and then runs a summer camp in August. Her historical house and garden require constant attention and make a suitable B&B for visitors. Barbie also spends considerable time with her three children and five grandchildren who all live nearby. Her primary memory of MWC was arriving in an orange corduroy dress and wearing a beanie an unbelievable 50 years ago.

Susan Williams Rura attended our reunion with husband Frank after a long time away. She recalled that her first job after graduation was using mathematics, computers, and foreign languages for the National Security Agency. She was a young widow before meeting Frank, an electronics engineer, and has now been married to him for 40 years. Their married daughter also lives in Maryland and works at Amazon.

Susan keeps quite busy with projects such as planning reunions in Richmond and Charleston for the Claiborne Society, a family group tracing genealogy and doing DNA studies. She is working on transcribing her father’s WWII letters written as a B-29 pilot in the Pacific. Her gardening pursuits include designing a hornbeam tree allée, planting hundreds of tulips, caring for the English boxwoods her mother planted, and caring for a champion white oak tree with an 18-foot circumference. Susan was really pleased to see old friends, new friends, and finally meet up with her freshman roommate after a 50-year hiatus.

Winnie Woodson Stribling traveled from California with husband Brad to Richmond and convinced Eleanor McJilton Thompson to accompany them to our reunion. Winnie loved all the campus improvements, loved seeing everyone, and is pleased with the direction UMW is headed. She saw President Hurley several times and was quite impressed. In fact, she’s standing next to him in our class photo! Winnie remarked that the grounds are stunning; the architecture of all the buildings is beautifully consistent; and the classrooms and teaching at the seminar sessions were exemplary.

Eleanor stated emphatically that if her dear friend from elementary school through college could come from California, then surely she (Eleanor) could make it from Richmond to her very first reunion! She is amazed at the changes over the last 50 years and expects the dorms will change again next year after becoming coed. Eleanor feels blessed to be able to walk the campus tour. After the reunion, Winnie and Brad went to Hungry Mother State Park and then returned to Richmond to see her 100-year-old uncle and celebrate his birthday with a big family dinner.

Genie McClellan Hobson and husband Don attended the reunion and were elated to announce that Genie finally retired in February. She worked 26 years at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware, and now she has the official title of Principal Research Scientist Emeritus. She kept her office, computers, cell phone, and materials in order to complete papers and carry out some volunteer work in research at the hospital. Genie reveled in spending time with so many friends all in one place, especially her senior roommate, Sheri Gates Brindle ’67.

Our reunion was the first leg of a long southern trip for Genie and Don. They had plans to visit longtime friends en route to a wedding in Atlanta, then vacation in Chattanooga

and Nashville (and visit the Grand Ole Opry). Next was a medical conference on

PMD, the disease Genie has been studying, and then the return to Wilmington to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Later in the summer, Genie and Don took a northern trip to Michigan’s Mullett Lake and Sault Ste Marie, Canada’s Algonquin Provincial Park, Niagara Falls, and Watkins Glen. Retirement is awesome!

Marty Spigel Sedoff had recently returned from France where she and husband Bob had visited their “adopted son,” a TA who taught at their son’s French Immersion elementary school. After the reunion they were going to Lincoln, Nebraska, with the Edina HS drama group to present the play Peter and the Starcatcher at the International Theater Festival. Bob still designs and builds sets for the Edina theater group. Son John Riedlinger, still an actor, was scheduled to perform in an ABC special “In an Instant” in July. Marty spent much of the summer in tap dancing performances at senior centers, community centers, etc., with her troupe, “Rhythmic Feet.”

Kathy Fowler Bahnson and her husband have recovered from some health issues and are now thoroughly enjoying retirement. When they’re not heavily involved in church and community volunteer activities, they like to take road trips near and far from North Carolina. Kathy facilitates a movie discussion group at church and her husband has taken up hiking, biking, and snow skiing for the first time in his life. He has also survived three seniors dance bouts and remains Kathy’s “granola guy,” a great inspiration every day. They have two delightful young grands, ages three and one, and two wonderful early teens, ages 13 and 15.

Sandra Hutchison Schanné noticed that UMW was especially beautiful after our cold, rainy spring. The grounds and flowering shrubs and plants were lovely. Our reunion was well organized, complete with golf cart tours for those who preferred not to take walking tours. Sandra, Katharine Rogers Lavery, Lynn Smithey Campbell, and Susan Hanes Chaney shared a delightful riding tour all over the grounds, guided by a UMW ’82 alum whose wife and son were also UMW grads. Sandra enjoyed meeting many “old friends” and throughout the summer made one-on-one visits with classmates. She marveled at how strong the bonds are even after 50 years. Earlier this year Sandra and her daughter traveled to Berlin to absorb the sights and some of their German heritage.

Lynn Smithey Campbell also was stricken by the beauty of UMW and her amazing additions and renovations, but the best part of the reunion was seeing so many friends. Lynn has made plans to sell her condo in Tazewell, Virginia, to move to Richmond, close to her son and his family. Once there she hopes to see MWC classmates more often.

Susan Hanes Chaney returned to UMW for the first time since our 25th reunion and was very impressed at how well organized everything was. She was disappointed to miss her roommates and suitemates but was happy to join Katharine, Sandra, Lynn, Kitty Downs Gregg, fellow math majors, and many others. Susan was amazed at the number of new buildings on campus and was dismayed at the condition of Willard, which needs renovation. The grand lobby in Ball, where we held our class Saturday meeting, has definitely shrunk since Susan lived there, or is it just the perspective?

Anne Clagett and husband John continue to lead a very quiet life in the countryside near Warrenton, Virginia. Anne is still active in local politics, usually joins us in the MW Lunch Bunch gatherings, and “had a terrific time” at our 50th reunion!

Sheila Denny Young, still a resident of Fredericksburg, has retired and recently updated her 1970s house. First, her son-in-law’s parents came from Newfoundland to enjoy some springtime warmth, and then her daughter and grandchildren came from Denver. Her oldest grandchild asked, “Is all of Virginia a garden?”

Sally Albrecht Brennan, Carol Pettigrew Hallman, Julie Bondurant

Freeman and Prentiss Davies, aka, the “Fabulous Four,” gathered in Wilmington, North Carolina, last year for their annual get-together. Julie had visited UMW earlier with college friends Charlotte Hansley from Trenton, New Jersey; Ruth Robinson Wardlaw from Dallas, Texas; and Judy Hanson Wilcox from Venice, Florida. This year they all met at Carol’s home before the reunion to get a two-day head start. Carol had recently moved into a 1951 house in Orange, Virginia, and this was her house-christening! All four of them found the reunion to be exquisitely planned with an elegant dinner festively supplemented with Terry’s slide show, and offered their sincere appreciation and admiration to the entire planning committee for their outstanding effort and accomplishments. What a wonderful event! Prentiss is pushing the ladies to make their 2017 trip a visit to Florida and her house.

Kitty Downs Gregg and husband Don first traveled to North Carolina to spend a couple of days with Terry Caruthers in her fabulous lakefront home before driving in tandem to our reunion. Kitty loved seeing everyone and had a chance to talk at length with Julie Bondurant Freeman and her “famous roommates.” Kitty also spent time with twins Eileen and Kathleen Goddard, the first people she ever met freshman year, and math major friends Marty Spigel Sedoff, Kathy Rogers Lavery, and many others. Kitty remarked that the campus looked and smelled wonderful with the magnolia trees in bloom. Terry reminded us that she and Kitty had lived together in Arlington, Virginia, right after graduation and also mentioned that her senior roommate, Berny Arnn Hayes, was attending our reunion for the first time. Although Terry had had some heart trouble in the spring which cancelled her plans to travel to China, she was glad to produce our fantastic slide show and bring it to the reunion to share with us all.

Kay Dawson Meyers recalled in our class meeting that Dr. Shaw had been instrumental in her gaining employment at the NSA. She remarked how wonderful it was to see the college again, to see so many friends and learn how our lives are progressing. Pat Jones Wagner exclaimed, “Well—one can go home again! What a fabulous weekend reconnecting with friends and sharing good (and bad) memories. The campus is beautiful with the new buildings fitting in so well with the old ones—it’s a reunion to remember!”

Emily Cosby Dieter was a newcomer to our reunions and she so enjoyed her first, our 50th. It was great fun to see classmates, share memories, and make new ones. Emily is looking forward to staying in touch.

Eileen Perna Thomason added that the “girls in our class are still gracious, caring, funny, and smart and are still trying to keep up with the latest trends while retaining the best of our traditions. Fifty years later, the more things change, the more they stay the same! Reunion 2016 was fabulous!”

Eileen’s sister, Diane Perna Olive ’67, was adopted by our class back in

1966, and she loves us still. She described us as “wonderful, accomplished women,” and had a wonderful time sharing memories with everyone.

Bernadine Arnn Hayes rejoiced at meeting so many old friends in such a beautiful setting, where we were fortunate to spend a few years. Bernadine celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary with husband Jay, daughters Emily and Julia and husbands, and their grandchildren by taking a cruise to Alaska.

Anne Powell Young and Betty Birckhead Vickers traveled together from Tennessee and managed to talk eight and a half hours straight! Since they have the same sense of humor, they really enjoyed their pre-reunion time together and were eager to mix with everyone else and see things “through each other’s now-spectacled eyes.” Anne was especially pleased finally to meet Bobbi Bishop Mann in person after many, many telephone conversations. Anne and Betty enjoyed every aspect of our well-planned activities (even a manicure!) and thought the gift of seeing everyone at the opening reception was like “opening a much delayed Christmas present.”

Betty’s degree in economics has served her well. She worked in the Economics Department at the World Bank for three years before moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, to the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee. She retired from there in 2004. This year is a spectacular one for Betty because her youngest daughter had a baby girl to complement their set of six grandsons.

Clair Golihew Cosby was once again amazed at the beautiful additions to our campus. She expressed appreciation to the entire group of students, staff, and volunteers who really wanted us to have a great experience with our 50th reunion, and to our classmates for making it so. After 40 years of resistance, Clair finally agreed to have both knees replaced (July and

August) and is looking forward to improved mobility afterwards.

Gerry Sargent Habas reiterated that, “Reunion Weekend brought back many fond memories—the Class of ’66 arrived from far and near. It was so welcoming and very special. Everyone who was not able to attend should consider joining us for the 55th—well worth the journey! Friendships renewed.”

Sally Souder was unable to join us this year but she sent an email containing her regrets and best wishes to all of us to have a wonderful time. She was with us in spirit!

Patty Bergin Bergman missed several classmates but had lots of fun reconnecting, sharing memories, and walking around the beautiful expanded campus of today! She also thanked everyone who worked so hard putting our reunion events together.

Grace Marie Bamforth Garriott exclaimed, “What a worthwhile experience to reacquaint with classmates! To see the positive growth of the campus was so impressive.” She was definitely pleased to know that the “basic focus of academic excellence is still alive and the opportunity to live in a community that creates lifelong friends still exists.”

Pat Johnson Orgain sent her many thanks to all who organized and planned our 50th, making it such a wonderful time for us all. “Renewing friendships and enjoying memories as we strolled along the brick walks where we began this adventure called adulthood! Love and thanks to all who helped me make that transition. Once again I left part of my heart on Marye’s Hill!”

Mary Kathryn Rowell Horner absolutely loved seeing everyone—all her young friends—at our 50th. Her only surprise was that the bookstore still sells blue books for tests and exams at a whopping $.21—surprising in this age of technology. Mary Kathryn and Charlie continue to spend winters in Florida, golfing and soaking up sunshine, and summers in Alexandria, Virginia.

Lee Enos Kelley transferred to MWC our sophomore year and missed much of the bonding that comes with life in a freshman dorm. She has returned for every reunion since our 25th, when she roomed with Kathy Fowler Bahnson in Ball. It was terribly hot and they stayed up all night talking. Lee joins “Bobbi Bishop’s Lunch Bunch” at times in Fredericksburg, visits regularly, and sometimes travels with Joan Cuccias Patton. Lee now feels more and more connected with our class and the college, saying, “It has been fun to grow old with such a great group of women.”

Linda Glynn Hutchinson had a wonderful time reminiscing about “the good old days” and echoed the praise for our reunion planning committee and our hosts. Linda and Pat Lewars Pace continued their travels this fall. Their first landing was Dubai with a side trip to Abu Dhabi, but Egypt was their main focal point, since twice before their plans had been cancelled and they finally got to see the pyramids.

Linda Mitchell Spiers was especially happy to see Mary Grace Wright Day, Kay Dawson, and many others, catching up after many years apart. It was extraordinary to walk the pathways, stand in familiar places, and discover the newness of the present—our reunion was awesome!

Ann Kales Lindblom and husband Steve had just returned from a six-month journey along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in their cruising boat, Bravo. They traveled from the Chesapeake Bay south to Key West, Florida; north along the Gulf Coast to Naples and Ft. Myers; across Florida via the Okeechobee Waterway; and then north again to the Chesapeake. Despite close quarters they are “still best friends!” At our reunion, Ann roomed with Eileen Goddard Albrigo, reenacting freshman roommate life in Virginia dorm. She also spent fun times with Patty Bergin Bergman, Gerry Sargent Habas, Kathy Goddard Moss, Anne Clagett, Jana Privette Usry, and many others. Ann sent a special shout out to Ann Martin Allen, who was sorely missed at this reunion.

Mary Parsons Black and a few classmates, all wearing our class polo shirts, took a walk down to the amphitheatre as a remembrance to Linda Spangler Berkheimer, in hopes of finding some sign of her there. Later there was a dedication ceremony to initiate the renovation of the amphitheatre, which will soon be a magnificent venue for University and community events. Mary and Ron were married two days after graduation and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family cruise on Disney Dream. They also celebrated with a return trip to Rota, Spain, where they lived for six years.

Annette Maddra Horner commented on the excellent tour of Belmont, which she found enlightening and reviving with all the Gari Melchers art works. She also was glad to renew old friendships with classmates—it was a great reunion! Annette and John are enjoying their role as grandparents. They travel from Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to Mooresville and Richmond to visit their daughters’ families.

Diane “Dee Dee” Nottingham Ward is one of the few classmates who is still working. She just finished another tax season even though she sold her San Diego CPA firm in 2010. Since husband Nat has had medical issues recently, he and Dee Dee have decided to downsize from their large house to a medium-sized unit in a retirement community being built near them. Dee Dee thinks the two-year construction goal is just about right for them to prepare for the move.

Kathleen Goddard Moss and husband Tom actually sold their home in Falls Church, Virginia. They lived a few weeks with her sister, Eileen, before spending the summer in Spain with their daughter and family. Then they started driving around the U.S. to visit family and friends along their way to Oakland, California, to a retirement community near their son and his family. Kathy joyfully announced at reunion that she was homeless and felt free as a bird! She really enjoyed our reunion!

Eileen Goddard Albrigo was also really enjoying our 50th reunion, which brought back so many great memories. She and John were looking forward to spending the summer with their grandchildren, who all live nearby, and their end-of-school activities—plays, music recitals, baseball playoffs—and many hours relaxing by the pool.

Lois Rucker Scott was navigating well after recovering from extensive back surgery. She remarked that it was great to see everyone—“so many faces and no one has changed!” Her most exciting news was that daughter Holly was moving back to D.C. after living in California for 14 years, arriving with her fiancé during our reunion. With her older daughter and grandchildren right across the street, Lois will have her whole family close by. Now that husband Sam is healthier since retiring last year, he and Lois are looking forward to spending more time at their Delaware beach house and perhaps traveling in the fall.

Cathe Cantwell Luria returned to Gig Harbor, Washington, from her “other home” in Mexico before coming east to the reunion. After retiring from a glorious career as a nurse practitioner, Cathe has expanded her music and country dancing activities to include joining a Mexican choir which has performed in Cuba. At our reunion, Cathe reconnected with fellow chemistry major Nancy Derrick Denslow, who traveled from Florida, and they happily enjoyed sharing memories of hours in the chem labs. They were both delighted to chat with Dr. Bernie Mahoney. He was a new faculty member our senior year and taught Cathe and Nancy’s physical chemistry lab.

Judy Blum Wasserman entertained us all at the class meeting with the story of her freshman roommates’ attempts to make her a bleach-blonde. Judy was surprised when she returned home for the holidays looking quite different than when she left and her parents never mentioned her hair!

Anne Fortney told us that after becoming a lawyer she finally bonded with MWC and classmates by working with the Alumni Association. This was perhaps her second class reunion and she was very favorably impressed with everything, especially the fine group of accomplished women we have become.

Carolyn Hogeland Ruppar surprised us all by flying directly from her granddaughter’s graduation in New England to our Saturday class meeting! Carolyn remarried a few months ago and splits her time between living in Jacksonville, Florida, and Reston, Virginia, while also traveling to many interesting places.

Katharine Rogers Lavery was really pleased to reunite with Susan Hanes Chaney. Katharine and Susan attended elementary school, high school, and college together, then taught math about 20 years in the same high school but had not seen each other since Susan retired and moved to the Northern Neck of Virginia. They both joined 16 math majors at the class meeting, most of whom were in the group photo at the foot of the Ball staircase. (Pam Kearney Patrick—we needed you!)

Marilyn Wood Hunter, who sat alphabetically next to Katharine in several MWC math classes, has since joined the players of cell-phone word games with Katharine—fun! Right after the reunion Katharine and family went on their annual beach vacation to Nags Head, North Carolina, where she met with Muriel Haley Montgomery for lunch in a quiet restaurant in Pirate’s Cove. Muriel and Katharine each lived and taught school several years in Culpeper, Virginia, and also share experiences serving on the vestry at their respective churches.

Ginny Bateman Brinkley wants to remind all who were unable to attend our reunion that it was fantastic and they should make plans now to attend our 55th! Ginny’s proudest news is that her talented granddaughter, Brittany Hewitt, was accepted at Julliard School of Music in NYC and begins her studies there this fall as a vocal student. Ginny has commandeered Susan Roth Nurin to keep an eye on her and expects to be visiting Susan while Brittany’s in New York.

In April, Ginny and Bill traveled to Hawaii, met Roger and Ryan Stewart Davis in Maui, stayed a week, and celebrated Ryan’s birthday at the renowned Merriman’s restaurant. That was actually the same place Ryan and Roger held their son’s wedding a few months earlier. Ryan missed our reunion because her other son and his wife were expecting twins early in June; Harry and Maxine were born June 13 at more than 5 lbs. each. Ginny and Bill returned to Hawaii to spend another week with Navy grandson Brad, who is stationed there, and two other grandchildren. Ginny’s latest project is a “tell-all novel based on our lives at MWC. You all will be the first to know when it’s ready for sharing! Don’t worry—the names have been changed.”

Judy Wells Clark will travel to Japan for a return concert tour June 25-July 5, where she will accompany Bryan and Kevin Matheson of the Classic Strings Duo, as well as Scott and Amy Cofield Williamson, the Executive Director and Co-Director of the Apprentice Artist program for Opera Roanoke. They will perform at Yamaha Hall (Japan’s “Carnegie Hall”) as well as other locations. She writes, “THANK YOU to the wonderful music faculty who patiently nurtured my feeble fingers and inspired me to achieve!”

Jeff and Nancy Shackelford Jones recently returned from Cambridge, Massachusetts, where their daughter Alexandra Shackelford Jones Thorne was graduated from the Harvard Business School on May 26, 2016.

1967

Nancy McDonald Legat
dlegat1@sc.rr.com

Fonda Davis Eyler, Roberta Hatcher Graves, Mary Haga Doermann, and Judy Douglass Everett recently met in Medina, Ohio, at Mary and Perry’s home to spend four days together for a “Suite-Mate” reunion. The last time they were together was June, 2013. Trying not to dwell on health issues, they were all grateful to be together again.

Fonda and John are enjoying their retirement from the University of Florida faculty in Gainesville. Their time is now spent on volunteer activities, and many trips to California to enjoy visiting their daughter and her two girls and their son and his three boys.

Roberta and Spottswood are still living on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She recently wrote, choreographed, and performed in a musical about George Gershwin. She is lucky to have her two children and two grandchildren (14 and one) living close by.

Mary and Perry just celebrated the wedding of their son in January during a surprise snow storm. Her daughter, who works in Seattle, was in for the wedding. One of Mary’s volunteer activities is working with the Weymouth Preservation Society, which recently received the Award for Outstanding Grassroots Achievement from the Cleveland Restoration Society for their creation of a township museum in the old schoolhouse in Weymouth, Ohio.

Judy and Keith are enjoying retirement in their travel trailer, looking forward to their next trip up through Canada and down the west coast. Their oldest daughter and six-year-old grandson live in Tampa. Another daughter lives in Austin and is fostering a 17-month-old toddler with hopes of adoption. Their youngest daughter was just ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist Church.

And finally, they gave a shout out to Bardahl as we recalled with laughter—Bonking, Dweeting, speaking Ob, Grunt runs, gradooing, and remembering Earl Davis, down Five Mile Fork. So many wonderful memories!

Nancy McDonald Legat and her husband Dan continue to enjoy their retirement in Lexington, South Carolina. Their three daughters and sons-in-law, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren all live close by and they often enjoy getting together.

1968

Meg Livingston Asensio
meglala@aol.com

I heard from a few classmates in time for this issue. I would love to hear from many more of you for next time!

Pam Tompkins Huggins continues to enjoy her husband’s retirement (and her semi-retirement; i.e., no more non-profit governing board meetings with endless arguments about mission statements and the difference between goals and objectives!). She does continue to volunteer her time to all of her causes for special projects and speaking engagements. Pam and Jim are up to five grandchildren, the oldest of which will graduate from Herndon High School this year. They travel to California to visit daughter KT and her family as often as possible, with trips to Cary, North Carolina, and Reston, Virginia, to be with the others. They are planning a “Just Us This Time” trip to Normandy in the coming year. Sally Monroe Kelly and husband Pete recently visited, and Pam quipped, “I have to admit, she still looks pretty durn queenly!”  Staunton is a great place to visit, and don’t forget about the super cozy guesthouse with the Class of ’68 names on it!

Susan McCrory Braaten wrote that she and husband Tom settled in New Bern, North Carolina, when he retired from the Marine Corps in 2001 after 36-plus years. He became CEO of the local Twin Rivers YMCA and is now the Director of the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport. After spending time writing internet content for military families for NavyWifeline and Military1Source, Susan became the Technology Coordinator and Trainer at Keller Williams Realty in New Bern. After 36 years and 18 moves from coast to coast in the USA—plus Panama and England—they’ve now been in one place longer than at any time in their lives! Their daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter live in Raleigh, North Carolina, so they see them often. She also sees two MWC grads occasionally in New Bern: Nicole Brooks ’77, who coordinates events at Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens and the North Carolina History Center, and Christie Wineholt ’69. Susan and Tom look forward to retiring soon and giving more time to volunteer opportunities they find compelling. They love New Bern and know they made the right decision to settle there after their nomadic life!

Rhoda “Dodo” Fisher Roberts wrote that she has had a busy year with her daughter Nell’s wedding, a month in Switzerland, and finally retiring after 48 years in IT. She is spending the summer on Nantucket.

In January, I spent a week in Orlando with Janice Bryant Lotterhos, where she and Lieb moved last year. They were in a very serious car accident the day after Christmas, and I went down to help when she was released from the hospital. It took Lieb a bit longer, but I am happy to say they are both well on the road to recovery now. Luckily, both daughters live close by. Their first grandchild, Marlowe Juliet Bourne, celebrates her first birthday in late July.

After losing touch for many years, I reconnected with Christina “Kitty” Shane on a short trip to New York in June. She is living in Princeton, New Jersey, recently retired from a long career in education administration, and is consulting part-time. Over a long lunch, we picked up right where we left off, as good friends always do!

Since retiring, Ash and I have enjoyed several Windstar cruises to the Greek Isles, Tahiti, and Spain/Portugal. We recently bought a new Airstream trailer and are getting ready to hit the road with our recently adopted mutt, Izzy. Watch out, we may show up on your doorstep!

Submitted by Sally Monroe Kelly and Donna Sheehan Gladis:

Merrilyn Sawyer Dodson retired in 2013 after a varied teaching career in public and private schools and for the government. She became a Master Gardener with the York/Poquoson Extension Office, editing the newsletter and planning training for new MGs. In 2015, Merrilyn and Steve toured the gardens of Victoria, British Columbia, and explored the inner passage of Alaska where they hiked, kayaked, and fished in the Tongass National Forest. Their son and his family (which includes the Dodson’s two grandsons, ages 9 and 12) live in Richmond. Merrilyn and Steve recently met the recipient of their UMW scholarship, an impressive young man who will do research in either medical or nuclear physics.

Carol Lee Hawtin was a Psych major at Mary Washington, which led to becoming a Clinical Social Worker in private practice. She looks forward to reducing her work schedule to three days a week next year. Carol lives in Annapolis, Maryland, and loves having friends over, especially to watch Baltimore Ravens football games.

Reba Harnage Davis is in her third year of retirement from her teaching career. She is now enjoying some volunteer commitments, playing golf and bridge, reading, traveling, and spending more time with family—especially their five-year-old grandson. Reba’s older son is an associate general counsel at UNCG in Greensboro, North Carolina, and the younger son practices law with her husband Gary. Both of Reba’s daughters-in-law are teachers, so conversations at family gatherings (three lawyers and three teachers) are lively.

Lawson Stillman Greenwood married her high school sweetheart four days after our graduation. After his military service in Vietnam, her husband worked for the Secret Service and Lawson did medical research at various hospitals—and they moved 15 times! Lawson stopped working to raise three boys, later becoming a chemistry teacher (inspired by her great MWC chemistry professor) for 26 years, a career she found very rewarding. She is retired now, living on the coast at Wilmington, North Carolina, and enjoying her nine grandchildren, ages six months to 20 years old.

Eileen Curley Baker and her husband Frank have lived in Connecticut for almost the entire 44 years of their marriage. They raised four children, all of whom have super-exciting careers which you will learn about when you come to our 50th reunion in 2018! Eileen retired after teaching almost 30 years of high school mathematics, and she and Frank enjoy spending time with their four grandchildren and traveling. They become snowbirds in the winter and head for Florida.

Jane Bradley and her husband Richard have lived mainly in the D.C. area since our graduation. They are both now retired and looking forward to spending longer summers at their cottage in New Hampshire, kayaking and taking long walks with their Australian Shepherd. Jane is also planning on attending our 50th and hopes that her sister-in-law, Pam Toppin Bradley, will come too.

Susan Morris is enjoying life in Barrington, Illinois, as she is blissfully retired from her 40-plus years in educational consulting and is now working as a community volunteer. Her husband, Don Wolford, retired from a splendid career with United Airlines, and now they do a lot of traveling with his new client consulting business, going to such places as Italy, the Adriatic, and this year, Cuba. They are blessed with six grandchildren. Susan has invited any and all from “The Great ’68” to connect with her in Chicagoland. And as she says, “My tiara is all shined up and ready for the 50th. I am grateful to still be here!” Amen.

Stephanie Danahy Larson, better known to us all as Stevie, has retired with husband Peter to a peaceful life on 10 acres about 15 miles south of Fredericksburg. Stevie teaches a two-week Wetlands Program in the summer for gifted kids who love to be outdoors. She has four grandchildren and her 90-year-old mom still lives two blocks from UMW. She fondly remembers our beautiful Gail Jargowsky Farmer, who passed away to complications from Alzheimers. Gail loved Mary Washington and would have worn her tiara with pride at our reunion. Stevie has also polished her tiara and is ready to “party down” in 2018. Let’s all be there! A note for all who may not know: 1968 was the last year of the May Queen festivities. That is why we all wear our tiaras with pride!

1969

Hello gals! Here is the news from classmates who dared write something of their doings and whereabouts.

Cynthia Lowdermilk claims she is leading the most boring life imaginable, but that makes me think she has a quiet life with no drama…isn’t that what we are all after? You go, girl!

Pam Hogan Baynard just got back from Switzerland, which she noticed is a very expensive place—$36 for chicken enchiladas, and that was before she ordered Swiss chocolate for dessert! Laura “Tee” Johnson Atherton and her family will be visiting Pam and Chuck at their Nags Head beach house this summer. (Maybe we should all make our beach reservations with Pam now!)

Regina Sneed is enjoying being a museum guide (formerly called docents) at the recently remodeled San Francisco Modern Art Museum. She has been doing this volunteer work for 32 years, even while she was a full time lawyer. She is now taking full advantage of retirement and is more involved with art organizations.

Dr. Sharon Dobie (American Studies major, like myself) is relieved that her older son living in Orange County, California, has recovered from a stem cell transplant and has his life back. Her younger son lives in Seattle close to her. Sharon is on a slow fade toward retirement by reducing her work by 20% with no night or weekend calls and no more delivering babies. (Who knew an American Studies undergrad degree could take one so far?!) In 2017 she will fully retire, except for teaching.

Sharon was awarded the Gold Humanism in Medicine Award by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. In between all this work, she had a bike barge trip in France and a family wedding in New Zealand. She plans to swim in two open water contests in between her biking activities. Who knows what she does in her spare time? Whew!

Phyllis Newby Thompson is quite a gardener at home when she is not traveling to New York with her husband, John, or staying in their vacation home in Kona, Hawaii. She and John also travel often to South Boston to be with John’s mother, who is still living independently.

Her beloved service dog, Kona, spends time in the pool when it gets too hot to be with Phyllis in the garden.

Marianne DeBlois Zentz has been enjoying visits with her family and is looking forward to her daughter’s wedding in October. She had a wonderful visit with Anne Hoskot Kreutzer, whom she says is a house guest par excellence. Marianne has joined a “meet up” group to practice speaking French. (She lived in the UMW French house in our college glory days.) She does her best to only swear in Spanish, as when you swear in French, it just does not have the same “oomppff!”

Speaking of French, Karen Ralston Kilgore has been in France recently.

She also has been to London and New Zealand, with American jaunts to Florida to visit her daughter who is on the Research Faculty in Ocean Engineering at Florida Tech. Then she went on to Cincinnati and Charleston for weddings—all of this in a six month period. Not wanting to sit still for long, she is planning a trip to the South Pacific and Antarctica before 2016 is over, with a Denver stop-in to see her grandkids. “Life is good,” and obviously very busy!

Joan Gillis Baker, Patricia Adair Spangler, and Franceen Huddleston King attended their Robert E Lee 50th high school reunion last fall and had a blast. Joan also keeps in touch with Gail Balderson Dice ’67 when she visits her daughter in D.C. Joan remarried her high school sweetheart 15 years ago after 30 years of separation. (Wouldn’t that make a wonderful movie screenplay?) They went together on a Pacific cruise recently to Australia and New Zealand.

Anne Witham Kilpatrick has had one of those quiet years. She and Roger (high school sweetheart) recently went to Bryce Canyon and Zion, Utah, to personally experience American National Parks so generously and wisely given to us by President Teddy Roosevelt, who recognized the need for preserving our geographical heritage in this country. Her dear college friend, Jeanine Zavrel Fearns, and her two UMW suitemates, Suzie Bender Winterbie and Toni Turner Bruseth, will all travel to Washington, D.C. for their annual reunion. They are renting a cabin and will be trekking, talking, eating, walking and napping—great way to reconnect with UMW soulmates.

Linda Eadie Hood now has two new titanium knees. She sets off airport alarms and has no knee reflexes, but is delighted to be pain-free once again. The first surgery was in November and the second was March 30. She was walking within hours of each operation. She has been substitute teaching for 15 years, and she and her husband Rick are traveling to New Zealand (both islands) in November for three weeks.

As for me, I am totally enjoying my new role as a retired contractor in an active over-55 community in Santa Rosa, California, two hours north of my home in Silicon Valley where we lived for 30 years. No one calls me up here about their bathrooms or remodels, which is refreshing. Now I have time to be a client for a big remodel on my own house, which we are making totally accessible for aging in place. I am also playing pickleball (a great new sport for seniors), golf, yoga, and square dancing at a gay/straight club in Sebastopol. You probably didn’t know I am “bi-dancual.” Those American Studies majors from UMW class of ’69 are quite versatile! And Ann and I used to sing together when we first met in Dallas 37 years ago, so we have created a five-piece folk music band (fiddle, piano, bass, and acoustic guitar with vocal harmonies) and have revived our musical interests with the same original band name called More Joy. We perform concerts twice a year. After traveling extensively for three years (Africa, France, most of Europe) we have narrowed our interest to all of the American Presidential libraries and National Parks.

Write to me girls! Even if you are quietly at home enjoying living without drama, we want to hear from you!