Class Notes

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, Betsey–Ellen 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!