Class Notes

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!