Class Notes

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!