Class Notes

In April, Lindsey wed James, 52, who’d never been married, at Keswick. We met in-laws from as far away as Seattle and New Hampshire. The next day our kids celebrated our 60th anniversary. The younger generations partied that night, while Bub and I escaped to the quiet bedroom in the big rental house. The next week, we left for a Gettysburg tour. In May, our second daughter, Kim, was diagnosed with stage-three ovarian cancer. After her second chemo session, she hurried to the maternity ward, where, just as Kim arrived, her daughter gave birth to Harper Rhodes Woodward, Kim’s first grandchild and our first great-grandchild!

Peggy Hopkins Johnson, who stayed in Fredericksburg and still lives near campus, is a charter member of Mary Washington Elder Study. She’s active in church, plays bridge, and is often on the road. During Reunion Weekend, she went to Jepson and celebrated the Class of 1952’s 60th with them. Betty Raynor Pittman’s husband had an “amazing recovery” after a hemorrhagic stroke last fall. Grandson Tommy graduated from Charlottesville High School and planned to attend UMW. Betty celebrated her 80th at Michie Tavern.

Garnette Bell Crawford and her husband, who retired as Salisbury University president and helped strengthen the athletic program, are still involved with the school, celebrating its recent national men’s lacrosse championship. Garnette attended a summer family reunion with cousin Carol Ann Boyes and Carol’s husband, Bill. My family also now supports Salisbury, since granddaughter Madison of Ellicott City, Md., is a student there. We looked forward to a fall visit.

Ginny Bailes keeps in touch with Betty Anderson Buck, who traveled to Peru and climbed to the Temple of the Sun. Nell McCoy Savopoulos and I visited Kay Toe Laer in Boynton Beach, Fla., one summer when Kay was our suitemate. Peggy Hopkins and my then-future husband also came. Kay was the sixth person crammed into the 1958 Hudson on the return trip! Nell has been dealing with chronic health problems, but she counts her blessings. Mike is in great shape.

Ginny Poole Kinniburgh returned with John to Mary Washington to audit a meeting chaired by then-BOV Rector Daniel K. Steen ’84 and was a guest of President and Mrs. Hurley for a dinner and lecture. Ginny and John had dinner in January in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., with Kitty Garland Obenshain and Ray. Since then, Kitty had been ill but was home, receiving therapy, and looking forward to a complete recovery.

Jean Kimball Gray built a house on Kentucky Lake in 1995 and lives alone there with an assortment of dogs. Her youngest daughter was killed in 1992, and her surviving four children, except for one in Georgia, are nearby. Jean has seven grandchildren and two greats. She was a kindergarten teacher, church organist, and health care facility owner. She plays tennis and has traveled extensively, visiting places like Iceland, Australia, and Egypt. Jean lives near Martha Lyle Pitman, who married biology teacher W.J. Pitman. Jean stays in touch with Joan Collins.

Barbara White Ramer was born in Fredericksburg and lived just blocks from UMW until moving to live with daughter Robyn, son-in-law Todd, and two grandsons in Georgia, where she works with students with learning differences. She worked with Peggy Hopkins Johnson in Fredericksburg public schools and went to high school with Betsy Dickinson Surles.

Doris Linsday Whitfield moved to Raleigh, N.C., in 2010 to be closer to family and downsize. She misses being near campus and her work with UMW Ecology Club students who interned with the Rappahannock Sierra Club. Doris was chair, and they coordinated environmental programs. She recalled that ecology students helped the city and Sierra Club build Alum Springs Park. Doris swims, reads, watches birds, and volunteers with kindergarteners and children who need individual attention.

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