Class Notes

Thanks to everyone who sent news. Without your input, there would be no column!

Mahlon and I move more slowly, but we have quality lives and laugh a lot! My former roommate, Ann Humphreys Howard, who was visiting husband Bob’s brother in Northern Virginia, called me. They enjoy retirement in Florida and planned to join extended family at the Howard lake house in New Hampshire in July.

Joyce Bristow Wrestler couldn’t attend the reunion. Her husband has a blood disorder and was undergoing treatment. They had to cancel his dream trip to Australia and New Zealand. Nancy Hallett Guest couldn’t attend the reunion because she had knee replacement surgery.

Ellen Hertz Hewitt and Charlie didn’t visit Europe this year. They couldn’t come to the reunion because they were at a Nashville timeshare. They were to spend a July week in Massanutten with their son and his family.

After not having seen her former roommate, Barbara Morton Williamson of Chapel Hill, N.C., for more than 50 years, Jean Durham Busboso and husband Buz hosted her for a June weekend, and they toured the UMW campus.

Peggy Gray Williams sent the sad news that Joanne Insley Pearre died peacefully at home with her husband by her side in early August. Joanne, whose father was a professor of chemistry at Mary Washington, had long lived with Alzheimer’s disease. Our condolences to all.

After moving to Hendersonville, N.C., Susan Bender Trotter’s husband died in February, and Susan is sorting things out. Deepest sympathy, Susan.

The committee for our class did a splendid job organizing our 55th reunion. There were 14 of us, and

Elizabeth “Libby” Fordham was the group’s backbone. What follows was among her sentiments. The reunion went off with few hitches, thanks in great part to the Alumni Association staff. The Friday evening rain caused a venue switch from the Brompton lawn to the Tennis Center, but trolleys took everyone to Seacobeck for dinner. Wind on Ball Circle made it challenging to decorate our Class of ’57 tent, but we did and won second place. A handful of us braved the Saturday night reception at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center and were proud to be named the class with the highest giving participation in the Race for the Eagle! The establishment of the 1908 Society for alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago was announced, and we were first to wear the pins. President Hurley listened to stories from our campus days and answered questions about future plans. Next time you’re in Fredericksburg, plan to see the renovated Randolph and Mason halls and other changes – and ask if golf-cart service is available!

Please send news. God bless, Joan.