Class Notes

We love bragging about classmates, whose accomplishments are the legacy of Mary Washington. Fifty-two years after graduation, we are in our 70s and still making our mark. We’re living proof that what’s learned at Mary Washington makes a difference. It’s time to start thinking about our 55th reunion in 2015. Put it on your calendar!

Sherry Farrington Green visited Ecuador in March with her daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren, who were on a sabbatical in Cuenca. She hiked at 14,000 feet, making her question how she did Kilimanjaro and Everest Advanced Base Camp not long ago. She fenced well this year and hoped to maintain her third-place ranking at nationals and be on the U.S. team in Austria in October. Nancy Cleaves Blaydes and her husband visited their oldest daughter’s family in Amsterdam and traveled to the Netherlands. They took a two-week river cruise, saw castles and cathedrals, and ended in Vienna. Gray Schaefer Dodson sent a picture of son Chip on the cover of Virginia Farm Bureau News magazine. Chip runs a seafood business with his daughter on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

This spring Liz Hill Heaney visited family and friends in Park City, Utah, where Bob and their daughter skied. They put their North Carolina home on the market and were looking at New Jersey homes near their daughter. Karen Larsen Nelson took a May RV trip to Florida to celebrate the graduation from a two-year college of one granddaughter, who will continue in elementary education, and the high school graduation of another granddaughter, who will attend the Savannah College of Art and Design on a full scholarship. They took a scenic route back to Arizona, through the Florida panhandle, along the ocean on Big Bend Highway, stopping in Mobile, Ala., to tour the battleship USS Alabama.

Jody Campbell Close met Bonnie Davis Hall and husband Ross for lunch during their Florida sojourn. Jody and Bonnie spent quiet moments remembering Deborah Mallett Cressall, with whom Bonnie had remained close. Jody attended her daughter’s surprise 50th birthday party on Mother’s Day in Washington state. Her daughter then surprised her, visiting her Florida home. Jody stays busy with genealogy research and her dog. Her grandson was an ambassador at this year’s Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Pat Voelker Donnell, who spent most of her adult years in or around Houston, is a member of the Delphians, which sponsors college scholarships for underprivileged young people. Last year Pat visited Crete and Spain, then cruised from Barcelona to Rome. Pat and Jody grew up in the metropolitan corridor of Washington, D.C., attended American University, and were practically neighbors for years without knowing it. Both were divorced (Pat has remarried, Jody hasn’t) and developed careers working for engineers, and their children attended Texas colleges.

Jude Wandell Potter quilts, makes dresses for girls in Africa, and travels in their plane and on military space-available flights. Iris Hall Newton’s son, Conley, known as Tip, passed away in June from an aggressive cancer. Iris makes crib quilts, bibs, and baby items. She stays in touch with Billie Bushong Boyd. Jane Fransen Kirn survived Kentucky’s spring tornados. Nancy Carruthers Meeker plays golf and bridge; she and her husband belong to a Bonita Springs, Fla., beach club. Their youngest of three, daughter Patti, lives at the other end of Florida’s “Alligator Alley.” Nancy flew to California for two grandsons’ college graduations. Tucker Freeman Viccellio and John celebrated their 54th anniversary in June. Seven of their eight grandchildren and two of their daughters are with them in Charlotte, N.C. They play tennis, and Tucker gardens and is involved in church. She’s in touch with Cary Tilton Doyle of Richmond, who was in her wedding and is godmother to one of her girls.

Syd Collson Chichester took a cruise through the Panama Canal and Caribbean islands with Renee Levinson Laurents ’61. Patty Morgan Connelly made her annual trip to Florida to see Syd, and they visited Gay Hall Sullivan, who lives nearby. Last winter Syd mentored at the high school, helped a woman in the Vero literacy program, read and played games with migrant farm children in central Vero, and volunteered at the Environmental Learning Center. Syd and Gay volunteered to help with therapeutic riding classes in Fredericksburg. She helped years ago when her daughter’s last horse “retired” there after his MWC intramural show days.

Sandy Poole of Maryland volunteers at church and leads prayer groups. Tina Baensch Raver-Meltesen spent her birthday with family and friends. Carolyn Rolston Rourke planned to move to a smaller home in Surry, Maine. Joyce Jeffries Kendall loves reading about classmates. Martha Butler Lebovitz attended the Houston high school graduation of her granddaughter, who received the outstanding female senior award. Both granddaughters will claim the University of Texas as their alma mater. Martha plays tennis and spent two weeks in Spain with her sister visiting Barcelona and Madrid. Jean Eubanks Holland went to Bethany Beach, Del., this summer with her daughter and family.

Our class shares news monthly, and last spring we shared memories of faculty members who made a difference in our lives. Janet Garriss Lewis remembered librarian and history professor Carrol H. Quenzel, who called us by name and knew where we were from without ever meeting us; art professor Gaetano Cecere; and biology professor William A. Castle, who taught us about Gingko trees. She said campus is still beautiful, wondered if there are still heated sidewalks to Willard, and remembered spring sunbathing at the bottom of a dry swimming pool.

Betty Wagstaff Storms remembered cramming for anthropology in the French House kitchen and Mika Bergman talking in Russian to her family on the phone. Economics and business administration major Pat Voelker Donnell had lots of classes with James Harvey Dodd, who wrote the book they used. Jody remembered psychology professor Eileen K. Dodd, who was an excellent role model. She remembered her intelligence, dignity, wit, and the gardenia pin she wore on her ’30s-style suit. Iris Hall Newton recalled classmates’ help with notes so she could keep up with classes while recovering from surgery; Dr. Dodd’s kindness, when she brought a small Christmas tree to Iris’ hospital room; and English professor Reginald W. Whidden’s gentlemanly manner.

We love hearing about what’s going on with classmates, and sending birthday greetings has brought lots of feedback. We’d love to communicate with you more than three times a year. Send us your email address or write or call with your news (and your birthday).