If you prefer to submit Class Notes by mail, send to:

UMW Magazine – Class Notes
1301 College Ave.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

1971

Karen Laino Giannuzzi
kapitankL11@yahoo.com

I apologize that it’s been awhile since the Class of ’71 had a column. I officially retired from the government at the end of January after more than 40 years of military and civilian service. It’s been an interesting transition and I’m still finding my way, but I’ve been finishing a second master’s degree and teaching a pre-GED class for the literary council in York, Pa. Ralph and I took a 30-day cruise in April to Hawaii and the South Pacific. I hadn’t been to Hawaii since ’97, and Ralph had never been. It was fun to cross the equator on the ship and see the Southern Cross at night. Our ship set sail from San Diego, so it was a great reason to visit Liz Keith, who retired last year as a professor at San Diego State. She has lived in California longer than in her home state of Virginia.

Lisa Barker of Richmond recovered from foot surgery earlier this year. After 33 years in the Hanover County Attorney’s Office, lately as deputy county attorney, Lisa is senior counsel. During her tenure, she’s represented and advised officials, agencies, and departments, including the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission.

Susan Lohin, director of alumnae connections at Wellesley College, and Wendy Dickenson Smith stay in close contact and celebrated birthdays last year at the Canyon Ranch in western Massachusetts.

Bryn Irving Roth shared stories of her mother’s trips to Fredericksburg while attending the College of William and Mary. The W&M girls were headed to the Naval Academy but stayed overnight at MWC after a train ride. I hope some of these adventures have been captured, even from women who didn’t attend but visited frequently.

Elaine “Cookie” Brennan Wright and Rich spend days and nights on their boat, exploring the Chesapeake Bay. Daughter Elisabeth holds an MBA from U.Va.’s Darden School. Daughter Katie is engaged and in her second year at Darden.

Betty Hume works at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. Daughter Robin married in May and lives in Wilmington, N.C. Daughter Janet is still in Fredericksburg. Robert “Randy” Hume ’75 remembers taking a home economics course in the basement of Chandler, giving him the dubious honor of being the only male to take such a course. Some of us, like Mary Mann and me, remember Ruby Harris and her home economics courses.

The UMW Foundation Board of Directors is in good hands since Diana “Diney” Rupert Livingston joined. She recently retired from QVC as the general manager of the Port St. Lucie contact center and moved to Richmond.

Kathy “Ernie” Marilla Kent and husband are settled in Eastport, Md., after finding a great location almost by accident last year and selling their Alexandria, Va., place. They are just a block from the water and closer to the beach and, of course, grandkids.

Nancy Belden Russonello and husband John still own a Washington, D.C., public opinion polling firm, working with progressive nonprofits and foundations on everything from civil liberties to environment issues. Son Giovanni runs Capitalbop.com about the D.C. jazz scene. The Russonellos also own a home in Umbria, Italy.

Mary Weaver Mann still works at her local library. Her mom is 103½ and loves bingo. Son Zephyr graduated from college and lives in Santa Monica.

My fellow German major Sylvia Schwab reconnected with Freda Jo Lodge, since both now live in Florida. Sylvia retired from the Pentagon in 2011, and Freda retired this year after many years as a civilian with the Marine Corps.

While I was still on active service for DOD and commuting to Fort Meade, Md., I visited Laurie McIntosh, who was teaching writing courses there, and at JSOC and JWAC, including at the new state-of-the-art Dahlgren facility, where UMW set up its third campus. Laurie’s business is in Port Tobacco, and she travels all over to teach courses for federal agencies, from the DHS to the U.S. Forest Service.

Beth Fleming Skidmore hopes to retire from teaching next year so she and Alex can travel. Son Alex plans to finish medical school in spring 2014, and Chas lives and works in South Carolina. On a sad note, Beth said her sister Kathy’s husband of 30 years passed away last November. His interment was not until June at Arlington National Cemetery, and Beth said the ceremony, there among our national heroes, was moving.

Sadly, Doris Lee Hancock’s husband, Robert, who had been ill several years, passed away in July from leukemia. It was a comfort for Doris that several classmates were at the funeral. Many of us remember Robert from our reunions. Doris and I worked the first reunions as a team, putting together primitive class books that had to be done by typewriter, and Robert always helped. Our class sends condolences.