Class Notes

From Joan: Lucy Ritter Todd attended a reception with President Hurley in Texas. Carlisle Allen Pearson then organized an Austin alum group attended by Lucy, Carlisle, Beth Williams ’63,and Jan Goebel. They compared the old and new Mary Washington with old geezers and some smart, attractive ’90s graduates. Cassandra Scholte ’92, who lived across the hall from Joan Akers Rothgeb’s daughter, Shannon Rothgeb Powell ’92, was also there. Cassandra serves on the Texas Commission on the Arts. Lucy and husband Frank planned to spend six weeks this summer in Colorado and Wyoming. She still does sketching and figure drawing and volunteers in her town, Bastrop, Texas. The Todds visited San José del Cabo in February.

Julia Shumaker Bailess attended the inauguration of the president of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. When Julia visits her property in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, she sees Ann Tench Huml, wholives there. Ann fell down a flight of steps, resulting in bruising and a broken bone, and was recovering from the surgery that followed.

Emily Lewis and husband Tony Andres traveled to Venice to mark Tony’s 50th year of ordination as an Episcopal priest.

When Diana Copple Smith visited her Richmond family, including her father who’s almost 100, she saw Mary Chambers Hodnett Minozzi. Mary lost her husband in November 2013. Diana also saw Julia Shumaker Bailess when she passed through Winston-Salem en route to Emerald Isle. Diana hears Barbara Kline broadcasting on public radio out of D.C. Diana still teaches English as a second language at Forsyth Technical Community College and works occasionally at Guilford Tech. Her daughter and her husband, along with Diana’s 5-year-old grandson, live in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Sue Grandy Farrar, director of the Montgomery Museum, was a major part of this winter’s Crooked Road Festival in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Reba Calvert Bayliss, Betsy Williams Brothers, Marsha Arlott Wooster, Lynda Puckett Howell, and Liz Kennedy Thomas Slate spent 10 days in April and May together, visiting Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington National Cathedral, and other sites. Marsha left for New York ahead of the others, and they joined her for a surprise 50th wedding anniversary celebration for her and Jimmy, hosted by their three sons. In New York, the group saw Cinderella on Broadway, the 9/11 Memorial, and more.

Barbara Schwab Jesser and husband Bill visited Brazil and planned a summer trip to the Utah/Colorado area with their son and his family, who live in Atlanta.

From Kathleen: Thanks to those who are trying to keep in touch. On April’s Northern Neck Historic Garden Week Tour, Kathleen Sprenkle Lisagor stopped into Food Lion in Montross/Warsaw for directions and bumped into Myrtle Lee Dean France, who was wearing her MWC ring! Kathleen spent the Fourth of July in the Outer Banks with son Matt and family and investigated the history of boat building where her nephew works in Wanchese, North Carolina. Kathleen also discovered that Carolyn Curtis Briggs and her husband live in the Roanoke Island area and retired on the family farm. Carolyn is busy with her 90-year-old mother, has two children and grandchildren, and earned a master of library science degree at UNC Chapel Hill. Carolyn said her roommate Marian Adams Spain died of breast cancer. Our deepest sympathy goes to her husband, Carl Spain, and their family.

Get-well wishes go to the ever helpful and cheerful Nancy Powell Sykes, who’s again recovering from arthritis-related knee and hip surgery. Nancy lives alone. One daughter lives in San Diego, and her married daughter lives in Pennsylvania.

It seems our 50th reunion has reconnected us. Please send news, addresses, and phone numbers! Blessings to all!