Class Notes

Good news and sad for this edition. First the good: Mim Sollows Wieland has proved once again to be our “Superwoman” as she recovers beautifully from her second hip replacement. She and Earl are finally in their retirement apartment in New Providence, New Jersey, just a short distance from their former home!

Patricia Head Ferguson visited the Easter Islands and was intrigued with the 10-12 foot high gods carved out of lava stone which face out to sea to warn off intruders. Another adventure was through the Panama Canal which she completed last December.

On June 23rd a small group of us, UMW representative Jan Clark, Florence Overly Ridderhof, Juney and I gathered on Campus Drive to dedicate a bench in memory of Dottie. The bronze plaque reads: “In memory of Dorothy Held Gawley, Class Agent Class of 1950 MWC, Dottie thanks for keeping us together.” We briefly honored her service, friendship, and dedication to our class. Carol Bailey Miller was to have joined us, but some health problems led to her being hospitalized and unable to come. Billie Mitchel Hanes was also recovering from health issues and couldn’t join us.

Now the sad: Anne Osborn Cox our dear friend, “Ozzie” passed away on January 26th in Plantation Florida, where she and husband Frank made their home since 1958. Her survivors include Frank, two daughters, three grandsons, and one great grandson, Jacob, whom she welcomed into the world shortly before her passing.

Please send me your news: P.O. Box 1, King George, Virginia 22485. It is so special to hear what’s going on in your lives!

From Sally Hangar Moravitz, I was talking to her a few days ago and we enjoyed talking to each other about our age and how we felt.  No comments, except that we’re still of course here.  She has some positive news!  She is now starting her 30th year as s docent in the Insect Zoo in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.  She talks about forgetting things.  Some times she has to take a deep breath and the words do come.  Well for me it’s first names which take a while, but eventually I find my words!

    I have a very nice note from Ann Strickler Doumas who dropped me a line while Reunion events were still fresh in her mind.  She was the only alum registered from the class of 1955.  So she hung out with sister Ellen S. Richardson class of 1957.  Class night dinner Kenmore Inn had grads from 1966 and older.  They numbered 45 or so.  Dr. Paino appeared in to greet them for a few minutes.  Mary-Montague Sikes ’57 promoted her art books which UMW Bookstore also stocks.  One on Historic Hotels and the other a children’s Animal ABC.

As always she enjoyed the sample lectures of various subjects.  “Shakespeare: Genius or Fraud” by Helen Housley from the drama department was super.  Also one on James Monroe.  Then to a visit to his law office now run by UMW.  Reception at Brompton lovely as usual.  Perfect weather for the picnic as well.  She sat with Peggy Gray Williams ’57 and her husband from the Eastern Shore.  Peggy is battling Parkinsons bravely.  Also want to say the Ridderhof – Martin Gallery featured the Life and Work of Margaret Sutton ’26.  Interesting fact, she never sold much art but left 1000+ pieces to UMW.  She made her living in NY City in art related jobs, fabrics design, etc., from Abington, VA originally.  Art students had done the discription of each piece.  Very well done.  Ann thanks for all the news is is appreciated!

From Anne Lou Rohrbach Culwell, she says Chris Harper Hovis was lucky to get back to Fredericksburg to attend her granddaughter’s graduation.  Anne Lou went to a great grandson’s wedding in Chicago last weekend, she has another grandson getting married in Norman, OK next Saturday, and a third in July, plus (2) new great-great grand babies due the end of June or end of Sept.  (Ok Anne was it this end of June of end of Sept.?  Didn’t quite understand.)  She was supposed to go to the Chickasaw Nation this Tuesday but fell last Sunday and is not moving too swiftly.  There will be a lot walking and has a hitch in her “git along” also a slight fracture in her left wrist so she is feeling her age.  She wishes everyone to have a good summer and hopes it is well with all.

Had a great talk with Carol Cooper on June 12th on the phone.  She remarked about a wonderful boat trip she took on the Queen Mary last year.  Then we had a wonderful time talking about many Classmates.  Such as who is so and so, haven’t seen them in years – or who is doing what, and where are they doing it?  I will try some more you guys.  I know all our ages but what the heck.  I still want a least a little info about your life.  Look out or I will start asking for your opinion of the federal government and you know what that will do about opinions!

Dotty Booth Sanders wrote me a nice note about my recovering from my stroke and arthritis, and I feel pretty good right now. Our family went to my granddaughter’s graduation in May. More about that later in this letter. Thank you Dotty.

On May 13, 2017, right after commencement at UMW there was an article posted on UMW’s website featuring some current graduates.  It was called “Birds of a Feather: Eagle Grads Flock Together.” It seems there was something special about UMW’s commencement ceremony on Saturday.  One of the group is a member of my family, my granddaughter Morgan Hovis James ’17 who double majored in German and Environmental Affairs.  Next year she will attend Lewis and Clark School of Law, class of 2020, in Portland, Oregon.  Lisa Chinn Maravashti ’92 took pictures of me with my family, including Robin and Lance James, and Neil, Morgan, and Harper Hovis James ’19. Harper, as a part of his school job, ushered at the commencement.  Although not mentioned in the article, Charles Nicholas Harper (my father) graduated from the University of Virginia medical college around 1916 (I am not sure of the exact date – rather ancient times!) When I attended Mary Washington College it was connected to the University of Virginia. In the article I note that in 1955 MWC was a different school; it was an all women’s school. I noted in the article that when I visited in the fall of 2012 so much had changed. It was now UMW and now co-ed. But Morgan said in the article that the Mary Washington magic remained. I think UMW has grown so much that it has developed many beautiful buildings and especially the introduction of the new types of studies that are available in 2017. They will be available to both men and women forever as UMW will always develop as needed.

[Editor’s note: The following class notes, gathered and written by Joyce Bristow Wrestler, were inadvertently left out of the print version of the Fall/Winter 2017 UMW Magazine. We regret the omission.]

Sixteen 1957 grads were in attendance at the reunion in June. Walter Grantz, husband of Barbara (Craft) Grantz, made photos of events at Mary Washington, showing that the campus is even more beautiful than it was when we attended. Helen (Grantz) Fortner, sister of Walter, though unable to attend was treated to his pictures. Libby Fordham did a wonderful job of shepherding fellow classmates and guests through the events.

FIRST ROW: Nancy Lee (Holmes) Bolton; Marianne McDermott; Barbara (Craft) Grantz; Joyce (Bristow) Wrestler; Peggy (Gray) Williams.
SECOND ROW: Kay (Nelson) Richardson; Jean (Durham) Busboso; Joan (Callahan) Frankhauser; Libby Fordham; Sylvia (Swords) Graham.
THIRD ROW: Audrey (Neff) Knapp; Betsy (Jones) Ware; Lucy (Burwell) Meade; (Ruth) Ellen (Strickler) Richardson; Bruce (Richie) Sikes.
Missing from the photo: Mary Montague (Hudson) Sikes.

Downsizing and grandchildren are the prominent themes at this time. Ellen (Hertz) Hewitt, in the midst of moving last Christmas, wrote that she is now enjoying the ducks, geese, herons, turtles and other creatures around the pond at her new home.

Helen (Grantz) Fortner is enjoying life at Westminster in Lake Ridge, and is involved in painting and is on the Art on Campus Committee. She recently attended a wonderful family reunion at her granddaughter’s home.

Audrey Knapp is enjoying Boca Grande, Florida for seven months of the year and Marion, MA for five months when she can frequently see her grandchild.

Harriet (Henderson) Hazen of both Vermont and Naples, Florida also divides her time. She taught art at an elementary school in her early years after graduation form Mary Washington, and she is recommending her alma mater to two granddaughters who are approaching college age.

In May Jean (Durham) Busboso took a river boat cruise in Germany from Berlin to Prague, stopping in Wittenberg, Meissen and Dresden. She was very moved by the Stalingrad Madonna at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.

Marlene (Bost) Braun wrote of her husband’s surgery, stroke and rehab and the hope for his complete return to good health. We wish him well also.

Mary Montague Sykes was available at the book signing at the book store during the reunion.

My husband and I took a brief cruise to the eastern Caribbean islands in March, a nice time to enjoy the warmth. I enjoyed seeing the numerous donkeys on Grand Turk Island, and apparently one of them wanted to see the state of Virginia, as it followed me to the tour bus, and tried to board.

Thanks for sending any news you have. I wish you all good health and happy days.

Heritage, the newsletter for members of the Mary Washington Society and special friends, provided the details of Joyce Lee Smith, who arranged a generous bequest to the University of Mary Washington to create the Helen Davenport Smith 1919 Scholarship in History in honor of her mother, who retired from teaching in 1969 after 50 years of service.

Ellen Harwood Uzenoff ’73 sent a note about her aunt and our classmate, Roberta Lawless Eylar, who passed away March 9, 2017. Roberta had moved up to Chico in Northern California last year from Santee, California, to live near her daughter, Marion Eylar Vadney. She leaves three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. Ellen said her family has a long and proud association and love of Mary Washington which includes three graduates of UMW.

Judy Townsend Bainbridge shared that she and family had a delightful Road Scholar trip to New Mexico, mostly Santa Fe and Taos. The trip was ended before workmen came to make a small extension to their house. They are contemplating Sicily next spring.

Loretta Hitchings Tate passed away April 20, 2017. She had moved to a retirement community in Virginia Beach. She had retired after working 20 years for U.S. Senator John Warner. Loved every minute of it.

Elizabeth “Betty” Gould Storms and her husband, Robert, lost their son, Robert, on May 22, 2017.

Eileen Brillinger Harrar’s husband, John “Bill” Harrar, died last May. She is now living with her son and his family in Cheney, Washington.

Deepest sympathy is sent to all families who have lost family members and friends.

Mary Lou Morris Wolsey sent a long article about her travels, which ended in Virginia with son and grandson. She arrived during the Reunion. Campus brought back many memories. She saw DuPont Hall, where she learned French, and taught it for two years after her M.A. from the University of Kansas, a Fulbright in France, and her Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. I am going to save this information and use it in our next publication.

Reminder, only two publications for the MWC Magazine so if something comes in late I hold it till the next printing. Feel free to send me an email, call on the phone, write a letter when you have something you would like to share. PLEASE include the name used when you were at MWC.

Charlotte Wohlnick Wiggs and Arch sent news of 2016 highlights. Hawaii called them in January to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary. In February they went to Florida to see the World’s Best Flower Show. They took their first trip to Italy in April and filled themselves with art, antiquities, and architecture of Florence and Tuscany. They boarded the Holland America from Rome, crossed the Mediterranean and up the coast to Amsterdam. In May, their son, Alan, passed the Prof. Engr. Exam. At Thanksgiving, “Charlie” and Arch visited Alan and Dale. They toured the NC Museum, viewing rare cars from the 19302 and also saw a Chinese Lantern Show in Cary, NC. “Charlie” and Arch’s daughter, Tracy and her husband Andy’s daughter Anna has been performing in many h.s. plays. Sister, Molly, received her MS in astronomy in June and married Jacob Vaughan. Jacob has a BS in aerospace engr from MIT. They are living in Santa Cruz, CA while Molly works on her Ph.D. On their bucket list Charlie and Arch have wanted to see a pro-tennis tournament. Da-dah! In August they attended the SW Tennis Open in Mason, Ohio. And now they have started restoration on an 18 th century house in Woodstock.

Out of the blue a call, followed by a letter from Inga Kuun Barrett. Yea! She and husband, Jack’s health is good. They are active in walking, volunteering in reading in first grade with Hispanic students. Inga loves to quilt and garden. Here’s a thumbnail sketch of love – 58 yrs! Inga met Jack (Marine) in summer school her senior year. He was transferred to San Diego and she graduated but met again two years later. They married in San Diego (Ruth Osterman Button was her bridesmaid). They moved to Texas and have been there all these years. Carolyn Carte Harkrider’s husband, Hugh, was also from Mt. Pleasant so they have seen each other off and on. Inga taught mostly second grade for 30 years. Jack coached, taught biology, and was an asst. principal. The last thirty years they have backpacked, climbed mtns in Colorado and Wyoming, and for 15 summers were involved in Alpine Resort Ministry in CO. Their daughter Leslie graduated from Texas A and M. She and pastor husband, Trey Little, live in Houston. Their daughter, Layne, just graduated from Ole MS and son, Luke, from h.s. They consider themselves blessed, are relaxed and enjoying the senior lives with fond memories of UMW. So glad to hear from you.

Jane Tucker Broadbooks and John are quite happy in Illinois close to Jon Karl and family. John is doing well, participating in an exercise program and now has dialysis at home, which is easier. Jane says she’s doing well. Tucker has completed his first year at Truman State U and Anna and Virginia are doing well in high school. During our phone call she mentioned Molly Bradshaw Clark had just returned from a trip to Spain and managed to hurt her hand. She also gave the good news that Celeste Shipman Kaufman is cancer-free!! Yea. Jane wanted to attend the mini-reunion but obviously too long a drive.

Julia Coates Littlefield and Mo will be touring England and Ireland in July with their church’s choir who will perform in Wells Cathedral. Wow! Good Job!

Call from Barbara White Ellis who will be having knee-replacement surgery while we picnic. Right choice “Babs.” Note from Frances Bourke Firth who could not come to the mini because she and Roger would be in England for three weeks. She is planning 2019, however! Great!

We gathered twelve girls and four husbands for our mini-get-together on Saturday, June 3. Honestly, everyone looked great. Carolyn Hickman Bowman retired from teaching in Chesterfield County last year. She drove in from Richmond and had returned from a trip to California earlier. Katherine Rowe Hayes continues her political volunteer work as the Republican Committee chairwoman in her county. Marcia Spence Harrison-Thornton continues her private psychotherapy practice three days a week as well as her participating in the “Healing Touch” program.

Dorothea Reeder Hruby was there and already thinking great plans for our 60th in 2019. Yea. Mary Fredman Downing worked registration – a multi-tasking person! She wanted me to tell you of our class’s continuing outstanding contribution in 2015 and 2017. We have given the highest amount both years, over a million dollars each year. Are we great or what? Thank you so much.

Texie Peek Van Devender who was a day student and is still in F’burg came. Irene Piscopo Rodgers took the train this time and stayed all three days. She brought her niece with her who was visiting from London. Barbara Gordon McNamee, Marcia Phipps Ireland, and Ann Brooks Coutsoubinas were there. Ann has family in F’burg so she stayed over. Nancy Gwaltney Gillette and her husband opened her lovely, spacious home to us for a “happy hour of conversation” later that day – a great get-together to keep in touch over a five-year span. Sally Arnold Sullivan called – wrote a poem for our class:

Hello, Mary Washington gals, pals of Class of 1959.
I will miss being with ya’all and surely will whine or wine!
Because I’m not there to greet, hug and reminisce,
regarding the “Good Old Days,” about “that and this.”
Like, recall the “Devil and Goat” rivalry?
Or that some students were members of the Cavalry?
Julia Coates playing her great ukulele tunes?
Dancing to ’50s Rock and Roll in our rooms?
Bringing back some food from the dining hall?
Living in dorms like Virginia, Monroe or Ball?
Crossing U.S. One for Howard Johnson’s ice cream? Oh yummy!
One problem; return trip was not easy on our tummy!
’Cause to make the House Mother’s curfew, we had to run.
Those types of “off campus” escapes really were fun.
Bonus: We girls had a choice of Army, Navy or Marine.
Plus, male students from schools like UVA were on the scene.
Some relationships ended up in marriage!
Often times, couples needed a baby carriage!
A few of our beauties were on the court, right?
No, not tennis, the Queen’s Court – lovely sight!
Our beloved amphitheater was a special place.
Staged events there usually produced smiles on each student’s face.
Overall, there are so many varied memories to share,
Like how we studied, played, and for each other we truly did care.
Attending our reunions has kept us close, I think,
Helping us to keep a special bond or link.
Hard to believe we haven’t been together for three years.
Certainly, we can expect there will be plenty of tears.
“Happy ones,” though by being with each other once again.
So let this extra-special celebration begin!!
“Rock Around the Clock” —
Dance in your socks.
Laugh a lot – good for the soul!
“Best medicine,” don’t you know?!
Go ahead, sing, tell tales, shout hooray!
Do enjoy; “seize the moment” today!
Please know I will be holding each of you in my heart,
Hoping for this event, with my poem, I’ve played a part.
I’m anxious to hear who was able to attend.
My prayers for safe travels I do send.

God bless each of you.
With much love and many hugs,
Sally Jean Arnold Sullivan

Wish she could have made it but is raring to go for 2019.

Lucas is growing so tall (Tom?) and is moving on to third grade. Will be participating in the Virginia Beach Recreation program for seven weeks this summer. He is thrilled. See you in 2019.