Class Notes
These are the unedited class notes as submitted by class agents and other alumni. Edited notes appear in the print edition.
If you prefer to submit Class Notes by mail, send to:
UMW Magazine – Class Notes1301 College Ave.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
1950s
1950
Marcy Weatherly Morris
classnotes@umw.edu
Not much news from all of you classmates. Remember this is your column and I can only relay what you tell me. Please put my address, P.O. Box 1, King George, Virginia, 22485, in your address book and send me a note or Christmas card telling me your news. Did hear from Nan Pointer down in Gloucester. She said that Elizabeth “Betty” Simms Hayes lost her husband, George, during the last year. She has lived in Gloucester ever since we graduated, taught school for a year and then married George. Nan reports they had a wonderful cruise to Antarctica in January and met Vicky ’80 and Marty Wilder, who recently retired as chief of staff for Presidents Rick Hurley and Troy Paino. Exciting meeting a Mary Washington alum so far from home.
Homecoming in June was exciting for Juney, me, and our family. The Heslep Amphitheater was dedicated and the stage was named for our family. The beautiful framed plaque reads as follows: “MORRIS STAGE. Named in recognition of the generous support of Marceline “Marcy” Weatherly Morris ’50 and Elmer “Juney” Rudolph Morris Jr. ’50 and to honor 100 years of Morris family legacy connections at Mary Washington.”
Juney’s mother attended the State Normal School to become a teacher in 1919, Juney and I graduated in 1950, grandson Paul Morris ’10 and his wife, Cassandra ’11, both majored in drama, and great grandson Lucas Prunczik begins his third year in August! What a great honor!
Kitty Trussell Wilson wrote:
I spent my freshman year at Mary Washington in 1946-47, and I had a wonderful time.
I loved the friends I made, the campus and the horseback riding! I learned to jump, and do “Knock down and outs!” But I was homesick and transferred to the University of Georgia, which is in Athens, my home.
My roommate at MWC was Anna Garrison from Huntsville, Alabama. Another good friend was from Iowa, Mary Louise and we nicknamed her “Iowa.”
I’m wondering if these 2 friends are still with us! We would all be 89!
If anyone remembers us, it would be fun to know!
1952
Corley Gibson Friesen
corleyfriesen@comcast.net
Phyllis “Butch” Farmer Shaffer shared news in a phone call to the Office of Alumni Relations. After graduating, she worked for the YWCA in Charleston, South Carolina. She married Walley Shaffer, a Penn State graduate and shrimp boat captain. She held a “celebration of life” ceremony eight years ago for her 80th birthday. She recommends it to her Mary Washington roommates and classmates; celebrate your life while you’re still living it! More than 260 people attended hers, and she had a wonderful time.
1953
Betsy Dickinson Surles
surles@infionline.net
No news from any members this year! So many changes in email…guess some in residence changes, nursing homes, deaths, etc. Do you have any updates on class ’53 for me possibly?
1955
Christine Harper Hovis
chrishovis@aol.com
It has been a long and wonderful time for me to be your class agent. I remember starting, awhile after graduation, and reporting all the marriages, jobs, taking care of children, traveling to exciting places as the children grew up, then eventually taking trips through our country and the world. After that came reports of your doctor visits – which if you remember, I tried to get you all to report something else more interesting! Anyway, I really, really enjoyed all the notes I had, especially from a certain group of 55ers. Thanks to all of you for the news you sent.
I’m now retiring as your class agent, as my husband, Neil, died in mid-April from heart problems and a stroke. It was 63 years for us, and we did have an interesting and fun marriage. Now someone of you need to become the new class agent, and I will be happy to help. God bless all of you and much love to all.
1956
Ann Chilton Power
anncpower1@gmail.com
Thanks to Nanalou West Sauder I was able to write one last column for the MWC class of 1956. She and her daughter Anne ’80 attended the retirement party for Martin Wilder, UMW President Rick Hurley’s chief of staff. Nanalou is a former rector of the University and now lives at Kendal, a retirement community near Lexington. Also living there is Lucy Coates Moise. Rheta Burks Snider retired from teaching in Northern Virginia and with husband and fellow teacher moved back to her native Rockbridge County. Ozzie Mask is doing well. She is a charter member of Potomac Harmony Chorus and continues directing the Sweet Adelines. She keeps up with students past and present. Ozzie retired from teaching English and journalism in 1990 after 30 years at Jeb Stuart High School in Fairfax County. You can “Google” her name on your iPad!
Anne Henry Brugh retired to The Glebe, a retirement community near Roanoke. I spoke to Mickey Foley McDaniel in Atlanta. She and her husband are still on a waiting list for the retirement community that they have chosen. I tried to reach Barbara Strangmann Hiscock twice at her apartment at Broadmead in Cockeysville MD but she was out and about! My first cousin’s granddaughter was married in April. My granddaughter, the bride’s third cousin, was the flowergirl, same generation just thirty year age difference!
1957
Joyce Bristow Wrestler
joycewrestler@gmail.com
I presume that volunteering and caring for others has kept you ladies so busy that there was little time left for sending messages for the next magazine. Best wishes for the winter season, and I hope to hear from you for future publications.
Meredith Puller Townes, sadly, lost her husband Jack in January. They were married for more than sixty happy years. She is keeping herself busy with golf, bridge and activities with her Church. She is thankful for her wonderful grandchildren, and has recently become a great grandmother.
Walter Grantz, brother of Helen Grantz Fortner and husband of Barbara Craft Grantz, passed away in March. Helen and Barbara were greatful that Libby Fordham was able to attend his memorial service, and for the children and grandchildren who are helping with so many details in preparation for Barb’s planned move, possibly to Woodbridge near her Mary Washington roommate and sister-in-law Helen.
Walt was known for his photography, flying, hobbies and for his involvement in design and construction of bridge-tunnel highways in many places in the world, most famous to those of us living in Virginia, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. An airplane that he built is being donated to NC State where it will be displayed in their aero building.
I enjoyed conversations with Jean Durham Busboso and Anne Daniel Fowler. Jean is making plans to take another river cruise in Europe. Anne planned a great luncheon at our Warwick High School Class of 1953 class reunion held at the Hampton Yacht Club in June.
In January my husband and I traveled to Australia and New Zealand where we enjoyed seeing many beautiful sights and animals, kangaroo, kuala bear, Tasmanian devils and many birds. A ride on the Skyrail to the Kurranda Rain Forest high above the huge trees filled with birds was one of the many awesome and memorable joys.
1958
Susannah Godlove
sgodlove5465@gmail.com
Judy Townsend Bainbridge and husband Bob spent 10 days with a Road Scholar program in Monterey and the Carmel Valley of California. They loved the Monterey Aquarium and Big Sur and enjoyed a visit to the Steinbeck Museum in Salinas, then visited San Diego. This was their sixth Road Scholar program and they planned another in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
Joyce Corbitt Faison has moved to Lake Prince Woods retirement community in Suffolk, Virginia. Her husband passed away in 2014.
To my classmates who attended reunion, please send me your news about it. And to the rest of the Class of 1958, I would like to hear from you!
1959
Edna Gooch Trudeau
ednanewkent@verizon.net
Phone call from Irene Piscopo Rodgers while visiting Kay Rowe Hayes during the weekend of the latest reunion. They planned to attend some of the activities. Both sounded great. Irene had a 17-day stay in Australia. Her next bucket list plan—a cruise from Florida to Copenhagen. Irene attended a committee meeting in April at UMW with scholarship students and learn about their research projects sponsored by Irene and Don. Kay decided not to run this year as chairwoman of the Fauquier County Republican Committee.
Lois Gaylord Allen announced the arrival of two new grandsons. Dominic was born on New Year’s Day and Carson was born in June. And a great grand-daughter is expected in December. All her kids now live close. Howard, her husband, is still in a mild stage of Parkinson’s. Gay is still volunteering a day a week at the humane society.
Mary Massey’s year was hard work settling Jack’s estate and completing several house projects. She and her dog, Gigi, are volunteers at a nearby nursing home and bring much delight to the residents. Mary is in her 27th year at the Audubon Naturalist Society. She also keeps busy with her exercise classes, concerts, museums, and dinners with friends. She and Gigi also walk three to four miles each morning to keep healthy.
Charlotte Wohlnick Wiggs and Archie celebrated their 50 th wedding anniversary this past year as well as Archie’s 80 th birthday. They took a magnificent cruise to Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom including Scotland. Their son Alan received his engineering certification and their granddaughter Anna, Tracy’s daughter, continues her love of acting.
Gloria Winslow Borden wrote to update the last three years. 2015: Carolyn and Mike’s daughter, Kate, married in June in California. There were trips to Texas and Hawaii. 2016: Gloria lost her sister, Marilyn, in January. Beth and Don’s daughter, Amy, graduated from college in Texas. Caroline’s daughter, Jennifer, graduated from high school in California. Gloria took a trip to Montreal at Thanksgiving and a river cruise from Paris to Normandy with daughter Cynthia and Rob that Christmas. 2017: Kate and Neil’s son, Charles, was born in March. Beth’s Kristen graduated from college in Texas and Cliff’s Ashley graduated in Alabama. Gloria celebrated her 80 th birthday with her four children in June, receiving many postcards of memories from friends. Cynthia and Rob took her to a World Series ballgame in Houston, a bucket list checkoff. She stays busy with luncheons, coffees, community events, church, and more. Her decision to move to Houston to live with her daughter Cynthia is final. She will have her own quarters but will miss her 42 years in Virginia.
Barbara White Ellis is pleased with her successful knee replacement surgery in May. By August she had returned “to the saddle.”
Marcia Phipps Ireland wrote she and Gary made it to her roommate’s party in Annapolis after our mini-reunion. Kids and grandkids are all doing well. Son Kent’s daughter Larissa entered Boston University in 2017. They are living there now, traveling less and enjoying their house.
Alan, Celeste Shipman Kaufman’s husband, sent a lovely Christmas letter to continue Pug’s consistent news over many years. Alan wrote family and friends have been most helpful. And thanks to golf, following Smylie in his tournaments, his exercise program, business activities, he has stayed busy. He has appreciated all the calls and letters. Jeffrey, their son, and Pam are very proud of their celebrity golfer, Smylie (Pug and Alan’s grandson). Luckie, the next in line, is a CPA, lives in Birmingham, works for McGladney Inc. in their auditing department. Pug and Alan’s daughter Julie and husband John are pleased to announce their oldest son, Austin, has completed his Ph.D. at the University of Alabama in August. He is engaged to Elizabeth Lasiter. Julie and John’s daughter Frances married Matt. They produced the first great, Mills, born on Christmas Day. Matt is finishing his residency indentistry at the University of Birmingham. Frances teaches fifth grade. Julie and John’s Daughter, Sarah, is a sophomore at Lanford College and was planning an “honors college” trip to Italy for three weeks in January.
Barbara Gordon McNamee and Bob have been busy. Bob started the year with some medical emergencies but all is well now. He golfs twice a week, runs, and does much exercise in the gym. Barbara has traveled from one synchronized meet to the other this year in the USA plus Hungary and Chile. Plus she was a judge in the world championships. The competition was large and the weather was rainy and hot, but she saw friends from all over the world. Barbara and Bob gave each other surprise 80th birthday parties! Barb gave Bob a river cruise on the Danube and a visit to Budapest. Karen, their daughter, is now a grandmother.
Joan Whittemore Loock wrote Jim had an extremely successful knee replacement using the latest technology. Recovery was quick and painless. Joni has had during the year several eye procedures – cataract, cornea transplants, and vitreous. She’s hanging on. In July she visited with Mardi in Virginia and son Curt and wife Peggy. They twins Amanda and Sammy are 14. In the fall they took their annual trip to Wisconsin so Jim could see his daughters Sarah and Kristen and the grandchildren Logan, Mary, Hunter, Ashley, Emily. In October, hurricanes changed their 25 th anniversary plans so they are going this coming April on Jim’s birthday. They did have their two weeks in Playa del Carmen in Mexico. Jim continues to work at the pro shop at the golf course. Joni continues to volunteer in the emergency room at the local hospital.
Barbara Bardnt Miller bemoans the quick passing of years, but the routine of cutting and stacking wood, mowing, gardening, changing of seasons, and reveling in the beauty of the Genesse Valley from the rockers on her front porch. Her ponies, Rosie and Sweetie, enjoy being ridden across the land. Labor Day weekend she joined some UMWers at the Warrenton Horse Show. Barbara stays busy with the Genesse Valley Hunt Club, sings in the church choir. Wayne continues to volunteer for the There’s a Home hospice.
Jane Tucker Broadbooks and John had a very cold white Christmas. They continue to enjoy their apartment. They are about ten minutes from Jon Karl and Catherine and ten minutes from Catherine’s parents, which lends itself to many family gatherings. Jane wrote John continues his dialysis treatments each week and his support groups. Jane knits shawls for shut-ins. They continue their love of antiquing. Jon Karl is vice president for communications for Illinois Realtors. He travels a lot. Catherine teaches GED and English at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield. Tucker is a sophomore majoring in history at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. He is still in the marching band and planning to study abroad a semester in his junior year. Anna is a junior in high school. She plans to study nursing but has not made her college choice. She continues to play the piano. Virginia is a freshman in high school. Her interests are with design or architecture. She plays alto sax.
Frances Bourke Firth celebrated Christmas Day with 15 family members. Her youngest daughter, Kristen, was a little under the weather due to major surgery and bacterial pneumonia. All is well now. Bunky and John were leaving in January for a three-week tour of the east and west coasts of South America and a week in the American archipelago.
Eleanor Markham Old’s husband Arthur and their children are fine. Their grandson Tyler is a senior at Savannah College of Arts and Design. He plans to apply his computer skills to the computer gaming industry. Their grandson Parker is in California, starting his career in computer graphics in movies and commercials. Arthur and Martha traded their two cars for a 2017 Rav-4 hybrid. Arthur wrote it’s an old folks car. You can get in and out easily, turns on a dime, and safety features that keep you in the proper lane and give you a warning if you’re too close to others. His lament: How to turn on the radio and headlights. Way to go Arthur.
Sally Warwick Rayburn and Jim took over babysitting duties so their daughter Ginny and two of her three children could go on a ski trip to Utah. In February they celebrated their 60 th wedding anniversary. They celebrated with a ride on the EAA’s Ford Trimattor antique aircraft over Naples, Florida. They wrote it was delightful. On their annual trip to Hawaii, they took their son Steve and his wife Cindy. She is a geologist and was able to view Kilauea volcano up close and personal. As a climax to their trip Jim contracted pneumonia, had two heart attacks, a stent put in, a pacemaker ambulance and many medical indignities for most of the months of April, May, and June. He finally quit and is happy to say is doing well enough now, though Sally hasn’t forgotten those scary times. In August they took their RV to visit friends in Greensboro, stopping by North Carolina to visit son Richard and family. October finds them on a cruise with friends from Quebec to Fort Lauderdale. November is their RVing group trip to the Keys where they celebrated Thanksgiving. Richard and family joined them and it’s official Richard is the fastest turkey carver in the Rayburn family.
Julia Coates Littlefield and Mo went to the UK for a week in July. Julia is in the Grace Episcopal Church choir. They sang in the Welles Cathedral, a dream come true! Julia and Mo managed to tour other sites in England and Ireland. All is well with family. Beth and Mike still in Mechanicsville. Their son, Jack, has been promoted at his marketing firm and will be moving from Charlottesburg to the Denver office. Scott and Susan and grandchildren Chris and Mary Graham are returning to Lexington and living with Julia and Mo until all is settled.
Virginia and Lucas are still brokenhearted – so very unexpected for this to happen to dear Matt. Lucas is in third grade, growing very tall (3 inches in three months) and has discovered a new interest – the piano. I am thrilled and hope he continues.