Class Notes

From Karen:

When you read our letters with news of our classmates, are you flooded with memories of our “good old days” at MWC and sometimes see pictures of them and Mary Washington as they were then? For most of us, they were wonderful years–years that shaped the rest of our lives.

A long note from Sherry Farrington Green expressed the feeling and emotions that so many of us have, now that we have reached our 77th birthday. She said that the last few monthly newsletters resonated greatly with her, as it brought home (yet again) how many years and miles we have all traveled since we left MWC. Her heart goes out–as does her admiration–to those who are fighting the ravages of illness and seemingly doing so with such grace and courage. She feels infinitely blessed with good health (well 77-year-old health, which is somewhat of an oxymoron); she continues to love her work in midwifery, still fences several times a week, and is still able to travel.

Bonnie Davis Hall reported completing her last round of treatments for breast cancer in October. She has been her usual upbeat self through the whole process, and thanked us for all our prayers, cards, and encouragement. By now, she should be enjoying rides in the sidecar of Ross’ new bright red, vintage motorcycle.

One fact about the MWC Class of ’60 is that we seem to be tough survivors. There is a saying, “Old Age is not for Sissies,” and we are proving that. Jean Eubanks Holland wrote that she has recovered from two knee replacements and cataract surgeries. She feels fortunate she was able to spend much of her recuperation time at her Bethany Beach home. She says that turning 77 was a big shock, as she has decided she’s forever 41. Bet most of us feel that way.

We have also learned that Pat Vought Grine, one of our nursing students who transferred to UVA, is now in a memory care facility in Tennessee near her daughter. Margie Saunders Howell, who sent us that news, also sent us an update on herself. Two years ago she survived five procedures in a botched hip replacement. Now the good hip is protesting the extra stress and work needed to keep her mobile. X-rays confirm lots of arthritis in both hips now. She sings in her church choir. She also volunteers as a Lay Chaplain at a nearby women’s prison to offer a bereavement group. Usually she uses a handy four-pronged cane to get around and is grateful she can still walk in spite of it all.

Betty Ditmars Prosser had surprise open heart surgery in July. She said it was an amazing experience and her health has been tremendously improved so she can spend more time with her teen grandsons, who live nearby.

Joyce Larrick Casey wrote that she had attended an MWC alumni brunch and met the most wonderful recent graduates of UMW. Pat Voelker Donnell shared that she had a wonderful summer gathering with all four of her children, visiting and sharing memories.

Twin grandchildren have arrived into Penny Engle Burkhardt’s family, and Penny is again very busy in this political season. She has taken a non-fiction creative writing course, and in April 2016 she and Brad are planning on a Seine River cruise.

Liz Hill Heaney has moved again, from North Carolina to Barnegat, New Jersey, to be close to family. Sue Smith Goodrick recently took a cruise along the Elbe marking a memorable summer.

Jan Latven Allnutt reported that she and suitemates Joey Van Tol Goetz, Susan Cramer Drouin, and Betty Bruce Shepard continued their annual get-togethers with a visit to Joey’s “territory” in Florida for four days in October. They rented a house on the beach, toured St. Augustine, enjoyed dinners al fresco on restaurant decks, and had a few laughs over memories of days at Mary Washington. She said that when they together, 55 years just slip away and they’re 18 years old again!

Gaye Roberts Olsen is enjoying life in her Boise apartment, and with her power chair gets out often. One of those trips was a celebration of her birthday with friends. Iris Hall Newton sends greetings from Fredericksburg and Jane Denslow McCrohan writes that she and Ed are enjoying life.

Martha Butler Lebovitz spent time last year in Scotland with her granddaughter, who did her junior year of college in Edinburgh. Her other granddaughter has graduated from University of Texas and is teaching in Philadelphia.

When she isn’t in Fredericksburg, Syd Collson Chichester’s Vero Beach activities keep her very busy. She volunteers for an after-school program helping kids with homework, and “does her thing” at the Touch Tank at the Environmental Learning Center nearby. Last year, she took a bus trip with friends to NYC, and was overwhelmed by the 9/11 Memorial Site. And, of all things, she is considering going on a nature trip to Cuba with her Florida Learning Center!

Sandy Poole wrote that she and Barb are enjoying life together, but both are saddened by the death of Barb’s mentor. Ellie deVebre Becker had great joy spending her birthday this year in Fredericksburg, with her daughter’s family, and she also visited Willard Hall. She says the Mary Washington campus is lovely and Willard is like the day we first walked in. Nancy Deiss sent a note that she and her husband, Bill, are in good health and have traveled to Europe, Florida, North Carolina, and to Texas for Thanksgiving. They have nine grandchildren.

One of our professional writers, Natalie Robins Lehmann-Haupt, has completed a new book, a biography of a social critic Diana Trilling, and expects it to be published in 2016. She and her husband recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a California visit to their family. Sally Brown VanDuyne wrote us a thank you in response to her birthday card, and followed with some news. She keeps busy with an exercise class three times a week, belongs to several clubs, and has joined a new church. She spends time with her oldest son and daughter who live near, and talks to her youngest son, who lives in California.

Our world traveler, Rose Bennett Gilbert, found time in her busy work schedule to dash off to Greece with friends from Denmark and London for some time in the sun. Joyce Neill Krost’s favorite pastime is spending time in Spain with her sister’s family and painting while she is there. She always finds inspirations for new paintings in Spain.

Jody Campbell Close has been very busy learning about Irish genealogy, teaching and facilitating genealogy classes and activities to various groups, including the Boy Scouts. In October, Jody attended a fantastic mini reunion in a rented mansion on Sarasota Bay with colleagues from Korea days and got some ideas for a class reunion (more to come). A high point of her year was a surprise visit from her eldest son and his family, with their three great kids. Jody says she has been blessed with eight great-grandchildren who are fun, interesting to talk with, and all-around fascinating young people.

Karen Larsen Nelson writes that her family enjoyed “endless summer” days in the Arizona high country, with many resort activities, and she participated in the week-long annual Juniper Ridge Olympics in July, where her team won First Place! She has bragging rights for a year. In September she and her husband celebrated their 55th anniversary there with a simple party for 25 friends on their patio, and were grateful to have sunshine that day. Soon after, they hooked up their little travel trailer and set off on a short trip with friends through Southwest Colorado and Moab, Utah. October found them back in Mesa, adjusting to “city life,” and taking a short trip to Las Vegas to visit with their four great-grandchildren and their families.

Keeps those cards and letters coming, ladies. We really enjoy sharing all the news we get from you.

Please send news to the designated Class Agent according to the first letter of your maiden name.

From Connie:

The earliest news I received was from Judi Early Bidwick with the sad news of Lynn McCarthy’s death on October 23, 2015 (more in Renee’s news). Judi also sent news of herself. Since moving to Venice, Florida, about 18 years ago, she and her husband have volunteered for the Coast Guard in many ways. They joined the Auxiliary and taught safe boating classes, inspected vessels, performed their share of search and rescue, and Judi is qualified to cook at the stations when needed. She continues to keep a busy schedule teaching both the Auxiliarists and the Coasties from the station nearby. This is almost like a full time job. She and her husband spend three months in Ocean City, Maryland, in the summer in between traveling in and out of the country. That’s her in a nutshell.

Carolyn Barnette Wright emailed from her home in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Her life is very good, but probably mundane by some standards. She enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren, ages nine to 15, and attending basketball, soccer, and volleyball games. She has many friends and enjoys spending time with them and going to brunch or lunch. In September, she did travel to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and spent a week with two of her childhood friends who came from California and Maryland.  Her plans to travel in her retirement years have been put on the side burner as she expects to have hip replacement surgery in January so she can walk better and hopefully be able to be more mobile. When she reads about all of the wonderful things her classmates are doing, she is so happy for them. Best of luck with the hip replacement…will you consider coming to our 55th?!

Bev Carlson Shea continues to spend lots of time online keeping us up to date on politics, Downton Abbey, etc., and simply says that there’s nothing new in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania…same old, same old!  She took Ecky (Eric, her daughter Heather’s son who lives in California) to her son Dan’s house at the Jersey shore when he was here this summer so that he could say he had been in the Atlantic Ocean. Dan has two elementary school-aged children, Katherine and Jack.

Clara Sue Durden Ashley wrote that she has not done anything lately that would be of particular interest to our classmates, but they may be interested to learn about her son Andrew’s appearance on national TV. As the military legislative assistant to Congresswoman Martha Robey of Alabama, who is on the Ben Ghazi Committee, Andrew was able to sit in on the hearings when Hillary Clinton was questioned. Andrew was seated directly behind Hillary and could sometimes be seen as he leaned to one side or the other. Seeing him was a thrill for his family and friends.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Ellen Grumbly de Gail, whose granddaughter Nicole passed away at age 25 on October 18, 2015.

Dee Doran Cairns and Doug moved in August from Montgomery, Alabama, to San Antonio, Texas, where they are living in the Army Residence Community, which is more than half Air Force! Their new address is 7400 Crestway, Apt 907, San Antonio, Texas 78239 (Email: deecairns61@gmail.com). They plan to come to our reunion in June. Their son Rob and family are now living at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, after 11 years in Naples, Italy. Dee and Doug went there for Thanksgiving and squeezed in a visit with us here in Wilmington, North Carolina, before flying home. It was fun to meet Rob and daughter Katye, a junior in high school, and hear about their son Nathan, a plebe at USMA. Meanwhile, Dee’s roomie and Doug’s sister, Patty Cairns Hourin, and Jim are still in Diamondhead, Mississippi, where Patty continues to remain busy with tennis, golf, and church duties. They did some traveling; in April they buried Patty’s Mom, Doris, at Arlington National Cemetery alongside husbands Bugs, Red, and Neil and they went on a “won’t do that one again” short cruise from New Orleans to Cozumel! They too are planning on being at our 55th.

My news is pretty good, health-wise, except for lower back pain (seems lots of people have this!), but I am hopeful that it will be better by our 55th, which Andy and I plan to attend. We spent a week in the Outer Banks in August and took two trips by car in November to Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, Delaware, for reunions with old friends, including a wonderful lunch with Barbie Upson Welch and Chuck. They keep busy with grandsons and life in the Wilmington community. Barbie is a regular yoga practitioner now. Our daughter Elaine spent three weeks in India in October at a yoga retreat!

A correction in the last UMW Magazine – it was not Kelly Cherry who had the phone chat with Bill Willing (Ellen Gotwalt’s hubby), but me! Please try to join us at our 55th – while we still can!

From Renee:

It is with sadness that we report the passing of our classmate, Lynn McCarthy on Friday, October 23, 2015, in Frankfort, Kentucky. She had suffered from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease over the last several years and recently colon cancer. She was treated with oxygen and so did not travel much outside of her home during that time. She was an avid reader, gardener, bird-watcher, and University of Kentucky basketball fan! She traveled abroad a good bit as well as here in America. For eleven years, Lynn delved into genealogy, so much so that she developed her own genealogy research business after she retired. A most accomplished woman, Lynn retired after thirty years serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the Child Welfare Department, Bureau of Social Services, Cabinet for Human Resources, and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. She was also a statewide Training Specialist, Training Administrator, Protective Services Consultant, and Grants and Contracts Administrator. Lynn’s parents, brother, and sister predeceased her. She is survived by her niece and nephew, two great nephews, and many cousins. I enjoyed emailing with Lynn to get out our class news. She was witty, kind, and a most dedicated friend. She made her mark in this world and made her classmates proud of the beautiful person she was. Lynn’s close friend and our classmate, Becky Young-Butler Guy, wrote a lovely memoriam of Lynn. Her words are inspiring, as was Lynn herself. (Becky’s piece will be sent separately to classmates along with other remembrances.)

Mary Hatcher has had a busy year with travels far and wide.  She visited London, Amsterdam, and Sonoma Valley, California. In Sonoma, she enjoyed sampling the fine wines. 2016 promises to be no less busy with trips to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in February to go snow shoeing and maybe see Yellowstone in the snow. Mary is hoping to visit her MWC roomie, Kathy Byoram Whaley, in Copperas Cove, Texas, and hopes to have lunch with Connie Booth Logothetis soon. And to the rest of us, Mary said, “Here’s hoping this finds all of you well and healthy.” Right back atcha, Mary.

Marcia Minton Keech and Bill are still enjoying life in Savannah. Her granddaughter, Hallie Spitler ’19, is a freshman at UMW this year. Hallie’s twin, Taylor Elizabeth, hopes to attend UMW in the near future. Another family member, Matt Rowlett ’19, is also a freshman there this year. Nice that they’re keeping our alma mater in the family! Marcia and Bill have been enjoying sharing time with Jerri Barden Perkins, exploring the local history and attending exhibits and lectures at the Telfair Museum. Marcia writes that the Jepsons have been important benefactors in developing this small, but quality museum, along with Gary Melchers who was the second curator in the early half of the 20th century.

Judy LaRoe Hare explains that one of the reasons she continues to work is to keep her from having time to feel old! She started a new position as a designer and flooring specialist at a company called Three Little Dogs Flooring and Interiors earlier this year. She loves what she does and it gives her the opportunity to help people create beautiful living spaces (check them out on Facebook). Judy lives in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Sarah Leigh Kinberg did lots of traveling in 2015 for various events in Norfolk, Annapolis, Seattle, and Europe for five weeks in August and in September she traveled to Wales for a cruise around the British Isles and on to France. Her daughter, Sarah Leigh, lives in Gibles in an old manor house which they have been renovating for years. Sarah enjoyed visits with two of their former exchange students, Delphine in Bordeaux (with a side trip to Carcassonne) and Pekka from Finland who came to Gibles. Sarah writes that on September 24, quite a few pounds heavier, lighter in hearts, and completely contented, they all returned to Stockton, California, to everyday cooking, cleaning, and bill paying. She and Tom plan on coming to our reunion!

As for me, I’ve really been enjoying classes at UCLA Extension. I’m taking Astronomy & Cosmology, Current Events, a writing class, and a class on the Golden Age of Television. All are really excellent, stimulating what’s left of my mind and learning new stuff. The discussions are great; the classes are composed of people over 50 who just enjoy learning and instructors who clearly love their subject matters. I’ve taken the Astronomy and the Current Events classes every quarter for the last three years. I was having lunch with the Astronomy teacher a couple of weeks ago, and after a conversation about my career as a lawyer, she suggested I teach something at UCLA. After much discussion and submitting a class proposal in writing to the powers that be at the Extension, I’m going to start teaching my constitution class in the summer quarter. I’m excited about it. On other fronts, I’m beginning to plan a trip to Australia (I’ve always wanted to go) with a former colleague in the City Attorney’s Office. And, of course, my animals are as precious as ever!”

From Lynne:

Thanks to those of you who took time off during these busy holiday times to share some news with me. Our city life has been pretty active, I’m pleased to report. Sandy and I took a delightful trip to Paris and Normandy in October, then spent two weeks in Florida in November. The only other travel (other than to Connecticut most weekends) was to visit my ailing sister in Dallas for a couple of days. Dick, Ann Hopkins Burroughs’ widower, visited us for a week before Thanksgiving, which was great fun. I hope that those of you visiting New York will be in touch with me.

Janie Riles and hubby Jim Dietz are making their annual migration to Fort Lauderdale from San Diego, planned to leave on a cruise from San Diego on December 18 arriving in Fort Lauderdale on January 5. She has enjoyed teaching art in San Diego.

Eleanore Saunders Sunderland made a few trips in the East, once to visit Linda Taylor Drustrup, her MWC roomie, and another to Mystic, Connecticut, to visit a friend whom she met in Paris. Sadly, her younger sister, Patience, passed away in July, 2015, two years after losing her twin sister Judy. Eleanore remains active, walking often and always to the Farmers Market in Falls Church City, which, she says, is truly a pleasure. She spent Thanksgiving with her entire stateside family at her son’s home in Cincinnati, where he is a Russian History professor. He has written two books and frequently lectures on them.

Pat Scott Peck was to have both knees replaced (December 15 and January 26) in order to be able to enjoy our 55th reunion in June. Her son will be with her during recovery. She expects to drive from San Antonio to D.C. in late May in time to meet Carolyn Crum Pannu, who will be her roomie at the UMW reunion (just like freshman year). Pat is still adjusting to her move to San Antonio, with new doctors, a new city to learn, new friends, and a more active social life. She hopes to spend the summer in Calais, Maine, on the Canadian border (if her knees heal successfully)!

Elizabeth “Bitsy” Wright Coxe had a full year of traveling, from New York City (opera, museums, soaking up art and music) to France in the fall, primarily to the Dordogne region where some of her maternal ancestors began. She writes that it is a lovely area of Romanesque churches, bastide towns, picturesque medieval villages everywhere, massive castles, beautiful winding rivers, forests, walnut groves, strawberries, cows, sheep, painted caves, and traces of human activity that date to prehistoric times–about 2.5 million years of history! They also visited Chartres Cathedral which is being cleaned up after 1,000 years. She and George are planning on coming to our 55th.

Jean Ryan Farrell and Frank sent Christmas greetings from Cozumel, Mexico, where they were spending a relaxing week before their children came for the holidays–Bobby’s family from Singapore and David’s from Madrid. Their eldest son Frank, Jr., lives in Atlanta, and they are grateful to have one at home. Jean had plans to get together with Matte McCeney Campbell in November in Atlanta and Babs Buse Johnson in Florida in February.

Hi, girls! We would love to share more news. At our age, friends and special memories are precious and just what we need for brighter, happier days ahead. It seems news this edition is slow and sorrowful.

A loving and devoted daughter, Noel Sipple lost her mother at age 98 just around holiday time. We also extend our sympathy to the family of Ethel Hill who died in 2014. Sweet Ethel’s sister recently responded to a letter to Joan Akers Rothgeb. This is a reminder that we should leave information with our records as to where our family should send such news. For instance:

Send to Class Notes or the UMW Office of Alumni Relations, located at 1119 Hanover Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401.

Kathleen Sprenkle Lisagor recently called her suitemate, Beverley Sulpice Purcell, upon hearing the news that she and her husband Bob had lost their son Bobby to bone cancer. He was a Citadel graduate, a Marine, and U.S. Air Marshall, leaving a wife and two sons. Bev has taken

17 classes to France through the years and continues to teach French at George Mason lifelong Learning Center along with her husband, who teaches History.

Heartfelt sympathy is also extended to Kathleen’s first cousin, Patricia Sprenkle Davis ’65, who in the same week lost her younger sister to cancer and her husband, a Marine she met at UMW, to complications from Agent Orange.

On upbeat news, Joyce Wilborn Lacy and husband Lou are expecting their ninth grandchild.

Pat Mackey Taylor is planning a trip to Rome, and Nancy Powell Sykes is moving to The Chesapeake in Newport News.

Betsy Williams Brothers, Reba Calvert Bayliss, Marsha Arlott Wooster, Lynda Puckett Howell, and Liz Kennedy Thomas Slate spent a week in June at the Brothers’ cottage in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, sunning and planning their October 13-22 trip to California. They began the trip in Santa Barbara, California, at the lovely home of Marsha and Jimmy Wooster, while visiting El Presidio, Old Mission, and the County Courthouse. They toured the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum which was quite interesting. They left Santa Barbara and traveled up to Carmel, stopping along the way in Santa Ynez, Solvang, Harmony, and viewing the gorgeous coast of San Simeon and Big Sur. They spent two nights in the lovely Adobe Inn in Carmel, walking around the town, shopping, and doing the 17-mile drive around Pebble Beach & Monterey Peninsula, then drove on to San Francisco where Lynda joined them. They stayed at the Handlery Hotel at Union Square, ate at lots of neat restaurants, toured Alcatraz, and visited the Palace of Fine Arts and Legion of Honor. They finished their trip in the Tiburon Lodge and had dinner with two of Marsha’s sons and their families. It sounds like a wonderful MWC gals get-together! Who knows where they’ll go next?

We want to stay in touch. Please update addresses and send news. Without your support there will be no notes! PEACE and happiness for 2016!

From Betsy: 

Diane Lovewell Melton writes that in October, she met with Bev Sangston, Lois Smith McDaniel, and Kitty Shannon in D.C. for brunch and to see “Carol King, the Musical.” She said that it was terrific and they all left the show with smiles on their faces. They hope for and attempt to get together every few months, but Diane seems to be the only one who stays in the area year-round. Lois and Kitty travel all around the U.S., and Bev has another home in Florida. Diane is still working as a convention planner, but is gradually cutting back to fewer hours each week. In August, Diane and her husband Howard took their first river cruise through Bordeaux. Then they went on a UVA Extended Learning trip to Oxford, England. She explained that the dorms they stayed in were far superior to what she ever had at MWC and the lectures were both informative and memorable. It was all about Jefferson’s trips through England and the architecture he saw, and sometimes copied. Great adventures both.

Nancy Slonim Aronie is still teaching writing on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. She’s generously offering her course, Jumpstart Your Memoir, to Mary Washington Alumni for free. I can attest that this is a wonderful, encouraging, and inspiring course, and of course Nancy is funny, wise, and entertaining! Nancy’s husband Joel is still inventing and has many toys in his collection at www.zerotoys.com.

Arlene Drescher Wilson says she continues to facilitate two Meditation groups in Nashville. It really feeds her soul. She’s been “obsessed” with painting abstracts the last three years and planting “volunteer” trees as much as she can. Volunteers are little trees that sprout spontaneously from seeds or acorns and are usually mowed or discarded.  She digs them up and pots them until they are big enough to survive in a garden setting.

Bev Bird Miller writes that life is still good for them, as they can still walk, talk, and chew gum as the saying goes. Bev still gives tours at the Jimmy Carter Museum and Library in Atlanta, and she and Paul deliver Meals on Wheels in their area. They have visited friends in the D.C. area several times this year. She says that she still has skin cancer issues with surgery about every three to six months, but she is thankful this is caught early. Most important is her time with neighbors, fellow retired teachers, and dear friends, whom she meets for lunch several times a week. She is enjoying every day and thankful for so many blessings with her family who live nearby and friends.

I was surprised and delighted to run into Lois Smith McDaniel and her husband at the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake, New York, in September, when my husband Pete and I were staying at Hemlock Hall, where we had last stayed in 1971! Lois and Howard were on a photography tour from their home in Virginia. I am busy babysitting for my one-year-old twin grandsons and getting together with daughters Kate and Sara and their families who live near Seattle. My mother passed away in July at 97 years old. I still enjoy working part-time facilitating webinars and professional development in character education for teachers. Two highlights this year for me have been meeting in person Virtues Project Facilitators from Kenya, whom I had met online, and knowing that an online course I developed was useful for women in war-torn Burundi. What a privilege to be connected with people working to make the world a better place from all over the world. Looking forward to time out of the rain in Hawaii this winter! I’m thankful for good health for Pete, myself, and our family.

From Linkey:

Linda Gulnac Steelman writes that it was another busy full year for the Steelmans. Her husband Bill had some health issues but they seem to be resolved and he is healthier now than ever. They continue to walk 10-20 miles per week and that helps keep them mentally and physically fit. The big news for the island was the December opening of Ron Howard’s movie “In the Heart of the Sea,” based on the true story of a Nantucket whaler. It was the basis for Melville’s “Moby Dick” and generated record breaking numbers at the Museum in 2015. Summer of 2016 should be heavy as well. Several years ago when Ron Howard was on island doing research for the movie, Linda had the privilege of presenting our Whale Hunt talk to him. If anyone is thinking of coming to Nantucket, this would be the summer to do it!

Nancy Lee Leidy continues to get together with Betsy Chamberlain Hartz and Sally Tarrant Bernert whenever they can. Nancy Lee has had some health issues but now is just fine.

My Freshman roomie, Mary A. Settle Johnson, wrote at Christmas that her big family news was that her son Ben’s family adopted a little two-year-old boy from China in March. Mary A. stayed with her granddaughters Reese, 8, and Riley-Kate, 5, while Ben and his wife went through the adoption process, which apparently includes lots of red tape. Mary A. lost her brother this year. Our deepest sympathies to you, Mary A.

Jeanne Chabot Wallis apparently had back surgery from which she is now mostly recovered with the excellent caregiving of her husband, Wally. They go to Florida for several months each winter. Jeanne is an avid golfer so Florida allows her to play all year.

As for the Greens, we did not do any traveling this year. In May, I became the President of the Carlisle Branch of AAUW. The Branch is excited to have gotten a Collegiate Affiliate Chapter started at Dickinson College in Carlisle. None of these girls had ever heard of AAUW. I am so amazed at the many people I meet who have no idea what the organization is and does. Miss Hargrove made sure we all knew before we graduated! My Poodle/Irish Setter mix, Mr. MacDoodle, and I have begun serving as a Pet Therapy team for Celtic Hospice. I find this very rewarding and have met so many interesting people. One man even knew my mother, who was active on the West Point Centennial Committee for years. Mac and I still perform with the Steppin’ Woofs Canine Freestyle Dance group and David and I (and Standard Poodle Maggie) are still involved with Dog Scouts. We love participating in the camping trips and being involved with neat projects like Wreaths Across America and Salvation Army Bell Ringing. I’ve gotten hooked on yoga this year. I feel so much better!!!

A number of us keep in touch on Facebook, including Patsy Ballou Hindman, Karen Vandevanter Morrison, Betsy Lydle Smith, Gloria Moskowitz Fischel, Carol Vanness Clapp, Barbara Brown Sherrill, and Barbara Scherberger Offerman. I also keep up with Rosalie Moyer Schwarz via her husband Gene’s Facebook page. It’s fun to see pictures of everyone and find out what they are doing. I’d like to suggest that you connect with us if you have a Facebook account. If you don’t, think about joining. I’ve organized a Facebook page for our class. To join and share your news, stories and photos, go to the Facebook page: Mary Washington Class of 1963. Don’t forget to send us your news!

Dear classmates, as your agent for class news I would like to reiterate that the University will be sending out the call for class news, but that you should send your news to me at vallen1303@aol.com. The University will give you a deadline as to when to send your news in to me.

Our news this autumn is short, but I hope sweet. I’ve been in contact with two classmates who are regularly on Facebook, Patti Jones Schacht and Ilona Dulaski. It is so great to keep in touch with them. Patti and her husband, Richard, recently celebrated their 18th anniversary and between them have 17 grandchildren and five children.

lona Dulaski had a great evening this past fall at the National Academy of Sciences where she and other actors presented a reading of “Moving Bodies” by Arthur Giron. In November, she attended an event for the Maryland Film Industry Coalition at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. A trip to Venice (where they seemed to have glorious, dry weather at the time Ilona was there) was a highlight of a very busy fall.

arrival of Lewis Witt, Sally and Sam’s newest grandson. His older brother, Henry, looks very proud to be a “big brother.” Both children are adorable.

Melinda Watterson Thiesing and her husband John were married in the fall of 2012 and live in Miami, Ohio. Both were widowed and grew up in Miami, where Melinda was friends with John’s mother and sister. If you’d like to contact her, I have her address; just send me an email. For security reasons, we don’t like to put addresses of correspondents into our public newsletter. Melinda wonders if anyone can help her find her freshman and sophomore roommates: Francine Zuzzolo Taylor and Martha Jean Moore Townsend.

I am still working at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, Connecticut–my 23rd year there now! Two years ago, they made me an honorary alumna. This past summer, I again led a tour of Paris and Burgundy for faculty and staff. The travelers visited the places in Paris and Joigny, Burgundy, where our Sacred Heart schools were founded as well as the charming town of Joigny, where the foundress of our religious order was born.

I think our newsletter is up and running again: just remember to send your news to me. It is much easier for the University to send out the request for news, but I am the writer, so send it in. Your classmates love to read your news.

Susan Orebaugh Nicholson celebrated her 20th year of syndication for her food column, “7-Day Menu Planner,” which runs in newspapers and online sites. Also, she and Bronnie Jones Polk celebrated 50 years of being registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) in 2015. Both were Foods and Nutrition majors (in the Home Economics Department, which has since been closed). Bronnie completed her dietetic internship at Mass General Hospital in Boston and Susan headed southwest to the Virginia Hospital in Houston, Texas. Susan’s travels took her to Colombia in South America in April, and Normandy and Paris in October this year.

Let’s hope, please, for a peaceful 2016. 2015 was a difficult one for our world.

I continue loving being your class agent! If you are not getting news updates from me, it’s because you are not on the mailing list. If you want to be, please email me at pcweisser@yahoo.com and I’ll add you! I look forward to hearing your news and passing it onto our classmates.

This fall I got together in Louisville, Kentucky, for the horse races with classmates Linda Cline Holden, Carolyn Shockey Moore, and Sue Wooldridge Rosser for a long weekend. We had a fabulous time and agreed that none of us has changed in the last 50 years! After spending Christmas with my daughter’s family here in Atlanta, I traveled back to Germany (for my 5th trip in two years) to visit with my son and his family for the New Year. Ann Moser Garner wrote that she and her sister took an eight-day bus trip to Ontario including a train ride through the Agawa Canyon. They hiked to the falls and surrounding area and enjoyed some wonderful German food at the Lake Shore Resort of Salzburger Hof in Batchawana Bay.
Suzanne Mason Haff wrote that she and her husband celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary in 2015. The met in grad school at UVA. They have two children, one grandchild, and another grandchild on the way. Joyce Ward Dunn wrote that she was elected Mayor of Carolina Shores in the fall of 2015 and is looking forward to the challenges that job will hold. She spends her free time knitting with a group of women, serving on her HOA board, playing Mah Jongg, and serving as a Guardian ad Litem for her county. She sees her sons and their families frequently and is planning a trip for them all to Hawaii this summer.

Bobbie Barrett Crisp wrote that she is still enjoying UMW since she still lives in Fredericksburg and fondly remembers her time as a day student there. Jan Yates Berls and her husband Dick celebrated their 50th anniversary last June. She feels lucky to be married to her best friend and her golf coach! They traveled to England and spent nine days visiting many of the places they had loved when they lived there, then on to Switzerland where they also had lived. They rented a chalet while they were there and enjoyed the spectacular Alps.

Alice Funkhouser Flowers’s husband George had a tough year. He was diagnosed with cancer and started chemo and radiation in July. He was in treatment for six weeks, then his system rested for six weeks and he was operated on November 9. He is now cancer-free! He is back to teaching courses online and Alice was able to return to work. I’ve had sad news from two of our classmates. Susan Cutler Oertel wrote that her husband died in November from cancer. Pat Sprenkle Davis’s husband Ron died in September after suffering a long illness of a combination of PTSD and Lewy Body Dementia (an atypical Parkinson’s). This past year two of our classmates also died. Lee Henry Madley died in May from complications from surgery and MaryLou Skeeter Murray died in September after heart surgery. They will be missed!

Barbara “Bobbi” Bishop Mann is excited about our 50th reunion. She is looking forward to seeing many dear friends and classmates and is working hard on the planning committee. In October, Bobbi organized a joyous meeting of the MW Lunch Bunch at Le Petite Auberge in downtown Fredericksburg, joined by Anne Clagett, Jana Privette Usry, Carolyn Eldred, Joan Cuccias Patton, Caroline Hoagland Stone Ruppar, Lois Rucker Scott, and Dianne

Twiggs Woodworth. Carolyn was still unpacking boxes from her move from Silver Spring, Maryland, to an active-adult community in Fredericksburg; Jana was heavily involved with singing in a select group in Richmond, still mediating cases for the courts and also working hard on our reunion committee; and Dianne was missing her four-year-old grandson whom she had

been keeping two days a week before he and his parents moved to North Carolina. Joan, Bobbi and Caroline happily reported on their recent travels and Lois gladly showed a marked improvement after her back surgery.

Caroline was married to Allan Ruppar on October 17 in Reston, Virginia. They met two and a half years ago on ChristianMingle.com while Caroline was living and working in Annapolis, Maryland. She retired in July 2014 and moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to a new home near her daughter’s family. After an Alaskan cruise and some time in Cape Hatteras, she and Allan are spending most of the year in Reston and enjoying the Florida home as “snow birds” during the winter. Since Caroline’s eldest granddaughter’s graduation is in Brighton, Michigan, the same week as our reunion, Caroline regrets that she will be unable to join all of us in June, but sends her best regards to all.

Lois managed to take her family to Colonial Williamsburg before she underwent back surgery. Her grandchildren reveled in racing her electric scooter around town! It was such fun that they have gone back twice more. Lois is delighted the children have developed a real love for colonial history. Since Lois’ daughter lives across the street from her, Lois and Sam have a very close relationship with their three grandchildren. Lois’ extensive surgery occurred shortly after Sam retired from 45 years of medical practice, so he was on hand to be a wonderful caregiver. Daughter Holly also flew in from California and was a great help. In August, Lois ventured out for the first time in months – she and Sam went to their Delaware beach house and spent a record three weeks.

Joan spent a large part of the year traveling abroad. Last spring she and a group of friends roamed around the lake region of Italy, enjoying quaint hotels, amazing meals, and glorious scenery. In September, she and other friends went to Portugal, where they rented a tiny cottage in a vineyard overlooking the Duoro River. From Lisbon, Joan flew to Paris and connected with another “old” friend for a river cruise from Normandy to Giverny to the cliffs of Omaha beach and back. Joan joined several Coronado High School classmates in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a mini-reunion, and then later returned there for a Patton family vacation. Joan spent a wonderful Christmas at home with family, including grandchildren ranging from seven to 14 in age, and visited with Lee Enos Kelly.

Kitty Downs Gregg and husband Don decided in October to drive cross-country from Denver, Colorado, to visit family and friends and see the colorful fall countryside. Their first stop was Arlington, Virginia, to see their son’s apartment in the same building Kitty had lived in right after graduation. From there they drove to Mooresville, North Carolina, to visit Don and Terry Caruthers on the shores of Lake Norman. The four of them toured Charlotte, boated on the lake, and dined in a shoreline restaurant, talking and laughing throughout. Kitty’s next exciting trip will be to our reunion and then she and Don, Terry, and Don are planning another adventure together next fall.

Terry set a goal for herself after our 45th reunion to publish a book before our 50th. She intended to make a collection of her cousin’s poems, which she had typed and formatted, or five years of her husband’s grandfather’s Civil War letters, which she had organized and transcribed. But a few years ago, when she, her brother, and her sister began reminiscing about their childhood life in Monterey, Virginia, and some of the tales her parents had related, Terry decided to write down a few of them and called them “Benny Tales.” Her father, Benny, had been quite a colorful character who had affected many residents in their town and county through his business and public service. Once Terry began posting “Benny Tales” on the internet, she received encouragement and additional stories and memories from friends, neighbors, relatives and even strangers. Her goal has been realized: Last fall Terry published her first book entitled Benny Tales.

Ann Kales Lindblom and husband Steve have also finally realized a dream. They sailed their beloved yacht “Bravo” from Alexandria, Virginia, to Fort Pierce, Florida, via the Intracoastal Waterway, making memorable stops in ports such as Norfolk, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; and St. Augustine, Florida. They then returned home in time for Christmas with the family.

Yvonne March and Chris Ferree finally took the leap to the altar and were married in July after 18 years of courtship. They immediately traveled north to Maryland and celebrated with the rest of the family. For her 70th birthday in January, Yvonne was surprised with a fiesta at the Tampa Marriott with friends and family from Maryland, Ohio, Miami and Puerto Rico plus a dinner complete with flamenco dancers. Yvonne and her sister spent a couple of weeks with a niece in Bolivia, then went on to Canada. In October, Yvonne and Chris took a 10-day trip to Ohio to visit son Sean and his wife Beth. Later, Yvonne went to Savannah, Georgia, to help her daughter and grandson move to a new house. Chris and Yvonne also went to South Florida to visit his daughter and granddaughter and enjoyed several other short trips to complete their “WOW year 2015!”

Susan Roth Nurin entertained a steady succession of houseguests last summer in her cozy New York City apartment overlooking Central Park. She continues her three volunteer jobs aiding the opera, tourists, and the elderly, but has slowed the pace since her knee has been bothersome. Susan experiences many adventures and serendipitous events in New York and keeps a very interesting commentary on Facebook.

Cathe Cantwell Luria and husband Eric packed up their house in Gig Harbor, Washington, rented it out, and drove to Mexico. They rented a home for six months in Ajijic, near Guadalajara. Their daughter and three grandchildren happily joined them for Christmas. Cathe and Eric enjoy the fellowship of many ex-pats who are permanent residents of Ajijic, participate in a variety of cultural activities with the Lake Chapala Society, and sing in a 65-voice chorus, which gives many concerts and tours Cuba every spring. Back home Cathe will resume her membership in the AAUW, the League of Women Voters, and two vocal choruses.

Mary Kathryn Rowell Horner spent the summer traveling to family weddings. She and Charlie went from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Colchester, England, and Normandy, France, where they traced the steps of Charlie’s father when he served in the First Division which landed with the first wave on D-Day. It was very humbling to realize what the “greatest generation” did to protect our freedom. In August, Mary Kathryn and Charlie took a golf trip to Monterey, California, then spent a week in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, at the First Division Field Artillery reunion. In December, they retreated to their Florida hideout to avoid the winter weather and play more golf, returning to Virginia in April. Mary Kathryn would NOT miss our red-letter reunion in June!

Susan Hanes Chaney and husband Bill traveled in September to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and then to Savannah, Georgia, for Bill’s USS Savage reunion. They spend most of their time on the Northern Neck of Virginia with gardening, community activities, and sporting their 1940 Ford. Susan plans to join us at our reunion in June.

Linda Glynn Hutchinson and Pat Lewars Pace had a wonderful time last fall traveling in South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. The safaris were outstanding, introducing them to many unfamiliar varieties of animals plus lions, rhinos, elephants, and cape buffaloes. They ate exotic foods such as warthog, crocodile tail, eland and were charmed by the cute penguins on the way to the Cape of Good Hope. Cape Town was a great “change of pace” from all the animals. Since it was the dry season, Linda and Pat were a bit disappointed with Victoria Falls, which was only about a quarter of its usual grandeur, but it was still very impressive.

Kathy Goddard Moss and husband Tom focused on downsizing before putting their house on the market in February. Sorting through the possessions accumulated over 49 years of marriage was a real challenge, but necessary if they were to fit into an apartment in a retirement community. They visited son Joe and his family in California, had a wonderful time, and scouted the area for potential retirement homes. Back home, Kathy and Tom resumed their usual gatherings with sister Eileen Gooddard Albrigo and family, including the annual Gold Cup horse races and the welcoming of Eileen’s newest granddaughter. During the summer, they concentrated on hosting many friends and family members while they still had room enough. Their daughter and three grandchildren came from Spain and enjoyed several joint outings with their cousins. Friends (former exchange students) came from China to visit before the kids returned to Spain, and they spent a delightful month together. Tom is partially retired;

Kathy is officially retired, and when both their cars expired they became a one-car family and are liking it! In the fall Kathy and Eileen made their annual retreat to Hilton Head, South Carolina, visiting with “old” friends, and preparing the beach house for the winter.

Katharine Rogers Lavery and husband Hank spent nearly three weeks in Nags Head, North Carolinia, early last summer with practically all of the blended family in attendance. Now that the grandkids range in age from 10 to 28, it’s more difficult to gather the whole clan. Thanksgiving has become the one time everyone can convene and it was magnificent. One niece, a grad student, had recently returned from Turkey, France, and Germany with exciting tales to relay. Hank is semi-retired and Katharine continues to tutor math, play church music, and create wedding dresses for family and close friends. They both enjoy two senior bowling leagues and senior fitness classes.

My husband Dan and I will celebrate our 49th wedding anniversary in June 2016 and are enjoying very much being retired together. Our three daughters, three sons-in-law, seven grandchildren, grandson-in-law, and two great-grandchildren all live in South Carolina, so we get to spend great times together often.

Eleanor Frith Peters and her husband Mike were to return to New York City in late January, as Mike was to retire after eleven years as President of St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They loved it there at the college and in Northern New Mexico, where Eleanor also enjoyed getting her hands muddy in the on-campus pottery. They were to return to the east to be closer to family. Mike’s mom is amazing, currently in her mid-90s and living in eastern Pennsylvania. Mike and Eleanor’s daughter Becca (a Social Studies teacher), her husband Patrick (a dentist), and their three older grandchildren live in Greenville, South Carolina. Their son Mike, Jr., (in the US Army), their daughter-in-law Christy (working for the U.S. State Department), and their two youngest grandsons (preschool age) are posted in Istanbul, Turkey, somewhat farther afield. Eleanor and Mike had a wonderful trip to visit them in late 2015 and hope to return often during their three-year posting. They were looking forward to other travels as well, including a trip to Cuba with the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe. Eleanor is looking forward to seeing many of our classmates at our 50th! Mark your calendars!

Mary Beth Bush Dore writes that after a bad year with her husband, Casey, having open heart surgery for a heart valve replacement and a bypass (he is doing fine) and a water pipe break that resulted in new bathroom tile, new vanities, and new wood floors throughout the house, their daughter and her husband planned a big 70th birthday surprise in November for Mary Beth in Beaufort, South Carolina. Her two oldest friends, Gail Balderson Dise from seventh grade, and Sheila Schoenberg, from 10th grade, flew in from Virginia, followed by many old and new friends and relatives from Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and Missouri for a surprise luncheon the next day.  Included in this group was her MWC roommate, Gail Balderson Dise, Gayle Atwood Channel, Lori Brown ’94, Amanda Broshears ’94 and Mary Beth’s daughter, Virginia “Ginger” Dore Marshall ’94—a mini  MWC reunion. Mary Beth says she was totally surprised for the first time in her life.  It was a great weekend.

Gayle Atwood Channel reports that wonderfully, in August, she and her husband were privileged to be with Laurie Newman DiPavoda Stocks in Kansas City, Missouri, on her birthday. Gayle and her husband were ending an interesting trip through the upper Midwest, flying out of Kansas City, and just decided to give Laurie a call where she lives in the suburb of Parkville. In all her graciousness, she immediately invited them out to dinner on the occasion meant for her family to celebrate her birthday.  And it gets better:  She and her husband Hugh came back to Hampton Roads the first week in December and they shared an amazing dinner experience at Steinhilber’s Restaurant in Norfolk. In November, they attended the surprise 70th birthday party for Mary Beth Bush Dore. Gail Balderson Dise was also at this special occasion.  A major planner for the party was Mary Beth’s daughter, Virginia. It was a beautiful, well-attended occasion that truly surprised Mary Beth. Also, in the spring, Jane Farrar Montague visited from her home state of Washington. She and Gayle were childhood friends who roomed together at Mary Washington and have remained close in spite of the distances.
There are other local graduates who Gayle sees on occasion and always enjoys their company. It makes her really look forward to reconnecting with many classmates at the 2017 reunion.

Mary Margaret Marston Monroe and husband Richard retired to the beautiful mountains of southwest Virginia in Blacksburg in 2006. Richard and their son (who lives in Richmond) are Virginia Tech alums. Their daughter, son-in-law (who both graduated from Clemson), and two athletic grandsons live in South Carolina. Mary teaches a Strength and Balance Class for seniors and is on the Visitation Committee at their church, and she and Richard are also active at Virginia Tech and in the local community. In the past few years they have traveled to England to do family research on Mary’s side, where they met a third cousin and studied gravestone engravings, and to Scotland to research Richard’s side, where they met the Monroe Clan Chief in the Monroe ancestral home.

Nancy Bell Rockey and her husband Len recently celebrated their 14th anniversary and live in the house they built together in State College, Pennsylvania. Together, their clan adds up to 17, with four children, spouses, and seven grandchildren. They all get together at the beach every summer as well as most holidays. Nancy and Len recently traveled to Sanibel, Florida, and Italy. For the past 10 years they have been busy restoring a one-room schoolhouse in their neighborhood, which is now a community center and wedding venue for the entire county.

Condolences to Mollie Fornes Peery, whose husband, George G. Peery III, passed away in 2015.  George and Mollie were married during her junior year.

Donna Sheehan Gladis and Steve are still in Northern Virginia. Steve has retired from career number one in the FBI and career number two at UVA, and now has his own executive coaching firm. Donna volunteers with church and Master Gardeners, helps run her husband’s business, helps with her three grandchildren, and helps with her mom—Barbara Skidmore Sheehan’35, who turned 100 in 2015.

Susan McCrory Braaten and husband Tom settled in New Bern, North Carolina, when he retired from the Marine Corps in 2001 after over 36 years of service. He became CEO of the local Twin Rivers YMCA and is now the Director of Coastal Carolina Regional Airport. After spending time writing internet content for military families for NavyWifeline and Military1Source, Susan became the Technology Coordinator and Trainer at Keller Williams Realty in New Bern. After 36 years and 18 moves from coast to coast in the USA plus Panama and England, they’ve now been in one place longer than at any time in their lives. Their daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter live in Raleigh, North Carolina, so they see them often. Susan sees two MWC grads occasionally in New Bern—Nicole Brooks ʼ77, who coordinates events at Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens and the North Carolinia History Center, and Christie Wineholt ʼ69. Susan and Tom look forward to retiring soon and giving more time to compelling volunteer opportunities. They love New Bern and know they made the right decision to settle there after a nomadic life!

Now that we’re in 2016, Pam Tompkins Huggins is reminded of a Simon and Garfunkel song on their album “Bookends.” One of the last lines of the song is, “How terribly strange to be seventy.” Strange indeed! Pam is just grateful to be here. Despite the post-menopausal belly and the wrinkles, she’s blessed to have poor close-up vision and, without her reading glasses, thinks she looks pretty good! She and Jim are enjoying his retirement and their five grandchildren. All three of their daughters are officially off the payroll and married to great guys. Pam, who lives in Staunton, Virginia, and has a wonderful guest cottage which is open for classmates anytime, is looking forward to the 2018 reunion.

Mary Ellen Ashelford sent a note saying she had a delightful email romp with the May Queens, but it appears that Pam is on a total power trip, trying not only to usurp the May Queen title, but also trying to turn her senior year class presidency into something like Most Memorable Class President, when we all know that one’s freshman class president is the One True President. Apparently, we will have to duke all this out at the gala 50th in 2018. Everybody: Bring a tiara, and Mary will be bringing her gavel (she thinks she actually still has it)! As the One True President, she expects all of the 1968-ers to show up, and as captain of the Ashecans freshman volleyball team, she really expects all the Willard Third Floor Back Hall kids to be there, and yes…she will be bringing The Notices! Since she tried to major in almost everything, she can bring buckets of memories and current evidence about how “a broad-based education in the arts, the sciences, and the humanities … is the most appropriate preparation for life and citizenship.” Her History major turned (oddly) into a compelling IT career, cut short by a merger in 2003, but then it turned out that retirement is great. (Tiny quiz: What eminent future jurist ran her “Only a Quarter Corner” in Willard Third Floor Center Hall?) Ashe sends her best regards.

Maureen Murphy McCart had visits with Sue Farnham Piatt and Suzanne McCarthy Van Ness ’69 in 2015. Suzanne has a son who lives in D.C., so she and Maureen get together several times a year. Last summer, Sue and her significant other spent time in Fredericksburg, D.C., and Annapolis, where Sue and Maureen had a great time catching up. Judy Jackson Jones hosted Maureen in Richmond and took her shopping in Williamsburg, where they enjoyed the ‘real’ shops hiding behind all the historic shops. Maureen loves her job at DeMatha Catholic High School in Baltimore, and is hoping to cut back to three days a week this year. She enjoys not being in charge and not having to be available for all the night and weekend events. Her kids and five grandkids (ranging from ages three to 13) are great. Maureen will be traveling to Italy in the fall with the DeMatha alumni. She sends happy 70th birthday greetings to all!

Sally Monroe Kelly wrote that, as her super observant old roomie noticed from her Christmas card, she is indeed old enough to have a son with gray in his beard. And seeing that most of us turn 70 this year, she would bet she’s not the only one! Her kids range in age from 47 to 34, and she is happy to say they are all healthy, productive, and good human beings. They had a family reunion this summer in Healdsburg, California, and there were 50 attendees, if you count the dog. It was a hoot, and they hope to do it again someday. Pete says he is retired, but somehow the office downtown still beckons a few times a week, which is just fine with Sally. She hopes everyone can make an effort to get back to the 50th reunion in 2018–especially those of you who have thus far successfully resisted the urge to revisit the past at reunion time. We can guarantee lots of laughs, crazy memories, and good times. Please come!!

This photo of four MWC suitemates was taken this year at Frances Rodgers Bryant‘s house in Virginia Beach. Linda Hall Palmer and Mary Ellen Ashelford still live in Connecticut. Georgia Carroll Dinsmore Sherlock and Fran are both in Virginia Beach. It’s rare that the four of them get together but it is always great fun. They lived on the third floor of Madison in a corner suite for every year except freshman year.

With sadness we inform you of the death of Gail Jargowsky Farmer in January. Gail won several awards during her career as an English teacher; she also owned a needlepoint design business. Her husband’s Army career took Gail and their two sons around the U.S. and overseas, including an assignment in Ghana, West Africa. Gail had Alzheimer’s for a year prior to her death. Gail was a lovely woman, inside and out, and she will be missed.

Some of our classmates are famous and published! Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda read her poetry and led a panel discussion at a gathering of poets laureate (of which she is a member) in October at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Virginia. Carolyn was also a presenter in the Statewide Partners Program for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and at the Hampton University Museum.

Lyn Holmes Gray is retiring from her job in Liberia but will remain there with her husband, Jim, to do some consulting work. They have built a small house in the “upcountry” three hours away from the state capital in Monrovia. She will be helping out with a school there. They also bought a home in Blacksburg, Virginia, where they will spend part of each year on this side of the world. They will be unpacking stuff they have had in storage for 13 years! Anyone want to help open this time capsule with them?

Beth Ball Townsend has moved to St. John’s historic district in downtown Richmond after living in the Richmond suburbs most of her life. Her talented and charming (those are my words) son Gil lives in the same historic district. Gil and Beth treated me to a wonderful dinner in October while I was back East for my 50th high school reunion in Virginia Beach. They are both “foodies” and a lot of fun to be with.

Patti Boise Kemp, one of outstanding class leaders, reminds us that Rick and Rose Hurley have been made honorary members of our class of 1969, and that they look forward to celebrating our 50th class reunion in 2019–which is not that far away, girls! Patti also revealed that the Virginia Hall dorm is now a coed freshman dorm. What a difference a few decades make!

Nina Shepherd lives in Columbia, South Carolina, which had some very serious flooding in early October. Nina built her home 15 yards from the Saluda River there in 1997. She knew the river could flood, so they built the house on 18-foot pilings and got flood insurance (Mary Wash graduates only smart girls!). The October flood brought the water level under her elevated house to three feet deep. Her husband was trapped in the house while Nina was away and he was without electricity, but refused to call the water rescue team (He did not graduate from Mary Wash). They only have some erosion around their foundation piers, but the contractors are so busy, it will be a while before this gets fixed. Exciting lives they live!
Gloria Gibson has had some fun-filled traveling to New York City, Austin, Texas, and Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, where she enjoyed long walks on the beach. She also spent two weeks in Italy from the Amalfi Coast to Rome, Tuscany, and Venice. She doesn’t usually travel that much in such a short period of time. I gather she is resting somewhere in the states now.

Betty Wade Perry has returned from Guatemala for a second time working with villagers in small mountain regions. She helped with the construction of a library and community center for adult and children gatherings, as well as for learning to use computers. She felt a little embarrassed at the richness and ease of life we have here in comparison. She visited Cynthia Lowdermilk in Clarskville, Virginia, while attending her 50th high school reunion nearby in Danville. She also attended a women’s retreat in the Virginia mountains! Who knew those events still existed?

Nancy Allard‘s mother-in-law, who lived with her and her husband Paul, died at age 97. Since then, they’ve spent a lot of time settling the estate. Even so, they have spent precious time with their three grandchildren in D.C., went on a two-week Baltic cruise in June, then had a 10-day trip following the Lewis and Clark trail by steamboat in Washington and Oregon. She also had a great time at her 50th high school reunion.

Ginny Wheaton retired from a management consulting firm in 2014 and moved with her husband to Nosara, Costa Rica, where they are enjoying the “Pura Vida” lifestyle. They live in a pristine beach community in spite of the invasion of American and European expatriates over the last 40 years. She serves on the board of a civic association to keep developers from erecting structures in the nearby wildlife preserve. She is on a quest to save the world from humans, one beach at a time. “Life is good there!”

Beverly “Bev” Holt and her wife Debra Alpert enjoyed three weeks in Australia and New Zealand this year. Next year’s “trip” will be visiting their remodel of their condo at Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina. Bev continues to be a docent with the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh.

Carole Phipps, a good Mary Wash alumna who lives close by, is focusing on grading her papers from her business classes at San Jose State, where she is a professor. Her 94-year-old mother is having a hip replacement right after classes end. Soon she will return to her social self and have more fun news to report!

Anne Witham Kilpatrick got together with Jeanine Zavrel Fearns, Toni Turner Bruseth, and Susie Bender Winterble for their annual spring get-together, this time in Austin, Texas, at Toni’s house. They shopped, ate, talked, and just reminisced about college days at Mary Wash.

Dr. Sharon Dobie lives in Seattle, Washington, and has recently published her book called Heart Murmurs, where she reveals true stories about meaningful learning she and other doctors have received from their patients. She focuses on the importance of relationship-centered care. She has two adopted sons, age 26 and 29. She is contemplating writing another book soon.

Nancy Leeper is in Austin, Texas, and is semi-retired from speech pathology. She does volunteer work at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Assistance League Thrift House. She regularly visits her 92-year-old mom in Virginia. Her two sons, both married, live in Texas as well. She is visiting Key West, Florida, with her Mary Wash roommate, Carolyn Day O’Leary, soon.

Ann R. Smith writes that she and her husband Tom joined two of her MWC suitemates (Cathy Allen Hughes, with husband Michael, and Nancy Gleason with beau, Gary) for another Viking cruise this past October. They took the Rhine River cruise from Basel to Amsterdam with an extended stay in Amsterdam.  They had a great time in the beautiful scenery and picturesque towns and villages! They took their first Viking cruise in July, 2014, on the Danube River. Kitty Culhane Rogers and husband John joined them for that trip. Cathy, Nancy, and Ann managed a brief mini-reunion in June, 2015, in Richmond with Ann’s Mary Wash roomie, Nancy Andrews, as she was passing through Virginia in route to Tappahannock for a visit with her mother.

I myself am fully retired from contracting now and after 30 years in Silicon Valley am moving two hours north to Santa Rosa, California, which is the heart of the wine country. I don’t drink, so I have become a permanent designated driver for those of you who want a tour of the northern California vineyards. Ann and I have re-formed a five-piece band called “More Joy.” Our tag line is “Folk Music with Friends.” Ann and I have also set up a class of ʼ69 scholarship fund as a form of gratitude for the life we have enjoyed, due to my formal education opportunities at Mary Wash from generous University scholarships. We are hoping you will consider participating in it early this coming year so we can actually meet our first scholarship recipient at our 50th reunion.

Write me with more of your adventures or zen moments…we need them all!