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.