Class Notes

From Kathleen:
Happy New Year Ladies: As I gather our class notes for this deadline, the temperature
In Fredericksburg is two degrees! I have visions of girls in trench coats sliding in boots
In 1962 preparing for January exams .Wow! And now exams are given in December
before the holidays! Today the warm memories of our 55th reunion in June still linger.
A wonderful group of 20 chattered and hugged. Yet it was sad to realize so many health and family issues affected our attendance, and we had lost four classmates recently.
We had an elegant private dinner and one of the highlights of the evening was the
surprise entrance of Dr. Paino. He also presented an award to Nancy Powell Sykes
for her generous donation to the college. Her labor of love also includes being the
president of the Alumni Association 1985 -88. Thank you again, Nancy.
Our discussions included the idea that we should grab the moment and aim for “mini”
size gatherings before our 60th! MarySue MillerMcDonald and Emily Lewis met the challenge by passing the word and made a reservation at “Keswick” off Rt. 29 for an
early Christmas lunch. Those of us who attended were Joan Akers Rothgeb, Bettie
Stewart Klinenast, Georgianne Maloy Hull, Maggie Walker MacAllister, and myself.
We extend our deep sympathy to Maggie who recently lost her husband and is recuperating from knee surgery. Our concerns are also with those who have very ill husbands:Myrtle Dean France, Ann Tench Huml, and Carolyn Powell Piotrowski.
Louis Lacy, the devoted husband of Joyce Wilborn Lacy, reports Joyce has recuperated
well from her hip surgery, but has other health issues. Donna Floyd Parker has been back in Roanoke helping her sister after surgery.
On a happy note, the oldest of my eight grandchildren just received her Master’s
in December in music. And I am again playing the piano for church and specials after
months of therapy, pain pills, and a neck collar to relieve a pinched nerve in my neck.
Good news also includes Diana Copple Smith’s move to be near her daughter in
WIlmington, N.C. Betsy Carper Cole has a new great grandson in California, and she
attended her son’s 50th Birthday in Pawley’s Island. Sue Granby Farrar continues
To arrange outstanding exhibits in Montgomery County Museum and is off to a trip to
Greece. Faye Greear Metzl and husband Jim enjoy Kayaking and traveling between
Camden, S.C. And the Va. mountains renovating her mother’s home she inherited
recently. After teaching 32 years in Fairfax, Rebecca Cross Solzinger has retired
And enjoys her first grandchild and visiting her son in Denver and family in Hanover.
Gale Taylor Drew and husband Louis are active and travel with the Richmond Symphony.
Sally Rambo has retired after 36 years as a microbiologist. Her travels include
7 continents and 80 countries. Now with COPD she is restricted and reads 150 books
A year.She learned to do that in the browsing room at the MWC library!
Pat Mackey Taylor has had another one of her son’s to wed, this time in Cape May.
Mary Lott continues to be active using her creative talents involving their boat for
charitable events. In the meanwhile Liz Goldblatt Shapiro still loves to fish , and we named her husband an honorary member of ’62 as he faithfully attends every reunion, as well as Pat Barrett Gibson’s husband who drives her from S.C. each time.
This brings me to the time I need to share with you our concerns and prayers for
our dear Joan who is recuperating from serious eye surgery at UVA Hospital.
Joan would also like to extend a huge thank you to our classmates who were so
supportive during her husband Eddie Rothgeb’s illness and after his death. AT this difficult time she finds it necessary to resign as a class agent. Nancy Powell Sykes,
who has just returned from visiting with her daughter in California, has graciously
accepted to help with this job. Please note that any updates, mail or emails can be
sent directly to the address listings under the section CLASS NOTES in the magazine.
Sincere thanks to my agent partner Joan and all who shared the news for this issue.
I leave with you classmates of ‘ 62—
A touching quote:
“Here’s to the nights I’ll always remember—
With the friends I’ll never forget”