Class Notes

Please send news to the designated class agent according to the first letter of your maiden name.

From Connie:
Kelly Cherry’s newest book, her 27th, is Temporium: Before the Beginning to After the End. “It’s a fun book because it was fun to write. It is made up of short-shorts and flash fiction, which means it’s an easy read. Available from Press 53, a small press in NC. Burke and I plug along, both of us in love with our little dog.”

Jerri Barden Perkins wrote, “Recently, UMW invited Dr. Reed, Harvard Professor, to speak at UMW on Thomas Jefferson and Paris which I happened to see on C SPAN. So inspired by her presentation, I will join her Custom Seminar to Paris on this topic in May. Again this year, I am delighted to correspond with another bright student in the 1908 Letters Program. Although I am uncertain how much students learn from me, I am amazed at their knowledge, ambition, and enthusiasm. How different students today!! In September I look forward to returning to UMW and meeting our newest recipient of the Perkins Travel Abroad Scholarship. Whereas I established scholarships in memory of my husband, Cal, I confess I have received great joy in knowing that we can provide some educational benefit today to students. I still enjoy learning, teaching yoga, and this year taking 3 of my grandchildren to Europe. How wonderful to share knowledge and travel with others, especially loved ones. We are often reminded to thank members of the military but I also wish to thank all my inspiring teachers who made a difference in my life.”
Dee Doran Cairns wrote, “After almost 2 years of living in San Antonio, Doug and Dee moved back to Montgomery, Alabama. We did love Texas, but it was a bit far for keeping up with kids and grand kids in the Southeast. Even our first great-grand daughter moved back to Alabama with her parents from San Francisco! Please note our change of address, 5552 Ash Grove Circle, Montgomery, AL 36116, deecairns61@gmail.com, (334) 647-1338 (home), 334-260-2987(cell).”

Patty Cairns Hourin and Jim are “still alive and kicking in Mississippi! We have a new granddaughter, #6, and she helps keep us young. All children are doing fine.”
Carole Grant LeMay says, “Things have been kind of slow here (Natchez, MS) recently. We have not done much travelling–just short trips. My daughter, Jill, had a serious cut on her foot which required several surgeries, and I spent some time with her and family in October taking care of her and of course that included housework and cooking (ugg), but that is what Mama’s do. Bee Stone Byrnes and I are planning a trip to Richmond in April as it is Garden Week along the James River. We have been on several of these trips sponsored by a local historian. It will be like going home. I hope to see Tommy Hulcher Thompson , my Freshman roomie, while there. Ralph and I have a cruise planned on Oceania in September to Cuba, if the President allows it. We have been doing some updating of our house, which is tedious but necessary, and I am still guiding and playing bridge on a regular basis, so that keeps me busy.”

Clara Sue Durden Ashley wrote, “Last June I began chemo for treating cancer for the third time. At this writing, (Nov) I am waiting for the results of my latest PET scan. I am optimistic. Never did I feel sick nor did I miss a day at my part time job. In October Clarence and I went to the funeral of John Lowe at our church in Great Falls, VA. John was the lawyer who filed suit in federal court in Richmond to allow women to enroll in the University of Virginia and receive a bachelor’s degree. We all know he won the case.
If you were watching TV when Jeff Sessions was being questioned by the House Judiciary Committee, you my have seen our son Andrew. He was wearing a tan suit and sitting the end of a long table. He is the military legislative assistant to the congresswoman from AL.”

Matte McCeney Campbell reported, “My dear husband, Gil (“Ace”), of 54 years died in February after spending the last four years of his life in a nursing home here in Nashville. He still knew everybody and he was the staff’s favorite patient. When I went to Natchez, MS to a Colonial Dames conference, I saw Carole Grant LeMay while taking a tour and we talked about ol’ times at MWC.”

Elizabeth Alrich Latta (Betty) wrote, “I have a chronic health condition–SLL, (a chronic form of lymphoma) that I am taking medication for. My doctor is pleased that the drugs I started taking in the early summer have put me in or near remission. But side effects (joint pain & fatigue) have slowed me down a bit. My volunteer activities are fewer at this time, but hopefully will get back to normal in the new year!
A highlight of my year was a trip in April with friends from the Widow & Widowers Assoc. I belong to. We went to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. Didn’t see many cherry blossoms, since they had bloomed early, but loved seeing the Virginia dogwood and redbud! After seeing the parade and some other sights in D.C., we went to Quantico to see the new Marine Museum. (Hadn’t been to Quantico since I was dating my husband-to-be, Jerry.) Then we went to Charlottesville and had a wonderful tour of UVA. (Had only seen it at night, when I went to a mixer dance there.) After seeing other sights, I left the group and went to Richmond, where I saw a cousin and also saw my nephew’s new baby twin boys. I really felt like I had ‘come home’! Another trip I took in the spring was to my timeshare in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Each year I take one of my three sons and their family. This year it was my eldest, Dan, who lives in Portland, OR. Since it’s in a hotel, it’s a vacation for all of us–no cooking and lots of beach and spa time! In November, my youngest son adopted his wife’s two young daughters. (She had adopted them before she met my son.) Such a special, fun court day! Now I have eight grandchildren, six living near me (Los Altos, CA). This Christmas will be even more special. New Year’s Eve will be spent with more W&W friends in Memphis. We will be staying at the new Graceland hotel and probably seeing lots of Elvis impersonators!”
Since June, Andy and I have been healthy and busy, thank goodness! In July we went to Toronto for a wedding, in August drove to Columbia, SC to view the solar eclipse totality, in Sept. went to UMW for the Legacy Breakfast with my sister Linkey whose granddaughter Emily is a freshman, spent our 54th anniversary (9/28) in the western NC mountains in Highlands, and another trip to Delaware. Just after Thanksgiving we had a wonderful visit with Dee and Doug Cairns at their son’s home on Emerald Isle, near Camp LeJeune. Their granddaughter Katye is a freshman at East Carolina U. studying physical therapy on an ROTC scholarship. Grandson Nathan left West Point and is working and going to a local college. This spring we are going on a Mississippi Riverboat cruise from New Orleans to Memphis and are looking forward to a guided tour of Natchez sites by Carole Grant LeMay! Many thanks to you who sent news! Let’s hear from more of you for the next time.
From Lynne:
Very little news to report this time. I guess everyone is busy preparing for the holidays, including yours truly!!! We’re actually spending Christmas and New Year’s Eve in the city this year …. I’m not complaining!!! We have family staying here, including my sister’s grandson, age 18, from Dallas, who adores NYC… Should be fun!
Polly Updegraf Champ writes the following: “I’m still working part-time as a dresser for Broadway Touring Shows in Hartford, CT. My two shows this year were KING & I and FINDING NETHERLAND. I dressed the children’s ensemble in both and caught their colds.
We’re looking forward to our condo in FL, the Palm Beach Opera season, walking daily, ‘Early Bird’ dinners, biking, enjoying friends, and visits with family. I have 4 UMW PUC’61 Scholarship students this academic year. It’s exciting that from 2001 with my annual contributions to my fund I’ve been able to help 17 students.”
Eleanor Saunders Sunderland writes: “I have had a quiet spring and summer, but the fall and winter are proving to be busy. I just returned from Cincinnati where I spent a week at my son’s with a large contingency of Sunderlands for Thanksgiving. On 15 December I leave with a friend to Lisbon for a week in the Algarve. Back 22 Dec for a quiet Christmas with my daughter Jane. Then I leave 15 January with my son’s eldest son (22 yrs) for a trip to Milan, Italy to visit my other daughter Jude. We will spend a week, with my grandson discovering, he hopes, more of Italy plus San Marino. I will be ready to curl up with my cat and my fireplace for the rest of winter! “

Nancy Wright Wright wrote, “I moved last year about 2 miles from my old address to a lovely retirement community called Greenspring, an Erickson community with medical care available on site and dining every night. I’m spoiled! Fortunately, I’m in good health and my three sons and families live in the area. New address is: 7450 Spring Village Dr., CC-528, Springfield, VA 22150. Telephone is: 703 569-0838 and cell is 703 434-9325. My sister, Katherine Thomas (Wright) Pratt Waters is six years younger than I am and was in the nursing program at MWC, ~1967. She lived in Greenville, NC, had a wonderful career and was loved by her doctors and patients. She is retired and lives on a horse farm with her second husband in SW VA near our little town of Damascus. Her husband, Wes Waters, was her high school boyfriend! She has two daughters–one an MD in Chapel Hill, NC, and the other a physical therapist in Greenville, NC. We bought a small home in Damascus, VA together around 2006 and my sons I love going down there. I go down at least twice a year–usually for the 4th of July and then again in early October for the fabulous fall scenery! We have a million-dollar view of the mountains from our front porch.

Class of 1961 News – RENEE – January 2018

From Renee:
Mary Hatcher’s furnace went out…not a good thing to happen in December! Mary has taken frequent trips to Colonial Williamsburg for meetings and a trip to Ireland and then to Phoenix were high on her agenda in recent months. Hope that furnace is fixed!

Sandy Phillips Conklyn has written a small book called Dr. Martin’s Healing Garden. It was inspired by a medicinal herb garden that she and other volunteers planned, researched, and brought to life at Landis Valley Museum in Lancaster, PA. “Dr. Martin” is an heirloom lima bean that is grown by the Heirloom Seed Project. It was published online. Another good thing about retirement is that as a former chem major, Sandy has had time to develop some art skills. She sent me photos of two of her Steampunk Art (metal sculptures). She is amazingly talented! And all self-taught. I wish the photos could be included here. Somehow, maybe for next time, we can get them into the magazine. She has arrived at Steampunk Art through learning to make blanket chests with dovetail joinery, to building ornate and replica birdhouses to Steampunk. Bravo to you, Sandy!

Deborah Phinney Wylie has been busy with grandchildren graduating from high school and then off to college. Five of the eight of them are in college now and spread all over the place. Debbie has taken trips to Georgia and Missouri along with their yearly stay in Maine at the family cabin on the lake. She is still involved with her town library and food pantry and still plays bridge and tennis. Busy lady. She says that life is good. Love hearing that!

Marcia Minton Keech and hubby went to Virginia in late October/early November to be with their daughter for an operation. While there, they decided to look around for a retirement community. The kids have been begging them to return nearer to them. After five days of looking in Northern Virginia, they found nothing they liked, so they went west to Winchester and revisited Westminster Canterbury Shenandoah Valley. They fell in love with it, put their name on a cottage, and returned to Savannah to sell their home. It sold in three days! It settled on Dec. 15th, so they rented back for 30 days. They’ve been in a tizzy ever since. Gad, I guess so! They should have been in their new home between Jan. 12th and 17th. The new address is 105 Cottage Drive, Winchester, VA 22603. Phone: 540-655-5968. “How is that for starting the new year off right? Moving is not fun, but it will be a wonderful place to settle, closer to all of the children and in Virginia. Congrats, Marcia. And here’s to much happiness in your new home.

Peggy Howard Hodgkins has hosted two fall weddings in her yard and is not tempted to see if there is a future in being an event location with a hired manager. Her granddaughter, Breana, was one of the beautiful brides. Extra benefit is a beautiful granddaughter, Miss Charley. Peggy, with that gorgeous place of yours, becoming an event location is a great idea!
And now for the not so good news: during the same 16 months, Peggy fell four times resulting in four concussions and two broken bones…right hand and nose. She is now happily wearing an emergency alert button and trying to protect her brain. Wow. Here’s hoping Peggy’s recovery is full and that there will be no more falls.

Sylvia McJilton Woodcock writes no news to speak of because Stuart has had a terrible time with pancreatitis. Happily, he is on the mend after six weeks of treatments and is finally back on solid foods. It came from some medication prescribed by a cardiologist to lower triglycerides. In two and a half weeks, he lost over 23 pounds, so one can only imagine how difficult a time he had. So, Sylvia and Stuart, here’s to a new year of good and restored health and good times.

My News: Still enjoying classes at UCLA Extension, still busy with the fur children, though I lost my beloved cat, Dickens, on August 1st. He was almost 19, a big, beautiful part Persian boy. Losing him broke my heart. I have had a miserable bout with Benign Paroxysmalositional Vertigo. Doctor sent me to physical therapy at the Balance Disorder Institute. Who knew there was such a thing? Anyway, a few sessions of doing something called the Eply Maneuver, it is finally getting better. Because of it, I’ve put on hold my search for a house in Palm Desert while working to get ready to sell this place. My garage is full of “…well, you never know!” Trying to purge the “you never know” along with dozens and dozens of books and other collected “lifebilia”! It ain’t easy. I don’t know how Marcia and Bill did it in so short a time. I’ve decided on Sun City Palm Desert. I have gone there often lately, as I have several friends who live there already and others in nearby Rancho Mirage and Cathedral Cove. Sun City is an over 50 community. Fabulous place. Like adult camp, but year- round. Countless activities, clubs, lessons, fitness training and huge gym, restaurants, and so on. I do think I’ll rent in L.A. for the summers, though, 110 + is just not my cup of tea! I had cataract surgery on my right eye and will have the left one on Feb. 5th. It is simply miraculous! I haven’t had vision this clear in over 30 years!! Can’t wait for my second one! No glasses now!! Well, I’ll need readers because I opted for a mono-focal lens. I knew I’d go nuts with a permanent bifocal lens. And I don’t mind using readers. Here’s to a most happy 2018 to all of you.

CONDOLENCES

Matte McCeney Campbell ‘61 who lost her husband