Class Notes

Barbara Bishop Mann organized a MWC Lunch Bunch meeting in
September at La Petite Auberge in Old Town Fredericksburg, where the
food is delicious and the parking is risky. Anne Meade Clagett drove a
diffferent vehicle to avoid getting a ticket since she got a warning every
other time we met there! Sheila Denny Young and Carolyn Eldred, both
local residents, knew to park safely in the next block. Katharine Rogers
Lavery , Lois Rucker Scott, Eileen Goddard Albrigo, Anne Kales Lindblom,
Joan Cuccias Patton and Caroline Hogeland Ruppar traveled from
Northern VA; Jana Privette Usry and Bobbi came from Richmond. The
lunch was delicious and the conversation was varied and lively. Face Time
provided a connection with Kathleen Goddard Moss, who was missing the
luncheon for the very first time since she had recently become a California
resident. Mary Kathryn Rowell Horner’s plans to attend were short-
circuited by real estate appointments in her search for a smaller house.
Susan Hanes Chaney was en route to Ohio to visit relatives and Sandra
Hutchison Schanné was in the midst of cataract surgery pre-ops and
reluctantly missed the lunch.
Carolyn Eldred participates in the MW ElderStudy and attended their
holiday luncheon at Belmont. She corresponds with a UMW student under
the 1908 program and attends the UMW live theater, where the
performances display an outstanding level of professionalism. The group
also takes field trips to stage plays in Washington DC. Carolyn has renewed
her long-standing interest in historic preservation and love of old buildings
and homes by volunteering for the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation.
Susan Hanes Chaney and husband Bill celebrated their July wedding
anniversary in the coolness of Snowshoe WV with a ride on the Cass
Railroad. In November they were in Pensacola Beach for Bill’s Navy
reunion, where he was the only WWII veteran in attendance. Previously
Susan and Bill had visited the Ocracoke Island NC Coast Guard station to
see how much it had changed since Bill was stationed there. Back at home
Bill bought a 19-ft center console cruiser for river fishing and spent many
hours challenging the fish. Susan and Bill mourned the loss of their beloved
dog so much that they welcomed puppy Casey into their home, and now
they are really busy!
Barbara BIshop Mann and Robert took a June Rhine River cruise from Lake
Louise to Amsterdam in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. In
July Bobbi went to Myrtle Beach SC for the DKG Society International’s
Southeast Regional Conference and later attended the DKG State Executive
Board meeting in Roanoke. While working on state and local election
campaign activities Bobbi was honored to attend a roundtable discussion
on public education in Virginia along with Linda Bird Robb (Chuck Robb),
Dorothy McAuliffe (Terry McAuliffe), Pam Northam (Ralph Northam), Anne
Holton (Tim Kaine) and Dan Gecker, President of the VA Board of
Education. Senator Jennifer McClellan presided. Bobbi learned that one of
her retired teacher friends was on the same August anniversary cruise with
Roger and Ryan Stewart Davis and met them on the steps of the Hotel
Savoy in Rome!
Judy Wells Clark continues working as a musician, serving as organist at
South Roanoke United Methodist Church and freelancing as a pianist. She
and friends played a return tour in Japan last year, produced CDs of the
concerts, and have two programs pending for 2018. Judy has become
Godmother to the violist’s baby boy.
Winnie Woodson Stribling uses her musical talent to direct two handbell
choirs. She also works with CA Catholic Charities who flew Afghani
refugees to Oakland from Kabul. Winnie tutored one illiterate mother in
ESL and assisted other volunteers to help that family (with five boys under
ten) ease into Western society, find employment and help the children in
school. Last May Winnie and Brad toured the American Southwest and its
national and state parks. They stayed in Monument Valley AZ and
celebrated her birthday in Zion. Winnie wrote just after the North Bay CA
fires had abated to say that her East Bay area had been spared any
damage. After having such a good time last reunion Winnie and Eleanor
McJilton Thompson have already resolved to attend our next reunion in
2021.
Mary Kathryn Rowell Horner and Charlie spent the winter in Naples FL,
escaping the cold, playing golf, enjoying the sunshine and happy hours.
Their only hurricane damage was landscaping mishaps. Mary Kathryn
applauded our NASA-interning math majors’ feature in the fall issue of the
UMW magazine, thanked Marty Spigel Sedoff for spearheading the input
and enjoyed reliving those moments. Marty sent a last-minute bulletin that
her son, John Riedlinger, directed the play “The Visit” at Edina High School
and it has been selected by the International Thespian Society to show this
summer on the main stage in Lincoln NE.
Katharine Rogers Lavery, also a math major, enjoyed the book and movie
“Hidden Figures,” but missed the internship opportunity because of
student teaching in Fairfax VA. That turned out to be a very successful
summer even though MWC had neglected to alert my supervising teacher
that I was coming. As Dr. Merchant and I stood in the corridor and
explained I would be a student teacher, Mr. Mitchell drolly remarked, “You
know, I haven’t had a vacation in ten years.” He turned on his heel and
walked away, never to be seen again. My new supervisor, Cdr. Roundtree,
was happy to step in, saying, “Katharine, I think you know more about this
than I do, so if there’s anything I can do to help you, just let me know.” For
the entire session he was essentially my assistant and I taught the algebra
classes on my own.
Gerry Sargent Habas and Sally Souder continue their tradition of meeting
in St Petersburg FL for lunch and “catch up.” Sally takes advantage of the
wonderful arts in Sarasota and was in the throes of kitchen remodeling,
giving her much to talk about. Gerry keeps busy with family plus substitute
teaching in some underserved schools in Orlando, which were affected by
the influx of Puerto Ricans after their disastrous hurricane.
Yvonne March reported that the eye of Irma passed over her home,
causing widespread power failures and fallen trees. One massive tree
narrowly missed her house! Last summer Yvonne took an “out west” tour,
nursed husband Chris through surgery, then they both traveled to Bolton
MA for a niece’s birthday celebration/family reunion. They spent
Thanksgiving in FL with Chris’ family and Christmas at home. Yvonne
regurlarly takes classes at the rec center while Chris works out and they
spend much time dancing. Chris published an article about his great
grandfather, “Pa Tim” Regan, in the Owyhee Outpost, the annual
publication of the Owyhee County Idaho Historical Society.
Katie Green wrote that Hurricane Harvey’s extensive damage in the
Houston area reached close but not quite to her home. The airport
reopened just in time for her to fly to London to visit her son, his wife and
baby girl. From there they all went by train to Brussels, stayed two blocks
from the Grand Place and were able to walk to the Brussels City Museum,
Magritte exhibit, lace-making exhibits, sampling delicious Belgian mussels,
beer and chocolate along the way. They spent four days in Amsterdam
touring Rijksmuseum and VanGogh museums, walking the canals,
partaking of Dutch cheeses, wines and specialty dishes. One highlight was
an overnight ferry across the North Sea before Katie headed to Cardiff,
Wales, to visit her other son and family living there. Houston had
recovered significantly by the time Katie returned home, but the Wortham
Center, home of the Houston Grand Opera, will not be fully restored until
Spring 2018.
Annette Maddra Horner and husband John have renovated a home in
Richmond and moved there from NC in November. They were drawn back
to their Virginia roots, where they enjoy extended family networks
including their daughter and grandchildren. They appreciate their multi-
generational family life and the expanding Richmond cultural life, which has
changed considerably since they left the area in 1980. After living in PA, OH
and NC Annette and John are glad to be “back home” again in RVA.
Anne Powell Young and her husband are relocating from Knoxville TN to
Stafford VA, building on a 3-acre spot about five miles from the Potomac.
The effort of “staging”, marketing and selling their home was quite a
challenge for a 73-year old couple, but Anne is terribly excited to be back in
the Fredericksburg area, close to family, just five minutes from their
daughter and 45 minutes from their son in Springfield. Anne anticipates
joining MW activities and hopes to see classmates from time to time. In
fact, she invites us to visit her in her new home. Anne will sorely miss
Betty Birkhead Vickers, who has been a very close friend and neighbor for
nearly 50 years. Anne mentioned that Betty and Vick traveled to Pasadena
CA to visit their daughter’s family for Christmas and stayed to attend the
Rose Parade and parties on New Year’s Day.
Cathe Cantwell Luria and husband Eric have loved living in Mexico for
many months so much that they have purchased their rental home in Ajijic
and are working diligently to add skylights and upgrades. It’s not far from
Guadalajara, making travel back to Gig Harbor WA manageable. Cathe and
Eric continue their music activities and dancing. They traveled to France in
May to participate in “English Country Dancing in a French Chateau” and
shared FaceBook photos of their gorgeous costumes. In December the
whole family celebrated daughter Sacha’s 40th birthday together in Playa
del Carmen, Mexico. Cathe invites us all to visit!
Pat Lewars Pace and Linda Glynn Hutchinson traveled in September to
Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece, with day trips to Kosovo and Serbia. It
struck them that all the powerful strongholds were built in the highest
possible places available. Visiting middle ages monasteries like Meteora,
ancient oracle and temple sites (8th century BC Thracian in Bulgaria)
required basic rock-climbing skills, often in 95-degree heat! Pat and Linda
were very grateful to end up in Santorini with a guide who was more
sympathetic to 73-year-old’s stamina. Despite Linda’s lost luggage and
Pat’s lost ATM card the two ladies enjoyed beautiful, interesting sights and
had a grand time with the ever friendly local people there.
Jana Privette Usry spent 17 days in Italy on a UMW-sponsored tour. The
travelers were 24 alumni from classes of ’65 to ’17: married couples,
mother-and-daughter, plus many singles. Mark Thaden, Director of Alumni
Relations, had compiled biographical sketches and photos of everyone and
hosted a cocktail party for them. Consequently, the group became
comfortable before embarking. One member, Karen Wells Scott ’68, was
Jana’s sister’s high school classmate, and they became fast friends and
shopping companions. The tour began in Naples at the Amalfi Coast resort.
They toured the mountainous region by chartered bus, stayed three days
in Ravello, then contined to Rome, where they visited all the famous sights,
too many to name. Jana’s birthday was celebrated in Rome with a surprise
bottle of champagne and a birthday chorus. The tour included Orvieto,
Assisi, Perugia, Siena, Tuscany, Florence, Sorento and finally Venice.
Throughout the trip Dr. Marjorie Och (art history) and her husband,
Preston Thayer (architectural history) provided wonderful insights and
evening lectures. During the holidays Jana performed several concerts with
her choir and her auditioned ensemble, then visited with her sisters and
cousins.
Sandra Hutchison Schanné traveled to Denver CO in August to care for
three grandchildren while thier parents were away. Daughter Amy
accompanied husband Shawn Mills to be recognized for meritorious work
as an entrepreneur in the field of data preservation. Amy, a well-
established nurse practitioner, has been honored for her work in nursing
education, receiving awards for her leadership in the development of
programs for critical care nurses in St. Anthony Hospital and Regis
University. In September Sandra began the process for replacing cataracts
in both eyes and now happily reports that her vision is better than ever
before! Sandra sadly wrote that her dear friend and suitemate, Katie Hales
Fleming, ’65, passed away in December. Katie’s son remarked that
although Katie earned an MA from Alabama and a PhD from Ohio she
“proudly and continuously wore her MWC class ring until the day she
died.”
Susanne Landerghini Boehm thought about all of us while watching
Warren Beatty’s film “Rules Don’t Apply.” Beatty, who was born and raised
in Virginia, mentioned more than once in the film that the young aspiring
starlet had received a scholarship from Mary Washington — small world!
Pam Kearney Patrick and husband TaB spent Thanksgiving in Cape May,
enjoying the final stages of remodeling. Their son flew in from Sacramento
to join them. Pam displayed three miniature watercolors in the Strathmore
(Bethesda) art show during the holidays and won an honorable mention.
Pam’s best painting buddy, Carol Bingley Wiley, has also displayed a
variety of fantastic watercolors. Besides painting Pam has cultivated a new
pasttime, being a “political junkie.” She joined the Women’s March and has
brushed up on the workings of government, a fascinating subject. Pam
keeps in touch with Ambler Carter in Philadelphia and has plans to visit.
She also attended her 55th high school reunion, had a blast, and has come
to grips with being a septagenarian-no more pretense!
Terry Caruthers compiled a 2017 synopsis beginning with her trip to the
New Orleans Jazz Festival in April for her sister’s 66th birthday, an Alaskan
cruise in June with recent-graduate grandsons plus a stop in Seattle, and a
50th wedding anniversary trip to Myrtle Beach where she and Don spent
their honeymoon. They attended a solar eclipse raft-up on their lake with
over 50 friends, traveled to Orlando in November, and celebrated Easter,
Thanksgiving and Christmas at home with their whole family.
Kathy Goddard Moss and Tom have settled nicely in their small apartment
in Oakland CA and are enjoying the myriad of activities offered there. It’s a
small retirement community with a wide variety of residents who share
interesting stories and experiences, making dinner conversations always
appealing. Also they are close to their son’s family and enjoy many close
family gatherings. With family members in Florida, Ohio and even Spain
Kathy and Tom still have many opportunities for travel – they spent
Christmas in Spain! Kathy invites us to visit so, as her dad used to say, “we
can swap lies and grumble about our aches and pains.”