Class Notes

Happy New Year one and all.

My fervent prayer is that you have all been able to survive the catastrophic events which took place in 2017 as well as recently and that your loved ones are safe as well. Probably more than a few of us feel guilty about not having had to cope with what much of our country and world have undergone but thoughts and prayers go out to everyone else in peril.

It is with deep sorrow to report the passing of Robin DesJardin Eckman’s husband, John. They were married for 35 years. On the brighter side, Robin has become reacquainted with classmate, Liz Pully, because of the friendship of their two daughters. Robin’s daughter, Sarah (’07) was married in September to Shaun Sargent (’03). The wedding was held at St. John’s Church in Chester with an outdoor reception at Weston Manor on the Appomattox. The maid of honor was Liz’s daughter, Amy Weiss, and bridesmaids were Emma Interlandi (’07) and Meghan Coyle (’08). John was deeply missed at this happy event but was probably there in spirit. Once again, it is a joy to see how the friendships formed at our alma mater have endured and will go on doing so.

My past year was full of changes. In November I left the law firm having been there for close to eight years. Although my plan is to keep my hand in temporary work as a legal assistant, the task at hand is to downsize the home in Baltimore and finally make the move to my parents’ homestead in the Roanoke area. Both Dennis and I are looking forward to it. Since the reunion, Cheryl Prietz Childress and I have gotten together twice and once the move to Roanoke is complete, we will probably see even more of each other. We were together with Cheryl and Dave plus daughter, Thea and son-in-law, Eric during the Christmas season when the family from both sides gathered at Smith Mountain Lake. It was quite a celebration enjoying Cheryl’s and Dave’s new grandchild, Ellie. The baby is absolutely adorable and already a heart breaker.

In closing, let us hope that 2018 is a great year for all of us with new beginnings for many.
[Editor’s note: See the 2007 Class Notes for a story involving Patricia Barrow Rios ’72.]