Class Notes

From Barbara Goliash Emerson:
Having brunch in DC with some classmates, Carol Middlebrook, Betsy Larson Kyker, Lisa Jenkins, Jackie DelGallo and Linda McCarthy Milone, I learned that Carol and her husband, John Feldman, had a fabulous trip to the southern hemisphere that included Antarctica via a National Geographic ship (with amazing photos of penguins, killer whales and lots of snow and ice). Lisa’s assistance was acknowledged in her sister, Marie Jenkins Schwartz’ book on first ladies and the enslaved people who served them. If you like history, you’ll find the book, The Ties that Bound – Founding First Ladies and Slaves, fascinating.

A good friend from the Class of 1980, Fatima Allibhai Khaja, who works for Fairfax County with me, earned a much-deserved promotion to Manager of Economic, Demographic and Statistical Research for the county.

Gayle Weinberger Petro is always a great source of information on our classmates. She wrote the following: Sue Moore Davis celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary and 60th birthday in September shortly after she and her husband moved to a new home in Chapel Hill, NC. Lisa Bratton Soltis from Roanoke and Pam Crowley of Williamsburg attended. Pam teaches in Williamsburg and is looking forward to retirement. Sue is an instructional resource teacher, literacy coach and test coordinator. Judy Kemp Allard is over the moon following the birth of her first grandchild, Camden. Lisa Carle Shields is still working for Sun Trust Mortgage and lives at Smith Mountain Lake. Donna Anaya continues to work for the National Cable Television Association and spent Christmas in Montana. Bonnie Berry left her position as Assistant to the Director of the Smithsonian and is now a Special Assistant at American University. She also works on television specials for the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, as well as the Kennedy Center Honors. Gayle herself was the guest of honor in September at a Sassy and Sixty Party in September at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Va. I was honored to attend along with Donna Anaya, Betsy Kyker and Nena Lee Kobayashi. Speaking of Nena, she worked the USO tent at the Military Bowl in Annapolis in December. In lieu of birthday gifts, Gayle asked that we donate to the UMW Alumni Association which was a great idea. She suggested when we donate to UMW, we make it as a general contribution so the Alumni Association gets a portion. Gayle also said she plans to run for President in 2020 or be selected as Secretary of Education. Go Gayle!

Lisa Bratton Soltis added the following news:
Condolences to Sally Hart Morgan who lost her wonderful mother, Carolyn Hart on Jan. 4, 2018 in Roanoke, VA. Carolyn and her husband, Joe, always welcomed the Mary Washington gals to their home in Ferrum, VA where Joe was president of Ferrum College. Sally’s youngest brother, Evan, is a graduate of UMW Class of 1991. Sally is currently the Director of Community Development in Bristol, Virginia.

Nancy Quaintance Nelles, Donna Anaya and Karin Hedberg met at Nancy’s home in Wilmington, DE in mid-April and enjoyed lunch and shopping at Terrain Garden Café in Glen Mills, PA. Nancy’s father, Barton Quaintance passed away April 18, 2017 so it was an opportunity for us to get together and reminisce about our travels with Bart and his generous hospitality. He was a true Southern gentleman.

Nancy, Donna and Vickie Nichols Sheretz, ’78 and I attended the Mount Vernon Wine Festival in October and had so much fun…great people, a great tour of Mount Vernon, fabulous Virginia vineyards represented and a beautiful sunset on the Potomac sipping fine wines. Donna and I also traveled with a group for a week in New Mexico and had an amazing visit. Highly recommend it if you are looking for a vacation spot. Following the Mount Vernon fun, Vickie, Joan Castner Niederlehner, ’77 and I headed to Pawley’s Island, SC for a few days of Low Country living and cuisine.

Gayle Weinberger Petro made her welcomed pilgrimage to Roanoke over the Thanksgiving weekend bearing gifts and fun. We had lots of fun shopping at the historic Roanoke City Market and catching up over turkey and dressing.

Donna and Nancy are planning their next adventure for summer 2018 – a tour of US national parks with Nancy’s brother, Richard. Nancy is also expecting her second grandchild this summer.

Lorenza Amico, who works at UVA, has been on the move, most recently traveling to Turkey for two weeks of sightseeing in September. Check out her amazing photos on Facebook. Lorenza also toured some national parks last year following a fun gathering with Beth Innis Landin (Corning, NY), Leslie Abrams Serenyi (Edison, NJ), Donna Anaya (Washington, DC), Nancy Quaintance Nelles (Wilmington, DE) and I at Lake Seneca on the Finger Lakes. Beth is a retired wealth advisor and is now pursuing her dream as an artist. You can see much of her work on Instagram. Beth’s children are all grown up – Kyle is at the University of Pittsburgh and Lien is in high school.

As for me, I see work for the City of Roanoke’s the Department of Economic Development and spend time chasing my three grandsons, blessings from my two daughters, Annie (31) and Jennifer (36). I still volunteer as a member of the UMW Foundation Board and look forward to our next reunion in 2019…40 years! What? It can’t be!