Class Notes

Carole Grant LeMay wrote “All is well with us. I went on a wonderful tour with Bee Stone Byrnes in June to the Hamptons. We also spent time at our lake house in North Alabama with our daughter Jill and family. Then in August we took an ACL (American Cruise Line) cruise with my sister Barb and husband Dave on the Snake and Columbia rivers. I am still doing tours and playing bridge and I do programs at my church so I stay busy. Ralph is still playing tennis and fishes and deer hunts so he remains active as well. My best to all in our class.”

Jerri Barden Perkins has sent a few short messages…she is still on a high after receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award in June;  her family and friends gave a wonderful dinner in Dec to honor her late husband Cal; and ”just returned (Jan 3) from Chateau Frontenac, Quebec, Canada, “charming but oh so cold, to celebrate New Year with Road Scholar Program.”

Bev Carlson Shea wrote to thank us class agents for ALL our hard work and says, “Same old, same old…went to Dan’s Short Hills Club the night before Thanksgiving and also to the Harvard Club in NYC for some NYC Christmas.”  She spends lots of time keeping up with son Dan’s kids who live in NJ, and daughter Heather’s son who lives in CA and has been accepted early decision at Duke.  What was more impressive to Bev was his perfect ACT scores on all 4 subject areas and his high 700’s on the two S.A.T. subject tests.

Clara Sue Durden Ashley reported on her large family of 4 sons and a few grandchildren! “Two granddaughters will graduate from high school in 2020.  Abigail, who lives in Sterling, VA, and is the daughter of our son Chris, is famous for her desserts that she makes. and plans to pursue that field.  Recently she won a trophy for her key lime pie.  Son Park’s daughter Anwyn in Beavercreek, OH, expects to major in music.  She plays piano, organ, flute and piccolo.  She plays flute and piccolo with the Springfield Youth Symphony as well as with the Cedarville University Orchestra and placed first in the Senior Division of the Central Ohio Flute Assoc. sponsored by Ohio State Univ.  Students from all over the country compete in this event.  At age 14, one of Anwyn’s brothers, who plays viola in the Youth Symphony, finished composing his first full orchestral work.  Sister Noelle, at age 11, is a beautiful ice skater.  She works so hard and concentrates.  Her teacher is a former member of Ice Capades.  Their father Park’s new position at Wright Patterson AFB is a systems engineer on the Global Hawk Korean foreign military sales program.  Son Dennis, Maria and their four sons came from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to spend a week with us in December.  Dennis is in charge of removal of the hazardous waste from the Naval Air Station in Guantanamo Bay.  Son Andrew is still with the Norwegian company Nammo and sometimes travels afar.  Last Father’s Day he gave his dad a phone call from Paris!”

Maddie Contis Marken wrote: “Things are generally good here on Cape Cod.  I moved to a larger condo this past summer. I think I am supposed to down size at this age. Oh well. I have extra bedrooms if anyone gets stuck in Falmouth/Woods Hole on the way to Martha’s Vineyard. I am still working as a social worker for Cape Cod Health Care and for a visiting nurse company.  Love it!  I couldn’t have chosen a better profession.  I am still running competitively although I am getting somewhat slower in my 80’s. Still hiking in Europe on self- guided tours. And, generally, am grateful for all that I have. Our family has its share of worry and sadness of course.”

Patty Cairns Hourin says, “We have had a great year celebrating our 80th birthdays.  Our sons gave me a party in July, attended by lots of family and friends and the same for Jim in December!  I continue to play golf several times a week. Walking the dog and going to the gym is keeping me in shape.  Playing in our church bell choir also keeps my brain working!  Lynne Neave and I visited with a high school friend in Williamsburg in October, seeing the Hurleys in Richmond too.”

News from Carolyn Crum Pannu:  “Went to the south of France with Pat Scott Peck on fabulous Viking River Cruise (my 2nd…other one was north on the Seine from Paris to Normandy). This one went from Lyon to Avignon on the Soane and Rhone Rivers….morning village walks, afternoon naps, and luscious food and wine, visited Van Gogh’s work places, wineries etc. Back to work on Jan. 7th.  May take a train trip south from San Jose to L.A. the last week of April, will see the sights, possibly in Hop On Hop Off Bus, then have brunch or ‘linner’ (per Renee) with R, maybe at my favorite Dinah’s, famous for the best apple pancakes in the world!  As you can tell, travel is all about food and drink!!  Love and hugs to all, ’til 2021…..seems so far away)”

Carol Schock Furman sent a newsy letter, expressing her devastation at the passing of Jeanne Thornhill Ulrich.  They became friends at UMW from bike riding together, and in later years when the Ulrichs’ son Peter was enrolled in Carol’s first preschool class in MD.  They renewed their friendship at our 50th Class Reunion.  Like many of us, Carol had fun celebrating high her 80th birthday with an 80th high school reunion in Shaker Heights, OH; a fantastic ”pink party” given by her daughter Tammi and husband Tony; and, finally, a “staycation” at Virginia Beach for 3 nights by her other daughter Candy, husband, and sorority sisters.  Carol lives in Virginia Beach and continues to do day/night care for her 3 grandkids.  Tammi is an Associate Dean at Old Dominion Univ. and Tony is a retired Navy Seal.  Thanks for this update, Carol.

As for me (Connie), I am slowing down, but, miraculously 7 years after my lung transplant, I am still here, reaching the age of 80, with a wonderful stay at the Greenbrier Resort with our family.  Please keep in touch and thanks to you who submitted news….I love hearing from you!

From Renee:

Marcia Minton Keech and Bill are still very happy in Winchester, VA, loving the people in their lives and are thankful for living in such a beautiful place where they are active and having a lot of fun.  The nice part is that they are only an hour and 15 mins. away from all their children and grandchildren.  They get to see them more frequently than when they lived in Savannah, GA, although Marcia misses the warmth of the South.  If anyone is in the area, Marcia invites you to please come and visit with them.

Debbie Phinney Wylie’s son and daughter-in-law treated her to a cruise to the Western Caribbean in March to celebrate the big 80! Then, in July, all 16 of her family members spent a week in Maine at their family cottage.  She says getting old can be fun!  I agree!  16, wow, big family!  Debbie has been trying to reach Brownie Marshall McElroy without success.  They used to text and play Words With Friends, but has not heard from her for a while now.  If anyone has news of Brownie’s whereabouts, please contact Debbie (and me, of course).

Becky Paris Spetz writes that her husband, Stewart Wayne Spetz died on August 18, 2019.  He was 83 and they were happily married for 57 years.  Becky says that she has wonderful support from their four children, their families and many friends.  Our condolences go out to you and your family. I wish you solace and warmth in the happy memories of 57 years.

Peggy Howard Hodgkins has had quite a time celebrating her 80th year!  Last June, she took 4 adult grandchildren (19,22,13 & 24) on an Alaska cruise with 2 days in Vancouver.  Spectacular moment and thrill came during their helicopter flight to a glacier for a dog sled ride….they flew OVER a rainbow!  They all had a wonderful time.  Her family grew by two great grands, 2/12 & 5 mos. By Easter, a male will join the girls!  Many extended family visits to the lake, a big reunion of her Mom’s family, 80th birthday celebrations, and her brother-in-law’s interment in Maine filled the calendar. Then, for a “snow bird” getaway, Peggy visited family in Athens, GA, Palm Springs, CA, and Tulsa, OK.  Peggy is grateful to have such a large family to enjoy.  Next is a cruise to The Panama Canal and some Caribbean ports with her sister, Jean.  Peggy will turn 81 on April 2nd.  Many happy returns, Peggy! Peggy also enjoys helloing as she can at Church and the Women’s Club fundraisers. As we octogenarians tend to do, Peggy watches the news and uses her cell phone to take photographs.  Photography is still her favorite hobby.  Maine still enthralls her with its beauty and she is grateful for the views and being able drive around and enjoy others.  She remains in her big, big house with the threat of downsizing still before her.  She salutes all who have accomplished this task…yes, I found it quite daunting. Probably one of the reasons I decided not to move to the desert!

My news is kinda thin.  I lost my wonderful doggie, Buddy, in early May. I am still heartbroken.  He was 14 and had cancer. Sweet, sweet dog, I miss him terribly.

I still take classes at UCLA Extension for fun.  Go to theatre a lot.  Go out to lunch and/or dinner with friends.  Haven’t traveled much this year.  I think I wrote last time about changing my mind about moving to the desert.  I just really like my life here, and I’m happy with my fur kids!  I did rescue a cute little (make that tiny) dog in November.  She and the cats don’t get along.  I’m hoping in time they’ll adjust.  She is 7 years old and was about to be put down. So, at least, I saved a life.  I do enjoy her, but no dog can fill Buddy’s paws.

From Lynne:  I’m guessing everyone is busy with the holidays, as I received only two responses!  Fortunately, I have been in touch with several classmates recently, so I can report a few items.   Some of you saw and commented on a picture I posted of Rick and Rose Hurley in New York City;  I had such fun with them, seeing Mean Girls on Broadway, and the Rockettes at Radio City.  I’m still a tourist at heart, even after fifty years in NYC.   Earlier this year I visited my old hometown, San Antonio, and stayed with Bitsy Glasscock Duperior, who left MWC after Freshman year.   I had hoped to see Candes Parker Chumney, but she was ailing while I was there, as was Jill Cusack Clay.   Lloyd Tilton Backstrom and I keep in touch regularly, although we don’t see as much of each other as I would like.  She and Art were in Paris in the fall and said that they walked 34,500 steps in one day.  They also skied in Vail early in December; needless to say, they are in very good condition.

Marcy Trembath Pitkin writes, “I will be moving in a few weeks from Stuart, FL which has become a bit sleepy for me to Philadelphia where I lived for the first six years after MWC.  I will be in a high rise apartment located near my daughter and her family.  Life will be different.”

Lynne Wilson Rupert writes that life is good in southern California.   Sadly she lost her oldest brother from Elkton, MD, who practiced law for 50+years.   On the brighter side, she and her younger daughter, Katy, enjoyed ten delightful days in Lisbon while Katy was on business.  She spent Christmas with her daughters, their husbands and four grandchildren at Lake Arrowhead.  A cruise with some bridge friends on Holland America to Mexico is on her agenda for January.

Sue Wilson Sproul and Dave had a very busy and exciting 2019. In the summer, they sold their Tucson house and explored the West with their trailer, visiting CA, UT, NV, CO, and NM, visiting various members of Dave’s family.  Sue then flew “home” to Richmond, while Dave stayed out West.  She stayed at her daughter’s home along the lake at Brandermill (being live-in grandma to Henry, age 10) and celebrated her 80th birthday.   In late August, she met Dave in KY and brought him back to VA, stopping to visit granddaughter, Audrey, a senior at VPI.

While waiting for their cottage at Brandermill Woods refurbishment to be completed, (hopefully in early January) they are “hanging out” in an Air B&B.  Sue is happy to have “roots” now, although she has loved the flexibility of the trailer.   She seems to be loving the more diverse and progressive Richmond and has linked up with MWC alumni through a service project for the homeless.  She looks forward to our reunion in 2021….

Regina “Jenna” Guercio Young Hall wrote: “Mac and I were quite busy in November and December with family and guests at our winter home in Sun Lakes, AZ.  We sold our Mercer Island, WA home of 48 years last November 2018 and downsized to a winter home in AZ.  We spend the summers at our Orcas Island, WA home.  Mac and I recently celebrated our 59th wedding anniversary.  We met on a blind date in December 1958 at Mary Washington.  How time flies.  We continue to enjoy golf, hiking, bridge and Bible study.”