If you prefer to submit Class Notes by mail, send to:

UMW Magazine – Class Notes
1301 College Ave.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

1988

Beverly J. Newman
bevnewmn@yahoo.com

Jay Bradshaw
jaybradshaw747@aol.com

From Beverly:

I am still loving payroll and working for a local company in Richmond, VA, and enjoying hanging out at the pool and beach with friends as often as possible, weather permitting.  I’ve seen SGGL and Skip Castro bands recently and man that has brought back some fun memories!  I used to follow SGGL with Laura (Starbling) Kowalewski Laura Kowalewski, Gail Zeigler ’87 Gail (Zeigler) Pietrafesa ’87 and Kathy Leahy.  I went with Kathy to hear SGGL, and Laura and Kathy were able to get together over the summer at Kathy’s lake house.  Laura, who lives in NJ, has 3 beautiful daughters–Allie, a 4th year at UVA, Maddie, a Jr at Furman University, and Morgan, a Sr in high school.  Laura loves to golf and is getting excited to be an empty nester this fall with her husband Dan when Morgan heads off to college. Gail, who lives in NY with husband Mark, is enjoying being a grandmother to 8 grand kids–so far!  When they aren’t with the grand kids she and Mark love to travel.

I just met Michelle Martin in Fred after Christmas, and we had lunch at Sammy T’s…of course we had to, it’s almost impossible to go there and not go to Sammy’s!  Michelle is doing well, living in MD.  I saw Matt Fogo ’87 back in September when I was passing thru Lexington–as usual it was great to catch up!  I heard from Kathryn (Berube) Ortega over the holidays and she and her husband Ed are both retired now, both doing easy (in her words) PT jobs!!  They live in FL, and still love to volunteer.  Sue (Thomasson) Coleman lives in Northern VA with her husband Robert and 3 kids–Wes who’s a Sr at George Mason, Allie who’s a Sr at Mary Wash this year–go legacy!, and Emma, who’s a freshman at UT in Knoxville.  They are adjusting to the empty nester life also, and also love to travel, and always take great Fam vacations.  Kelly (Gould) Stewart  is still up in ME with husband Bob, and her beautiful daughter Joie (my goddaughter!) is a Sr at Drew University this year.  Kim (Jones) Isaac ’87 is out in OK with husband Ken, and they own both a computer service and an engraving business.  She loves photography and has recently had an exhibit of her photos at a visitor’s center, and she still enjoys doing her calming yoga.  And thanks to Anna (Wilson) Hudson for reminding me to submit class news!

That’s it for me for now, will send more hopefully next time

From Jay:

Hello MWC Class of 1988!  Greetings here in 2020!  It has been 32 years since we exited our beautiful Fredericksburg campus.  Social Media has reduced the number of updates I have received over the years.  Please take some time in the future to share an update  via email for publishing the next time the request goes out.

FROM Kelly Gould Stewart:

The coolest moment for me was making my daughter’s (Joie) last tuition payment a few days ago.  That was 8 years of hard work, for both of us, to pay for boarding school and undergrad.  She will graduate in May from Drew University with B.A. in Media & Communications.  She loves to edit videos and hopes to live with her friends in Brooklyn upon graduation.

I’m going into my 5th year as the Director of Outpatient Forensic Services for the State of Maine.  This is a specialized psychiatric service that treats clients who have been adjudicated not criminally responsible by reason of mental illness.  It is never the same day twice and always has an element of risk, which keeps me on my toes.  I spent a lot of time in the courtroom providing testimony.  This job falls under public safety, so there is a lot of responsibility.

I recently completed my national certification to teach basic handgun safety, and formed my owned company Foothills Firearms Safety, LLC. I often specialize in female only classes for women who have been subjected to violence or other traumatic events with a firearm.  I must say I was surprised at the amount of interest, as I have waiting lists at this point, since I am only doing this on the weekends.  Many individuals prefer to be taught by a woman, and there has been many a man, I have surprised with my skill- lol!

I am still Chair of the Select Board here in Sumner and remain on the Fire Department with my husband.  So life is very busy!

FROM Anna Wilson Hudson:

The year 2019 was quite momentous!  In July I was offered a position with Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer in Roanoke (the same firm that leases and manages Eagle Village!),  our middle son was married in Norfolk in November, and in the Fall I got to hang out with Dawn Tanner Erdman ’86 at an impromptu SW Virginia Alumni Network event at Roanoke College.  Our men’s soccer team played RC’s men’s team (it ended in a tie!).

FROM Anne Crowe Kroger:

A lot has changed since the last I wrote (eons ago). For the sad news: We lost my dad in January 2019. It’s been a long year.

On the good side: I remarried in 2018. (I lost my first husband in 2013, which was published.) My husband, Scott, and I live with his twin daughters in our mountain home in New Hampshire. We ski in the winter and bike ride in the summer. Life is good! We honeymooned in California at Mammoth Mt – ski trip, of course! Loved it so much, we’re going back this year.

I opened my own consulting biz in 2018, Kroger Grant Consultants (krogergrant.com), through which I teach business development skills and coach public speaking to clients all over the country. My focus is architects, engineers, and contractors, but I work with other clients as well. Love my job!

I am currently serving my second, two-year term on the Mary Wash Alumni Board – a position I’m thrilled and honored to hold. Not surprisingly, all Board members share an unbelievable passion for Mary Wash! After a much-too-long hiatus, this role has brought me back to campus, and I’ve had the opportunity to see Kathy Brosnan Kilgore ’89 and Cindy (Cie) Murdock Shepard ’88 several times. If there’s anything I can do for our classmates in this role, please encourage them to reach out to me.

Thanks Jay for serving in your role to keep us all connected! Cheers to 2020.