Class Notes

[Editors’ note: Longtime class agent Edna Gooch Trudeau has regretfully resigned as class agent, but she sent a little news for this issue. We are also republishing a selection of notes she sent for the online-only fall/winter 2020 issue. We wish her all the best and thank her for her service to the Class of 1959 and Mary Washington!] 

Christmas 2020 greetings arrived from several of you. Gloria Winslow Borden went to North Dakota in August with daughters Caroline Borden Kirchner ’82 and Cynthia, who insisted that she visit her 50th state. 

Frances “Bunky” Bourke Firth wrote of pandemic get-togethers in driveways, patios, and garages. She said husband Rog still puts in 10-hour days with his company. They enjoyed a trip to Egypt pre-pandemic. 

Dodie Reeder Hruby and Dale were exploring Williamsburg, Virginia, and enjoying new and old friends at Patriots Colony. 

Sally Warwick Rayburn hopes there will never be another year like 2020 but was grateful to have Maggie, a little dog with a little bladder, requiring four or five daily trips outside in the fresh air. Sally lost Jim in February 2019, soon after they had moved to Greensboro, North Carolina. 

Joan Whittemore Loock and Jim had an eventful 2019 with travel to Wisconsin and to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. In 2020, Joni put shoulder surgery on hold due to the pandemic but she and Jim were able to spend two weeks at the Playa del Carmen resort, wearing face masks during travel. They planned to spend Christmas 2020 in Virginia Beach with daughter Mardy. 

In 2019 Ann Brooks Coutsoubinas and 17 members of her family vacationed in England and Scotland, where a family christening was held. I heard from Ann again in 2020, and despite the pandemic she was taking things a day at a time. Daughter Anastasia was working for a local drugstore, and every day was hectic with old people demanding their pills. Later in 2020, Ann reported that she’s still volunteering with her Greek church. 

Lois Gaylord Allen’s son, his wife, and six red-haired grandchildren spent Christmas 2019 with her. She has reduced her volunteer work at the local humane society. She has four cats and two dogs of her own. She dearly misses Howard. 

2019 was a year of changes for Mary Massey, who left her house of 35 years and moved to a senior citizens community two miles away. She loves her grand apartment and access to grass, trees, space, and privacy. In late 2020 she wrote that she likes living near people her age and enjoys walking and exercising. 

Barbara Gordon McNamee and Bob had a mostly good 2019. Barbara is a longtime administrator and judge of synchronized swimming competitions and was busy with that work until, on a judging trip in California at Easter, she fell and fractured her pelvis and tailbone. Son Howard Crabtree and his wife, Margie, took her to the ER and cared for her till she was able to fly home to Bob. She was recovered and back to work in eight weeks. 

They had visits with Chris and Youngmi, Karen and Tony, and Rob. 

Barbara Barndt Miller lost Wayne on June 25, 2019. He had several problems and hospital visits but passed peacefully. They had moved to Pennsylvania toward the end of 2018 and stayed with her daughter, Ann, until their new home was ready. Family members, her church, and the community into which they moved have been very supportive. In 2020, Barbara met up with Ann in New York. 

We were sorry to learn of the March 2021 death of Arthur Old, widower of Eleanor Markham Old. After Eleanor’s death in 2003, Arthur regularly contributed to our Class Notes with humorous and newsy updates about their children and his own life. 

Irene Piscopo Rodgers had a lot of company in 2019. She took a river cruise and kept up with house repairs. More recently, she reported that she was doing better after a few days in the hospital. 

Martha Spilman Clark and Paul were stuck in Peru – where they have long done mission work and cared for children in need – because of the pandemic. They’re back in the United States now and were enjoying seeing their great-grandchildren. 

Ann Watkins Steves let me know she and her husband are doing well, as did Anne Saunders Spilman and her husband. 

Audrey Dubetsky Doyle shared sad news of the loss of daughter Jennifer. I’m so sorry, Audrey. Daughter Tiffany and husband Rick check on Audrey and bring her groceries. 

2019 flew by for Kay Rowe Hayes. In May she attended the UMW graduation of grandson Matthew Hayes ’19 (who went on to earn a master’s degree from William & Mary’s Mason School of Business in May 2020). Matthew’s twin brother, John, graduated the same day from Christopher Newport University. They are the sons of Kay’s son Tom and his wife, Tracy. In August, Kay visited sister Susan Rowe Bunting ’64 and Phil in their lake cottage in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. 

Kay’s oldest, Kathy, loves living in Chula Vista, California. Kay’s daughter Karen and husband Harry enjoy life outside Atlanta. Tom and Tracy welcomed their college graduate twins back home while one attended graduate school and the other prepared for a new job. 

Kay called with an update in February 2020. She was downsizing, and in the book department alone she had enough to start her own Barnes & Noble. In late 2020, she said she was still working on home projects. 

Jane Coates Littlefield and Mo said son Scott, his wife, Susan, and their children, Chris and Mary Graham, fill their house with much activity and joy. Chris was a high school senior and college-hunting. Mary Graham was looking forward to middle school. 

Out of the blue, I got a call from Fay Jessup Young, my first-year suitemate. Sadly, she lost Avery in 2018. Two of her children live close, which is a big help. Her oldest granddaughter was touring the Netherlands when the coronavirus showed up, but she arrived home safely. Where are Carol Noakes Robinson, Eugenia “Jean” Ellis Perkins, and Patsy Peterson Griffing? Unfortunately, I could give no answers. 

Barbara White Ellis was preparing to host a birthday party for a friend, with a limited guest list because of the pandemic. Babs has had two hip replacements and was doing well but had not been able to ride – she was still on her farm but had no horses. She plans to return to horsemanship activities for pleasure only. 

Although quarantined, Jane Tucker Broadbooks and John really enjoy their senior apartment. John has some health issues but is doing better. Jon Karl drives his dad to weekly kidney dialysis. Jon Karl’s son, Tucker, is a college student and daughter Virginia was finishing high school. Jane and John celebrated their 60th anniversary in June. Jane said Molly Bradshaw Clark is in a senior apartment and still living in Florida. 

Marcia Phipps Ireland looked forward to her granddaughter’s graduation from Boston University in 2021. 

Well, my dears, it is hard to believe we have known each other since August 1955. We were all at the beginning of our new lives, and none of us knew what would happen next. Fortunately, we turned out to be an outstanding group of women with exciting careers, good husbands, lovely children, and for some, single, rewarding livelihoods. 

Thank you for all these years. It has given me great joy to share your stories, read, and write about you. (I tried not to talk about myself, but when Virginia and Lucas arrived, I had to write a sentence or two.) 

My brain’s wishes do not coincide with my body’s decisions! My macular degeneration is at the point that it is extremely difficult for me to read and write, and I feel I can no longer serve as your class agent. It breaks my heart. It seems I do not have a choice. Please accept my resignation as class agent for 1959. I love you all!