Corky Edwards Shulman
oahucork@aol.com
808.254.2531

Due to family circumstances, Corky Edwards Shulman will report class news in the next issue. Jayne Gillis deConstant reports having lost power during a severe coastal storm on October 29. Jayne writes: “it has been a miserable week, dark, cold, running out of food. My carriage house apartment is attached to my son’s house, so I was able to warm up at the woodstove in their family room. Today, November 2, we got some power. Phone will go on tomorrow. I have some food in my fridge and a new telephone pole outside. Greetings to the Hoodlums. Hope you all never have to spend a week like this! Otherwise, I’m hopping along in my walker, feeling 91 years on my shoulders, but as sassy as ever. Great memories of Hood friends will never leave me.”

Corky Edwards Shulman
808-254-2531
oahucork@aol.com

Aloha, Hoodlums. I think it is extraordinary that over 50 % of the class of 1948 are ‘still kicking’ (see below) while reaching their 90th year.…that’s sixty-plus women! Could it have been that (campus day) ‘Vitamin H’ we championed way back then??….Anne Chaney Mesmer is still in Washington, DC; granddaughter Andriana graduates from high school this June. Anne shares an Irish Blessing: “May all that is unloved in you Blossom into a future Graced with love….” (Lovely…mahalo, Anne) Nancy Naser Crawford writes that although she misses her car and her independence, she is really enjoying all the group physical therapy classes, trips and programs at the Salemtown Community Center where she now resides. (And I bet they enjoy her) Just learned of the death of Betty Patterson Reims in late May.  Betty was one of ‘the folksies”, our gang of eleven so called by Patty Beall Snader in “Future Perfect”.  Aloha, ol’ buddy. The Round Robin letter started by Shirley Benson Rice and eight other Hoodlums at graduation ended when Elsa Eggers Hauswald died, leaving Shirley and Barbara Heiss Jackson to keep it going. Shirley and Barb decided to keep in touch by phone and retire the Round Robin after an amazing sixty-eight years. (That should go in the record books!) Patty Callender Hewit lost her husband in 2011, and then her home at Normandy Beach, N.J. to hurricane Sandy, and now lives in a retirement community. “But I am also very lucky, as eight of my thirteen grandchildren are married with thirteen great grandchildren and two more on the way.” (THAT should go in the record books…..) Jean Herman Walker writes “Still kicking slowly but still kicking! Lost Wade three years ago, and now have fifteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Life is good and very few pains…..thank goodness!” Charlestown (Baltimore) Retirement Community is home to Bette Blome Winyall, who attended grandson Davey’s recent wedding in Blacksburg, VA while “missing grandson. Joe’s graduation from the University of Virginia on the same day. Philly soldiers on, coping with health problems. Dan’s been promoted to Captain…….daughter Ruth and sons David and Walter bring joy and delight as well…”. Bette also writes: “Pleasant days here as I enjoy good health, good friends, family and rewarding volunteering…every good wish to fellow Hoodlums!” Me, I’m the slackard here………I have (only) seven grandchildren and my very first great-grandchild will arrive in July, courtesy of granddaughter Maile Lewis Little and husband Micheal. Maile and Mike were the subjects of an article I wrote for local publication, called “Tutu Goes to New York” in 2015, about all the brouhaha around Maile’s marriage to an aristocratic New Yorker. I will include that story in my soon-to be-self-published biography which I’m writing just for fun, and family. All for now. Keep writing!

1948

Corky Edwards Shulman
808-254-2531
oahucork@aol.com

Aloha, hoodlums…and Mele Kalikimaka from the islands, post-season! Having my son and family here for the holidays was special; Paul is now the CEO of Boulder (CO) Community Hospital with a room to be named after him! Daughter Kim and Grandson Arion still in residence, blessedly! And son Kevin and family still hang out in snowy Vermont. Wish I could share Janet (Ging) Beck Agnew’s photo: except the lighter hair, she looks exactly as in ’48, I swear! A recent family reunion, time with three great-grandchildren, a new grandchild this past July and a 90th birthday has kept Ging moving…along with a regular exercise class locally. (Whew!) Bette Blome Winyall writes of lunching with Hood’s new president, Andrea Chapdelaine: “She is an absolutely charming, caring, talented woman who should lead Hood to a bright future.” Watching her four grandsons thriving is a special blessing: the eldest about to be married, a career army man, a med-school applicant, and Philly, a special needs child, is her hero: “He lives with courage and determination each day!” (Bravo, Bette.) Elaine Henderson Cortelyou has been spending time with high school classmates all celebrating their 90th birthdays. She recently flew to visit her daughters in Raleigh and Atlanta. “Shifted to slow speed but hanging in there.”…(me, too). Nancy Naser Crawford lives in Salemtowne, Winston-Salem, a “wonderful retirement community” run by the Moravian Church. Nancy has severe spinal stenosis and moved to Salemtowne after a bad fall. A recent operation has brought some relief. “Under my circumstances, I couldn’t be in a better place…I’m happy here and send greetings to all the Hood Girls. I spent two very, very happy years at Hood.” Ginny Mansfield Almwrites, “All’s well, enjoying Florida’s run and life in the Villages. Wouldn’t it be nice to have another reunion? I get so nostalgic at this time of year!” (so do I). From Anne Chaney Mesmer: “We’re celebrating the holidays here with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren!”(sigh…no ‘greats’ yet for me). Jayne Gillis deConstant is watching over the carriage house and has a wonderful apartment in New Hampshire. She is doing well after a sudden gallbladder attack. It has been removed, and she is recovering. She wishes everyone a happy Christmas and remembers Hood with great delight. Jayne is looking forward to better days ahead. She is able to observe a beautiful coastline in New Hampshire. Mariane Buckman Ewing passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. Surviving her are daughter Anne and son Chad as well as three grandchildren. The card to Muriel Woods Buckley, 36 Gate 7, Carolina Shores, NC 28467 came back “unable to forward;” “Buttons” was her nickname, I recollect. Any ideas, anyone? All for now. Keep writing! Corky Edwards Shulman  

1948

Corky Edwards Shulman
808-254-2531
oahucork@aol.com

Aloha, Hoodlums! There are 65 members of the class of 48 still truckin’……..and since most of us have hit our 90th birthday, I’d say we are a pretty long-lived group of women. I share my birthday with Queen Elizabeth; we both hit 90 on April 21st; my four youngsters came from the mainland to help celebrate. And in 2018, we’ll enjoy our 70th class reunion!!!! Ginny Mansfield Alm and Bob are well and enjoying life in The Villages, FL. They play lots of bridge, and Ginny continues keyboard lessons and plays nine holes of golf twice a week. (As one of the “Folksies” gang of eleven, Ginny and I have enjoyed many happy reunions.)!! Ann Barnum Connellee remembered my birthday April 21st, mahalo, old friend! Ann and Bill and daughter Gail vacation at Kiawah in a friend’s house on the ocean. “We are so fortunate to have each other and love our cottage here at Bishop Gadsden (Charleston, S.C.).”!! Janet Beck Agnew has moved to Hamilton, Ohio where she lives with her daughter, Kerry. Janet and her three daughters will attend a family reunion in West Virginia where she will be the matriarch of the clan! (Way to go, Ging!)!! Shirley Benson Rice ( Farmville,VA) writes that she has two grandchildren graduating from High School this spring, both are going on to college. (Congrats to both.)!! Anne Chaney Mesmer, from Washington, D.C…”living day to day with lots of help and cheered by visits from family and friends.” (Anne always had that positive glow.)!! Elaine Henderson Cortelyou still enjoys her river home in Fairton, N.J. that she shares with the deer and the turkeys. She works at the church and enjoys cooking. (Wish I did….good for you!)!! Mary Hershberger (San Antonio, TX) retired in 2014 after a 65 year career in the Retail Fashion and Travel Industry. “I am now enjoying the free time with friends and my standard white 5 year old poodle ‘Sophie Tucker.”. (Ditto me & my 7 year old chihuahua)!! Barbara Heiss Jackson, in Sarasota, FL.: “We mourn the death of Louise Renninger Rittenhouse, P’74, G’07 (Tootie). She was one of eight of us who kept in touch via round robin letter. There are just three of us now; Elsa Eggers Hauswald, Shirley Benson Rice, and me. We keep in touch now by phone.” Barb has three children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. (We too mourn ‘Tootie’)!! Margaret Green Lebherz was privileged to represent the Class of ’48 in the alumni procession at the inauguration of President Andrea Chapdelaine. She writes “Hood was blessed with a beautiful October Day for this outdoor occasion as only Maryland can provide.” (Amen, amen)!! Katherine Maguire Rafferty reports in from Denver that husband John has had his second-knee-replacement and is recuperating nicely at home. “Our two girls live in CA and FL. so we visit in CA yearly. We all need to HANG IN THERE!” (Hear hear! I agree!)!! Betty Paterson Reims (Wallingford, CT) still spends the winters in Florida. “I”m using a cane like everyone else, but keep plugging. As I watch the French Open, I wonder how I played tennis all those years!! We were lucky and had a good life.”!! A blue note from George Southworth: “It is with a sad heart that I inform you that my wife, Lorene Myers Southworth, passed away on May 20 at Kirkhead Village Retirement Community. We moved here to live out our remaining years. Unfortunately, hers were shorter than we would have liked.” (Aloha nui loa, Renee)!! As for me, still hangin’ out in the islands with daughter Kim and grandson Arion in residence, enjoying hearing from old classmates! However, as of the deadline (6/20/2016), cards sent to Vivian Rice Englander and Jean Neel Perkins have been returned to me, unable to forward. If any of you know the whereabouts of any of these gals, please advise!!

Corinne Edwards Shulman
808-254-2531
oahucork@aol.com

Aloha Folksies! Reporting in from the islands; all’s well in Paradise. Apparently, out of 150 names on my class list, 70 alums are alive and well and have been contacted by email or postcard. It may have been too close to deadline for most of you, unfortunately. Ann Barnum Connellee gives tours at the Sea Turtle Hospital in South Carolina and is still playing golf. The marriage of Ann’s first grandchild in North Carolina was the occasion for a gathering of the Connellee clan last August. Janet Beck Agnew now lives with her daughter Kerry, in Ohio. Ging reports good health, not much energy. Same here, old friend! Patty Callender Hewit had just returned from a round trip Atlantic Ocean cruise on the Queen Mary 2……”fantastic ship, something going on every moment. Best of all, I learned while cruising by email that my 11th great grandchild had been born!” Marcia Gurwitt Wofsey and husband Bob have been living in a senior residence for three years, in Port Chester, New York. “We miss our garden but have many new friends and the days are filled with many activities; still fondly remember our days at Hood”. And our ‘White Blazer’ gal, Katherine Maguire Rafferty writes from Denver: “Our only travels are a yearly trip to visit our oldest daughter and her husband in Paso Robles. We have no grandchildren, alas. Classmates I have kept in touch with are Dixie in Maryland, Jonesy in Massachusetts, and Louise in Delaware. Sorry to hear Doris Reininger DeHart died last year. We are all getting pretty old, however!” Charlotte Montrasell Meier’s daughter, Elizabeth Schmitt, responded that her mother was now living in Flemington, New Jersey….”doing very well, but unable to access email, as her computer is misbehaving”. Her address is 19 Moore Drive, 08822. Corinne Edwards Shulman As for me, I am blessed to have my daughter, Kim, and her son, Arion, taking over managing my home here. Arion has been with me since Nat became handicapped in 2004 (Nat died in 2009); Kim moved back from Boulder in 2011. No more travels for me since my heart attack in 2010. I just treated myself to a ‘Floataway’…a personal tank to float in, good for bad backs! I still go to the ocean when it’s friendly…the best therapy of all. All for now; would love to hear from my old classmates; please drop a line or email me.

Marjorie Blakeney Filmyer
215-925-2348
mbfilmyer@comcast.net

Dear classmates: Thank you for the many replies via mail and phone which I received in response to my plea for news. As you can imagine, several of us have been attending funeral services. Shirley Benson Rice received word of the passing of Ginny Bare Francis, P’72 from Ginny’s daughter after she had attended the service for Doris Reininger DeHart in October 2014. Ginny mentioned that Doris had received the Distinguished Graduate Award in recognition of “her decade of contribution to society.” In addition, she was a “dedicated public servant who served on over a dozen state boards.” Bette Blome Winyall reported that Milt has suffered some traumatic injuries, but they push on helped by “four wonderful and exceptional grandsons.” Bette is chairman of the Little Theater Company and is slated to direct the April production. Janet Beck Agnew is now living with her daughter and can be reached at 1390 Southern Hills Blvd., Hamilton, OH 45013.  She comments that, in time, she’ll get use to the colder weather as compared to living in North Carolina. M.F. Six Copenhaver is happy to report the last family wedding of her grandchildren and the arrival of the third great-grandchild. M.F. got together with Joan Lowry Taylor and Jean Oliver Reymer and her husband Bob. What did they do? Talked and talked! Ever faithful to my reporting requests, Corinne “Corky” Edwards Shulman reported time spent in NYC for the engagement party of her granddaughter Maile. Corky grew up in the “big apple” and enjoys returning. Louise Ford Ralph enjoyed the lovely wedding of a grandchild in Savannah–she even had fun dancing the night away. Louise mentioned that Terry Montrastell Meier is managing with a positive attitude regarding the stroke that has impaired one side of her body. Jayne Gillis deConstant called to tell me that she had five feet of snow against her back door. She’s grateful for having a son with a snow blower to shovel her out. Luckily, she hasn’t experienced a power outage as so many have. Barbara Heiss Jackson is feeling the loss of another dear friend – Ginny Bare Francis, P’72 leaving only four of the Round Robin Contacts remaining. Elaine Henderson Cortelyou enjoyed the Christmas season with a visit from her family and returned with them to Raleigh, N.C. Elaine attended her 70th high school reunion last June. Her “lunch bunch” members are slowly dwindling in numbers. Katherine “Katsy” Maguire Rafferty no longer has her mountain condo, but continues to enjoy driving trips from Colorado to California. She topped off this year’s travels with a two-week river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. Mary McClain O’Connell has given up her frequent tennis matches but enjoys spending time with her many good friends where she lives. She loves catching up with you all by reading the Hood class notes. The good news is that Louise “Tootie” Renninger Rittenhouse, P’74, G’07 has recovered from her 4th melanoma surgery. Unfortunately, her home suffered roof damage from one of the recent winter storms. I, Marjorie Blakeney Filmyer, am growing weary of the snow and cold weather that has limited my activity this winter.  Despite the winter weather, I was able to make a trip to the Midwest to visit my dear brother. I remain living in my home in Philadelphia and enjoy the company of my friends, children and grandchildren that live near-by. News from our class always brightens my day.  In addition to those specifically mentioned, I heard from Anne Chaney Mesmer and Elizabeth “Betty” Paterson Reims that all is well with them and they look forward to reading your news. Thanks for staying in touch and best wishes for a healthy 2015.

1948
Marjorie Blakeney Filmyer
wfilmyer2@verizon.net

I wish I did not have to begin this column on a sad note, but it may help Ann Barnum Connellee to know that our prayers and thoughts are with her. Ann’s youngest daughter Lynne, age 59, died in May of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Ann’s final thought was that our children should outlive us. Shirley Benson Rice reported two happy occasions. Her grandson Brooke graduated from high school as an honors student and his mother was voted “Best Teacher of the Year” for their Virginia county. Bette Blome Winyall and Milton drive 45 minutes from their retirement community, Charlestown, to attend the church in their former community. Milt, who is recovering from heart surgery, is active in the chess club while Bette enjoys The Little Theater Company both as an actor and director. Pat Callender Hewit has 10 great-grandchildren. After selling her homes in New Jersey and Florida, she has enjoyed independent living in Lakewood, N.J. During our cold winter, both Anne Chaney Mesmer and her husband Ted fell while on the way to a medical appointment. The accident resulted in weeks of hospitalization and Anne still is not fully recovered. In July, Corinne “Corky” Edwards Shulman’s clan gathered for their annual family reunion in Hawaii. Great-granddaughter Maile and her fiancé will be the honored guests at a gathering with Corky in New York in September. Corky is planning a trip to Vermont to visit her son. Nancy Eggleston Fraser lives close enough to the Big Apple to enjoy trips to Manhattan to visit the art galleries and museums. She and Howard visit their children in Colorado and New Hampshire. During the winter season, cross-country skiing has now replaced down-hill for Nancy. In June, Connie Glann Battle enjoyed a two-week safari to Kenya with her three children. In July, they and their partners and children planned on joining Connie in South Carolina. Jaynie Gillis de Constant is still in remission and “hippety-hopping” on her walker while enjoying her two grandchildren and their friends. The young ones know where she keeps the cookie jar! Marcia Gurwitt Wofsey and Bob have enjoyed their senior residence in Ryebrook, N.Y., for more than two years. Their grandchildren are in graduate school at nearby Columbia, Princeton and London, while Marsha and Bob’s travel is limited to nearby restaurants and day trips to NYC. Jackallen “Jackie” Handy Arthur thinks of our class so often. She is retired and does a great deal of volunteering with the Salvation Army. She continues to be involved with the Episcopal Church while annually attending the church’s General Convention since 1986. Barbara Heiss Jackson has lived in Sarasota, Fla., for 36 years and recently moved to an independent retirement community. She is very active enjoying the variety of activities her community offers. Elaine Henderson Cortelyou continues to volunteer at the local food bank. Her home overlooking the Cohansey River in New Jersey is the perfect location to bird watch. She is now an expert. Katherine “Katsy” Maguire Rafferty and John are traveling less due to his ongoing physical problems. They have given up their get-away home in the Colorado mountains. Nancy O’Neill Carignan commented on our front position in the Hood alumnae news. I responded with the phrase “time passes quickly when you are having fun!” Sunny Ruby Hocutt and she chat from time to time. Betty Paterson Reims is recovering from broken femurs but the future looks brighter. One of her grandsons was married in June and the youngest great-granddaughter joined in the festivities. Louise “Tootie” Renninger Rittenhouse, P’74, G’07  has experienced two bouts of melanoma but is now on the mend. Her goal is to live to match her grandmother’s age of 99 years.  Louise has five grown grandchildren and wishes that one of them would get married! This spring, Dorothy “Slush” Schlesinger Seeber sold her New Jersey home and moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., to be near her son. Due to the harsh winter, there were delays in construction and her new home will not be ready until August. Dorothy said the move has been difficult and that starting over in your senior years is not easy. In the fall, Marjorie “Midge” Blakeney Filmyer traveled with her oldest son to visit her youngest son in San Francisco. In the spring, her daughter and granddaughter accompanied her to the Chicago area to visit her brother. While living in Philadelphia, she enjoys her season tickets to the theater. Her bi-weekly sessions with her exercise trainer are exhausting but valuable in maintaining good health.

Classmates, thank you once again for your responses. I received news about Ginny Bare Francis from her daughter, Anne Phillips. Ginny feels, “fortunate to have had Elsa Eggers Hauswald for a Meyran roommate since Elsa’s parents bought them a tandem bike to ride around campus and sent flowers to their room once a week.  Of course, dining out whenever Elsa’s parents came to visit was an added plus. Those were the good old days.” Bette Blome Winyall and Milton moved to the retirement center of Charlestown, Md., a very friendly community with 2,000 residences. “There are so many good things in life (friends and children) with the only disappointment being the loss of my Hood College ring. I had donated it to a student through the alumni program and was notified that it was stolen through a break in at the Alumnae House and many other items were stolen,” said Bette. Patty Callender Hewit has settled in at the Harrogate Independent Living community. She sold both her homes at the New Jersey Shore and Sanibel, Fla. The family continues to grow with nine great-grandchildren and the tenth due in December. Corrine “Corky” Edwards Shulman has been a lady of leisure since daughter Kim came to live with her after her heart attack in 2010.  The early years in Honolulu were filled with work in publishing which a Hood alum and connections had started.  Now Corky hears from Ann Barnum Connellee and the news, sadly, was the death of Janice Beck Agnew’s husband. Louise Ford Ralph is currently doing German schernschnitte (paper cutting) and keeps in touch with Terry Montraselle Meier. The Ralph’s had their annual family reunion with all five children and seven of eight grandchildren. Ann Chaney Mesmer’s grandson will move into her husband’s family home in Wales, Wis., that was built in 1860. Their summer season in Wisconsin was enjoyable due to the many concerts provided by the Milwaukee Symphony. Elaine Henderson Cortelyou enjoyed her yearly vacation in the Outer Banks, N.C., with her family. Elaine and Midge Blakeney Filmyer plan to celebrate the holidays with lunch. Barbara Heiss Jackson is celebrating the birth of her fourth great-grandchild. The wedding of a granddaughter brought the family together in Sarasota, Fla. Joan Lowry Taylor found that at the class reunion, our group provided interest for the recent alums as they wanted to know what Hood was like 65-years-ago. Ancient history! Katsy Maguire Rafferty reported that the class of ’48 was represented at the June reunion by Joan Lowry Taylor, M.F. Six Copenhaver, Dixie Eppley Brain and Renie Myers Southworth. Mary McClain O’Connell commented on the position of our class news.  She had not realized there are only seven classes ahead of us that report (sometimes!). Jean Neel Perkins’ family has lost some members as so many of us have. On the happier side, Jean reported that her book, Yes, No, or Maybe, had received excellent reviews and can be ordered online. Jean Oliver Reymer referred to the news of the new disease “T.M.B.” which stands for Too Many Birthdays.  She still meets M.F. Six Copenhaver for lunch. Betty Paterson Reims suffered a second broken femur.  A new great-granddaughter brightens the picture for Betty as does reminiscing about the wonderful years at Hood. Louise “Tootie” Renniger Rittenhouse is pleased to report that she was awarded the “Life Long Learner Award” by the Main Line Night School Organization. The Hood College Office of Alumni Relations held an afternoon get together at Longwood Gardens. Seventy Hoodlums attended. Dorothy “Slush” Schlesinger Seeber has March 2014 as the date for her move from New Jersey to Tennessee. She continues with bridge and sculpting in between packing for her new life in Chattanooga. Mary Francis Six Copenhaver added to Katsy’s reunion report that the buffet meals and events were held in Hood’s new sports arena. Did everyone notice that the cover of the Hood Magazine summer issue included a photo of M. F. Six Copenhaver and Joan Lowry Taylor? Jeanne Handman has joined our group of widows.  Ed died on July 4, 2011 after 63 years of marriage, but left her with two great sons and four grandchildren. Jeanne has given up tennis and has filled her life with many other activities. Connie Glann Battle wrote that she had just returned from Escondido, Calif., where she had visited her oldest daughter and family. Son Buck will host her in Salt Lake City to three Utah Jazz professional basketball games. The entire family will be together for Christmas. Connie had hoped to visit Marjorie Walker Wyckoff, but Marj’s eyes limit her traveling.