We are sorry to learn about the passing of Marsha Brockman Marcellus and her husband James M. Marcellus on Aug. 20, 2012. Anne Howell Allen has been at Seabury Retirement Community near Hartford, Conn., for two years. She participates in exercises at the pool and in a short story class through the adult learning program of the Univ. of Connecticut. Evelyn Yeide Aurand still walks, although somewhat compromised in that area. Evelyn writes for a monthly literary journal, sings in the choir and serves in a hospice program. Tina Hodgson Baker had good news to report—the birth of her first great-grandchild. Fran Graham Baker said, “No news. Let’s have lunch!” Jane Brennen Bartro is now living in Naples, Fla., permanently. She has seven children, lots of grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She golfs and does water aerobics.

Peg Smith Bourland attended the Messiah at Hood. She was preparing for the family’s semi-annual reunion, taking place between Christmas and New Year’s. Libby Lower Brightbill and her husband celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary, and added a fourth great-grandchild. Shirley Waters Christensen is still living in her original house, doing a little work inside and out. She enjoys walking in their beautiful park and feels lucky to be surrounded by three children and four grandchildren. Jean Heer Clark recovered from bronchitis just in time for a trip to the Inca Empire. In case of problems from the extreme altitude, two daughters and her daughter-in-law promised to take care of her. She has become assistant Girl Scout leader for a Cadet Troop, which includes three of her granddaughters, harking back to her former scouting career. Doris Magee Dann moved to Lawrenceville, Ga., to live with her daughter, and is enjoying all the great-grandchildren living in the area. Doris has reconnected with a childhood friend and Hood alum, Mary-Lou Leidheiser ’52. On July 15, 2012, Joan Hays Dessloch married John Lathrop! John is a fellow resident at Laurelmead. Joan was widowed in 1983 and said, “Life with a partner is a gift that amazes me daily.” Nancy Slingland Field spent several days in Chicago recently, attending her grandson’s wedding. She reported that her problems as a result of Hurricane Sandy were minor compared to others in New Jersey.

Pauliene Toms Flanagan was recuperating following surgeries that required radiation treatments. She said she really enjoyed the summer musical programs at Hood and said they were very good. We hope you are “very good” also! Dorothy Holiday Gerlach attended Hood for only a year but treasures the memory of her wonderful roommate, Ruth Mayer. Lee Miller Gunther-Mohr said that she has not kept in touch with other ’49ers, but she does enjoy reading the class notes! She is living in a retirement community near Princeton. Louella Sauble Harner is still gardening, doing her lawn and shoveling snow, as necessary. Her family is growing by leaps and bounds, with six great-grandchildren and three more next year, including another set of twins. Jean Waples Kidd received a pacemaker in April, but is still going strong. Jean still paints in oil, does water aerobics and plays bridge. She planned to be in Tennessee for Christmas with her middle son. Iris Soble Levy sent me her “Card for 2012.” It was a beautiful and meaningful poem, written by her. The poem referred to the devastating weather, climate change and hopes for a better year ahead. Sorry I do not have space to share it all. Anne Hutton Long and Fred are “alright,” but because Fred is blind, their lifestyle has changed. She said the Library for the Blind has been a godsend. Anne keeps herself busy with church and Mobile Meals.

Martha Kirkpatrick Marsh was looking forward to being with her daughter and family near Philadelphia for Christmas, and will get together with Eleanor Knapp Wilson while there. Jane Kremer Martin got together, by phone, with Dottie Holliday Gerlach. The two were classmates in junior high, high school and then Hood! They will always be good friends as well as schoolmates. Barbara Davies Mulholland, now living at a senior residence in her hometown of Easton, Pa., is happy and has lots to do. If there are other Hoodlums living near the Easton Home, please get in touch with Barb. Carl Wellborn reported that his mother, Milly Lou Hittinger Pierce, is in a nursing home suffering from Parkinson’s disease. We are saddened by the news. Jacqueline Beckh Price and her two sisters held a huge family reunion in Richmond, Va. They came from all over the country and Canada, children and grandchildren, plus a new Chinese bride! Thanksgiving was spent in Duck, N.C. Doris Eckenberg Schulze wrote of her fond memories during her two years at Hood. One memory in particular was a night spent at the observatory as the guest of Professor Allen looking at the northern lights, Saturn and its rings and the moon! Rita Cleland Stephens was planning a two-week trip to Beef Island, off Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, in January. 

Ann Englehart Storey and Dick are well and keeping busy visiting family in Baltimore, Annapolis, Md., and Albany, N.Y., as well as with grandchildren on various campuses around the country. They remain active in their church and community. Rose Marie Courogen Vasiliou was busy planning the Christmas dinner at church as well as a homecoming celebration for her grandson, a captain in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. Kathryn Conley Webb’s news is that her oldest granddaughter is engaged. The wedding is scheduled for next fall. Shirley Fortuin Weber is still busy and loving life in Wellfleet, Mass. She is active with Audubon, library and UU Fellowship. Paul has first stage Alzheimer’s disease and goes to Gathering Place three days a week, giving her time for her other activities. They have three children in the area as well as their first great-granddaughter. Jane Kulla Boorstein was saddened by the death last spring of her former roommate, Sue Sprague Davis. Jane’s project in Ethiopia, partnered with The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, is now expanding to five additional countries. The goal of the partnership is to educate the people to appreciate the value of family planning and the use of contraceptives. Now confident that the program will continue to expand, Jane has retired from the board after 25 years of service. Jane Shuttleworth Bunting reported that she is still playing a lot of bridge, but unfortunately had to put away her golf clubs. She is enjoying her first great-grandchild, mostly by YouTube as she lives in Florida.

Syd and I, Ann Eberhart King (your reporter), continue to enjoy our life here in Baltimore in our pleasant apartment at Elkridge Estates. We have “gardening rights” here and have developed rather large shade gardens. We deliver Meals on Wheels once a week and find it very rewarding, even when we are delivering on Christmas Day or another holiday. I have been doing it for more than 25 years and Syd joined me when he retired in 1989. We are sorry to learn about the passing of Marsha Brockman Marcellus and her husband James M. Marcellus on Aug. 20, 2012. I have many greetings and well-wishes to pass along from your ’49er classmates. Thanks to all of you who have sent your news along. Have a good year, all!

Class Reporter:

Ann Eberhart King
(410) 377-5104
syd.king9@gmail.com