Marilyn Garis Kellow
262-334-5782
maggiehood1958@gmail.com

I am saddened to report that we have lost 3 classmates since last fall. Betty Walsh Suto passed away in late 2016 and Emily Joyce Sanders in early 2017. Julee Moser, daughter of Betsy Smith Moser P’92 wrote that “the best mother and friend we have ever known” passed away May 9, 2017. In February, Polly Sherman Leigh moved from Hawaii to a retirement community in Carlsbad, CA. She is enjoying being close to family and a good friend. Fitness classes, educational speakers, the symphony, a big band production, live stage shows, wine tasting and a trolley ride around San Diego, which included Coronado, are among her new activities. Sue Brown Melech and husband Bob spend January through April in St Petersburg FL at the Hollander Hotel and would like to get to together with any classmates who may be in that area during those months. Jeb Bennett Moran reports that she along with Carol Horwath Klecka and Carol Huelsen Warrington had an unexpected treat on March 16^th. President Andrea Chapdelaine and her father joined classmates and significant others for breakfast at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice FL. Sara Lea Callaway Redmon got the brave idea to have the first ever family reunion. It turned out Great!!! About 65 people from 22 months on up from 5 different states. Mary Allen Reynolds just returned from visiting gardens in England, including Sissinghust. She plans to go to her granddaughter’s high school graduation in Seattle. She continues to exhibit for the Ikebana International Chapter at the local garden center and attends national meetings. Knee replacement surgery is in her plans in the future. Bunnie Potter Richardson wrote the sad news that her brother Ken and his wife have passed away recently. Ken was married to Joey Liehmann who was a member of our class for our first 2 years at Hood. She then went to the University of Maryland to be with Ken. Penny Adams Rogers says Hawaii is still home but does travel to see family on the mainland. Last May they met family in NYC to celebrate her 80^th and saw Hamilton with the original cast. They then drove back across the country just for fun and stayed with family in Portland, Oregon. Remained in Hawaii for the summer and then to Calgary for cooler weather. November, December and January were spent in Boston with family. It was nice to see fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas back in New England where she grew up. Jenny Krohn Rose and Shep are still in Henderson, Nevada training their Portuguese Water Dog, Rosie, and entering her in AKC agility and obedience trials. Jenny is happy that at 80 she can still run around an agility course. Marthanne Stephens Smith writes that her 2 daughters have adopted older dogs from kill shelters, (but they don’t want to adopt us)!!!!! Both dogs are adorable, a white husky and an old black and grey Cairn. She is still going to classes at the community college, enjoying living in their townhouse and reads all the time (recommends “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles). Anne Merrick Vosti sends the sad news that husband Ken passed away April 26^th. Thanks to an incredible hospice organization, Mission Hospice, she could have him home with many visits from her large family. She has wonderful memories of where their 58-year partnership which started when they met at Hood. Jo Olmstead Witherington has traveled this year to Easter Island and the Patagonia area of Chile and Argentina. She has just finished singing in 3 concerts within a week and is now working on Titanic and some of the works of Rutter. After a cruise to Alaska she plans to stay home for a few months. Life in WI has been relatively quiet. My life focuses around family, especially my 4 grandchildren. Rickey (25) is in a doctorate program at U of Illinois, Gracie (22) graduated last December from U of WI Green Bay, Julia (21) will be a senior at Kent State (spent last semester in Florence, Italy), and Elena (17), a high school senior, will probably be headed for Miami of Ohio after graduation. Thanks for all the news. Our numbers are fewer each year, but it is a blessing to hear from so many………….Love and prayers, Maggie