1952

Mary-Lou Springhorn Leidheiser
828-693-0630 mlouleid6@gmail.com

Evelyn Bischoff Mitchell:  Moving to a lovely senior community where dear friends reside, so I know I’ll be happy there. Can’t believe that in the 45 years, we never threw anything out!  Still plan to winter in Florida. Nancy Campbell Barrett:  Moved into a lovely retirement home in Reno after 63 years in California.  Daughters Melinda and Judith helped me.   Food is delicious, the residents friendly, and staff competent and helpful. I’m finally retired!!!  My new address is 3201 Plumas St. – Apt 228, Reno, Nevada  89509-4768.  Phone: 760-742-3391. Dee Dreller Sosin:  Life is good.  I keep very busy – the gym, my garden, local and national politics, plus theatre, symphony, dance. historic preservation. Still trying to save the world.  This August, I’ll meet Mary-Lou Springhorn Leidheiser in Asheville, NC.  On a Folk Art tour there. I’ve been a folk art collector for 60 years. Anne Gibson Bement:  I’m well but moving slowly with balance problems. Traveling only to our Miami Beach getaway or visiting daughter and family in Minnesota. Biggest accomplishment this year was completing my photography website www.annebement.com. Dottye Handley Ewing:  I’ve organized a monthly “Opera Matinee” at my retirement center.  Enjoyed newly published bios of H. Beecher Stowe, Jefferson, J Q. Adams and Ted Kennedy. I recommend them.  Staying more active with mind than body.  Emma Jones Hann:  Took my annual trip to New England. Saw my Little Sis, Penny Hapgood Noepel ’54, P’87, reunited with dozens of cousins at a Connecticut family wedding, and visited my hometown, Pittsfield, MA. Next trip – Washington, DC, on an all-woman Honor Flight for WWII and Korean veterans.  Looking forward to our 65th reunion in June 2017.  Jo Kates Roos:  My Linda’s son, Billy Cole, is graduating from the College of William & Mary.  He has excelled.  Bill would have been so proud of him.  Sister, Hannah, is an honors student in class as well as in marching band and symphony orchestra. Peg Lewis Christensen:  You will not be surprised to hear I have no tidbits for Hood Class News.  I’m sure you’ll do a lovely remembrance of Mary Sihler Sauerteig – her donation of the trumpets to the Hood Chapel organ, her love of music, her rich alto voice, her laughter, her philanthropy, her love of gardening and all creatures, great and small. (Mary died on Memorial Day; her two sons were with her.) Phyl Loudermill Armstrong:  The days are spent taking care of the necessities of home, yard, car, life, family, cat….you got the picture. Will have knee replacement in July. Mary Murrie Hardy:  Had a small stroke in April.  No after-effects, thank God.  Planning trips to Isle of Palms, SC (with most of my family), Lake Keowee, SC (to daughter), then to Michigan (to another daughter) Updating my home. By the end of my trips, I’ll want to stay home and enjoy it. Seems very hard without Bob, but I’m learning what the “new normal” is.  Betsy Newcomer Payette:  My news is always the same so I guess it’s better than having bad news! Keeping in contact with Carolyn Rusk and Barbara Hickman Reynolds P’80 on a regular basis. Kay Spear Feldmann:  Life is good; at 85 not too bad.  Still driving so can be independent.  One grandchild moving back to Baltimore; should be fun.  Planning August riverboat trip to southern France. Nancy von der Heyde Needham:  Still writing letters; don’t own a computer.  I’m a great grandmother for the second time.  Was in the hospital with cellulitis (4^th time) but I’m okay now.  I watch the Washington National baseball team.  Our class news is getting closer to the front of the magazine (smile). Connie Woodall Fisher:  Oops!  I just scrolled past old messages and there you were, with a deadline.  Sorry.  I am alive and well and will attempt to be more alert at your next posting. Dee Dreller Sosin reported: “I was so lucky to have the opportunity to meet President Obama at my daughter Leah’s home.  She and her husband had a fundraiser for the Democratic party.  Fifty of us spent the evening with this wonderful, bright, astute, and handsome man.  History of the United States honored and touched me.” We mourn the loss of Fran Brainerd Carpenter, Francine Dondershine Schwartz, Nancy Eaton, Marilyn Koch Swanson, Doris Lindblade Burn, Dottie Shillis Dowdell, Pat Wallace Wilkirson, and Mary Sihler Sauerteig, whom I’ll miss terribly.  I spent most weekends this year helping her. Moving back to Chicagoland in early fall. All four offspring and seven grands are there.  It’s time.