Mary-Louise Springhorn Rude Leidheiser
828.699.1999
mlouleid6@gmail.com

Natalie Colbert Bowers: “Just back from a week with the family in Philadelphia suburbs. Christmas with the five grandkids as well.  I heard from Joy Lines Cain.  She lost her husband Stuart in September (I was in her wedding, Stuart was a fraternity brother of Martin at Bucknell where Joy went to work after Hood). She is in Worchester, Mass. with her son and family for the holiday.  Joy has glaucoma and will move to Mass. soon to be near family. A card from Corny TenBroeck Cartwright says she and Doug are living in her family homestead in Hudson, N.Y. and are enjoying their first great grandchild, Nathan.”  Peggy Crook Arnold is still playing a little bridge.  She’s an avid sports fan (she played basketball and field hockey at Hood) so we compared notes on the NC Panthers and Chicago Bears. She keeps in touch with Joyce Miller Sammis.  Marion Decker McCormick: “Daughters and spouses and I invaded son Brett and Connie’s home, near Houston, to celebrate “Thankmas” in mid-December.  I will fly to DC in January where Lynn and Paul will take me home to PA and then to CA near Manhattan Beach for February.” Betsy Dowling Barclay had fun watching the 5 great grandchildren opening presents this Christmas. Elizabeth Flower Anton still enjoys being in her own home with her dog and garden.  A son lives nearby; his wife is a “fabulous daughter-in-law.”  Von (Yvonne) Hepburn Virtue: “Nothing of merit to report. Am still alive, active, but not kicking quite as high.”  Emmy (Emma) Jones Hann: My daughter Christine and I had an invigorating trip on the Danube last July — Romania, including a bus trip into Transylvania; Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and Hungary.  In August I drove from Ohio back to New England for visits with several cousins and, of course, a Boston Symphony concert at Tanglewood in my home county, Berkshire, MA.  Regretfully, I couldn’t connect with Little Sister, Penny Hapgood Noepel ’54. Jodie Kellogg Weddle visited her daughter in Chicago in October.  Dee Dreller Sosin flew in from CA for five days and, together with Jodie’s Michigan niece, the four savored each other’s company as they toured city highlights (younger gals guided wheelchairs where necessary).  Peg Lewis Christensen will finally be back in her newly hurricane-proofed apartment the end of January.  Phyl Loudermill Armstrong is doing well in her Oklahoma City home and garden. Granddaughter Vivian and a friend visited for the holidays. Phyl plans to fly to Denver in May for Vivian’s high school graduation.  Mary Murrie Hardy: “Had a wonderful Christmas with my large family – 17 grandchildren (saw them all in a 2 week period) and 6 greats who were wild and crazy when Santa came!  I’m taking one grandson to see Hamilton next week; we are both excited!”  Franne Pickle Wetmore and Evelyn Bischoff Mitchell and are both enjoying their winter Florida residences.  Evelyn’s daughter and granddaughter were with her for Christmas.  Lynn serves on her association’s Welcoming Committee, but laughingly explained that she was ‘fired’ from the Fining Committee (too lenient).’   Suzanne Purdom Glezen says living in her Maryland retirement community is a little like being on a cruise ship. All her family are fortunately on the east coast. She has four great grands – all boys.  Jane Taggart Whittaker: “I was visited by all of my family at one time or another during the holidays.  Loved catching up with the grandchildren especially.”  Jane talks regularly with Hood roommate Joanne Kates Roos, who is moving to Williamsburg Landing retirement community in February.  Carol Underhill Postell calls herself “a pretty lucky old babe” happily living in her Vero Beach condo. Her three sons are scattered: Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Idaho. She was eager to learn about Jackie Wakeling, her longtime friend.  Staff at Jackie’s Retirement Community say Jackie is content in her assisted living apartment.  Nancy von der Heyde Needham was home playing scrabble with her granddaughters when I called.  Marguerite Weber Trachtman: “I will be spending Christmas with my family in Carmel and I really am looking forward to it.  After we all will spend our usual few days in Chicago.”  Jeanne Zimmerman Gearey quipped, “I may forget some things, but I have no trouble walking or talking and enjoying my condo.”  Her daughter Susan Gearey ’79, who is now a Trustee of Hood, visits often from Sarasota.  We have lost three very special classmates: Janet (Teya) Hall Mauk, Ruth Matthews Alger, and Dody (Doris) Nygren Wisnom.   Please keep in touch.