1956

Muriel Chait Durbin, P’81
310-395-4389
msmuz@aol.com

I’m sorry to begin this column on a sad note and report the passing of Judith Kreider LeRoy who passed away in October and Mary Lu Urban Walker who passed away in December. Our condolences to both families. Barbara Bundens North writes, “I continue to enjoy my life here in Fargo. Earlier this month, I had surgery to insert a pacemaker. Life is good. We are experiencing our usual subzero temperatures a month early this year instead of the 10 days in January, so who knows. Have a good holiday season, and best wishes to all for 2017.” So nice to hear from Judy Berry Brooke: “Frank and I celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary this summer with a family get-together at our lake house. All grandchildren and children were the hosts. Great celebration. We have been living in Jacksonville, FL, for the past 16 years. We are one mile from two children and their families. It was fun watching grandchildren grow up. Oldest grand, Emily, belongs to our oldest child, Berry, graduated from North Carolina State U. She also earned her master’s in accounting from there. Now has her CPA and is CFO and practice administrator for Orthopedic Specialists of North Carolina. She lives in Raleigh, NC, and just became engaged. Son Tom has two sons. Ralston graduated from U. of Virginia last May and is an investment banking analyst. He lives in Jacksonville Beach. Arch is in his second year at Southern Methodist U. He is there on a full four-year academic scholarship. Daughter Francy has two children. Will plans to graduate from the U. of Florida at the end of April. He has a double major in engineering and finance. Brooke is a junior at Florida State U. majoring in merchandising and finance. We are proud grandparents. Hope all is well with you and yours.” Rebecca Eppers Byrd, P’84 writes, “In May, I had minor eye surgery to remove a Salzman nodule. I attended grandson’s (Matthew) graduation from U. of MD. June was a busy month—I had fun at the 60th Hood reunion. Biggest event was 10-year renovation of my apartment. Major task was packing and storing everything from walls and breakables from furniture. Clean and fresh looking because of new paint and carpet. Denise’s family has been here three times this year, including Thanksgiving. Mackenzie loves “Grandma’s” pool, so much time is spent there. All the family (except Matt) was at Daphne’s for Thanksgiving Day. Carla’s family had not been up in over a year. So good to see all of them. Six grands range in age 7 to 22 years (triplets are now 15).” Carole Oswald Carter, P’80, P’85 reports: “Small town living is very busy but not earth shaking. Kind of reminds me of the good community feeling we had when we were at Hood.” Ginny Turnbull Hecklinger, P’81, G’08 enjoyed attending Handel’s Messiah on campus in November. She likes taking advantage of the many opportunities Hood offers to the Frederick community. “Then I was taken to Manhattan for a Thanksgiving dinner that couldn’t be beat in Brooklyn. On Friday, the crowds of people gathered at the new Oculus outside the 9/11 museum to view the huge transportation underground space just built for the ease of crowds in the city. It was all white with artist renderings and very impressive. As I traveled with my 4-year-old granddaughter, I was not able to keep up. Being a country girl, more or less, I could not help but find her life awesomely different from mine. She has such confidence among the sidewalks and pathways of the big city moving quickly with great energy.” Joellen Libbey Nelson writes that her sons are all doing well. “My life is rich with all the love of my family. These days I belong to the Coronado Woman’s Club, read a lot, help at the shelter and do crafts for yard sales at Christmas.” I really enjoyed hearing from everyone, please email or write to me with your news. As for me, it has been a busy fall with my family taking part in two Susan Komen three-day walks—in Philadelphia and San Diego, crewing and/or walking 60 miles in the three days. I’m so proud of them raising funds for this cause. This was son Jon’s15th walk. Best to everyone for a healthy 2017. Muriel Chait Durbin