1951
Eleanore Jackson Knott
843.681.8580
weknott2@gmail.com

From the “frigid north” {Edmonton, Canada}Vivian Steven Varvis reported that they had finally gotten over the winter snows and now struggle at golf to make the pars. She also commented that “we now meet friends more frequently at funerals and ‘celebrations of life’ which we all probably find true. She now has one grandchild. She sends best wishes to our classmates. Cathy Strachan Upp has moved to a Life Care Facility in Tucson and enjoys all the exercise classes and activities. She is having fun with three great-grand daughters. She has talked with Marilyn “Tink” Smith Garrity and Barbara Allen Prall. Mary Louise Hoffman Huff is surely in better shape than most of us as she bench-pressed 115 pounds last week–which was her record also. Still she “continues with meetings, lunches, non-profit galas, etc.” and is now starting the process of cleaning out many years of accumulations. Donna Fogle Fisher is doing more reading than walking because of an arthritic knee. There’s always the unhappy news, this time from Mary Lou Henry Deisroth who reported on the passing of her husband Tony and Herman, husband of Peggy Friedkin Schriefer. Our sympathy to both of them. I’m afraid that we are all a little less active than we have been in the past but we still look forward to hearing from more of you. Walt and I have not been able to make definite plans for the summer yet or as I tell him “take each day as it comes” but we do hope to be able to fly to New England at some time. -Eleanore Jackson Knott

Eleanore Jackson Knott
843.681.8580
weknott2@gmail.com

Hopefully you all enjoyed the article in the summer/fall HOOD MAGAZINE about Betsy McCain McAlpine, wedding picture and all.  Chatting with her, I learned that she and Harry are still making frequent trips up to Hood. This week they were going to a lecture on the history of the World War 2 Victory Ship that was named after Hood College and christened by Mrs. Stahr.

Marilyn “Tink” Smith Garrity had a full shoulder replacement in the spring but had recovered in time for a “fantastic family reunion at Lake Winnipesaukee, NH.”  There were 18 of them—her 4 kids, their spouses plus grandkids from MA, CT, NYC, Cleveland, and Phoenix.  Never to be duplicated memories were formed with relatives that hadn’t been seen for years. Tink was looking forward to seeing Cathie Strachan Upp when she visits her Phoenix family.

Donna Fogle Fisher wrote that her grandaughter #3 at 3 mos. old was the center of attraction at their family picnic this fall.  She accompanied by her parents were all visiting in MD.

Mary Lou Henry Deisroth, is realizing that she (make that we) can’t still do all that she wants to accomplish, so is slowing down but still enjoying bridge and reading with Book Club suggestions. One of their Fresh Air daughters lives in Puerto Rico and has been keeping her up-to-date with the hurricane results and slow progress being made.  She and Tony have 6 great granddaughters with another on the way.  Sounds like a great addition to Hood.  Mary Lou Hoffman Huff reported that Nancy Gillece ’81 and Emily VanderWoude were in Rochester and all had lunch with Anne Kurka Woods ’60 and Sharyn M. Duffy ’68.  They were all interested in hearing about all the changes and development at Hood.  She is happy and healthy, still keeping up with her gym workouts, stock market watching and a few volunteer activities.

Again I thank you all for sending news and wish that others would add to our column. I hate to admit it but find that I, Eleanore Jackson Knott, too must slow down. Our summer plans were aborted due to medical problems, but we did fly to Boston in August for 2 weeks which ended up being 3 when our flight home was cancelled because of hurricane Irma. Finally things are returning to normal and we’re all looking forward to quietly celebrating the holidays.

Eleanore Jackson Knott
843-681-8580
weknott2@gmail.com

Donna Fogle Fisher reports that she is fine, spending time reading, working crossword puzzles, and watching reruns of old TV.  She feels fortunate and truly blessed to see her children regularly.  She also reported on the death of Betty Merryman Blanset who was a beloved kindergarten teacher.  Our sympathy to her husband, two children and several grandchildren.

Mary Lou Henry Deisroth P’76 and Tony had just returned from Pittsburgh to visit a granddaughter and their new 6th great granddaughter and were in Bethany Beach, DE for Memorial Day where she had fun trying paddle boating. Their next trip was to be to MA for two grandsons graduations, one from high school and one from college.  Then she will be home, continuing her gardening and other activities. Mary Lou Hoffman Huff reports “the dull truth” that she enjoys her life which continues with gym, Lumosity, Mad Money account investing and occasional lunch or dinner with family and friends.  She is also fascinated with bird watching.  Shirley Keckler Trostle, reports “At 87, one can sum up the life that has been lived.  I gave birth to four children and three of them have departed, one in 1972, one in 2012 and one last January.  I have discovered that the tears of frustration burn like fire but the tears of grief are cleansing, purifying and healing.  You can live through anything but it is the creative spark that returns you to life and moves you forward.  And so I am phasing out quilting but I have picked up the pencil for sketching and I hope to write seriously this year.  And I still take a few appointments for Reflexology and Reiki and as long as I get results I will continue.”  Cathie Strachan Upp moved the end of April to a house next to her daughter Karen. She had the feeling that her whole life passed before her as she was going through all the papers, pictures and possessions, but she likes her new place where she can see the Catalina Mountains from her patio.  She is looking forward to a trip to Mexico this summer with her family and then a trip to Florida to visit her brother. Heard from Molly Wood Tully who is recovering from a hip replacement last February but is still unable to drive.  Her 2 sons spent time helping out but she is not yet involved in her usual plethora of activity.  She has given up tennis but will be in Cape May for June and July where friends and family will visit. Walt and I are hoping to leave this week to drive to New England again for the summer.  The trip seems to get longer each time but we feel very fortunate to still be able to do this.  Remember we only have news from those of you who contribute, so what are the rest of you doing?

1951

Eleanore Jackson Knott
843-681-8580
weknott2@gmail.com

Melinda Miko Keck ’76 wrote in August to tell us that her mother Gabriella Racz Miko, P’76, P’77 had passed away, leaving three daughters—Melinda ’76, Leslie ’77 and Jennifer. I was also saddened to see Pat Knobloch Jones on our recently deceased list. Our sympathies to their families. Cathie Strachan Upp reported on her recent trip with a daughter to Washington and a side trip to Hood where the “campus was gorgeous” and everyone was “so kind and gracious.” She enjoyed touring the campus on a golf cart seeing all the new buildings and memorial garden. Then they rode around old town Frederick before moving on to Brigantine, NJ. She then went to Houston to spend Christmas with her youngest daughter and family. Mary Lou Henry Deisroth, P’76 keeps busy with “same old doctor appointments, bridge and friends and book club reads.” Mary Lou Hoffman Huff is still frequenting the gym and stock markets and liking retirement. Time for stove and computer replacements has brought accompanying challenges and frustrations. Sad to hear that diabetes has brought Donna Fogle Fisher reduced vision, but her good news is that she has a machine that magnifies onto a screen so she can read. Nice to see that she can still use the computer. Walt and I were very blessed to have no real damage from Hurricane Matthew here on Hilton Head Island in early October while so many of our neighbors and friends had major flooding, house damage, loss of trees and other property damage. Clean-up continues and will take many more months with piles of debris, some 10 feet high, yet to be trucked away. We are now looking forward to a couple of trips to Florida this winter, welcoming friends and family here and celebrating our 60th anniversary. Remember the only news we have comes from you, so please write, call and/or email me anytime. Merry Christmas, Eleanore Knott.

1951

Eleanore Jackson Knott
843-681-8580
weknott2@gmail.com

Mary Lou Hoffman Huff is almost back to normal after enduring a broken wrist for 10 weeks. She has spent some of that time trying to dispose of things she has saved “because some day I might need them.” Most of us can probably identify with that. Tink Smith Garrity and her daughter from Phoenix were happy to drive down to Tucson to have lunch with Cathie Strachan Upp in April. Cathie’s daughter Debbie had passed away after a long battle with cancer, but Cathie is slowly returning to her activities and finds helping others does help a little. Previously she had been very involved in volunteer service. She did enjoy a trip to her youngest granddaughter’s graduation from Texas Christian Univ. Lois Vars Mason also reported sad news of her husband of 20 years, William B. Mason, passing in March.  He was a financial planner but has been in charge of worldwide distribution of bananas for United Fruit in Boston. It was sad to read the editor’s note in the last issue that Sara “Sally” Weaver Langie, P’83 had passed away.  We had been roommates in Shriner. After a few more appointments, Walt and I will be driving north as usual.  We enjoyed our winter visits to Florida and look forward to spending the rest of the summer with family and friends in New England.  These trips do seem to get longer but we are very blessed to be able to go. I enjoyed talking with Betsy McCain McAlpine after she and Harry returned from our 65th reunion.  Although she was disappointed in the small number of classmates who were able to return, she and Phoebe Brown Ford, Mary Louise (Ludie) Reed Hall, Lois Vars Mason and Molly Wood Tully had enjoyed being together for their class dinner, many college activities, and much reminiscing. Please think about sending me some news of your activities to share with classmates. Molly Wood Tully wrote, “We may have been few in number but we made up for it in spirit~~Five Brave Members of the Class Of ’51 gathered in Frederick over the weekend of June 10-11 for our 65^th, and I think we held our own in noise level, hilarity and celebration…  Those who participated were – of course, first and foremost Betsy McCain McAlpine and her faithful backup, companion and husband Harry who might as well be a class member for all the spirit and hands on participation he provided.  Lois Vars Mason greeted us to hear the new President give an update on the college and we all joined together for lunch after in the dining hall. Others were:  Phoebe Brown Ford, who came by train from Greenwich, CT and joined Molly Wood Tully in Washington overnight and for the trip to Frederick.  We picked up Ludie Reed Hall who now lives in DC at a retirement home (Thomas House).  None of us had seen Ludie since graduation (I believe she married Lee Hall before graduation and did not walk down the aisle with the rest of us. Ludie has traveled the world as her husband was working for Time Magazine.  She has a son and daughter who both live relatively close to DC and are a great support to her.   We all stayed at the Hampton Inn which made carpooling easier. We enjoyed the evening dinner and speeches in the new Volpe Athletic Center, a huge gymnasium, and he personally had a special hug for each of the ’51 members. Strawberry breakfast was the usual gourmet feast, and we all said our goodbyes and took off til the next reunion.  We’re sorry there weren’t more of you but realize that at our age we’re probably lucky to be alive let alone attempt challenging trips to such outlandish places like Frederick, Maryland.”

Eleanore Jackson Knott
843-681-8580
weknott2@aol.com

Sixty-eight years ago we had all met as freshmen. Are you saving the date and planning to attend our 65th reunion? Donna Fogle Fisher is staying well–just slowing down! “I am learning to say no to some activities.” Does that sound familiar to anyone? Mary Louise Hoffman Huff is still working out with a trainer two or three times a week and doing two cardio workouts alone. She has been enjoying learning the tricks of online trading and says, “life is good.” Betsy McCain McAlpine is staying busy even without being able to drive anymore. Their son and daughter-in-law visit from California and Lois Vars Mason will be joining Betsy to participate in the inaugural parade for Hood’s new President on October 17. Cathie Strachan Upp spent most of the summer in Scottsdale, Arizona helping her daughter who has been battling cancer. Cathie keeps in touch with Marilyn Smith Garrity and Sara Weaver Langie. Recent TV news and pictures from Cuba bring back memories of her trip with Sally to Cuba back in the 50’s and now it still looks the same. Mary Ellen Wood Tully has been rehabbing a stubborn knee replacement since last November giving her a total of three replaced joints, but she refuses to slow down. She has also had minor eye surgery. She entertains family and friends at her house in Cape May from June to November, which she calls her escape from apartment life in D.C. She missed the wedding of Phoebe Brown Ford‘s son Mike, who was married in Greenwich at Phoebe’s beautiful estate in August. Molly, as well as others, was sad to hear that Anita Cummings den Tex had passed away. Our condolences to her family. Eleanore Jackson Knott The Knott’s are still enjoying Hilton Head except in the summer when we travel north to New England. We make a couple of trips to Florida in the winter and hope to see many of you in June for our reunion. Meanwhile, I would love to get a call from any or all of you.

Eleanore Jackson Knott
843-681-8580
weknott2@aol.com

With very little class news to report I’m thinking that many of you have been in all winter to avoid the “unusual weather.”  Spring is here and I hope we’ll hear from more of you in the future. Ann Cummings den Tex sadly reported the death of her husband last May, multiple myeloma was the cause. Her brother Dave whom some of you remember from Lehigh house parties died in February. Ann fortunately is feeling better after being in and out of the hospital. Our best to her. Mary Lou Hoffman Huff is trying to keep her brain healthy by signing up for a year with Luminosity.com and finds their brain tests and games becoming almost addictive.  Cathie Strachan Upp keeps busy working with two first graders for the Reading Seed program. She still belongs to the Osher Life Long Learning where she takes various courses along with exercising and once-a-week service at the Tucson Med Center. She’ll be off to Iowa and Arizona this fall for two grandson’s weddings while her youngest granddaughter is still at Texas Christian Univ. Sadly her daughter is battling cancer. Pat Knobloch Jones is back in the office after returning from Florida. With 11 other family members, she had toured the wine country of California, the almond country, Lake Tahoe and San Francisco. While I was away last summer, Betsy McCain McAlpine wrote that she and Harry were leaving for a nine day visit with son Ken and family in California. She also reported that Carol Raymond Murray had passed away in June. Our sympathy to her family. Walt and I have enjoyed having family and many house guests here in Hilton Head this winter along with our three weeks in Florida. We keep busy with volunteer work and the usual daily routines. Now we look forward to attending the high school graduations of two of our grandchildren in the Boston area and then we’ll spend the rest of the summer in New England as usual.

1951
Eleanore Jackson Knott
weknott2@aol.com

With thanks to the few of you who sent me news by email, I am asking again that some others add to our future columns. You may send news to me at 75 Oyster Reef Dr., Hilton Head, SC 29926, email or phone. I am sad to report the passing of Joan Genovese Bebry and Marnie Harsh Corderman in March; our condolences to both families. Cathy Strachan Upp wrote, “I was so pleased to have Tink Smith Garrity visit me this year. She was visiting her daughter and family in Phoenix and they drove down to Tucson so Tink and I could reminisce about our days at Hood. It was such a pleasure to see her. I keep in touch with Lou and Sally Weaver Langie, P’83 and John and Barbara Allen Prall. My family keeps busy with their activities and work. Oldest daughter has moved to Phoenix. My middle daughter is an environmental engineer who lives here but works in Los Alamos, N.M., and my youngest daughter is a pastor. She and family live in Houston. I keep busy with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) classes at the Univ. of Arizona, reading seed coach for first graders, volunteering at the local hospital and giving time to my church. I am now the great-grandmother of a beautiful little girl.” Tink added, “I had a great visit with Cathy Upp in her lovely Tucson home overlooking the city. Cathy looked as stylish as ever and we hope to get together in the future as two of my kids live in Phoenix. In June I met with Ann Cummings den Tex and Phoebe Brown Ford in Rhode Island. We had such fun talking about our Rayford days, half of our group is not with us anymore. I still enjoy living in Scituate, Mass., on the sea, 26 miles from Boston, though I miss my four who are all scattered, but allow me nice places to visit.” Mary Lou Hoffman “continues to be occupied with fitness and the stock market and frequent meetings and events at Highland Hospital and the UR Medical Center.” I, Eleanore Knott, am traveling to New England for the summer, which allows us to see more of our children and grandchildren and escape the southern heat, but it allowed too little time for me to contact you all.

Donna Fogle Fisher reported that nothing spectacular was happening. She was pleased to win first place in the local Grange cookie baking contest and it was nice to have her grandchildren nearby to eat all of the practice batches. Ann Frankel Rockwood reported, “Summing up a lifetime is not easy! After Hood, I attended Columbia Univ. and became a psychology occupational therapist. I married Jerry Rockwood, a patent attorney and I stayed out of the field for 11 years while raising my four children, one of whom has since died. We have lived in New York City; Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Los Angeles; Los Alamos, N.M. and Santa Fe, N. M. We live in Ponce de Leon, a senior residence in Santa Fe. After retiring, we traveled in an recreational vehicle full time from Alaska through Guatemala, East to Newfoundland and in Europe for a total of 20 years. We now spend our winters in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and currently preparing our recreational vehicle for the trip down.” She does stay in touch with Louise Herr Krill who lives in Colorado.  She would love to hear from any Hood alums, so we hope more of you will send news.  Mary Lou Hoffman Huff wrote, “I enjoy my life working out with a personal trainer three times a week and trying to do two cardio sessions as well. I’m still on the Foundation Board of Highland Hospital which is populated with dynamic, enthusiastic people that keep me young. The Patient Family Advisory Council is another interest.  Its function is to discover ways to improve a patient’s experience during hospitalization including better communication between staff and patients and their families. Healthcare is such a quagmire these days. The improved techniques and medicines are a benefit but bring with them more challenges as far as efficiency and financing are concerned. Life was so much simpler in our lifetime.” Betsy McCain McAlpine reported, “Lois Vars Mason has been the godmother of our son Ken for over 50 years, but I was still surprised when she told me in a phone call that she was packing up a college box to send to Ken’s son Graham who is now a freshman at Univ. of California, Santa Barbara. She is a continuing good godmother.  In early October, the McAlpine’s attended a Hood Homecoming Festival on the residential quad. Though there was not a large number of alumni we had a good time talking to some of the younger ones. There is a lot of activity on the campus.” A note from Pat Knobloch Jones said she did not have anything special to report, but it is always good to hear from classmates anyway. Tina Schultz Smith wrote, “The past year was not a good one. My dear husband Haldon died after a short illness; a stroke. Then, I lost the use of one leg due to spinal stenosis. I am able to walk unaided now, but not for long distances. I have moved from my home of 50 years to a condo; a very lovely one in the same neighborhood. There are many good friends here. It is not a retirement home, just retired people living here. I miss my garden, but I like living on one floor with no stairs! I am slowly recovering from all of the trauma and look forward to a more peaceful new year.” Again, I, Eleanore Knott, remind you all that you can send me news at any time. As I write this, I am just completing the six weeks of drops following my two cataract surgeries which I suppose most of you have already had also. Wow! How amazing it is to be able to see everything so clearly. I will be reading all the signs in the distance as we head off to Boston by way of Pittsburgh for our Thanksgiving holiday. We all have much to be thankful for!

Many thanks to those who responded to my request for news, and my apologies for not contacting all of you. Surely, we all like to read news from our classmates, so please help by calling or writing to me at any time. If you have an email address, but did not hear from me, it means that we do not have it, so please send it on. Walt and I have just returned from a three-week trip to Pittsburgh, New England and New Jersey visiting family and friends and enjoying the Christmas shows in Myrtle Beach, S.C., before returning home to Hilton Head. In September, we enjoyed our visit with Mary Lou Henry Deisroth and Tony on our way home from the summer in New England. Our thanks to Betsy who asked me to insert the following: “Betsy McCain McAlpine sends her sincere appreciation to our new reporter. The world goes too fast for someone who doesn’t have email. A reporter needs to keep up-to-date quickly. I have enjoyed my contacts. Best wishes to all.”

Barbara Allen Prall and John have been living in a retirement home in New Hope, Pa., for 20 years and are fortunate to have their two boys living nearby. When the boys were in the service, Barb and John traveled far and wide to visit. Barb has been teaching Bible classes for 53 years, sings in a chorus and plays bridge to keep busy. She still keeps in touch with Mariam Roberts in Atlanta. Our sympathy to Mary Lou Hoffman Huff whose husband Jerry died in May “after 55½ wonderful years.” She is keeping active with the Highland Hospital Foundation Board, the Patient Family Advisory Council and is staying in good health by working with a personal trainer. Pat Knobloch Jones wrote, “After traveling to Europe a few times with my family, we decided to sail the Columbia and Snake Rivers to see what Lewis and Clark saw many years ago––a beautiful trip on a paddleboat. I still go to the office every day. We are in the golf course business.” Her youngest granddaughter was just married and two great-grandchildren were just added to the family.

Weezie Mistlebauer Harris and Marshall made a trip from their home in Pasadena, Calif., to Chicago to visit her sister. Back home she is busy doing volunteer work for the Children’s Hospital and painting while Marshall volunteers for Huntington Hospital and plays golf. Gaye Racz Miko’s daughter Melinda Miko Keck ’76 reported that her mother has sold her condo and moved to Maris Grove retirement community in Glen Mills, Pa., where she is near another daughter, Leslie Miko ’77. Daughter Jennifer lives in Port Orange, Fla., and still works for Merck Pharmaceuticals. Daughter Melinda lives in Kent, Conn., where she is the pastor of The First Congregational Church. Again, our thanks to Betsy for all she has done––and is doing––for our class in the past 61 years.

Class Reporter: