1956

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

The campus looked beautiful reunion weekend-it was a lovely time to reconnect with classmates.

We were able to catch up on news. Helen Ward Wheeler is now a great-grandmother, She and Jack live in a retirement community. Sue Peters Roetzel Wirths, M.A.’79, G’13 also lives in a retirement community and enjoys its benefits and many Hood connections. Becky Eppers Byrd, P’84 “still kicking and loving my retirement home, thankful for good health. Proud of grandson Matthew who graduated with honors from the Univ of MD”.  Nancy Gunnet Tyler “never dreamed I’d be returning for my 60^th reunion. It is wonderful to introduce Hood to my daughter.” Barbara Tovell Tennant and Bruce “drove 11 hours to get to Frederick. It was a marathon trip but well worth it.” They enjoyed spending three nights in Shriner. Mimi McConnell Milheim and Irv are moving from Montana to a new retirement home in PA. Linda Kelly Gleysteen, M.S.’84 and Dirk enjoyed seeing the beautiful campus and was impressed with our new President. Kathy Crook Heidelbach, G’15 keeps busy in her retirement community and is now secretary of the resident association. Two of her grandchildren have graduated from college, Sarah from Hood in 2015, Amanda is doing graduate work in Ireland. Lindsay and Bailey are both undergraduates. Barbara Hanna Pour is spending the summer in Cape May with friends and family. She is very proud of her grandson who won high honors at his high school. Jane Gallup Canning traveled to reunion from England. She has two great grandchildren. In Canterbury, they have downsized and have moved across town. She had to audition in order to sing with the University of Kent chorus-was successful and is delighted to be singing with them. While in the states, she will be visiting her family. Carole Oswald Carter, P’80, P’85, Mera Braungart Coblentz, Ginny Turnbull Hecklinger, P’81, G’08, Mary Ann Howe Mauzy, Mary Lu Urban Walker, and I – also made it to reunion weekend. The consensus from all of us is that we were happy to be there and to visit with each other. Betsy Bigelow Abruzzo wrote that her daughter, Angela, passed away after a long bout with cancer, a year and a half ago. Betsy is now in her own apartment and has stayed close to her grandsons, both of whom are doing well, Betsy’s daughters and other grandchildren are also doing well. She spends time playing duplicate bridge and takes part in tournaments. In May. Betsy had knee replacement surgery, it was successful. Anne “Cokey” Lanoue Weber now lives in a retirement community in Santa Barbara and is happy that she doesn’t have to cook dinner anymore. She spends a lot of time volunteering, “life is good”. She says hi to all our classmates. Ann Helfenbein Bohnet, P’83  writes “ three years ago she and husband, Richard,  moved to The Village at Orchard Ridge in Winchester, VA. They are active in their resident association and volunteer in a nearby elementary school. They love their new community. Cynthia Bromberg Rogers “Greetings to all from Wellington, FL” She and Joe keep busy with many social activities. “I still walk three to four miles on the treadmill five times a week-it’s not as easy as it used to be.” Her family is well. She sends her best to everyone. Cynthia Sternberg Schein will be traveling in the fall to see the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. She had a wonderful surprise when her son, Jimmie, sent her a photo of himself and a woman in his shop in San Francisco. It turned out to be Carol Elsener Muller ’58, her Little Sister, who she hadn’t seen since graduation. Thanks to the Hood Bulletin news, Carol stopped in to see Jimmie at his shop and tell him she was from Hood! Helen Yinger Reed, G’16 has exciting news. “Our  granddaughter (Lauren) just graduated from Hood.  That makes five of us – my mother, myself, my sister, my son (Masters degree), and now granddaughter number one.  Hopefully, granddaughters Alason (age 12) and Arianna (age 9) will follow.” As for myself, Muriel Chait Durbin, P’81, I am still working as a travel consultant—had the fun of planning the honeymoon for third generation clients-I’ve been in my house fifty years- so now I’m working on some  refurbishing –so keeping busy.  In the fall, I’ll be in Philadelphia taking part in the Komen 3 Day walk, my son, Jon, will be walking in his 15^th event. My family and I have been crewing and walking in this event since 1999-I’m grateful for the research that has benefited from these events.

1954

Jean Baker Leister Weikert
717-243-5364

Thank you for those who keep in touch!  Alice Avanozian Arana wrote a splendid news letter telling of her husband Oswald Arana passing away.  Thankfully, they shared writing a Spanish work book, 10^th edition for the first year textbook, Puntos De Partida, successful for over 30 years.  What a meaningful, enduring legacy!  Their family includes Cecilia, who works with life size puppets in NYC, a kid’s project.  Middle son, David, lives in Burbank, California and is a musician.  He has his own studio and works with several orchestras and bands, arranging their music, as well as with several vocalists.  Michael, the youngest, is a lawyer and serves as a DJ in several NY clubs.  Alice keeps busy at her residence Morningside in Fullerton, California with line dancing, fitness classes, and library committee.  Barbara Weaver Batdorf thoughtfully wrote a summer of her and Jack’s life together.  They are still living in the home they built in 1963.  Jack, a retired pharmacist, and Barbara, who is still interested in reading, enjoy their constructed green house where they propagate and grow a variety of plants.  Their daughter Ann lives and works in Washington, D.C.  Middle son, Mark, is living outside of Dallas, Texas.  Son, John, is living in Santa Cruz, California in a beautiful beach home.  Betty Remsberg DeColigny wrote of Warren and her travels, including a mid-June visit to Mystic, Connecticut.  Their triplet granddaughters are happily busy.  Erin Thomas graduating from Frostburg University with a psychology major, honors and continuous study for a Master’s Degree in sociology from Salisbury University.  She is also working at Homewood Retirement center in the dietary department.  Granddaughter Relli Thomas is to be married in September.  Completing the triad is Cindy Armentrout, who was married to Chris Ray last July.  A thought-provoking letter from Sally Bogar Hedstrom, M.S. ’81 reported that her husband Ray Hedstrom passed away last May.  Our condolences and prayers, Sally, for your regaining strength after being a caregiver.  Wendell Stockdale, Jane Hinkle Stockdale’s, P’78 husband, wrote a devoted letter last December, talking of Jane’s March 4, 2015 stroke, with her presently being in a skilled nursing, where they reside at Willow Valley in Lancaster.  Betsy Oehrle included pictures in her Christmas letter of beginning the Annual Durban, South Africa Commemorative Salt March from Mahatma Gandhi’s home in Phoenix to the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.  Betsy sends prayers for true peace, respect, loving wisdom, compassionate friendships and joyous energy.  As your class correspondent, it is safe to say Mark and I continue to be happily busy newlyweds and feel blessed to have fresh perspectives at our age (83).  We keep being content with home, family, church, friends, scripture study, maintaining health, ballroom dancing, gardening, and yes, keeping a balance electronically. Son, Andy Leister, experienced a stroke in May 2015, which compounded adjustment to the previous surgeries at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in 1976 and 2010.  We’re visiting regularly at the nursing home at the Brethren Home in New Oxford, Pennsylvania.  Thankfully, we have a supportive family which is helping with restorative therapy since he has right-side paralysis and decreasing vision.  Our remaining children, Kathy with her husband Orrin Orewiler; Christine Abrams; Heidi with her husband Ron Haafre and Daniel Leister are all residing in Hanover, Pennsylvania.  Grandchildren: Kelsey, Sierra and Sean Miller; David with new wife Rachel and Rachel Abrams; Erin and Nick Haafre are dispersed throughout Hanover, Cambridge, England, Fort Gordon, Georgia, Mansfield University, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Intermediate Unit, Harrisburg Area Community College, and Millersville University.  The youngest grandson heading for St. John in Annapolis, Maryland.  Reunion on the 12^th of June was a joyous one with seeing grad school classmate Magaly Mauras Green ’74, M.A.’79 and undergraduate classmate Barbara Weaver Batdorf and her husband John.  It was reassuring to hear our new President, Dr. Andrea Chapdelaine speak at lunch.  Barbara, Jack, Mark and I were lucky to share a table with Lois Vars Mason ’51, Betsy McCain McAlpine ’51, with her husband, along with a few other members of the class of 1951.  Thanks again for keeping in touch!

1953
Johanna Chait Essex
516-487-1883
johalessex@gmail.com

Condolences to Charlotte Beshore Ahrens on the passing of Bob in Feb. 2015. Condolences to Kathy Sponsler Patten on the loss of her husband. Condolences to the family of Elizabeth Sweeney Qualls, who passed away this past April. Received a cheery note from Marge Aronson Dalmas—She and Bob are hanging in—Marge has advanced degenerative disc disease, but they try to stay involved and enjoy life. Charlotte Beshore Ahrens broke her hip last year, and it took a year of TaI Chi clasees to get he back on her feet—but all is well now. Evelyn Bragg Trageser wrote that “I’m alive and kicking most mornings, but like any electric chair lift in the latter part of the day.” Penny Fradd Vahsen, P’77 will be attending 4 weddings of her Academy grads this summer, a well asl taking a river cruise from Brussels to Basel. Jerry Griffith Macomber had a bout with “walking pneumonia”  “that left her in the  hospital  and then home with antibiotics and oxygen 24/7—her family and many friends stepped into help––she is “learning new lessons in old age.” Nancy Brown Kohlheyer was in Brussels when they had terrorist attacks, but is now back in the states.  One of her former art students was badly wounded, but is now recovering. She and John have been together for 9 years and have enjoyed every aspect of it. She did visit Lois Wolfe Haffly and Buffie McKim Powell when she was in the states last year. Betty Gerstmyer Allen was diagnosed with Guillian Barre syndrome in Feb. 2014, and is now at Brookdale Hockessen, where she is learning how to walk with a walker and write again. She uses her daughter Sue’s address—127 New Granville Rd., Wilmington, De 19808,and her phone number is 302-235-2340—She is doing as well as can be expected, and would love to hear from classmates. New email address for Elaine Green Powell—depowell@metrocast.net–She and Dave are very happy in their “independent home” in Concord, N.H., but they still have their Lake Cottage which is the family gathering place in the summer, and ski base for their children and grandchildren in the winter. Nadya Klotz Giusi still has her practice as a Marriage Family Therapist, and is working on her 5^th book.  She has 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren. Pat Lloyd Fordham is recuperating from arthroscopic shoulder surgery due to a bad fall against the kitchen counter—it will take several months to heal, and then she will need physical therapy. Corky Pattison Casey, P’82 will be in Old Saybrook, Conn. the end of July  and would love to see anyone who might be in the area. Janet Peek Clancy is expecting her 6^th  great-grandchild this July. One of her grandsons is a NYC fireman who is a member of the fire departments  football team, and they flew to NC to compete—she still plays lots of tennis and bridge, and enjoys being involved in all that she does. Lovely long note from Marilynn  Phillips—she has had a happy, busy year with trips to Seattle to visit son Chip, the wedding of her grandson Tyler , a visit with her brother Dick for Thanksgiving, and enjoying all the wonderful things her grandchildren are accomplishing. Judy Rank Loposer is still in Walla Walla, Washington—her three children live close by which makes life even better, ”Whenever I see wisteria blooming I think of the pergola.” Beverly Rosenberg Sager had a fall on the tennis court and broke her wrist, and is now in physical therapy.  If all goes well she and her daughter plan to spend a week in Paris in June, and then in August she travels to California to visit with her son. Sheila Seigal Asher has sold her home on Kiawah Island, and will be going back to Florida. Their family joined them for the Passover weekend and was terrific. In general life is good, and they are grateful. Lois Wolfe Haffly is doing well after having back surgery in Oct. to relieve pressure on her sciatic nerve. She sends her best to everyone. The Essex Family is fine—I’m still involved with Kings Point—helping out at Cookie Café, as well as sponsoring cadets—and I volunteer at the nursery school where I taught—reading the “golden oldies” to the children –Hal is doing well, and we both enjoy visiting with our children and grandchildren.

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.

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.”

1948

Corky Edwards Shulman
808-254-2531
oahucork@aol.com

Aloha, Hoodlums! There are 65 members of the class of 48 still truckin’……..and since most of us have hit our 90th birthday, I’d say we are a pretty long-lived group of women. I share my birthday with Queen Elizabeth; we both hit 90 on April 21st; my four youngsters came from the mainland to help celebrate. And in 2018, we’ll enjoy our 70th class reunion!!!! Ginny Mansfield Alm and Bob are well and enjoying life in The Villages, FL. They play lots of bridge, and Ginny continues keyboard lessons and plays nine holes of golf twice a week. (As one of the “Folksies” gang of eleven, Ginny and I have enjoyed many happy reunions.)!! Ann Barnum Connellee remembered my birthday April 21st, mahalo, old friend! Ann and Bill and daughter Gail vacation at Kiawah in a friend’s house on the ocean. “We are so fortunate to have each other and love our cottage here at Bishop Gadsden (Charleston, S.C.).”!! Janet Beck Agnew has moved to Hamilton, Ohio where she lives with her daughter, Kerry. Janet and her three daughters will attend a family reunion in West Virginia where she will be the matriarch of the clan! (Way to go, Ging!)!! Shirley Benson Rice ( Farmville,VA) writes that she has two grandchildren graduating from High School this spring, both are going on to college. (Congrats to both.)!! Anne Chaney Mesmer, from Washington, D.C…”living day to day with lots of help and cheered by visits from family and friends.” (Anne always had that positive glow.)!! Elaine Henderson Cortelyou still enjoys her river home in Fairton, N.J. that she shares with the deer and the turkeys. She works at the church and enjoys cooking. (Wish I did….good for you!)!! Mary Hershberger (San Antonio, TX) retired in 2014 after a 65 year career in the Retail Fashion and Travel Industry. “I am now enjoying the free time with friends and my standard white 5 year old poodle ‘Sophie Tucker.”. (Ditto me & my 7 year old chihuahua)!! Barbara Heiss Jackson, in Sarasota, FL.: “We mourn the death of Louise Renninger Rittenhouse, P’74, G’07 (Tootie). She was one of eight of us who kept in touch via round robin letter. There are just three of us now; Elsa Eggers Hauswald, Shirley Benson Rice, and me. We keep in touch now by phone.” Barb has three children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. (We too mourn ‘Tootie’)!! Margaret Green Lebherz was privileged to represent the Class of ’48 in the alumni procession at the inauguration of President Andrea Chapdelaine. She writes “Hood was blessed with a beautiful October Day for this outdoor occasion as only Maryland can provide.” (Amen, amen)!! Katherine Maguire Rafferty reports in from Denver that husband John has had his second-knee-replacement and is recuperating nicely at home. “Our two girls live in CA and FL. so we visit in CA yearly. We all need to HANG IN THERE!” (Hear hear! I agree!)!! Betty Paterson Reims (Wallingford, CT) still spends the winters in Florida. “I”m using a cane like everyone else, but keep plugging. As I watch the French Open, I wonder how I played tennis all those years!! We were lucky and had a good life.”!! A blue note from George Southworth: “It is with a sad heart that I inform you that my wife, Lorene Myers Southworth, passed away on May 20 at Kirkhead Village Retirement Community. We moved here to live out our remaining years. Unfortunately, hers were shorter than we would have liked.” (Aloha nui loa, Renee)!! As for me, still hangin’ out in the islands with daughter Kim and grandson Arion in residence, enjoying hearing from old classmates! However, as of the deadline (6/20/2016), cards sent to Vivian Rice Englander and Jean Neel Perkins have been returned to me, unable to forward. If any of you know the whereabouts of any of these gals, please advise!!

1944

V. Jean Wheatley Hilchuk
407-767-6863
jhilchuk@aol.com

Hood sent me the names of thirty of us for me to contact to see what we are up to doing these days.  Thirteen of us were able to respond.  Most of the phones rang but there was no answer to my call.  The only phone call that had been discontinued was that of Emma Vonderheide Rhoderick.  Marilyn Barnett is still living in New Orleans.  She reported that she really didn’t do much of anything.  But at least she knew what she was talking about.  Betty Lee Daubenspeck Carl does play gold and bridge.  Janet Louise Coblentz Cover is living in Frederick in a retirement center.  She says she is in the assisted living section.  There are several other Hood grads that she has met there.  Gertrude Flagg Dalzell is still living in her own home.  She continues to attend meetings and does quite a bit of reading.  Anne Schwab Dulabahn is also in a retirement center.  She uses a walker and does not drive anymore.  She wishes that her daughters lived nearby, but they live in D.C. and California.  Margaret Traver Emery lives in her own home and has a son, Nelson, living with her.  She is planning a trip to Texas and then to New Jersey to visit her family.  She then intends to sell her home and settle someplace else.  Mildred Geiple Hufnagel lives in her own home.  Her son lives with his mother.  She keeps busy with the usual activities.  Annabelle Sunderland Kepler still drives and lives in her own home.  That seems to be quite the thing for one of our age.  Betty Jane Black Newport lives in her own home too.  She has meals on wheels delivered to her.  Way to go Betty.  Phyllis Carts Searle has a caregiver with her to see her needs.  Mary Alice Knobloch Smith is one of our active ones.  She plays duplicate bridge.  She has family near her which is great.  Mary Lou Chorley Touart is in a retirement center also.  She has retired from the job she had as an editor of their paper.  Her family keeps in touch with her.  Gladys Reinert Aungst called from Newport News.  She still lives in her home.  Her daughter is staying with her.  She no longer drives and uses a walker to help get around.  Well, that is the classmates I heard from.  Hope it brings you up to date.  As for myself, I am living in a retirement center which is near where I lived on the golf course.  I am unable to walk with the exception of walking to the pool which I do daily.  So I ride these long halls in my electric scooter.  The three members of our class that died this past year are: Mildred Easterbrook Patzig, Marilyn Jane Fowler Orth, and Helen Jacqueline Wright. 

1972

Cynthia Clifford
415-563-5273
cynthiaclifford999@gmail.com

Thanks for the wonderful response to my call for news; unfortunately, I had to edit heavily with a limit of 750 words, so please also post often at https://www.facebook.com/groups/124118741026202. Nancy Leigh Williams Bishop and Dan are happily retired in Malibu. Daughter Sam and son-in-law Joel live in Australia; he will compete as goalie on the Australian Water Polo team at the Rio Olympics. Carol McVey Burke, M.S. ’80 and her husband recently attended the wedding of the daughter of her Hood roommate, Gretchen VanWhy Gowen, P’08. Sarah M. Gowen ’08 is the third generation to attend Hood; her grandmother is Margaret Hope Whitehead VanWhy ’45. Marianne Taylor Strittmatter continues to run the family business in York, PA; she enjoys gardening, traveling, writing memoirs, and time with her children and four grandsons. Helen De Leonard writes that since retiring from teaching, she has finally been able to perfect living in the present moment! She volunteers with her church, including as a Stephen Minister. Last summer, she visited Gini Procino Hartmann and Tom at their new home in Watchung, NJ; and joined Robin Shaw Leto and Ken in San Francisco for their daughter’s wedding in Golden Gate Park. Linda Cumber Gifkins and her husband enjoy life in southern Vermont, and frequent visits in Brooklyn with kids and grandkids. She continues to work full time at the travel startup Routehappy. Last summer, they had a delightful surprise visit from Darlene DeMay and Jim in their fabulous RV; they hope to visit Betsey Briddell Kipp and Deryl in Boothbay, Maine. Robin Shaw Leto and Ken celebrated their 40^th anniversary with a Panama Canal trip in April with their family; son Jason works with the MA Teachers Association in Boston and daughter Dara continues post-doctoral studies in molecular biology at Stanford. Sue Gorelick Marlenga reports that both daughters married in 2015—Sarah in May and Ashley in November. Mary Jane Scully Bauer was in Boston for Sarah’s wedding but in Israel during Ashley’s. Sue’s been in touch with Joan Leslie Wadsworth, who’s retired from teaching; she and George look forward to their son Greg’s July wedding. Sarah Sonne O’Donnell continues to teach high school biology. Her father passed away March 26 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but had enjoyed photos of his new granddaughter, born three days earlier. Helen-Mae Reisner joined the U. S. Postal Service in ’09 in Philadelphia and was recently appointed to a senior leadership position at Headquarters in Washington. She is in North Bethesda and was delighted to discover that Carol Lipson Fivozinsky and her husband live in the same building. Becky Riehl enjoys retirement in The Villages, FL, including water aerobics, bridge, golf, and riding in her golf cart.  She also travels to Nashville, TN, golf tournaments in Las Vegas and Myrtle Beach, and cruises on her pontoon boat. This summer, she plans to see Cindy Land Humphries ’74 and Lucia Grabenstein Kline. Marti Murray Robinson retired this spring from Ulster County Community College as a Professor Emerita after 25 years of teaching English. She’ll travel this summer to the Galapagos Islands and then to Ireland with the Hood alumni travel program this fall and continue her studies through the Jung Society of Washington, DC. Connie Dawley Seeley reports that she is very happily engaged; she and Karl met online in 2014. They live in Clarksburg, MD, close to Hood and will be married in August. They often see Linda Wicks Crites and Bob; Connie and Linda attended reunion weekend, and shared lunch with friends from ’71 celebrating their 45th: Mary McMunigal Burland ’71, Edith Purdie ’71, and Betsy Cooper Pizzolato ’71. Recently, Linda and Bob joined Marsha Kraft Brick and Jim in Rhode Island for brunch; they continue to enjoy retirement and have added Tai Chi and Senior Aerobics to their weekly schedule. Danise Simpson Simmons and Bruce relocated to Aurora, IL, when their son-in-law accepted a transfer to the Chicago area; and he and their daughter, Sarah, invited them to go with them. Their new address is 1286 Church Court, Aurora, IL 60502. Kathy Stewart remains gainfully retired in Harrisburg, PA, enjoying gardening, birding, and screen porch life with an orange fuzz ball named Sparky. She had a great time at the wedding of Jane Chaisson Blake‘s daughter Heather; stays in touch with Kathy Martin Belikoff, who’s exploring the country via RV with Larry and their German shepherd; and has invited me to visit when I’m back East this August. Barrie Parsons Tilghman and Mat much enjoyed a trip to England and France to commemorate the D-Day invasion—the most meaningful trip of their lives. Barrie was reminded of Dr. Bragdon’s American History course, just as she had recalled Dr. Latkovski’s classes on an earlier trip to Latvia. Barrie recently had lunch with Barb Cox Bisset, who’s busy with five grandchildren and a part-time position at Goucher College “and looks just like she did the day we left Hood.” Janice Williams Martin and Al took a cruise to Mexico, and continue to enjoy 4-H and their farm with plenty of animals.  Deidre Jean Wright is proudly taking her oldest grand nephew, Chase Wise, to Lowell, MA, for the 2016 Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders on 29 June. Then she’ll become Quartermaster for VFW Post 8696, Palm Coast, FL; she’s also proud to serve as a speaker for “Veterans in the Classroom” with the Flagler County school system. Allison Zack/Jeffrey Hagerich and Mike divide their time between Rochester, NY and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL—the best chapter of their lives yet! She volunteers with environmental programs; this year, they travel to Chautauqua, Sicily, Singapore, and China, and then to California to visit their daughter. Jane Hively Zarfoss left York, PA in 2012 and moved to West Palm Beach, FL with her 90-year-old mother; she also spends time in the San Francisco Bay Area with her two children and three young grandsons—visitors are welcome in Florida or San Francisco! This column is dedicated to our classmate Kris Vasey Smith, who enjoyed a successful career with Hawai’i Pacific University and passed away September 25, 2013; Mahalo, Kris. Save the date for our 45^th reunion: June 9–11, 2017!