CLASS OF ’69 NEWS – WINTER 2021

Virginia Monaco Hatfield was first to check in with the news of the birth of her first grandchild, Lina Sam Benhain, on August 4th – the “one bright spot in 2020” she claims. Ginny and her husband live nearby to their daughter, so they get to help out with Lina on a daily basis. Our condolences go to Pat Warren Carlson who lost her husband of 36 years in early November. He died peacefully at home which was a blessing. Five days later Pat had robotic surgery to remove a small nodule from her lung. Surgery was successful and all is clear. One encouraging note was purchasing a summer home in Lewes Beach, DE and furnishing it almost entirely “on-line.” Pat is thankful for a supportive blended family and granddaughters who continually delight. Christy Lundt Lambertus has been able to continue work from her office (with an assistant), staying in touch with clients by email, phone, etc. She has kept her husband home (house arrest) because “his immune system stinks.” Marty Silcox Hankins did lots of FaceTime and Zooming with her kids and grandkids over the holidays. Her pottery business (www.shilohpottery.com) continues to flourish despite the pandemic. She keeps in touch with Lila Wisotski, Susan Basford, Donna Carr, Sue Korff Hammer, Linda Lamm, Susan Taylor Shoch, Sue Barncord Rinker, JoAnn McManamy, and Penney Weatherby on Facebook. Jill Stanley reports that she and Adam are healthy – so far. She was grateful her daughter and family, including 2 grandsons, stopped by to see them in Indiana on Father’s Day, as they relocated to Portland, OR. Jill and Adam are on the Board of the National Square Dance Convention in Indiana and have missed dancing in recent months. But she has seen fellow dancer, Betsy Seele Gottta, several times on the dancing circuit. Esther Kofod reminds us that her book, The Libyan, in which Hood College plays a small part, is still available. She actually gave me a copy – it’s quite compelling and I highly recommend it. Pat Etzel Parker is looking forward to her daughter Maia’s wedding at her home in mid-September. Something, she says, to think about in these troubled times. Barb Sims is on Zoom for weekly chats with friends and chorale rehearsals, and enjoys streaming various programs and concerts. The silver Covid lining for Susie Holtzmann Richardson is that she, Linda Richards McKnight and Susie Lawrence have been talking weekly. She’s amazed by the power of connecting with each other and the deep roots of their friendship. Carole Downing Staton and Roy finally got to visit with daughter Jennifer and family (grandchildren 9 and 3 ½) over Christmas. Son Andrew returned to Hill AFB in Salt Lake City from his latest deployment to UAE on Thanksgiving. Son Eric lives nearby. The Statons “very quietly” celebrated their 50th anniversary in October. Chris Diehl is completing her final year of teaching “on-line” at Southern Connecticut University. Dave and I, Sayre Roney Steere, rejoiced in October when, after 2 daughters and 3 granddaughters (ages 16, 14, and 12) we finally got a boy! Orin Clarke Nester was born to our youngest – the one who got married in July of 2019. We were on hand for his birth as well as the first week of his life, helping out as best we could. Since then, visits have been few and far between. Eternally grateful for Zoom. Meanwhile Dave and I take daily hikes along the beautiful trails here in our neighborhood. I also exercise “on-line”, plug away at stitching projects and “puzzle.”