alumnae Connection MC in NYC 2012: November 16-18, 2012 Make plans to join alumnae and friends in the Big Apple as we explore the city that never sleeps! This annual alumnae trip will include: airfare, transfer, hotel accommodations, an alumnae reception, theatre ticket, a visit to the 9/11 Memorial and a ticket to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. This year’s show is the Tony Award winning hit “Nice Work if You Can Get It,” starring Kellie O’Hara and Matthew Broderick. Pricing information will be available soon. For additional information or to register, contact Hilary Allen, ’01, director of alumnae & parent relations, at (919) 760-8751 or allenh@meredith.edu.
mer. The Tingens enjoy life on Emerald Isle, attending grandkids’ sports games, and family time on the boat and island.
’64 Sara Gwynn Bryan Brackett recalls fondly that her husband of over 48 years proposed in “The Grove” during graduation weekend. They live in Charlotte where they enjoy good times with their two children and two grandchildren. After a rewarding 28-year teaching career, Brackett retired to spend quality time with her mother and mother-in-law in their last years. She now has an active exercise routine, serves as a volunteer tutor, has re-joined her garden club and participates in a Bible Study class. She makes frequent trips to the beach, often with her two sisters. Brackett writes that “Life is good” and that she looks forward to seeing lots of Meredith friends at the 2014 reunion. Ann Cockerham Carmichael and her husband celebrated their 49th anniversary in February. They live in Charlotte, as do their two sons and their “grand dog.” Carmichael continues her work as a sales representative for Carlisle clothes. Jo Crowder Dermid moved to Nashville, Tenn. in 2010 after many successful years of catering and being vice-president of sales for BBJ Linen in Chicago. She and her two daughters, Beth Dermid Harmon,’88, and Amanda Dermid Robinson, ‘91, now own and operate Graceful Tables. This specialty linen rental company is recognized by the International Special Events Society and the National Association of Catering Executives as one of the leading new firms in the hospitality industry. Judy Wicker Eaton and her husband retired to Lake Tillery. After his death in 2000, she moved to Albemarle. Although health issues have slowed her down, Eaton still loves to travel, especially to visit her daughter who lives in London. Sue Ennis Kearney is enjoying serving as a 24
gift agent for her class because it has re-connected her with so many Meredith friends. She also serves on Meredith’s Friends of the Carlyle Campbell Library Board. Retirement has also allowed her to enjoy many art, music and theatre events, take classes of interest, read more, re-join the church choir and travel to Italy. Jane Kincheloe McDonald and her husband recently returned to N.C. after more than 30 happy years in the Cincinnati area. McDonald took a break from teaching to raise three daughters and re-entered the field as a pre-school director and subsequently as early childhood founder at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. After “retiring” she became interim Christian education director at a Baptist church. McDonald received the “Outstanding Citizen of the Year” award in 2007 and was honored with Jane McDonald Day in Mariemont in 2009. She credits Meredith for preparing her in a variety of ways and says, “You can always tell a Meredith girl!” Sue Anne James Schoonderwoerd writes that after a very scary health episode, she has made changes and given priority to what she values most in her life. A focus on love has led her to spend more time with her two little granddaughters, a grandson age 15, two sons deploying to Afghanistan, and husband, who encourages her to keep a plate, and not a platter, full. Exercise is also a priority—specifically tap-dancing with the Silver Strutters. Challenging her mind has led to a less stressful career in real estate staging and has allowed her to explore some architectural design concepts.
’67 Linda Blanchard Sparks writes that after living
more than 20 years in Arizona, a year in San Jose, Calif., more than 12 years in Austin, Texas, three years in Grenoble, France, and over a year in Albany, N.Y., she and her husband have finally settled back
in Raleigh. Gloria McDonald Stubbs has been retired for 13 years. She moved to Myrtle Beach from Greenville, S.C. It is close to the beach for her and close to golf courses for her husband. Three of their grandkids were adopted from Russia. She and her husband led their church’s mission team to Lynch, Ky. for the past seven years. She has also been working in their church library for 12 years. Martha Reynolds Thaler is newly one of the “Immortal Six” that attended the first Meredith Intensive study at Palazzo Alberti in Sansepolcro, Italy. They studied Piero Della Francesca with Maureen and Jim Baker. They traveled to see the artist’s work in Tuscany, Umbria and Marche. Betty Webb spent the Spring semester in Italy, directing the Meredith program there. She will spend most of the summer in London.
’72 Deborah Love was featured in an article published in Virginia Lawyers Weekly that applauded her work of bridging the gap between doctors and lawyers. She was especially instrumental with her vision and leadership in developing “Access Now,” a program that facilitates specialty physicians to help the working poor. Since their 40th reunion, Sandra McClain Buller has five grandchildren ages three months to six years. She is a professor of music and director of graduate studies in music at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. JoAnne Weaver Campbell was elected to the 2012-13 Regent for the Wilmington Ladies Tea Walk Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Campbell and her husband reside in Carolina Beach, N.C. She now has two grandchildren from her oldest daughter. Her other children live in Wilmington, N.C. S. Cassandra Crump received notification in November 2011 that she had achieved National Board Certification in library media. Her work as a middle school media specialist is still pleasant. It has been a joy to be in her hometown to enjoy her nieces. Marti Miller Elliott writes that retirement is fabulous. The hardest adjustment after teaching for 30 years was the realization of not having to adhere to rigid schedules and bells. Carol Anne McLaney Felts has three children and two grandchildren and she writes that they are precious. Kathy Oliver Hardee has worked as an educational and training specialist at Tiara Yachts and a sentencing services specialist for the Onslow County Criminal Superior Court. Her son is in the U.S. Army. She has three cats and two yellow labs. She is also beginning an online store. Betsy Pearson Hinkle lives in a rural community, Mills River. She is active in her church, facilitates and leads Bible studies, and answers the phones at The Cove for
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