the Belong. Believe.
An annual magazine for alumnae and friends
2014
Become.
The River: St. Margaret’s Front Door Once Again | Lindy Williams is installed as 11th Head of School | Commencement and Reunion Highlights
Alumnae Board
Board of Governors
President: Patti Webb ’03
Blue/Grey Connection Chairs
Chair: William L. Tyson P’11
President-Elect/Vice President:
Mary E. Leipertz ’00
Bette J. Albert ’68
Beth C. Angle ’97
Sarah Weakley ’04
David Arias P’14
Secretary: Dwann Cutler ’01
Giovanna Athias P’05
Treasurer: Carter H. Fitch ’02
Members at Large
Carter H. Fitch ‘02
Past President: Bette J. Albert ’68
Jenni Booker ’93
Patricia H. Gallagher
Michelle Burch ’07
L.H. Ginn III
Mary Liz M. Bergstein ’81
Charles T. Griffith ’81
Catharine J. Owen ’70
Jean Roy Jones ’81
Biddie W. Shelor ’61
Richard G. Lewis, MD
Cameron Sgroi ’00
Fay G. Lohr ’62
Golden Thistle Chairs
Tina H. Spain ’97
Sarah Belle E. Parrott ’68
Gwynn B. Litchfield ’57
Kate R. P. Taylor ’83
Kendall Stoneham P’13
Betty Rose T. Sexton ’61
Angie Tucker ’93
Randolph H. Watts
Young Alumnae Chairs Nichole Kennedy ’11 Miatta Kingg ’12 Rebecca Parker ’11
The Rev. Anne Lane Witt
River Run Chairs
Heather Wood ’87
Bowdre Fortson ’08 Florence Snyder ’09
Alumnae Representative Patti Webb ’03 Parent Representative Rebecca Orcutt P’15
Foundation Board
Governors Emeritae Chair: Jane Whitt Sellers ’71
H. Pettus LeCompte
Charlotte Haile Frischkorn ‘58
Chip Broadway
Lucile Ware McCarthy ‘82
Margaret Shepherd Ray ’61
Dr. David Charlton
Ann Courtland Peck ‘75
Jane Morriss Garland ‘70
Maria Skuratovskaya ‘94
John E. Lawler P’09
Nancy Smith P’04, Ex Officio
Foundation Board Chair Jane Whitt Sellers ’71 Ex Officio Lindy MacDonald Williams, Head of School
Parent Council
Church Schools
Co-Chairs: Jonathan and Rebecca Orcutt P’15 Kurt and Kelly Berling P’15
Chuck and Anne Marie Pace P’18
Scott and Mary Haley P’15
Rob and Diane Pierce P’18
Amanda Moss P’16
Kelly Stewart P’16
Kelly Niedzwiecki P’18
Waring and Sue Trible P’15 Kathy Wilson P’17
Administrative Cabinet Lindy MacDonald Williams, Head of School Cathy Sgroi, P’00 Assistant Head of School Nancy Smith, P’04 Chief Financial Officer The Rev. Anita Braden, Chaplain Gretchen Herbst, Director of Admission Cynthia Walker ‘99, Athletic Director Sarah A. B. Wilson ‘95, Director of Development
faculty and staff, 2014 – 2015
Dr. David Charlton, President, Church Schools in the Diocese of Virginia
THE
The Thistle is published annually by St. Margaret’s School. Questions and comments should be directed to the Director of Communication and Marketing. Head of School Lindy M. Williams
2 A Message from the Head of School 3 Open Forum – Alumnae Q&A 4 Along the Banks 6 The River: St. Margaret’s Front Door Once Again 10 Golden Thistle Society – Polly Rice ’35
Director of Communication and Marketing Lindsay Harmon
12 New Faces at SMS
Director of Development Sarah A. B. Wilson ’95
14 Installation of 11th Head of School
Director of Alumnae Relations Briana VanAudenhove Annual Giving Coordinator Stephen W. Davenport Communication and Marketing Rebecca Parker ’11 Communication and Marketing Caroline S. Rollins ’ 09 ST. MARGARET’S SCHOOL P.O. Box 158 Tappahannock, VA 22560 (804) 443-3357 fax (804) 443-6781 develop@sms.org admit@sms.org www.sms.org
13 Faculty Perspective – Shannon Spears
15 Parent Council – Going Once, Going Twice 16 Commencement 2014 – Awards & Prizes 18 Alumnae Weekend – Reunion 2014 20 Distinguished Alumna Award & Alumnae Service Award 21 A Culture of Giving 22 Class Notes 52 Transitions
a message from the head of school
Dear St. Margaret’s alumnae, families, and friends, Right after the Class of 2014 graduated, the girls packed and went their separate ways; and I missed them terribly. As usual, summer went by in a flash and it was wonderful to have them return—beginning with our leaders and preseason student-athletes, working hard and playing hard in preparation for the year. There were lots of ‘I’ve missed you’ and ‘welcome to St. Margaret’s’ hugs. Things felt right again. We are delighted to have another year of increased enrollment with incredible students and a remarkable group of faculty and staff. I am especially pleased that St. Margaret’s has 10 SMS alumnae faculty and staff members! I love the spirit of St. Margaret’s—you feel it everyday. Our students are known, challenged, and understood. The Dalai Lama shared, “Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, and reasons to stay.” Here at SMS, we are living this. In addition to being impressive students, artists and athletes, our girls are confident enough to be kind. I’ve shared this with our new families during orientation, something I read years ago that I feel certain must have been written about a St. Margaret’s girl:
We have dedicated partners joining hands to propel us forward as we prepare to enter an exciting period of strategic growth.
She is beautiful, but not like those girls in the magazines. She is beautiful, for the way she thinks. She is beautiful, for the sparkle in her eyes when she talks about something she loves. She is beautiful, for her ability to make others smile, even if she might be a little sad. No, she isn’t beautiful for something as temporary as her looks. She is beautiful, deep down to her soul. My first year was an incredible journey with everyone serving as a contributor. This interdependence will make our continued journey a success. We have dedicated partners joining hands to propel us forward as we prepare to enter an exciting period of strategic growth. Our partners are aspirational and relentless on behalf of St. Margaret’s, our girls, and the opportunities before us. I look forward to growing those relationships as well as beginning new ones. How fortunate we are at this critical time in our history. It is important that we all answer the call, and the Annual Fund is the perfect place to start. Tuition only covers a portion of our annual operating budget, and the Annual Fund supports both the tangible and the intangible of teaching and learning. It is annual because it is important that we receive your support every year, somewhat of a reminder of the reoccurring importance in the daily life of the School. Our theme this year is MAKING WAVES, SHAPING FUTURES. Please join us as we make some waves and shake a few things up. We expect some unexpected moments of happy and innovative collision. I have an unflappable confidence in St. Margaret’s. It’s a great time to be a Scottie.
Lindy Williams Head of School 2
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open forum
Alumnae Questions
You Asked, We Answered.
How can I sponsor an Independent Study Project?
What’s the role of the Student Alumnae Council?
For the past few years, seniors have been given the option to
An impressive group of students were selected for the Student
participate in an ISP during Minimester. The format of the program
Alumnae Council this past year. These young women volunteered
allows students to design a meaningful two-week experience to
at alumnae events, participated in phonathons, and learned
explore a potential profession, conduct a formal research project, or
the importance of becoming an active member of the Alumnae
participate in community service. Students search for opportunities
Association. The highlight of the year was when a small group of
in a variety of career fields, ranging from healthcare and education
SAC members served on a panel at the Annual Winter Alumnae
to international affairs and entrepreneurship. Alumnae can serve
Association Meeting at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond.
as a wonderful resource to the Office of College Guidance when
The room was filled with current and former board members,
matching seniors with sponsors. To become a Site Sponsor, submit
successful businesswomen, and passionate alumnae; but the
your contact information and a brief description of your profession
girls were nothing but calm, cool, and collected. They answered
to the Office of Alumnae Relations. An ISP sometimes finds you,
questions about their overall St. Margaret’s experience, favorite
too, so be sure to input your professional contact information in the
traditions, and future ambitions. After the segment, they received
business directory on the Blue/Grey Connection page of the private
a standing ovation and joined Association members for lunch.
alumnae portal: www.sms.org/portal. Supplemental information is
The hope is to groom these young women for future roles on the
also posted on the SMS Blue/Grey Connection Facebook page.
Alumnae Council.
My class will be in a reunion year this year. What exactly does the Reunion Giving Program entail?
What kind of community involvement does St. Margaret’s have? St. Margaret’s has always been deeply immersed in its community.
St. Margaret’s is always thrilled to help alumnae celebrate milestone
RivahFest alone brings hundreds of thousands of people to campus
reunions and looks forward to seeing classmates return to the river
and showcases SMS as a welcoming community with a beautiful
in June to revel in planned festivities. Amidst all the wonderful new
view of the Rappahannock River. Through various other events and
changes that took place during this past transitional year, it became
programs, St. Margaret’s has developed partnerships with many
overwhelmingly apparent that the Reunion Giving Program could be
local non-profit organizations. Students spend time volunteering
strengthened. And so, the Development Office strived to work more
with the YMCA, the Haven Shelter, Operation Inasmuch, and others
closely with Class Agents in reunion years to develop a new and
throughout the school year. Many also serve on the Basic Needs
improved program. Together, they set class goals for the Annual
committee, which raises money and collects goods for people in
Fund and encouraged widespread philanthropy in preparation for
need. The Alumnae Association selects a non-profit partner each
Alumnae Weekend. First, a class’ giving history was analyzed and
October for the Rappahannock River Run/Walk held over Fall Family
an Annual Fund goal was set. It then became the Class Agent’s
Weekend and donates a portion of the event’s proceeds to their
role to promote increased class gifts in honor of their reunion year.
deserving cause. In the summer months, St. Margaret’s opens its
Ultimately, the Reunion Giving Program provides special recognition
doors to Jacob’s Ladder, a highly structured academic and life-skill,
to classes in reunion years, helps the Alumnae Association reach its
overnight program for at-risk children. The School also sponsors and
percentage participation goal, and increases overall dollars raised
hosts several fundraising events for the Tappahannock Free Clinic.
for the St. Margaret’s School Annual Fund. Everybody wins!
Bottom line: Everyone at St. Margaret’s understands the importance of community involvement, and dedicates at least a portion of her life to giving back.
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along the banks
Community Art Project: “Peace on Earth”
Virginia Diversity Network Student Conference
This past May, nearly a year after careful planning and hard work, St. Margaret’s “Peace on Earth” mural was dedicated at St. Timothy’s Church to the children of Tappahannock. The mural was completed with 100% student participation, and was supervised by St. Margaret’s artists in residence, Konst and a Konstantina Konstantinov, professionally know as the KonKons. This project is the latest work of the SMS Art Team, which has created art for community service projects over the past decade—each in a different medium. The KonKons said this about the project, “There are many different ways to do a mural, but this way, we can display the creativity of St. Margaret’s to the whole world.” Notably the mural is on one of the first buildings one sees when entering the town of Tappahannock from the north. The collaboration also resulted in an unexpected honor when Pope Francis blessed St. Margaret’s School. Tappahannock is not the only place where Scotties’ artistic talents are being showcased. Earlier this summer, student works were featured in the Westminster Canterbury Gallery in Richmond. The people of Richmond welcomed the obvious talent, so much so that several offers were made to purchase some of the pieces on display. The KonKons commented that they hoped these artistic opportunities have helped students to “overcome the fear of selfexpression and begin to see themselves as artists.”
Diversity is one of the hallmarks of a St. Margaret’s education, and the school’s partnership with the Virginia Diversity Network further supports this mission. The Virginia Diversity Network began in 2004, with the vision of bringing teachers with diverse ethnic backgrounds together to talk about their experiences working in independent schools. This idea was later expanded to include all those who worked on diversity issues and initiatives. This year, a group from St. Margaret’s attended the VDN Student Conference. Faculty member, Jennifer Howard, who accompanied the girls, summarized the experience, “The most important thing that I believe the girls took away from the conference was a deeper appreciation for our diverse and welcoming campus.” The students also used discussion points from the conference to help them set goals for next year. Particularly exciting is recent news that next year’s conference will be hosted at St. Margaret’s School on January 17, 2015. Head of School, Lindy Williams, stated, “We are thrilled to have been selected to host the upcoming Virginia Diversity Network’s Annual Student Conference. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our beautiful and historic campus to share in a day of important discussion, reflection, and fun!” She added, “We are in a unique position to host, as St. Margaret’s was an early leader in creating a diverse and inclusive school community. Our girls are fortunate to be enriched by the authentic respect and celebration of the unique gifts of their sisters as we continue to create this beautiful tapestry that is St. Margaret’s.” The SMS community looks forward to this opportunity to learn about and celebrate diversity with independent schools across Virginia.
The completed “Peace on Earth” mural welcomes visitors to Tappahannock.
New in Athletics The Athletic Program made great strides in the 2013–14 school year under the leadership of a new director, Cynthia Walker ’99, who is looking to enhance the program even more this year. St. Margaret’s has always fostered a strong relationship between academics and athletics, and the introduction of the Scholar Athlete Award last year was evidence of that perfect partnership. The award is presented to a student-athlete who, in the judgment of coaches and faculty, has shown great leadership in the classroom, as well as on the court or field. This student must play a varsity sport and maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout her season. Director of Studies and Academic Dean, ViAnn Farmer, said, “We have always said that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom; athletics and academics go hand-in-hand, and this award simply helps formalize that idea.” Additional practice and training schedules were included in this year’s calendar. Walker commented, “The girls have really begun to wrap their minds around the idea of what it is to embody a ‘student-athlete,’ with an emphasis on the fact that student comes first.” Students are continuing to work on building confidence as athletes, and their work is clearly beginning to pay off, as seen by another stellar softball season. In addition, there will be some changes to the athletic schedules and offerings this year. St. Margaret’s is happy to announce that lacrosse will return in the spring. Tennis will move to the fall trimester in order to compete with other independent schools, and crew is back as a competitive three-season sport. 4
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Faculty and Staff Awards Several members of the St. Margaret’s faculty and staff were recognized for their professional achievements last school year. During Commencement Weekend, Tobey Taliaferro, Director of the International and ESL Program, received the Waitzer Master Teacher Award (see pg. 13), and the John T. Rice Award for Excellence in Teaching was awarded to Susan Foulk, a member of the science faculty, River Group and Academic Tech Team. The Rice Award, chosen by the juniors and seniors, honors a faculty member who embodies a true love of teaching and a commitment to motivating and inspiring students, both inside and outside the classroom. New this year, Head of School, Lindy Williams, recognized faculty and staff during their annual year-end luncheon. The maintenance team was given the Unsung Hero Award for their endless support, hard work, and dedication to the school. The Teamwork Award, created to honor two people or a group who best demonstrated outstanding collaboration, was shared between the River Group and the unique pairing of academics and athletics. The River Group, comprised of Susan Foulk, Cupper Dickinson, Milly Rixey and Larry Foulk, won the award for their constant work on the River Program and more specifically, the Rainscape Project, which recently received grant funding. Academic Dean, ViAnn Farmer, and Athletic Director, Cynthia Walker ’99, also received this award for their partnership in promoting wellrounded student-athletes. Two very special members of the St. Margaret’s community were recognized nationally. Former Head of School, Margaret Broad, was awarded the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools Ransome Prize. The award is presented annually to a woman who is a leader in advocating for girls’ education and has had made an outstanding contribution to NCGS. Furthermore, the recipient must reflect the grace and generosity that characterized the award’s namesake. Also, Chief Financial Officer, Nancy Smith, won the National Business Officers Association’s Unsung Hero Award. Smith has dedicated 25 years to St. Margaret’s School, working diligently and efficiently to serve as the school’s financial compass. Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients!
Mathletes Win RCC Competition St. Margaret’s mathletes proudly took home first place from Rappahannock Community College’s math competition in the fall of 2013. The team competed against other local high schools, including Christchurch School and the Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School. The victory was even sweeter after just missing a top placement the year prior. During the competition, each team of three is given the same set of questions and a room to work in for up to one hour. If there are tied scores, the team who turns in their solutions the earliest wins. Math Department Head, Keith Krusz, coached this year’s team and lends his perspective, “These students have learned to persevere through challenging problems, restart when necessary, and communicate mathematics with clarity. The math department is proud of the success our students achieved in the team competition and also of the smaller successful moments students experience in each math class at SMS.” Krusz also added that “In the past six years that St. Margaret’s has fielded competitive teams in the math contest, we placed first place in two contests and second in a third.” Immediately following the competition, the mathletes returned to campus and proudly rang the victory bell in front of SMS Hall—as is tradition for our competitive teams after a win.
Students in Malawi benefitted from funds raised for their school.
Educating Girls Globally This past year, St. Margaret’s took another important step in furthering the education of girls by partnering with Educating Girls Globally (EGG). EGG allows SMS to join hands with 37 sister schools from around the world to think globally and act locally. With this global collaboration, St. Margaret’s has the power to make a profound difference. Mai Mazan ’14 discovered EGG while studying abroad in Chile and New Zealand. The connections she made helped her to contact the program’s leaders and establish a relationship on behalf of St. Margaret’s. Thus far, the School has raised over $500 through a single fundraising event, and shared these funds with an all-girls’ school in Llongwe, Malawi. Mai states, “I am so proud of how accepting our community was of this opportunity. My great hope is that SMS will continue to play a part in helping EGG for years to come. Being able to support women’s education specifically is such a unique passion, and it really allows our girls to give back to the world that has given them such an amazing start.” Head of School, Lindy Williams, is very proud of Mai’s efforts and dedication to EGG, and she shares her desire to make a difference. Williams said, “With a quality education, girls can make informed choices and improve their country’s social and economic well-being by promoting the health and welfare of the next generation. Educating girls globally may be the closest thing to eliminating the root causes of poverty. As an educated woman, mother, productive citizen, and employee, she can break the cycle of poverty—for herself, her family, and her community.”
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campus update
the RIVER
St. Margaret’s Front Door Once Again by Joanna Schilling
For decades, faculty, students, alumnae, and those who steal a glance at campus as they cross Downing Bridge have witnessed the grandeur of St. Margaret’s River Lawn. When the school was founded, that grand river entrance was the school’s front door—the first glimpse of campus that the first St. Margaret’s students saw as they traveled down the Rappahannock by steamboat.
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Recreational and educational activities are enjoyed on the Rappahannock.
Now, nearly 100 years later, a group of faculty have made it their priority to make the river St. Margaret’s front door once again. Informally known as “The River Group,” science teachers, Susan Foulk and Milly Rixey, history teacher, Larry Foulk, and long-time faculty member, Cupper Dickinson, have joined forces with the school’s administration to enhance the way St. Margaret’s students interact with the river. This group has been planning and meeting to assess how the river is incorporated into the lives of St. Margaret’s students. The team met regularly throughout the 2013–2014 academic year and was able to implement several significant enhancements, but the best is yet to come. “The goal is for our students to experience the river in many different ways—recreationally, spiritually, artistically. Once they understand the impact that it has had on them and their lives, they will be more willing to become stewards and active participants in its preservation,” Head of School, Lindy Williams, said. Preservation and education are key components of the
River Group’s undertaking. Milly Rixey elaborates, “The lessons learned by students from observations from their classroom window as the osprey build a nest and feed fish to their young are reminders of their role as stewards of the environment, and the value of equipping themselves with the skills needed to be caretakers of the earth and its resources.” Larry Foulk agreed. “Academic lessons of sustainability are a given, but our vision of living and working within a school community that honors sustainable best practices includes so much more than academics. Sustainability is a quality-of-life issue.” Last year, St. Margaret’s took bounding leaps toward this goal. Through a relationship forged with Chesapeake Environmental Communications (CEC), St. Margaret’s acted as a pilot program for a new iBook, Chesapeake Ecological Atlas, created for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In addition to exploring the river, students were able to share feedback on the book’s content. Their final project culminated in a proposal for implementing a living shoreline designed to limit erosion and foster wildlife.
Students embrace the river and its marine life.
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campus update
Students spend leisure time on the pier in front of SMS Hall.
“This class provided multiple opportunities for our students to explore the river and the banks here on campus, as well as up and downstream,” Susan Foulk said. St. Margaret’s also received a grant through the Captain Planet Foundation that will facilitate the creation of the Rainscape Retrofits Project. Through a joint effort between St. Margaret’s and the Friends of the Rappahannock, the project will use vegetation and soil amendment to minimize stormwater runoff. Native plants will be added in front of Latané Hall, and will expedite the removal of standing water, along with any possible pollutants, by absorbing it into their root systems. “Achievements of this kind are a recognition of the good work that our school is doing. Teachers like Susan Foulk and the other members of our River Group are putting themselves out into the community and being recognized for their efforts,” Williams said. Perhaps the boldest undertaking involves a revision to the River Walk. Originally part of the Campus Master Plan, the River Walk was intended only as an aesthetic addition to campus. “In the beginning, it was really a practical walkway. We, then, took a second look to ensure it was sustainable, educational and played up every view we have,” Assistant Head of School, Cathy Sgroi, said. An environmental architecture company out of Richmond is currently working on a proposal to create a living, outdoor classroom that runs from the back of the Community
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Technology Center to the back of the chapel, where there is the possibility of a labyrinth. Along the way, visitors and students will have the opportunity to learn about the river. Some ideas include the addition of learning stations with QR codes that virtually share information about aspects of the campus and the river. Students will even play a role in the development of the revised River Walk. Proposals developed through the Bay Studies course to create a living shoreline may be included in the plans. Even the path from the CTC to the chapel has significance. “Faith and providing a 21st Century education for our students is central to the St. Margaret’s mission, so it is fitting that these aspects are represented at each end of the experience,” Williams said. For most St. Margaret’s students, the first exposure to the river happens during their first few days on campus, and continues through River Days in the first month of school. The River Group planned a full day of orientation activities this year that shared the historical, cultural, and ecological significance of the river, while offering students opportunities to bond with their classmates. The traditional model of River Days has been enhanced, too. Classes will explore different parts of the river as they have in years past, but the experiences will be spread throughout the year in order to experience each section of the river at the optimal time. Students will also have more recreational opportunities. Another significant development is the enrichment of
“The goal is for our students to experience the river in many different ways— recreationally, spiritually, artistically. Once they understand the impact that it has had on them and their lives, they will be more willing to become stewards and active participants in its preservation,” – Lindy Williams, Head of School
St. Margaret’s crew program and the addition of a new crew coach, Jeanette Nicewinter. Now a three-trimester sport, crew will move from a club sport to participating in regional and national regattas. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in an after-school activity that will expose them to all facets of the river. With all of these additions, the river is poised to become
the front door to campus once again. The future includes forging stronger relationships with local organizations and community members, the addition of more ecology courses, and ensuring that the River Program touches all content areas. If you are interested in contributing time, talent, or treasure to the River Program, contact Director of Development, Sarah A. B. Wilson ’95.
Susan Foulk brings her class outdoors to better understand the river’s ecosystem. THISTLE | 2014
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in memoriam
In Celebration of the Golden Thistle Society, In Memory of its Founder by Ann Norvell Rice Gray ’65 daughter of Polly
In the winter of 1990, Polly Rice wrote to a group of similarly mature alumnae, launching her idea for what she called the Classics Society, and what would later be renamed the Golden Thistle Society. She said, “The ranks of St. Margaret’s graduates from its earliest years are thinning, and there are usually no more than one or two of us representing our classes at the various alumnae functions. Therefore, I have been recruited to try to put together one cohesive group of us who graduated 50 years and more ago… We would be considered one alumnae category, and perhaps entitled to some special attention and privileges on account of our great age!” That was 25 years ago next spring. Polly died last summer, two weeks shy of her 94th birthday, thereby missing three great celebrations that she would have loved—her milestone birthday party, the 80th reunion of her class, and her own funeral. I am Polly Rice’s daughter, class of ’65, and the 2015 reunion will be our 50th. We will be the newest Golden Thistles—the youngest of the oldest alumnae. (I can hear my mother chuckling…) It’s doubtful that she thought of the Golden Thistles as a great legacy. Her usual response to a big compliment like that was, “Who, me?” She used to say that her life was a matter of doing whatever was put in front of her to do. Widowed young, left with a baby daughter and very little money, she faced a pretty steep hill. But up she went, armed with a loving heart, a fine sense of grace under pressure, and a wicked sense of humor. Perhaps she knew that such simple dedication to living honorably and well really did make her something special, but you’d never hear it from her. Polly never expected herself to be some sort of superwoman. She saw clearly that St. Margaret’s was the village to help her raise her child. I grew up in community, she had an independent life beyond her dedication to being a stellar parent, and our
IN MEMORIAM Ann Norvell Gray “Polly” Rice ’35 August 3, 1919 – July 25, 2013
Polly Rice ’35 (center) and friends share a laugh at The Roosevelt in New York City. 10
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relationship was made easier and stronger because of it. So our shared connection to the school has a dimension beyond our individual experiences thirty years apart. Like so many of her intelligent solutions to what was in front of her, the Golden Thistle Society started out as a practical idea, combining the tasks of multiple class agents, and establishing a community of women for whom the space between graduation years makes very little difference any more. It has turned out to be something much richer and more meaningful. We came to St. Margaret’s as adolescents, on the cusp of enormous developmental changes. It was our time to discover who we might be and what we might look like as individual people, unearthing our talents, interests, and personalities at a short remove from our nuclear families. What we couldn’t have known then was that, 50 years later, we would again find ourselves on the verges of developmental change. Our bodies would be changing again, and the work of creating marriages, mastering professional and personal skills, and raising families would be coming to fruition. New freedoms and new trials would be on our horizons. Who could be better to help us get a handle on these times and face our futures than the girls who were our sisters through that first great upheaval? Maybe it’s no accident that St. Margaret’s sits on the banks of a great river, rising from Chester Gap in the hills of Rappahannock County, and flowing 184 miles to the Chesapeake Bay. Heraclitus said that you can never step in the same river twice. When we come back to gather on those banks, we see that we are still the same girls we were on the first go-round, but that the petty foolishness of youth has evaporated, and we have the arcs of our lives to share. The past, the present, and the future are one. I must confess that I’d rather be admired for style on the dance floor than for things like resilience and creditable preservation. Really, people, we are women, not pickles! But beyond our value to each other, what the stories of our lives offer newly minted alumnae is credible evidence that the traditions and values we learn here are charts guiding us through the mainstream, not shackles holding us in an irrelevant backwater. We still belong, we can believe, and we are still becoming. Goodbye, mother darling, and thank you. Ann Norvell Rice Gray ’65 Golden Thistle Society
Polly sips coffee after her 70th birthday dinner.
Polly (left) poses with her daughter, Ann, at her graduation from St. Margaret’s in 1965.
The Golden Thistle Society, comprising alumnae who graduated 50 or more years ago, gathers twice a year to celebrate the joys of being a St. Margaret’s alumna. The Society was created by Polly Rice ’35, who dedicated a meaningful and significant part of her life to St. Margaret’s, as a means of recognizing the school’s most distinguished and valuable alumnae. Polly’s tireless commitment to St. Margaret’s, both by her yearly gift to the Annual Fund and by her endless volunteer service, sets a wonderful example for what the role of an alumna can and should be. The Golden Thistle Society exists to celebrate that loyalty and the long-lasting connection between its members and St. Margaret’s.
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administration: new faces
Anita Braden
The Rev. Anita Braden Chaplain
The Rev. Anita Braden, also known as Mother Anita, brings a rich and varied background of experiences and gifts to the St. Margaret’s community. Prior to her transition to St. Margaret’s, she served as Assistant to the Rector of a Corporate Parish in Washington, D.C., where she focused on enhancing Christian education. There, she also served as Program Director for Trinity Volunteer Corp. As part of a successful 12-year tenure with the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee in Wisconsin, she was a Diocesan Urban Missioner and the Rector at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Menomonee Falls. In Milwaukee, Mother Anita represented the Diocese on 13 secular and religious boards and organizations. Braden has a BA in Theology from Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She received a Master of Arts in Biblical Interpretation from Virginia Theological Seminary, where she also taught. She
has two children, two granddaughters, and enjoys traveling, hiking, knitting, needlepointing, and growing orchids.
Jordanna Ailor
International Director Jordanna Ailor is a graduate of Essex High School in Tappahannock, Virginia, and James Madison University. After college, she worked overseas as a Peace Corps volunteer. She completed her graduate studies at University of Maryland Baltimore County and Johns Hopkins University. She has enjoyed working as the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Department Head in the Baltimore City Public Schools, where she oversaw 220 12
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Jordanna Ailor
Kristina Bethea ’02
international students, representing 21 different nations. She has also served as the After School Program Director for the Refugee Youth Project at Baltimore City Community College and Academic Director of Jacob’s Ladder. Ailor and her husband, Pepper, enjoy traveling abroad, doing mission work, and running races for causes they support. She has traveled to nearly every continent and is fascinated by other cultures and language groups. Ailor says she is truly looking forward to being back in the classroom, working with ESL (English as a Second Language) students, but also with groups of students who want to learn more about linguistic and cultural diversity.
Kristina Bethea ’02
Assistant Dean of Students Kristina Bethea has joined St. Margaret’s as the new Assistant Dean of Students in the Office of School Life. Bethea came from the University of Virginia Athletics Department, where she served as an Academic Coordinator for the last three years, monitoring academic eligibility and providing academic advising, counseling and support. Prior to UVA, Bethea served as a Coordinator for Residence Education at the University of Arkansas, coordinating the opening of a 750-student resident facility that featured a comprehensive curriculum program aimed at promoting academic success and civic responsibility. Bethea earned a Master of Education in Higher Education, concentrating in student affairs, from the University of Virginia in 2007. While in graduate school, she was a graduate assistant in the Office of Student Life and the Office of the Dean of Students. Bethea earned a BA in
Jeanette Nicewinter
Sociology/Anthropology and Black Studies from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, in 2006. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the American College Personnel Association, and the NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. She has also served on the St. Margaret’s Board of Governors.
Jeanette Nicewinter Assistant to the Head of School
After growing up outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jeanette Nicewinter attended the University of Tampa, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Arts, and discovered the sport of rowing. Following her time in Tampa and multiple study abroad opportunities, she moved back to Philadelphia to learn skills related to museum registration, collections management, graphic design and database management while employed by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Nicewinter then moved to Richmond to attend Virginia Commonwealth University, where she completed an MA in Art History in 2013. While in Richmond, Jeanette held database management and customer service positions at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, taught undergraduate-level courses on global and Western art at VCU and Rappahannock Community College, and re-kindled her passion for coaching crew. Currently, she is working toward a PhD in Art History at VCU. As the Assistant to the Head at St. Margaret’s, Jeanette is learning the insand-outs of administrative life and is loving every second of it. She will also begin her second year of coaching SMS Crew.
faculty perspective
Farewell,Tobey Tobey Taliaferro sums up her 15 years at St. Margaret’s with this, “I have grown intellectually and professionally. I have been given opportunities to become friends with colleagues and to mentor students. It has been an extremely enriching experience, and my life is better for having been here.” Tobey dedicated her time at St. Margaret’s to maintaining the school’s long-established and outstanding international program, which she led with great vision and passion. Before serving as the Director of the International and ESL Program, Tobey taught both French and English. She says it has been gratifying to watch students become excited about learning over the course of her 33-year teaching experience. In her final year at St. Margaret’s, Tobey Taliaferro received the Waitzer Master Teacher Award during Commencement Weekend. The award is chosen by the faculty and goes to a member of the faculty who has demonstrated a consistent love of teaching and had positive influence on the students. Her positive influence is evident in the notes students have written her over the years and in the relationships she has maintained with international alumnae. As for retirement, Tobey plans to travel, read, garden, and be with friends and family more often.
Faculty Perspective on Chapel by Shannon Spears “ How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!’” Romans 10: 14–15 We concluded our final chapel service last school year with St. Paul’s call to Christians to reach out to others through our faith. For the past two years that St. Margaret’s has been without a chaplain, Louise Velletri and I, with the help of a dedicated group of faculty and staff, known as the Chapel Guild, have been in charge of the chapel program. When Margaret Broad asked us to take this responsibility on during her final year and Lindy Williams’ first year, we accepted with several goals in mind. Our first goal was to include more faculty and students of all faith backgrounds in our worship services. In addition to our Episcopalians, St. Margaret’s includes faculty of several different denominations, who came here because they wanted to work in a church school; some say they feel called to be in this place. In planning chapels, we sought students who wanted to contribute to the chapel program, serving as readers, acolytes, and choral group members. When I came to St. Margaret’s in 1972, we attended chapel three mornings a week and two evenings. Over the years, chapel has evolved to its present two mornings a week format. During Orientation, all students learn the school prayer, which we pray at all services. Often we hear from alumnae who tell us they still pray this prayer. Chapel has taken many forms ranging from individual student and faculty participation to class and club or service group programs. Some of our most memorable chapel services have been led by advisee groups and their advisor. Our second goal was to make our chapel worship both joyous and inspiring. We chose a traditional Morning Prayer service format, selecting a variety of scripture that would teach or encourage our students. Our third goal was to involve more of the local community alumnae and ministers from other churches, while revitalizing our relationship with our school church, St. John’s, across the street. In our time here, we have looked out at our students each day and thought about the kind of world they are going out into, and taken comfort in the spiritual support St. Margaret’s has provided for them through chapel. Our contact with these young women as students, and later as alumnae, has given us a perspective on what they will face in life when they leave us, what John Lennon summed up as the life that happens “while you are busy making other plans,”… a child stricken with cancer, the untimely death of a spouse, and the suffering and responsibilities taken on with aging parents… all part of living the lives we have been given. Chapel is an important part of our overall mission as a church school. Our Honor Code and our emphasis on character and service to others also guide us and lead our students to grow in grace as they grow in age. Chapel both defines and inspires that grace. We are fortunate to have a chaplain this school year to lead us once again. Along with our colleagues on the Chapel Guild, we feel blessed to have shared this opportunity to serve this community of faith, and we welcome with joy The Rev. Anita Braden.
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installation
St. Margaret’s Installs Lindy MacDonald Williams as the Eleventh Head of School
Former Head of School, Margaret Broad; Former Board Chair, Carrie Baldwin ’81; Williams; Bishop Shannon Johnston; Board Chair, Bill Tyson.
On Saturday, November 16, 2013, on St. Margaret’s Day, Lindy MacDonald Williams was installed as the eleventh Head of St. Margaret’s School. With Bishop Shannon Johnston officiating, the procession began with a bagpiper, followed by students carrying flags representing the 16 countries that embody the SMS community. The intimate service also included prayers, hymns, and performances by Soulful Voices and the Treble Choir. Williams’ friend and colleague, Keith Evans, former Head of Collegiate School, gave the address. During the final portion of the ceremony, representatives from the school community stepped forward to present Williams with gifts symbolizing St. Margaret’s Scottish Episcopal heritage and her transition into the position of Head of School: • The Bible from Head of Chapel, Louise Velletri • The Book of Common Prayer from Student Heads of Chapel, Phyllicia Colvin-Patton ’14 and Margaret Avery ’14 • a bell as a call to worship from Board Chair, Bill Tyson, and President of Church Schools in the Diocese of Virginia, David Charlton • a statuette of St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland, from faculty
member, Shannon Spears, and senior, Jane Chiffriller ’14 • the keys to campus from former Board Chair, Carrie Baldwin ’81, and Head of Maintenance, Jimmy Townsend • a scroll containing the combination to the door of St. John’s Episcopal Church from The Rev. Dr. Robert Friend • the Honor Book containing all student pledges to uphold the Honor Code from Head of Honor Council, Callie Pace ’14 • a vessel of water from the Rappahannock River, and a recycling bin from students, Dorinda Stryker ’15, Lizzie Schmidt ’17, and Brenay Greenslade ’16 • a piece of Scottie art from members of the Art Club • a blue and grey rugby shirt to wear while cheering on the Scotties from student-athletes, Eliza Heyl ’14 and Mary Simms ’17 • a bouquet of thistles as an emblem of Scotland, which represents nobility of character and new beginnings from School President, Megan Dintino ’14 The ceremony followed the traditional St. Margaret’s Day luncheon held each year. Community members and friends joined to celebrate St. Margaret’s School and to congratulate new Head, Lindy Williams.
Students present Williams with a recycling bin.
Students carry 16 flags representing the nationalities of all St. Margaret’s students.
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parent council Mary Haley and daughter, Paige
Co-Chairs Chuck and Anne Marie Pace
New Parent Council Fundraiser Screams Success
Going Once, Going Twice…Sold!
The Parent Council at St. Margaret’s is a creative, knowledgeable, and passionate group of volunteers that hosts social and fundraising events for current parents throughout the School year. The Council works around the clock to support initiatives which directly improve the experience of a St. Margaret’s education. They serve as parent advisors, answering questions about the School and encouraging event attendance, and frequently raise funds to support special programs beyond departmental budgets by selling exam care packages, merchandise, and rubber ducks. Undoubtedly, the Parent Council has its biggest presence during Spring Family Weekend, the event date for both the Rubber Duck Derby and Silent Auction. These events alone brought in more than $37,000 this past spring—a record amount. The events’ success, in large part, was due to a new addition to the weekend itinerary: a live component to the annual auction. A handful of preselected items were showcased throughout the weekend then presented in front of a crowd of visiting families, each armed with a bid number and paddle. A quick-on-his-feet auctioneer and excited Parent Council volunteers raised $6,000 in a matter of minutes by talking about the impact these funds have on each and every student. More than anything else, it provided the Council the opportunity to demonstrate the importance of supporting the School and their daughters.
Parent Council Co-Chair Anne Marie Pace sums it up best, “At the end of the day, it’s all about the girls.” Because of the Parent Council’s yearround fundraising success, St. Margaret’s students and faculty would like to thank the Council for funding the following projects last year: • Digital Cameras for the Channel and Marketing Office • Books of Common Prayer, Hymnals, and Audio Equipment for Chapel • Charter Bus to a College Fair for the College Guidance Office • Expert Shakespeare Speaker for the English Department • Blood Pressure Kit and Patient Room Décor for the Health Center • Globes for the History Department • iPad for Latin • Design Software and Teen Read Week Speaker for the Library • Lynda.com Subscription for Professional Development • Opening of School Orientation for the River Program • Supplies for the Sailing Club • Data Collection and Water Purification Systems for the Science Department • Classroom Furniture for SMS Hall • Food, Entertainment, and Décor for Snow Ball • Camp Registrations for the Yearbook Club • Finishing Mops and Dugout Improvements for Varsity Softball • Printer/Copier for the Business Office
Special Thanks to the 2013–2014 Parent Council Chuck and Anne Marie Pace, Co-Chairs Callie Pace ’14 Roy and Ann Tyler Allen Carter Allen ’14 Sam and Caroline Avery Margaret Avery ’14 Gary and Sue Gibian Hannah Gibian ’14 Kurt and Kelly Berling Grace Berling ’15 Scott and Mary Haley Paige Haley ’15 Jonathan and Rebecca Orcutt Marilyn Orcutt ’15 Waring and Sue Trible Abbie Pearce ’15 Amanda Moss Nadia Moss ’16 Kelly Stewart Joie Affleck ’16 Joel and Mary Werner Hannah Werner ’16
If you would like to get involved with the Parent Council or donate to their various efforts, contact Director of Development, Sarah A. B. Wilson, at (804) 443-3357 or swilson@sms.org. THISTLE | 2014
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commencement
COMMENCEMENT 2014 A time to honor, recognize, and congratulate our students for their hard work and diligence. The class of 2014 includes 24 impressive young women—all of whom possess unique gifts and promising futures. The year’s top awards went to: THE SCHOOL PRIZE Meghann Dintino Given in memory of Rosa Arrington Heath Long Beckwith, who was a loyal graduate of the class of 1931, the mother of a St. Margaret’s graduate, and an active and working member of the Episcopal Church. This prize is awarded to a senior who has made the greatest contribution to the School through her dedication to high standards, trustworthiness, and leadership consistent with our mission as a Church School. THE SPIRIT OF ST. MARGARET’S AWARD Freda Assuah Given by Mr. and Mrs. William Philpot, Jr., in memory of her parents, to the senior who best represents the “Spirit of St. Margaret’s” and has shown true appreciation for the way of life symbolized by the School. THE PATRON’S PRIZES Given annually in the name of a particularly generous and devoted friend of St. Margaret’s School. This year’s awards are given in honor of The Beckett Charitable Foundation. Phyllicia Colvin-Panton For sharing her strong faith through her spiritual life as Head of Chapel, for being the voice of chapel in the Leadership program, and setting a quiet example for those who follow her in the service of our Lord. Ruyi (Jo) Deng For excelling in the classroom as a scholar and in the studio as an artist, and showing by example how to be studious and still have fun. Mairead Mazan For showing patience, care, guidance and love to those students in the freshman dorm and preparing them for all that awaits them in the 10th grade. THE ALLEN MEMORIAL AWARDS Mili Patel, Mairead Mazan Given by Mrs. Joseph Jennings in memory of The Reverend Marshall Allen to the graduating seniors who, in the opinion of the staff, have shown the greatest appreciation of St. Margaret’s School. 16
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D.A.R. AWARD Katherine Lecce The recipient of the D.A.R. Good Citizen Award should possess, to an outstanding degree, the following: Dependability (to include truthfulness, honesty, punctuality), Service (to include cooperation, helpfulness, responsibility), Leadership (to include personality, self-control, initiative, community). THE AYLETT PRIZE Katherine Lecce Given in memory of Dr. William Roane Aylett for sportsmanship defined as fairness, courteous relations, and graceful acceptance of results. THE HEADMISTRESS’ PRIZE Ruyi (Jo) Deng Given to the graduating senior who has been at St. Margaret’s for at least two years and has attained the highest cumulative grade point average in her junior and senior years. THE VIOLA H. WOOLFOLK AWARD Paige Haley This award was established by the staff to honor Miss Viola H. Woolfolk, Headmistress from 1950 to 1984, for an underclasswoman who has been at St. Margaret’s at least two years and who best exemplifies those qualities so typical of Miss Woolfolk: compassion for and understanding of others, selfless dedication to duty and to the life of this School, and a sense of graciousness and poise. THE MARY ELIZABETH KING PRIZE Erica Molinares Given to a student who is to be commended for outstanding effort in her academic work during the year. THE MARY PERCIVAL PRIZES Kendra Grady, Ronajah Holmes Given to the students who have shown the greatest amount of academic improvement throughout the year.
THE BISHOP’S PRIZE Kirsti Kokko Given in memory of The Right Reverend William C. Brown to the student in grades 9 through12 who has attained the highest grade point average for the school year. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AWARD Ruyi (Jo) Deng Given to the student who possesses a love for learning and combines an appreciation for precision and exactitude with an understanding that the “real world” is never as exact or precise as a mathematical model or controlled experiment. THE EDITH LATANÉ AMERICAN HISTORY AWARD Ema Gazdikova Given by the Alumnae Association of St. Margaret’s School to a student who showed both interest and outstanding achievement in the study of American History. FINE ARTS AWARD Ruyi (Jo) Deng Given to a student dedicated to the fine arts, who has shown incredible artistic growth and devoted leadership to the SMS Art Team. THE FRANCES J. GILCHRIST AWARD Meghann Dintino The Scholar Athlete Award is given in honor of Frances J. Gilchrist, fondly known as Gilly. Mrs. Gilchrist was the Director of Athletics at St. Margaret’s for 30 years. The award is given to the senior who has participated in sports throughout her years at St. Margaret’s and maintained a high grade point average. INDEPENDENT STUDY AWARDS Ruyi (Jo) Deng, criminal justice Mairead Mazan, education and mission work Alana Beaton, neurology Meghann Dintino, medicine
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REUNION 2014 On June 13 – 15, alumnae and guests returned to St. Margaret’s to participate in Alumnae Weekend. Events provided alumnae with opportunities to reminisce, relax and become reacquainted with the splendor and magic of the river.
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1 Kelly Proctor ’02, Patti Webb ’03 2 The Class of 1984: Leah Epps, Annabelle Repass Matherly, Betsy Jones Hiatt, Alice White
8 The Class of 2004: Erin Kelley, Maggie Ransone, Lindsay Swinson Grosse, Sarah Copeland Wind, Jessica Hinson Moncure, Katie Carpenter
17 Golden Thistle Dinner at the Chinn House
9 Captain Thomas Cruise: Caroline Long ’74, Mary Alice Parrish Passagaluppi ’74, Molly Fray Sanford ’74
18 The Class of 2009: Sarah Keating, Lizzy Cordes, Caroline Rollins, Sarah McClellan, Florence Snyder, Clarice Medrano, Quinn Kolbe, Jill Slinger, Taylor Douglas
10 T he Class of 1994: Masha Skuratovskaya, Cat Shoemaker Ramey, Cynthia Newton Smith, Amy Bechtold Bratzler, Amy Thompson
3 The Class of 1981: Cindy Engelken Wagner, Mary Liz Bergstein, Carrie Baldwin, Jean Roy Jones 4 The Class of 1973: Christine Glascock Bodendorf, Lizzy Hall Hargrove 5 Progressive Wine and Brew Tour at the Thistle House: Betsy Jones Hiatt ’84, Alice White ’84, Annabelle Repass Matherly ’84, Clarice Medrano ’09, Amy Thompson ’94, Taylor Douglas ’09, Kacky Hudson Fox ’61, Quinn Kolbe ’09, Sarah McClellan ’09, Abby Schoeb Binter ’96, Jill Slinger ’09, Cat Shoemaker Ramey ’94, Lizzy Cordes ’09 6 The Class of 1957: Fitzie Wallace, Pat Smith Pheris 7 Mary Anne Townsend Hopkins ’69, Catharine Jones Owen ’70
11 The Class of 1964: Alison Hughes, Sarah Gallagher Becker, Cherri DeShazo Willis, Barbara Earnest Dawson 12 The Class of 1961: Biddie Shelor, Kacky Hudson Fox
19 Class of 1959: Pamela Nicolson Fairchild, Anne Tayloe Newman, Dougie Heinrich Erikson, Ann Hill Williams 20 Luncheon: Carrie Baldwin ’81, Megan Guhl 21 Class of 2000: Mary Emery Leipertz, Cameron Sgroi, Garnett Ashworth 22 Captain Thomas Cruise: Sarah Keating ’09, Bowdre Fortson ’08, Florence Snyder ’09
13 Shannon Spears, Sarah Keating ’09, Joy Beth Williams ’09 14 Bowdre Fortson ’08 15 The Class of 1979: Cyane Williams, Deborah McClure Ball, Kathy Kay May, Tracy Gammell, Hannah Overton 16 Julia Nofsinger ’46, Mary King Hatcher ’54, Nell Hammack ’54, Annielee Welch Bentley ’49
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Class of 1974: Catherine Stuart Partrick, Caroline Long, Molly Fray Sanford, Mary Alice Parrish Passagaluppi, Sandy Richardson, Mary Beth Taliaferro Huneke, Jane Bowman Fain, Sue Guinn Webb
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alumnae awards
LEADERSHIP that INSPIRES St. Margaret’s recognizes two impressive women over Alumnae Weekend.
Carrie Baldwin ’81 receives the 2014 Distinguished Alumna Award The Distinguished Alumna Award is given each year to an alumna who has achieved great professional achievement since her time at St. Margaret’s. The list of previous recipients is quite impressive, but it was, without a doubt, an easy fit for Carrie Baldwin ’81. Carrie operates a successful consulting business that serves clients such as PepsiCo, General Mills, Charles Schwab, Toys ’R Us, and Time Warner Cable. She has more than two decades of experience, and has shared her expertise in leadership development with thousands of individuals and organizations. Carrie has previously served as a member and chair of the St. Margaret’s School Board of Governors. As chair, she guided the search for the Head of School in 2012, and has since built a lasting relationship with chosen candidate, Lindy Williams. She was also recently named one of the newest members of the Church Schools in the Diocese of Virginia Board of Trustees. During the Alumnae Weekend Luncheon, Lindy prepared a wonderfully descriptive and upbeat speech about Carrie that perfectly illustrated why she deserves this recognition, “Carrie represents all that is St. Margaret’s and continues to make a positive impact on its community.” 20
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Masha Skuratovskaya ’94 celebrates 20th Reunion with the 2014 Hannah Mallory Perkins ’40 Alumnae Service Award Masha came to St. Margaret’s as a boarder from Russia and quickly adopted the St. Margaret’s mission—leading a life of service—as her own. In an effort to balance both her philanthropic and career aspirations, she finds great joy doing non-profit work for the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation. Outside of work, Masha pursued another dream. In 2011, she founded, and now continues to chair, the Ikirwa School Project in Africa, offering the option of English language instruction and quality academic instruction to children. Classes began in January 2013 (www.ikirwaschool.org). She also serves on the St. Margaret’s School Foundation Board, overseeing the management of the school’s endowment investments. Masha (nine months pregnant!) was surprised to be named this year’s award recipient, but managed to deliver an eloquent and heartfelt acceptance speech, crediting St. Margaret’s for giving her the passion, confidence, and knowledge to make a difference. Masha’s long-time mentor and friend, Margaret Broad, said this about her, “She has touched the lives of many and will forever be a part of St. Margaret’s School.”
a culture of giving
St. Margaret’s asks:
What are you passionate about? Over her storied ninety-three years, St. Margaret’s has property opens many options. In order to thrive, a major goal welcomed girls to the shores of the Rappahannock River, must be, and is, to find more ways to fully utilize its potential. and done all in her power to give them the tools to become When asked how her passion for St. Margaret’s has confident, self-thinking, graceful young women. Part of this inspired her to give back, Board of Governors member and educational process is finding what each student is passionate current Development Chair, Fay Lohr ’62, urged fellow about, and emphasizing the importance of alumnae to, “Take a moment to remember giving back to that passion. “Take a moment to remember your time at St. Margaret’s. What were the For this reason, this School has benefitted special gifts you received? We ask that you your time at St. Margaret’s. from a rich tradition of philanthropy. Yet, consider passing that experience forward What were the special gifts even as buildings have been added and so that other young women can grow and you received? We ask that changes have been made, St. Margaret’s excel to become our future scientists, artists, you consider passing that is still, at its core, about people and their athletes or political leaders. Only WE can willingness to continue in the tradition of make that difference!” experience forward so that giving. Showing support for St. Margaret’s is Now St. Margaret’s would like to other young women can grow not necessarily about dollars raised, but about hear from you, our supporters. As we turn and excel to become our demonstrating a passion for an alma mater, a significant portion of our focus to the future scientists, artists, workplace, community partner, inspirational Rappahannock, what can we do to best athletes or political leaders. faculty member, or educational program. revitalize our River Program? What passions Only WE can make Furthermore, it is a way to preserve the legacy do you have that were nurtured during your that difference!” of a St. Margaret’s education for generations time on the Rappahannock? We want to of future Scotties. Ultimately, it is imperative hear about the time you swam across the – to remember that a culture cannot be built river, or caught a fish off the pier in front Fay Lohr ’62, overnight; but rather, it is groomed over a of SMS Hall, or camped outside during Development Chair period of loyalty and service. River Days. We are constantly challenging Be it through money, time, or even a skill or trade, ourselves to protect our foundations, even as we look to St. Margaret’s alumnae have always remained active in grow our future. For St. Margaret’s School, so much of our spreading their passion for their school. Alumnae, parents of foundation rests on the shores of the Rappahannock. Giving current students, parents of alumnae, faculty, and friends are back to St.Margaret’s can mean different things to different continually challenged to deeply consider where their passions people. Certainly funding and donations are critical as we seek lie. And just as we are urging you to consider what it is you are to grow this aspect of our School, but equally as important most passionate about, St. Margaret’s is hard at work fostering a are the memories that shaped your experiences as a young girl. passion of her own: the Rappahannock. Determined to explore Please write, call, or e-mail the Office of Development to share opportunities to revitalize this aspect of the School, students them with us. Then, give back—to the River Program, the and faculty have begun to think of the river as a front lawn, a Annual Fund, the School that you are passionate about. Help classroom, and even the lifeblood of the School. Waterfront us share our passion with you. THISTLE | 2014
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class notes
Class of 1941 Mrs. Carter Greene Houck Holt 252 Larkspur Way Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 Jeanne Preston Schoenewolf Rae writes, “Hi to all the rest of the survivors in the Class of 1941. I am still ‘hanging in there’ at 209 52nd Street in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I welcome all visitors!”
Class of 1942 Mrs. Anne Loving Lawler 235 Hawksbill Heights Drive Luray, Virginia 22835
Class of 1943* Class of 1944* Jackie Chadderton Godwin says that she “moved into a retirement home a year and a half ago. I turned 88 years old in June. In September 2013, I went on a photographic safari to Africa. I took my granddaughter and it was my sixth trip there. I am enjoying my new home and have nine great-grandchildren. My whole family lives here in Houston, Texas. My husband and I celebrated our 67th anniversary before he passed away.”
Class of 1945* Class of 1946 Mrs. Claudia Smedberg Adams Estes
Madge Crawford Street is “still happy in Ohio with loving children, grandchildren, and greatgrands! Enjoying many wonderful friends.”
Class of 1949 Mrs. Annielee Welch Bentley 11540 Rexmoor Drive Richmond, Virginia 23226 Jeanne Simens Pitcher writes that she has her farm for sale but has not sold it yet. Betty Smith Cox said to tell you all she still is “alive and kicking.” She loves having her family home. We enjoy having lunch occasionally. I missed all of you at reunion this year but saw a lot of friends from other classes. When contacting folks about Alumnae Weekend, I learned of many who had prior commitments as well as recent happenings. Sympathy to Emily Boyd Alexander, whose husband, Dick, died. She told me that the drive from Florida to Tappahannock was too long for her to make to be here. Martha Bass Giovanelli and her husband, Bob, enjoyed a cruise to Panama. They have been busy traveling and could not find time to make it to Tappahannock either. Janie Davis Ovitz said that she would be “out of the country” while Sally Wood VanOtteren couldn’t make reunion due to some health problems and another family wedding. I, Annielee Welch Bentley, am having a lot of knee problems myself and don’t know how I’ve managed to get so old so fast! As I have so often heard, I still get there but it takes a little longer now. Please keep in touch.
Melbourne, Florida 32940
Class of 1950*
Class of 1947*
Patricia Henderson was sorry that she did not make it to reunion, she was celebrating her 60th anniversary on June 12, 2014, with family.
Class of 1948
Class of 1951
1820 Independence Avenue
Ms. Jean F. Engle
Mrs. Martha Merz Horlebein
301 N. Ripley Street, Apt. 522
P.O. Box 2156
Alexandria, Virginia 22304
Chelan, Washington 98816
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Martha Merz Horlebein says “I am fine. I will be moving to Alabama this winter.”
Class of 1952 Mrs. Adella Adkins Watlington 1828 Park Avenue #1 Richmond, Virginia 23220
Class of 1953 Mrs. Shirley Moon Brooks P.O. Box 791 Tappahannock, Virginia 22560
Class of 1954* Carol Beard Miller tells us, “I had my right knee replaced in May 2013, and am enjoying my new part. I wish I could get a new back and become a bionic woman. My granddaughter graduated from law school at Penn State and had a lovely big wedding in October 2013. My second granddaughter is in graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical School (MCV) studying physical therapy. She has completed one year and has two more to go. I lost the love of my life in January 2012, and I am having a difficult time adjusting to life alone.”
Class of 1955 Mrs. Jean Winslow Craig 3602 Bleak House Road Earlysville, Virginia 22936 Jean Craig writes that she lives outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, with two Jack Russell terriers and enjoys the free time of retirement. A bad knee forced her to give up tennis, but she is enjoying bridge and gardening as well as family. Three sons, all gainfully employed, have provided six grandchildren, two of which are girls; she sees them often. She reminds everyone that, “Next year will be our 60th reunion. Let’s try to get together. I will volunteer (scary word) to be Class Agent if you will contact me at jeanwin27@ gmail.com so we can coordinate our plans. They still serve up soft shells at Lowery’s if that’s any motivation.”
Class of 1956 Mrs. Virginia Wickham Hayes 22 Clubside Drive Asheville, North Carolina 28804 Dear Friends and Classmates—greetings to you all! I’m late this year in getting at my “Thistle Epistle” and I think that spring fever is at fault. We had a cold winter here in western North Carolina, but spring came at last to the mountains and the country around us was radiant with pinks, reds, purples, and oranges as azaleas, iris, redbud and dogwood crowded the woods and meadows with their beauty. Daffodils, crocus, and tulips came and went, leaving behind beautiful memories. I continue to hear from faithful ’56ers and I would welcome hearing from any others who are not represented here. Please let me know how things are going for you. I’d love to hear from you and pass on your news. Pat Atkinson Robertson and Richard are still trying to sell their house in Colorado with hopes of moving into a smaller home. “Pikes Peak still has snow,” she wrote in mid-April, “but the sky is blue and lots of fluffy clouds are floating around.” Mary Byram Jones continues to enjoy life in Richmond, Virginia. She’s taken some courses at the University of Richmond, where she’s still working on her writing, and, on occasion, she leaves town to visit her daughters. Alice Temple Charnock Seward wrote triumphantly to announce that she and her brother had, indeed, moved back to Warsaw, Virginia. She even sent me her new address there and I have passed it along to the SMS Development Office. They, or I, will be happy to forward it to you if you would like to get in touch with her directly. Frances Green Hull, our most faithful traveler, has not rested in her drive to see more of our wonderful world. In April, she wrote to me from Athens after spending ten days in Greece and Turkey: “both new to me,” Frances wrote, “and absolutely gorgeous.” Her next port was Rome, Italy, and then she progressed to Venice. In January 2015, she and her traveling companion will embark on a 114-day world cruise. “It seems like a long time,” Frances said, “but somehow it passes very quickly.”
Joan McCormack Bradshaw sent me a wonderful hand-written letter, which I really enjoyed. She is as busy with her quilting as ever and she gives away many of her quilts to organizations for the homeless and others who need help—a worthy enterprise, indeed. Sally Townsend Hart and Jack are both well. They spend much of their time with their grandchildren, all of whom live nearby. Former faculty member, Leslie Brown, has now moved into a retirement community in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I understand that she is doing well there.
Ginger Sparrow Smith and Mike went to visit a daughter in May who is now living in Spain, and their visit included a side trip to Morocco. Ginger says it’s a weird experience to ride a camel because they wobble to and fro. Forward movement is incidental. They loved Spain and will be going back for another visit. They have another daughter who will be completing her final year at West Point. She hasn’t decided on a specialty yet. Ginger would love to have classmates who are traveling near Manchester, Connecticut, to stop by and visit with them. She grew flowers this year after several frustrating seasons of trying to grow vegetables. Stop in and see her flowers.
Anne Brossy writes “I went on a cruise to
Joanne Sanders Pheris is very busy in White Stone, Virginia, with volunteer activities. This
Bermuda in April and had a great time. I had traveled by ship in the ’50s but this was my first cruise and I was delightfully surprised. In June, I went to Florida for my grandson’s high school graduation and got to visit my granddaughter at her college in Sarasota. I am leaving soon for a tour of parks out West. I hope I can survive as I had back surgery last year and now need to have more, plus a knee replacement. Getting old is not easy but it beats the alternative.”
summer she hosted (again) international students from Norway and Belgium through the Lion’s Club. Joanne took them to Tangier Island, fishing, and other related activities on the Rappahannock. They visited Washington, D.C., Virginia Beach, Jamestown, the Shenandoah Valley, among other places. They really got around! Joanne’s grandson, who was badly burned in a motorcycle accident, is doing much better and now able to work with his dad doing landscaping. We wish him the best.
As for me, Ginny Wickham Hayes, I am well. I am now a year post-surgery and I feel as well as I ever have—my appetite, my energy levels, and my enthusiasm are all still in place along with a profound sense of gratitude that I have made it this far. I send many thanks to you all for your cards and letters. Emmet and I are planning some trips this year (maybe to make up for last year). Soon, we will drive up to Michigan to visit friends, and later, we will take a river cruise from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Lucerne, Switzerland. We love river cruises—you unpack once, take day trips, and feast like royalty while on board. Until next I hear from you, cheers and hugs to you all. Stay healthy, keep smiling, and stay in touch.
Kay Gwaltney Remick has been enjoying having her family from Colorado and Alaska visit the cottage on the river and partake in the good life in the Tidewater. They have had very mild weather this year…so far. She is still in love with her dog, Rocky, who sounds like quite a handful, but cute.
Class of 1957 Mrs. Patricia Smith Pheris 107 Locust Lane Elkton, Maryland 21921 After a rough winter, I am pleased to report that we survived in relatively good shape and I have enjoyed a more agreeable summer. I appreciate those who chose to share news and hope that others will be inspired to contact me over the course of this year. Your classmates are asking about you.
A first-time responder, Anne Yeamans Rogers, wrote from Bellevue, Washington, that she and her sister, Dottie Yeamens Malone, “have been globetrotting for the past 20 years!” Way to go! I admire your stamina. Their last trip was to India which she described as fascinating and spiritual, once you get past the third-world aspect. All I could think about was the movie, The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel. Their next excursion may be a sailing cruise (with real sails) through the Greek Islands. She and husband, Claude, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 13, 2014, which she says is a “real accomplishment.” It was wonderful to hear from them after so many years. Beverly Ambler Bradshaw reports doing well— staying busy with “homework,” trying to keep control of numerous animals, and her extensive yard containing 43 oak trees! She says she can’t really garden—too much shade! That’s her excuse.
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class notes I’ll have to send her my book on shade-loving plants. She says she feels good but like the rest of us, feels “ol’ man time” creeping up. Alice Lee Josey Lominack has been dealing with serious chronic health issues for the past year, but she sounds strong and maintains good spirits. She hopes for gradual improvement. We will be praying for you, Josey. She would love to see any classmate who happens to find herself in the Spartanburg area of South Carolina. Gwynn Barefoot Litchfield joined us at the Golden Thistle Dinner at the Chinn House and looks great. She had been exhibiting some of her artwork in a local show that day. She and Dave went to Aspen, Colorado, in February—Dave still loves skiing. She didn’t say how she spent her time while he skied. Two grandsons will be seniors this year, one at the College of William & Mary and one at Wake Forest University—so we know where she will be next June! “Fitzie” (Elizabeth Fitzgerald just doesn’t sound right) Wallace attended the 2014 Alumnae Weekend—loyal Scottie that she is—and we shared a room. She looks great and can out-walk me easily. How ironic is this? The person I spent the most time with during Alumnae Weekend, I got the least information from. She did say she would like classmates to come see her at Kingsmill when in Williamsburg, Virginia—if you can catch her home! Edith H. Petty moved to an assisted living facility in Brewster, Massachusetts, after the death of her husband in March. She is impressed with the social activities available and the services and friendly atmosphere from both staff and residents. She says she finally healed from her surgery and is ready to enjoy her new lifestyle. Former faculty member, Marillyn Schuman Mulholland, wrote a wonderful letter at Christmas time—much too detailed to share here. She talks affectionately of grandchildren on Whidbey Island, Washington, and in Washington, D.C. She and her husband, Jim, are involved in civic activities in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a wide range of friends. Jim is progressing well in his recuperation from back surgery. He and Marillyn are both pleased with the care he has been receiving. She notes that more and more contemporaries are moving to retirement homes, but she and Jim are hoping to avoid this.
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As for me, Pat Smith Pheris, I attended the SMS reunion on the way to my family home on the Rappahannock. I made a quick stop to see my big SMS sister, Alice Temple Seward ’56, who just moved back to Warsaw from Florida. She is happy to be “back in the land of pleasant living.” I wasn’t kidding about the rough winter. In February, my car was hit by a red light-runner and my wrist was broken. Let me quickly add it could have been much worse, and I’m very fortunate that was my only injury. But it took surgery, eight weeks in a cast and 16 sessions of physical therapy to come close to the way it used to be. I still don’t have my energy level back 100%, but I’m not letting that stop me. Last summer I went on a terrific twoweek trip to the Canadian Maritimes, including Prince Edward Island, and stayed mostly in bed
date with your doings! For the most part I think we are doing quite well!
and breakfast inns. I love the local color this provides. I am planning another Canadian trip— this time to the Rockies and Vancouver/Victoria. Life can be unpredictable so I plan to travel while I am able. My eldest grandchild graduated from high school and is attending Arcadia University (a small liberal arts college near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), majoring in chemistry. They have a forensic science program she is seriously considering. Too much CSI viewing! That’s all the news for 2014. A wonderful fall to all. Include me on your e-/mailing list. I love to hear from each of you.
Salem College reunion. She is fine. She visited the beach with a big family group in late summer and is hoping to get to England to see friends soon. She also tells us, “I had a wonderful trip to Ukraine and Vienna in July with my niece and her family.” Susie would like anyone who attended our 50th to check their 1960 yearbooks to see if someone went home with hers. She lost it somewhere at our SMS reunion. I know that Susie, Judy Cothron Erdman, Nita Sanders, and Lorraine Cocke Wright have lunch together quite often. Wish some of you lived near me! Actually, I understand Lorraine is moving to San Antonio, Texas, to be near her son. Maybe we can get together then.
Class of 1958* Mary Douglas Morris Lawton writes, “My 5-year-old great-grandson is a joy. I am busy with Episcopal Church Women and Vestry at church. I recently went on a southern Caribbean cruise with seven women, what a blast!”
Class of 1959 Mrs. Mary Page deBordenave Jones 900 Cottonwood Drive Ft. Collins, Colorado 80524
Class of 1960 Mrs. Jane Hedgpeth Wells 7622 Del Monte Drive Houston, Texas 77063 Once again, I’ve enjoyed receiving your e-mails and a few phone conversations bringing me up to
H.T. Ritchie Donnelly is still gardening, though mostly for the benefit of the local critters who dine regularly on her tasty tidbits. When she wrote, she was trying to resist the “cuteness” of three feral kittens who were residing nearby. Their granddaughter has created an online magazine for adolescent girls. H.T. posts it on her Facebook page and welcomes us to “friend” her where we can see it. She has also spent a lot of time taking care of her husband, Russ, who was diagnosed with a rare type of leukemia but is being treated and doing well. That’s good news indeed! I roomed with Susie Robinson Mote at our
As I’m sure many of you have done also, Judy Cothron Erdman and husband, Bob, celebrated their 50th anniversary this year with a trip to Hawaii, the Big Island. Judy is puzzled how this happened since she is only 49 years old!! Judy says she is more conversant on Disney and American Girl dolls than the political scene. Tad Watson Hillery says all is well in her world. It’s just that her world shifts seasonally between Sarasota, Florida, and Chicago, Illinois. “This June, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. I had no idea that 50 years would fly by this fast. We have the best of both worlds, as we spend six months in Sarasota then enjoy summer in downtown Chicago. I have great fun walking around our Chicago neighborhood. Our favorite spot is a park locally known as Viagra Park, right in the middle of a number of great restaurants. People-watching is fascinating, and we meet people from all over the world. I have taken up tai chi in Sarasota and love missing the cold winters in Chicago. With each year/decade,
comes many new adventures. I love hearing about friends from so long ago and love this quote about friendship, ‘Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief.’ – Cicero (106-43 B.C.)” Speaking of moving, Patsy Allin has moved from Colorado to Flagstaff, Arizona, where her son lives and loves it. She has been able to indulge all her knitting urges by joining several groups. They enjoy the hiking trails around their apartment and love being free of homeowners’ responsibilities!! Who wouldn’t? Ellen “Scooter” Scouten is still practicing law part-time in my old home town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In the spring, she attended Old Time Music Week up in the mountains. She enjoys playing the guitar and a stand-up bass. Konthip “Konnie” Prabhailakshana Loatman is retired but still would like to be busy in a useful way. She has one son far away and one near her. She also has two precious “fairy grandboys” that she enjoys seeing and doing with! I had a wonderful chat with Molly Holt. We were talking of some sad misfortunes of others we know. She said something we all need to remember—that is to be thankful for all the good things we are fortunate enough to have and might usually take for granted—like waking up on a beautiful day and feeling good! Molly’s son is now 21 years old. When we spoke, he was working for Habitat for Humanity in Connecticut. Molly dreamed of getting to Vermont and Maine for part of the summer. Jane Lege Yager continues to be involved with Coast Guard vessel inspections and patrol. Horses are still a huge interest, and she rides regularly. She is also in a rotating cycle with her brother and sister to take their stepfather out to eat every night. He is 91 years old! Jackie Jackson Deeds stays busy in Jacksonville, Florida, with church work and grandchildren. One granddaughter is going to Savannah College of Art and Design and has her eyes on a job with DreamWorks! When she is famous, remember you heard it here first! Jackie says her own mission is to help others. A noble mission and one we should all adopt. She hopes to be a sort of “test bunny” for a new type of slow-acting insulin. Again, she asked me to encourage all of us to be timely about our colonoscopies!! Her late husband, Tommy, waited too long.
As for me, Jane Wells, I am sad to report that my “Mr. Wonderful” died October 24, 2013—one day after our 31st anniversary—so this has been a year of adjusting to the “new normal” for me. I went to Geneva, Switzerland, for Christmas with Bob’s son and his wife. I have been to Florida, New Mexico, and North Carolina to visit old friends, and enjoyed two weeks in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in the fall. The loss of both of my children, and now my husband is enough! Through what I call “the Gift of Breast Cancer,” I’ve been blessed with a “fairy family,” too. My cancer surgeon and I just bonded! He’s two years younger than my son would be and a fabulous young man. Now, he is married to a wonderful young woman and they have a darling 7-monthold little girl. I see them often and love them like
returned to school last spring with one course but didn’t register for the fall semester when he could only get one course on his requirement list. My partner, Jack, and I are actually planning a trip to Prague, Czech Republic, and Budapest, Hungary. He’s finishing up his 13th book on various yachts; this one on the building of a yacht for a sheik in Abu Dabi.” She wished everyone good health, noting that her health was fine except for some arthritis in her right knee. Cartilage shots have helped, but the gym and yoga seemed to give the best outcome.
they are my own! God gives, takes away, and then gives again. I’ve been blessed. I have promised that I will try to gather correct information for all of us, at least those I can find, and get it to all. Feel free to volunteer your correct addresses, numbers, etc. to me. Also, let me know when you check something exciting off your bucket list!
have time. Currently, I’m helping my son and his significant other try to find a house they can afford that’s close enough to Leesburg, Virginia, so they don’t have a nightmare commute—a tall order!!”
Class of 1961 Mrs. Virginia Walker Shelor 4962 Spring Cottage Road Newtown, Virginia 23126 At the beginning of 2014, Pegi Balderson Adam wished all of us a “Happy New Year” and provided a wonderful sentiment: “Ah, another year, another few wrinkles, but no matter we all plug on rollicking into our dotage—way better than rocking in our chairs.” She is now known by New Jersey media as “Pegi Peach” because she has been handling marketing and promotion for the NJ Peach Promotion Council for so many years. She was very busy during peach season, developing and promoting nifty “peach” events that appealed to the media in order to get coverage. Currently there are 35 farmers markets doing “Peach Parties” and nine farmers markets doing “Perfect Peach Pie” amateur baking contests. Pegi says, “If you see anything on peaches anywhere, let me know.” She also reports, “Jeremy turned 30 years old in March and, hopefully, is finally recovering from Lyme disease. He at least has energy and focus to complete academic studies for his masters in psychology and entertained the idea of immediately applying for his PhD somewhere. Jonathan turned 32 years old in July and is still ‘finding himself ’ working in NYC restaurants. He
Becky Adams reports, “My life is too boring to talk about. Lucy, the elderly dachshund, and I still live in the old family home. I am reading voraciously—catching up on all the years I did not
Carlie Cameron Collier went on a vacation in the spring to Croatia with her sister, Jeanne Cameron ’63. After taking four different planes, they spent 12 days cruising along the Croatian coast visiting villages and the coastal islands, experiencing local culture. Wildflowers were beautiful, especially in a national park and even growing on the sides of ancient stone walls. Craftsmen produced lace and embroidered products with designs unique to each village. Afterwards they stayed for six days in Venice, Italy, in an apartment located on a quiet square. Carlie was busy photographing reflections in the water (her passion) using her first digital camera. In June, just before surgery for uterine cancer she spent a lovely Sunday at a reunion held at Sherando Lake with four generations of her family. One of the highlights was being the first person to kayak on the lake in her brother’s new kayak. The surgery was successful and Carlie’s recovery went extremely well. Shelagh Pew Banks had a hip replacement this winter. In May, she took a trip to Monument Valley to celebrate her 70th birthday, and although still a bit sore from the surgery, she said that it was “an awesome, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Navajo guides were great and taught us a little Navajo language.” Nancy Winters Mullins bicycled in Belgium in fall 2013, with a friend who lives in Norway and noted that Belgium was an absolutely beautiful place. They went to Brussels, Lier, Ghent, Bruges, THISTLE | 2014
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class notes and Ypres. She said, “I had no idea that Belgium was the center of the cloth industry in the Middle Ages and that these towns are full of gorgeous medieval buildings.” In February, Nancy and Carol Collins Tyler (and Carol’s daughter Betsy) and five other friends went to San Ignacio Lagoon (on the Pacific side of Baja California) where the grey whales migrate from Alaska to have their babies. These 40-ton creatures came up to their small boat (which held only eight people) and they could pet them!!!! Next stop was Bermuda. Nancy is still staffing the grief and loss workshops but is not leading any more.
of endangered animals living at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.”
Bonnie Trotter moved from Montana to an unincorporated town within the city limits of Chattanooga, Tennessee—an upbeat place with an active photography community. It also holds some family history. Bonnie’s father, The Rev. Jesse M. Trotter, was born and raised in Chattanooga; and Bonnie is researching his boyhood, parents, and siblings. The Chattanooga Family History Center, out of the Mormon Church, has been very helpful. She says, “As part of my environmental activism, I’ve started a series of illustrations
ALUMNA REMEMBERED Merrie
Kacky Hudson Fox is pretty much retired now, saying that it takes her about two days to recover for the one day of work as an operating room nurse. She spends a lot of time at her daughter’s in Alexandria, Virginia, helping with grandchildren logistics when her son-in-law (who travels frequently) is out of town. She says that this is wearying but a lot more fun than work. A new puppy is joining Kacky and her old Aussie and two cats, a golden retriever named Chickie. She is hoping that the Aussie will assist with Chickie’s training. Of course, this challenge won’t make her tired at all! Katharine Pollard also reports, “I manage to keep up with Dorothy Quarles Chappell, Bonnie Trotter, Molly Holt ’60, Shelagh Pew Banks, Pegi Balderson Adam, Betty Rose Townsend Sexton, and others. Margaret Shepherd Ray was at an alumnae gathering recently in Virginia Beach. We all had a great time with our new Head of School, Lindy Williams—so right for
Nash Boone ’62
Merrie Nash Boone ’62 died at home in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday, July 14, 2014, after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease. Born in Richmond, Virginia, Merrie attended St. Margaret’s School before graduating from Converse College. Merrie served both her schools in the trusted role of Honor Council member. A keen sportswoman, she played field hockey and tennis at St. Margaret’s and enjoyed tennis and golf throughout her life. In 1966, Merrie married Daniel Walter Boone III, beginning an extraordinary 47-year partnership bringing up three children, welcoming their children’s spouses, and rejoicing in their eight grandchildren. Family always came first, while Merrie also served their schools and communities in volunteer leadership roles. Together, Merrie and Dan expressed their commitment to future generations through their generosity to schools, founding of the Comprehensive Care Center for Parkinson’s at Emory University, and active support of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. A loyal alumna who cherished her St. Margaret’s years as life changing, Merrie joined the Board of Governors in 2000. During her nine years of board service, she enjoyed renewing old friendships, seeing the spirit of the School in the girls and teachers, and sharing the School she loved with her husband, Dan. Merrie encouraged endowment growth with an emphasis on faculty. When asked what she saw as strengths of the school, Merrie commented, “St. Margaret’s knows exactly who they are and where they are going. I don’t see this often in other organizations.” We join Merrie’s family in honoring a life fully lived, with gratitude for the years we shared. The Merrie Nash Boon Memorial Scholarship has been established in her memory. For more information, or to make a gift, please contact Director of Development, Sarah A. B. Wilson ’95 at swilson@sms.org or (804) 443-3357. 26
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St. Margaret’s! My year has been busy with grandkids, garden and book clubs, gardening, and keeping my tenants happy. The work in the garden is never-ending, but I love it. I try to keep in shape by walking the dog and bike riding. My two children have blessed me with seven grandchildren and, most recently with two great-grandsons: Quincy in the spring and Austin in the summer. This makes daughter, K.C., a grandmother and son, Garland, a granddad. I also heard from Betsy Pinder ’75 who lives on the Eastern Shore and a few other SMS gals, including Martha Kent ’64, who spent time visiting her son in the Middle East recently.” Dorothy Quarles Chappell says that all is going well. She visited relatives in Austin, Texas, and just loved it. Ann Vickers “Vicki” Phillips Marchant now has two great-grandchildren—her 2-year-old great-grandson has a baby sister. She notes that this is quite a handful for her daughter-in-law. She says, “My daughter, Kenly, has come through her cancer treatments with flying colors! Hooray!!” She also said that she has no new tattoos (to join the Thistle on her ankle). Carol Collins Tyler reports that, once again, her life has been filled with the wonderful, the terrible, and the peaceful. The year started off with two daughters being hospitalized. On a better note for her mental health, she and another daughter joined Nancy Winters Mullins on an extraordinary trip to the Baja to study grey whales and other marine life—a treasured experience. From there, she visited Florida where her daughter’s grand horse was doing something fancy. Then again for her mental health, she attended a yoga/writing retreat in Maya Tulum, Mexico. She says, “I don’t really do yoga and I don’t really write, but it is a beautiful place that restores my soul.” She is still a member of the Rotary and very involved with the art and reading programs at the local public elementary school. She notes the public school system in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is in shambles. Also, she is still involved with the community college which she says has been part of her life forever. This summer, she spent lots of time on the farm in Vermont, building a stream and rebuilding BIG stone walls. She would have liked to run the bulldozer and backhoe but was soon off to be with family and grandchildren on a birthday celebration trip to Italy—first to Venice and Florence, then to Genoa, where her daughter’s husband is from. She
spent two weeks seeing these places through the eyes of her grandchildren, an experience she could not resist. Her message to all is, “Time is short, so let us not waste what we have while we still are able. I am thankful for every day.” Margaret Shepherd Ray had a total replacement of her right shoulder late last year but is “almost” back to normal. She is now contending with back problems but was able to get away to Pauley’s Island, South Carolina—a routine trip (for 25 years) with long-time friends. Betty Rose Townsend Sexton is always on the go. She said, “This seems to be our year of reunions.” In September 2013, she and Tim attended his 50th reunion at Virginia Tech. In October, they went with a group of friends to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to celebrate their 70th birthdays. Betty Rose also participated in the Gardening Day at the Thistle House in April. After 34 years, she and Tim made some changes in their yard and they are very pleased with the results. They watered a lot due to the dry season. This summer, they spent a weekend with friends in Montross, Virginia, and revisited their cottage of the 50s and 60s at Springfield Beach and were surprised that it looked so good and even had a swimming pool in the front! She noted, “We all would have enjoyed that in our time.” Rosa Beckwith Sands reported in July, “I am now in the business center on the Queen Mary II after leaving Hamburg, Germany, a couple of days ago. Smooth sailing so far. Steve and I started out in London, England, then met friends in Vienna, Austria, and went on to Munich, Germany. We saw many castles and even went to the opera in Munich! Our one and only grandson, William Beckwith Sands, is in Seattle, Washington, and is growing by leaps and bounds. Needless to say, he is adorable, handsome, athletic, and brilliant! Otherwise, all is quiet with us—which I guess is a good thing.” As for me, Biddie Walker Shelor, I have now been retired for 10 years and yet it does not seem that long as I am always engaged in something. I like staying in touch with classmates and other SMS alumnae, and gardening at the SMS Thistle House—a great resource for alumnae. Everyone has a story and everyone has an interesting life whether or not they believe it. My gardening is focusing on native plants and companion plants that are more suitable for this area of Virginia and, hopefully, will require less maintenance. During the summer as
I was weeding a particularly overgrown iris bed, I looked down and there was a nest full of brilliant white bobwhite eggs. Needless to say that garden patch was not cleared of weeds until the nest was empty as these birds, once plentiful, are now scarce in this area. Over this year, my genealogy research has led to resolution of some good mysteries as unidentified people and places in old pictures are now known and more family connections have been found. Kayaking in the rivers and creeks of Virginia continues to be a wonderful experience that I always enjoy as there are so many available and each is unique. After hearing the adventures of my classmates, I am extremely glad that we still have a great deal of energy and interest in life!
Class of 1962 Mrs. Kathy Pollard Wood 7869 Chesapeake Drive East Indianapolis, Indiana 46236
Class of 1963* Class of 1964 Mrs. Mimi Allen Hernandez 1849 South Osprey Avenue Sarasota, Florida 32439 Barbara Earnest Dawson writes that she is an active grandmother and church member and is fortunate to have three grandchildren living near her in Richmond, Virginia. She goes to Tappahannock to visit her aunt as well as St. Margaret’s, “still one of the prettiest spots ever.” Sandra Mitchell has had a fabulous career in the field of physical therapy. After she received her masters at Boston University, she was an administrative surveyor for rehab units and hospitals. Then, Sandy returned to Virginia, earned her nursing home administrators license and was the Health Services Administrator at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women. She retired two years ago, moved to a condo in Richmond, Virginia, and now does medical mission trips. She’s also active in the church, plays bridge and Mahjong, and enjoys traveling. Sandy was pleased to discover that one of the founders, Gay Pinder, of her church, Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, was the daughter of our dear
chaplain, Dr. Churchill Gibson. Diane Curry writes that she finally married Lloyd Gentry after being together for 23 years. They had only been married a little over a year when he died. Diane still travels between Naples, Florida, and her home in Lexington, Kentucky. She is still involved with the breeding and selling of horses at Breezy’s Stables. Betty Rawls Lang is living on Block Island, Rhode Island. She and her husband, Fraser, have The Block Island Times, which keeps them busy. Betty goes to the mainland regularly to see their three children and two grandchildren. Unfortunately, Betty had to miss the SMS reunion to help Cameron move to begin her residency. She still keeps in touch with Sallie Carter Tyler (now retired but still living in Alexandria, Virginia, and enjoying traveling) and Jeanne Kretz Ferguson (she and David are in Portland, Oregon). Diana Walke Meeham and Tim are about to celebrate their 44th wedding anniversary. She has two grandchildren, who they see several times a year (her daughter, Jen, lives in Asia and ironically her granddaughter was born in Japan where her dad was born, and her grandson was born in Shanghai, China, where her mother was born). Diana also has two sons, one in Richmond, Virginia, and one in Vermont. Diana and Tim both retired last year but are involved in a maple sugar operation with their son. Diana is very fortunate that Martha Walke ’62 retired to Vermont. Suzanne Walden Draper wrote that she and Bill have retired (Bill was a pilot in the Air Force who moved to Dayton, Ohio, in 1985) and are staying in Dayton—their children were in college in Ohio. Suzanne is blessed with seven grandchildren. I, Mimi Allen Hernandez, am still in Sarasota, Florida, and was so sorry to miss the reunion but my mother was buried that weekend. I am very active in our local garden club and am a GCA candidate judge which allows me the opportunity to travel quite a bit. Our son, Marshall, will graduate from SMU this December (he had a bad accident his freshman year and was out for a while but now back). Our daughter, Katherine, was married two years ago and was working for the Guggenheim Museum in NYC until they decided to move to Fort Worth, Texas. I never thought I would be the mother of two Texans. Dru THISTLE | 2014
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class notes Bachman Francis is living in Dallas, Texas, and I hope to reconnect with her soon. I am still loving Sarasota, and Al continues to practice medicine.
Class of 1965 Mrs. Finley Jones Keller 12341 Woods Road Wilton, California 95693 Hello, Class of 1965! Hope this finds you and yours well. We have yet another year under our belts and it is a pleasure to have so many write in to share their joys and lives. We are truly blessed! Harriet McIver Arnold brags on her three grandchildren, (ages 6, 7, and 8) spending as much time as she can with them. Two live in Atlanta, Georgia, and one lives in Charleston, South Carolina. She gets good family time with all every July in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina, and she still goes back and forth between Atlanta and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, every month or so (and I suspect she is still an avid tennis player). You will recall that Harriet is a serious globe trotter; she has plans to go back to Africa for a fourth time (safari only) but they have yet to decide on a date. Kathryn Barnes-Martone—who goes by “Kitt” now—still lives in NYC, painting and enjoying life with her photographer husband, Michael. You may recall from an earlier newsletter that Kitt was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2000 but with her Michael, she doesn’t miss a beat. She relates that they have met “the most loving assortment of people with Parkinson’s” and that, thanks to Michael J. Fox (whom she met some years ago) and The Good Wife (a television show on which Fox used to guest and was a regular this past season), people are becoming educated about PD—facilitating a better understanding of the disease and those who have it. There is a dancer/ choreographer named Mark Moriss who lends use of his Brooklyn rehearsal hall and his dancers on a regular basis to lead Kitt and her friends in the joy of body movement with live musicians. They end the sessions by forming a circle by holding hands, then exchanging bows in succession in something that sounds like a standing wave—pretty cool. She’s a happy camper and would love to hear from you! Annette Ferrell Baum is doing well and continues to enjoy retirement. She lives near her mom, who will be 90 years old in January 2015! Mom is
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doing well and Annette was preparing for a trip to the United Kingdom, so she didn’t have much time to chat. She will be calling me upon her return. She and I tend to have marathon gab sessions on the phone from time to time. We will have to wait until next year to find out the details of her trip!
chef at a restaurant located in the W Hotel. I remember back when that was his dream. Wendy and John spend as much time out on the water with their boating friends as they can and still have the best crew around—their Labradors, Bo and Lizzie, who continue to protect them from pirates!
Ann Trevilian Bland writes that all is well, just getting older and taking more time to do less work. I resemble that remark! She and Ty keep busy with their two sons (and industrious wives!) and their four grandchildren—all living within 10 miles of West Point, Virginia. Two of the grandchildren are girls and two are boys, (ages 7 to 13). Ty is still “Mr. Fixit” for everyone, which, she claims, is a full-time job. Meanwhile, she continues to be busy with their yard, garden club, and church. In late
Betsy Crawford-Leavitt continues her work as a pediatric physical therapist, working full-time in Manhattan, New York. She writes that all three of her children appear happy. Daughter, Allegra, also works in Manhattan as a clinical social worker with a private practice. She is married to a web designer named Adam and is mother to Oskar (almost 4 years old), who calls Betsy “Bets.” Son, Josh, lives one block from Allegra and is an art director. He adores his nephew, Oskar, as well
2013, she and Ty went up to Maine to visit Ty’s aunt. It was a great trip—they ate so much lobster their hands started to morph into pinchers! They try to take a trip every winter to someplace warm to get respite from the cold and continue to have Greece on their bucket list. All-in-all, she has no complaints. She enjoys spending time relaxing on their dock, watching their grandchildren ski and swim. It doesn’t get much better, when you think about it.
as a young lady named Sari Lewis—who Betsy thinks just may be around for the long haul. Daughter, Emily, has returned from “almost two years in Palestinian villages in Israel, soaking up Arabic like a sponge.” She began a master’s program at the University of Maryland, studying interpretation and translation in Spanish and Arabic (I believe she did a stint in Mexico a few years ago). Betsy says Emily is very comfortable as a “global citizen!” Husband, Marc, continues to practice estate planning law and is looking to work less and pursue his love of the theatre. For R&R, they spend time in their circa 1850 cottage in the Berkshires, and with family in Nags Head. She sends her love to everyone!
Leila Raff Boyer writes that they have a new granddaughter, Jane Preston Boyer, who was born in October 2013, to their son (his older daughter, Lillian, is 3 years old). Leila is still Director of the Calvert County Historical Society and is offering a free annual membership to the person who comes up with a “fabulous, innovative, effective fundraiser” (so get your thinking caps on). She and husband, Bill, enjoyed celebrating his 50th reunion at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, Virginia, this past spring. She met Susan Blackford Hankins ’75 at the reunion, who is married to one of Bill’s classmates. Leila and Bill still have their darling puppy dogs and claim the rest of their time is spent wishing they had a dogsitter so they could take a vacation! Wendy Burchinal Craine and husband, John, are loving life and retirement. They cruised down to Florida in their Hatteras via the Intracoastal Waterway again this past winter (sans the class, you will note!), flying home for Christmas. They sailed back in April and have been enjoying time with their granddaughters (ages 5 and 4) who live in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with son, Clark, and his wife. Clark is a Navy pilot and the chief officer of a squadron in Virginia Beach. Their son, David, is living in NYC, doing his chef thing as the executive
Hedley Fletcher Ducoff still works, but as little as possible, she says! She spends as much time as she can at the family home in Yorktown, Virginia. Fixing it up is her passion, antiquing to find the right items (recently finding a washstand circa 1880 to hide television connections from view). She tries to spend at least one week a month there and sometimes lucks out with longer. Last winter was so vile in New Jersey, husband, Mike, encouraged her to extend her visit (no complaints from her!). In April, she had two friends join her in Yorktown during Historic Garden Week, and they did the Williamsburg and Yorktown tours. The Yorktown tour was particularly special as two of the homes on the tour were built by family: one by her grandmother in 1941 and the other by her father in 1949. Mike is still working fulltime but is beginning to talk about retirement. Children and grandchildren are fine (ages range from Jason, age 11, to Tessa, age 5, with three girls in the middle). Of course, we cannot leave out the granddogs, Rosie and Linus, as they are an integral part of the family! Hedley and Mike are
down to two aging felines. Hedley does a lot of fun things with her family, always posting pictures of their outings on Facebook. No grass grows under her feet! Martha Frances Fortson writes that she and husband, Malcolm, are still enjoying Portsmouth, Virginia, and both are working full-time. Malcolm works in the training department of Huntington Ingalls Industries (which designs, builds, and manages the most complex nuclear and conventionally powered ships in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, by the by) and totally enjoys it. Martha Frances is still with the Portsmouth Museums Foundation (14 years now) which is currently in the midst of raising matched funds for an endowment for the Children’s Museum of Virginia. She also serves on a national planning committee for the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, which takes her all over the country for meetings at various churches and cathedrals. She loves it all! She and Malcolm spent eight days on a 50-foot catamaran in May, sailing the British Virgin Islands with two other couples. She said it was the most fun! They spend as much time as they can with children and grandchildren. Son, Rob, and wife, Christina, live in St. Augustine, Florida, with 2-year-old son, Robert, and a baby boy, who was born in July. Daughter, Anna Kathryn, lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with husband, Bruce, and 3-month-old son, Robbie. Something fun: Martha Frances’ and Malcolm’s niece, Bowdre Fortson ’08, is working in the Admission Office at SMS now. As Martha Frances wrote, “the legacy continues!” Sheila Fortune’s news comes through Harriet Arnold. In chatting with Harriet one time last September, I commented on the flooding in Boulder, Colorado, and expressed concern about Sheila, who lives there. She and Sheila had been quite close, so Harriet got what little info I had to contact her. After a few mishaps, she was able to reach her. Sheila told Harriet they had to evacuate and move higher up the mountain and that the whole experience was a horrible nightmare, the destruction unspeakable. However, she was safe! Sheila is involved in preservation work and has another home and organic farm near her hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. She has a daughter named Sophie who lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with her two daughters. Sheila gets back to see them three or four times a year. Harriet sent me a copy of a picture of the two of them taken at one of Sheila’s debutante parties; like time had stood still!
Liz Wyatt-Brown Green says life is good and all are well, including her high-energy and highly intelligent Weimaraners, who are forever clearing four-foot fences and unlocking latched doors! She says they keep things interesting. Liz returned to Florida a couple of times to visit friends and family; one of the times was to visit her husband’s brothers and to go to Disney World with NO CHILDREN! She said that it was a totally new experience and an absolute blast…the rides, the junk food. On that visit, they were actually on the way to their cabin in Sedona, Arizona, so they had the puppies with them but placed in doggie daycare while at Disney World. They continued, puppies and all, to Sedona for a two-month stay. One of their sons is stationed in Oslo, Norway, for the next three years, so they spent Christmas
renovations that will make it more comfortable. Liz is an avid reader and is gorging her reading appetite on gazillions of history books that she did not have the time to read for many years due to her work schedule. Besides being a read-a-holic, she still loves to cook, work in the garden, and take care of her two babies—half-wild mew mews who she says “own us!” I so love that description... so true.
2013 with him and his family. Liz loves to walk, and although it rained nearly the entire time they were there, she walked anyway! She went back in June for another visit and this time no rain, so she walked to her heart’s content. She got lost a few times but everyone speaks some degree of English so it was never a problem. They plan to go again for Christmas 2014 and hopefully take a side trip to Sweden and maybe Estonia. Liz is somewhat retired. She loves what she does (psychology) and maintains a small private practice because she’s not yet willing to close the door. She enjoys leisurely mornings in bed with coffee and her iPad, then working out with Shaun T and Zumba. She admits that the strength training leaves her “sobbing softly, face down on the carpet, but that surely it will improve something…” She and Bart had lots of company in fall 2013, and this past summer. The youngest grandchildren (twins, age 3), spent a week with them, lighting up the house with their busy bodies and munchkin voices. She also had visits from both brothers and their teenage children. She likes the constant influx of visitors as it forces her to keep up on her…what did she call it...“domestic engineering”?
she is also working out now and that, while not always pleasant, she at least has positive results. (She and Liz Wyatt-Brown Green need to chat!) She is an avid reader and thoroughly loves having plenty of time to read whenever she wants. Besides reading, she is becoming a serious traveler, having been to Greece, Germany, Switzerland, and the Balkans. By the time you read this, she will have been to Tuscany. She is looking forward to our 50th and hopes there will be a good turnout!
Liz Gyllensvard writes that she and significant other, Craig (Paul Craig Roberts, economist and columnist), were hunkered back down in the foothills of North Georgia for the summer. She commented on the horrible roads connecting their wonderful home to necessary places like grocery stores…twisting up and down narrow roads with no shoulders and very fast drivers! She marvels that the “peculiar American notion that airbags and seat belts make one immortal has spread from Atlanta’s roads to these less inhabited areas.” They still winter in their Florida home in Panama City Beach, which she advises has had some
Sally Hutton Henley writes that she worked for IBM for 27 years and was then outsourced to AT&T. In 2010, after more than two years at AT&T, she retired and is enjoying it tremendously! She loves having the time—at her whim—to take advantage of the many cultural events and museums in the D.C. area. She says
Lynn VanLeeuwen Lewis and husband, Alan, are both retired and still living just outside of Annapolis, Maryland. They have had many a Newfoundland “child” over the years but had to take a break as, when the times came to say goodbye, it broke their hearts too much. They were adopted about six years ago by a sweet little feral calico, Miss Kittie, who traded the woods behind them for domestic bliss with her humans—and provides their hearts with sufficient love for now. Their three children and families all live less than an hour away, with one daughter living a mere five minutes away! So far, they have eight wonderful grandchildren and counting. They did day care for the two youngest grandchildren in their first years, having them three days a week, and loved every minute of it. Lynn says they have a crib always ready, car seats in their SUV, and a highchair in the dining room! And their social calendar? Always full: soccer, basketball, dance recitals—you name it! They have some type of small convertible as she says that every now and then they put the top down “on the little car” and hit the road for an adventure! They attended Alan’s 50th reunion in southern Virginia then joined the family for relaxing time in the mountains of western Maryland at Deep Creek Lake.
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class notes Reen Harris Moore wrote two pages of the funniest stuff in the world. I will try to condense it without losing all its flavor! Children and grandchildren first. She says she must have lost her “no” button as she ended up volunteering for “all sorts of trouble” at granddaughter, Maggie’s, elementary school—where she has volunteered for years, finding herself there pretty much three full days a week. She says “for someone who doesn’t like children, I seem to spend a lot of time with them.” Her children think it is hilarious! Daughter, Katie, her husband, Scott, and their children treated Reen and Wayne to a trip to New York City in April. Scott was a wonderful tour guide and they did it all—rode the train to and from D.C., saw Wicked, went to the Today Show, Top of the Rock, Central Park, Times
Ann Lewis Vaughan retired as the Director of the Andy Griffith Visitor’s Center a while back but missed getting out and socializing. So, at the first of the year, she took a part-time job as the receptionist/switchboard operator at Surrey Bank and Trust in Mount Airy, North Carolina, and loves it. The best part is that all the “visitors” are local and she knows most of them! She recently celebrated her 39th birthday (a la Jack Benny!) with her kids and grandkids in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. All live relatively close together as son, Jay, and his wife, Susan, live in Charlotte, North Carolina, with their children, Scarlett (5) and Lane (2), and daughter, Scotti, and her girls, Maddie (6) and Hannah (4), live in High Point, North Carolina. She says they had a blast in Blowing Rock, enjoying Tweetsie RR (would love
reception, everybody in the world came, and she was just sorry her mother wasn’t there—she loved a good funeral! At the same time, her husband had his first-ever bout of ill health, which has taken a while to resolve. If you want to know the best route between St. Mary’s Hospital and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical Center (MCV) in Richmond, she’s your man! But now life is mercifully ordinary and peaceful. She hopes that everybody in our class will start right now to make plans to come to our 50th next spring. It’s a horrifying thought, and we need each others’ shoulders to cry on!
Square, and more. The most incredible was the 9/11 Memorial, “overwhelming”, she says. Reen enjoyed being taken care of by someone else. It made her feel a bit like royalty! They had their annual beach trip with all the family, and they took another trip to NYC as tagalongs with Duffy and her family, as Duffy was there on business. Son, Allen, was promoted and has been awarded tenure at Lynchburg College. Reen’s siblings are dealing with various medical conditions; when she and her sisters took their sister trip, Reen found herself pushed to the front as the healthiest. She rather liked that status! She finished by writing, “Of course, all my grands are the greatest, smartest, most attractive and thoroughly wonderful human beings on the planet, except when they are brainless twits without the sense God gave a goose, and they make me happy that I didn’t kill any of my children—no matter how much they deserved it!” She and Wayne are happy and are enjoying their own brand of insanity. She also is looking forward to next year’s reunion!!
to go there!), shows, rides, and fireworks.
may get back one that we leased out to someone nearly a year ago as we feel it is not working out for the horse. Bob is continuing to grow his equine massage business and loves it, though still has a hand in commercial printing. I still have my e-commerce business but my focus and passion is on, and with, my children’s books. They give me great pleasure so why not, yeah? I try to keep up with all my projects but sometimes it is hard—especially in the summer when there is so much work to do outside. A farm is a lot of work! It keeps us young, though. We went to Virginia last June to see my granddaughter, Mali, graduate. She is off to Longwood University and is very excited. It was only a week’s visit, but I got to see nearly everyone in my family—some whom I haven’t seen in way too many years. I also got to eat LOTS AND LOTS OF SEAFOOD! I watched grandson, Sean, (a junior) play on his Frisbee team. Have you seen it? It is sort of soccer, football, and the like wrapped into one. His team was made up of kids his age through college-age (all teams are co-ed). It’s a fast game and fun to watch. Maria and husband, Dave, took me boating, out of Lynnhaven, Virginia. We fished and swam in the Bay and tied up to a restaurant and had lunch (more seafood)! Sons, Jon, Tom, and Dave, are all well. Jon still lives in New Zealand, and the twins live locally. Our dogs and two thousand cats are happy and well-fed, as are our horses. We still have our sights on getting back East, but at this time, only our sights. I very much enjoyed hearing from all who wrote. I was very sad not to have heard from many of you. You are missed, really and truly. It’s just as sad to have some of our family “lost.” Again, I will put out the MIA list for all to see. We need addresses for Susan Farrar Janus, Polly Miller Ashelman, Martha Loving Fisher, Nancy Feller Starnes,
Martha Rasin writes that she wrapped up the second year sponsoring a young girl from Kosovo, who lived with her while attending the local community college. You might recall that Martha met the girl’s family some time ago. She says the experience has been a delight and that her charge keeps her somewhat current on her computer, music, and fashion challenges! She continues to be in a great relationship with a man who lives in her hometown, and she spends a lot of time there. She says it feels like she’s “going backward and forward at the same time” and it’s quite nice! She took two trips this past year that were “spectacular” for her. One to Spain, where she walked the last 100 miles of the Camino Way, and the other to Cuba.
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Lynn Currie Wallace and husband, Jim, are still enjoying life in Florida. (Jim was a Navy pilot and she told him when he was about to get out that she didn’t know where he was going to live but she was going to live in Florida!) She says life is full and happy. They are able to frequent Jim’s family lake house in Lake Lure, North Carolina, from time to time which facilitates visits from kids and grandkids. Lynn got to have granddaughter, Grace, all to herself for a while and took her to Disney World. Jim is still working and loves his job with a local private school. Lynn keeps busy with volunteer work and travel. They recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary and say they are blessed with good health. Helen Calvert Wiley reports that all is good with her and family. Some of you may recall that she was an accomplished hunter/jumper rider and had several photos in her dorm room of her and her horse over fences. She says she doesn’t ride anymore, but her daughter, Elizabeth, does, and Helen enjoys it all vicariously by being very involved with the Warrenton Horse Show Association and in supporting her daughter’s riding. Elizabeth not only rides but works horse sales with her dad. Daughter, Sheila, lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her doctor husband and their two children, Molly (7) and Will (5). Helen sometimes finds it hard to believe that she is a grandmother to a 7- and 5-year-old! Ann Norvell Rice Gray tells me that the last year has not been her favorite, but this one proves to be significantly better. Her darling mother, Polly Rice ’35, died in July 2013, after a very brief illness. They had a whacking good funeral and
Yours truly, Finley Jones Keller, and my husband, Bob, are well in California. We are down to a comfortable four horses, one of which I ride. We
and possibly Liz Smith. I think one of the most interesting things about news from all of y’all this year is how close all of you are to each other in where you live and where you travel/vacation and, in some cases, what you do! If all of you were GPS coordinates, you’d be pinging all over the place! Not technically correct, but you get the drift. You know, we were always the “different” class. I remember Margaret Campbell ’59 said to us one time—one of the (cough) many times we were being scolded—that there had not been a class like us since the Class of 1960! I never knew what that meant but, hey, let’s maintain our rep of being “unique” and have everyone show up next year for our 50th! Yeah! They won’t expect it… there won’t be enough food, and all the other classes will have to leave to make room for us. We will have it
reports that her treatment is going well, and she’s already back to exercising plus gardening. And she finds herself enjoying her glamorous wigs!
all—or, something like that! Anyway, think about it. It would be a kick. Sally Henley advised the dates are June 12 through 14 so MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! Also, remember that it doesn’t have to be Thistle time to communicate. I’d love to hear from any of you any time. I wish you the best for the coming year and God bless you all! “We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.” – Joseph Campbell
rediscovered quilting and have made two for my grandchildren. My latest project is to take the four Dresden Plate pieces that my grandmother made in the 1930s and incorporate them into a quilt for my mother. Mom has long awaited my completion of this project which she asked for decades ago when we found my grandmother’s pieces in the attic.” Sally’s husband, Sprague, practices law in Charleston. She writes, “Sprague and I are doing well, and traveling as much as our work schedules allow. A yearly favorite destination is Acadia National Park, where we enjoy biking, mountain trails, and blueberry picking. Of course, I always think of Blueberries for Sal when I’m picking, and remember the many times I’ve read that book to my children and now their children.”
Class of 1966 Mrs. Sally Robertson Jacobs 2535 North 55th Street Phoenix, Arizona 85008 There is lots of news this year from Melissa Salisbury Bristol. In February, she and her husband, Bill, spent a wonderful 10 days on Sanibel Island, off the west coast of Florida near Fort Myers. Melissa writes, “So much natural beauty on the island, mainly because J.N. “Ding” Darling, the preservationist and political cartoonist, created the beautiful wildlife refuge there, with a splendid museum about estuarial ecology, and the park where you see magnificent ibis, heron, osprey, etc. We also enjoyed a day at the interesting Edison Ford Estate in Fort Myers, as well as lots of lovely beach and walking time, so welcome after our especially chilly New England winter. And, we kayaked for the first time on the bayou behind a friend’s house. We bought kayaks as soon as we returned home, and will enjoy using them in several ponds and salt marshes near our Cape house.” But a month after returning home from Florida, Melissa was dealt some sobering news: breast cancer. She
Teddy Cogbill writes that she has been bitten by the genealogy bug this year! After hours and hours, she has documented the Cogbill family back to the 1660s, when they first came to Chesterfield, Virginia. The Chesterfield Historical Society will be displaying her work at the county museum. She continues her volunteer work at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Midlothian, Virginia, and also sings in the choir there. Sally Steptoe Hazard lives in Charleston, West Virginia, and teaches gifted children in the Kanawha County schools. She writes, “I’ve
The big news from Mary Humphrey Hobson is that their daughter, Berkeley, was married last May at The Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration at Shrine Mont, an Episcopal Diocesan Center in Orkney Springs, Virginia. Mary writes, “My husband performed the ceremony, which took place outdoors. It meant so much to me that Rosemary Hynes Wallinger attended the wedding as she was maid of honor in my wedding 44 years ago. In September, our son married a niece of Courtenay Tayloe Altaffer ’66. It truly is a small world! We are blessed beyond imagination to share the wonderful news of these weddings with all. Also, I am still playing as a violinist for the Piedmont Symphony, and continue to enjoy learning new instrumental skills.” Keith Richardson reports that construction of the new house on her lot at Carolina Beach, North Carolina, is now complete and turned
out really well. In February, she was supposed to have traveled to Belize with her son but had to postpone the trip due to a hospitalization for flu, pneumonia, and AFib. Keith writes that the doctors have now discovered an aortic aneurism and are keeping an eye on it to see whether it grows or shrinks. She is hopeful that she will receive good news soon, meaning she won’t need to pursue open-heart surgery, and can reschedule her trip to Belize. Nancy Forsyth Sykes writes, “The biggest news of the last year is that Bob and I got married in Scottsville, Virginia, on October 26, 2013, with tons of family and friends around us. Oh, happy day! We had a great trip to California and are happy in our life together. Between us, we have six children and six grandchildren!” Rosemary Hynes Wallinger writes, “I continue to work on growth and development issues here in Shenandoah County, Virginia, where we have found creative and productive ways to tap into and promote our agricultural community. Interestingly enough, we are gaining an increasing number of wineries and vineyards as our climate is semi-arid, (we are the driest county in the Commonwealth) and so suitable for viticulture. It is very exciting, as well as fun to experience. Our children and grands are all well, and we are never happier than when we have them all in the same place, which we were able to do for our annual beach week on the Outer Banks. I have two grands, Gracie (13) and Gibson (2). Gracie, who lives close enough for frequent visits, energizes my outlook on life in marvelous ways, she is pure joy; and Gibson, who lives in Schenectady, New York, keeps us fit.” Rosemary also says that her husband, Bruce, is almost (but not quite) fully retired from his law practice. They like to travel as much as they can with their Aliner and spend time kayaking, biking, and hiking on their trips. This year they went to north central Florida and had such a good time that they plan to return there again this winter. As for me, Sally Robertson Jacobs, I continue to enjoy retirement from my teaching career. Spanish conversation groups, book club, swimming laps (or dog paddling back and forth), gardening, playing bridge, and tutoring math are what keep me busy. My husband, Alan, and I spent five weeks traveling through central Europe over Christmas and New Year’s. Everyone told us we were nuts to go at that time of year—and they were absolutely right—but we got darn THISTLE | 2014
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class notes lucky. The weather was perfect. The funniest thing happened on our train from Budapest, Hungary, to Prague, Czech Republic. Seated next to us was a fashionable young woman in stilettos with a backpack slung over her shoulder. When she inquired with great interest about our travels, I told her we had a music theme, that we were catching as many operas, symphonies and concerts as we could. She then asked, rather confident about her line of questioning, if I was a teacher. Wondering how she nailed it, thinking that it must have been my sensible winter walking shoes, I replied, “How did you guess?” She came back with “Nobody except a teacher would use the word ‘theme’ when they talk about traveling.” I’m still laughing over this. It just cracks me up. Alan and I also enjoy time with our three young
at the reunion (same weekend). Since he and his wife are in their mid-30s, they did not wait to produce a baby—born this May was a son, Connor Benjamin, and of course, we are proud grandparents again. This is our fourth grandson. Our daughter and her husband have three boys (ages 10, 7, and 4). So the tree house that my husband had built for the guys will be full. My husband’s mother died in March and my favorite aunt died in May. I stay busy with church, gardening, reading, traveling, and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. I plan to go to Scotland soon and Jeff is near retirement, working only three days a week now. By the way, he won a case in the U.S. Supreme Court last year and I was in the gallery. Mrs. Sanborn would be proud. I have been retired from the non-profit circuit and
from Sally Brydon Booth. I hope the rest of you got them, and it will help you think positively about coming to our next reunion. I am just doing the same old, same old—working, doing my master gardening, enjoying my kids and nine grandchildren, and doing church work, including a yearly mission trip to Honduras. I keep running into Bette Jones Albert, even at my church plant sale. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again soon.”
grandsons (two in Colorado, one in Oregon). The oldest started Little League this spring. What a hoot to watch those little ones on the ball field! I remember my own daughter playing softball only just yesterday. In those days, I had no idea how quickly life would move forward. Thanks for sharing your news. I look forward to hearing from you again next year and hope to hear from the rest of you, too. And remember, our 50th class reunion is just around the corner!
was working part-time in health education. I miss it but love this new lifestyle more.
Tappahannock. Husband, Don, and I continue our annual May trek to Maryland to take care of 10-year-old grandson, Charlie, for a week while our daughter and son-in-law get a break. Our son, Ben, and his wife, Kara, are working in Yellowstone Park, where they met and married 10 years ago.”
Class of 1967* Elizabeth Toms Chaplin reports that twin grandbabies, Daniel Chaplin Gaines and Lillian “Lilly” Baker Gaines, were born to daughter, Ann, and her husband, Wes Gaines, on April 12, 2013.
Class of 1968 Ms. Toni Day Davidson 1311 Delaware Avenue SW, S830 Washington, D.C. 20024 Bette Jones Albert writes that she has a new granddaughter, Jane Caroline, born February 5, 2014. Nancy McClement Waage writes, “I thoroughly enjoyed my 45th reunion last year. It was great to catch up with all the classmates I hadn’t seen in years. Sherry Neff Kerley visited me at my rental condo in Florida in January. We have continued our long relationship.” Florence Spruill Mackie reports, “My son, Ben, got married last June which was why I was not 32
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Elizabeth Hiatt Maglio happily states, “Dick and I are both enjoying our retirement. However, we are as busy as ever! I am a volunteer Guardian ad Litem for our county. I have a heavy case load and really love it. However, being an advocate for abused, abandoned, or neglected children can be very difficult. I am their voice in court. We have a case coordinator and an attorney on each case. They depend on us since we are the ones that visit with the children. We get to know the parents even if it means a visit to the county jail! Our children are both doing well and living in Orlando, Florida, with their families. They live in the same neighborhood and have many of the same friends. We love having our four grandchildren close enough to go see their activities, have dinner, babysit, etc. I missed our reunion in order to see our 4-year-old granddaughters in their first ballet recital. They are growing up so quickly that we feel very fortunate to see them frequently! We now have more time to travel. Our most recent trip was a Holy Lands tour last May. Many of our friends thought we were crazy to go to that part of the world but we had no problems and it was an awesome vacation! I really wanted to be at our last reunion. It sounds like I missed a great time. I certainly plan on coming to our next one! I hope you and your families are doing well.” Eleanor “Nell” Fukushima says, “When we had our last reunion, we all signed cards to those who were not present. Tiffany Baker Mullican’s was returned to me. I received a really nice note from Maria Dill Godel, thanking us for the card and particularly noting some of the comments
Tucker Huger McQueen informs us, “I am still working for the Atlanta, Georgia, paper part-time, writing mostly boring government news. I am lucky that I can work anywhere that has internet access, so I am on the road often visiting my mother in assisted living about 45 minutes from
Laura Smith Ware reports, it is “sort of quiet on this end. Tyler and I are adjusting to his retirement—although he does consult on occasion, which is a good thing. We have traveled a little—Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Texas in September 2013, and Florida in May. We also visited Sarah Belle Eason Parrott in Hilton Head, South Carolina, recently. It was great fun! Our daughter, Palmer Ware Castrodale ’05, and her husband, Brett, remain in Charlottesville, Virginia, where they are both in their first real jobs. She is a school counselor at the Buckingham County Primary School (K-2), and he is finishing his first year of residency in family practice at the University of Virginia Hospital. Our son, Robert, is exploring the healthcare world and is in a phlebotomy program at the local community college. Otherwise, we are doing well and hope to enjoy more time on the river!” Sherry Neff Kerley writes, “I had a wonderful vacation in Florida last January with Nancy McClement Waage. I had two grandsons born in the past year, which brings us to five grandchildren—all live close to us in Richmond, Virginia!” Patricia Handly-Johnson reports, “Things are going just about the same this year as last. I’m writing from East Croydon, England—the site of the Principals Training Center for International
School Educators—while in the middle of teaching a seven-day course to aspiring and practicing principals from schools around the world. To have so many countries represented in one room makes the world feel very small. This is my 10th year teaching at the Center, something I really enjoy. I continue with consulting work, which will take me to Brazil, Luxembourg, India, and Costa Rica this fall; so much traveling is both exciting and exhausting! The exhausting parts lead me to set a retirement date in 2016. Most people look forward to retirement so they can travel. All I want to do is stay home! Michael, my husband, has started a new company after inventing an interactive web-based tool that supports international schools in security and crisis planning—so he’s traveling a lot as well. We
upper school sports at Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland, and is director and coach for a travel lacrosse team called Future Elite, which she does in the summer and fall. I hope that all of you are well and happy in your lives!”
sometimes cross in the air! When I’m home, I’m having fun with the piano again. I found a teacher who is helping me learn to improvise! Also, Bean, our yellow Labrador keeps us laughing with his antics and exercised with his need for regular walks. Michael and I would love to welcome any classmate to our home in Fort Lauderdale. Please consider the invitation to sunny Florida!”
up into the hills to visit Ronda, Spain—which they loved—and on to La Jolla, which was an incredible experience, before returning to Madrid to depart for the U.S. The plane ride over and back was HORRIBLE. She tells us, “In May 2014, my son, Will, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in history. My older son, Teddy, and his wife bought their first home, which is very close to us—which is great! The best news of all: I turned 65 years old and am now officially on Medicare!! I had a successful cataract surgery in December and need to do my other eye, which I don’t have to pay for. I would very much like to get in touch with Maria Dill Godel. If anyone knows how I can reach her, please let me know.”
Page Allen Groseclose tell us, “My biggest news is that we have moved my parents (ages 94 and 92) into Westminster Canterbury in Winchester, Virginia—where they grew up, and near me. So far, they both seem to like it and are acclimating fairly well. We’ve been going through all their things and helping them choose what to take, packing it and unpacking it. Arranging all of this has consumed the better part of six weeks, and I am tired! Luckily, I was able to take a few days at the beach during my birthday week with my daughter, Whitney, and my best friend, Elizabeth. The Fun Shop, our family business, continues to survive despite the ups and downs of the economy. I am lucky to have a pretty competent staff to have my back most of the time. I continue to play as much tennis as possible as my safety valve. I am currently playing on three different teams in both 3.5 and 4.0 leagues (for those of you who know tennis) and believe it or not, still playing singles at my age! Several teams I have played on in the last several years have gone to both districts and sectionals but haven’t made it to the finals yet! My ‘spare’ time is spent planning and implementing my next home or farm project. So far, I have renovated my attic (new entertainment area), my kitchen (all new), master bath (all new), and added fencing and run-in sheds to my horse operation. Next up: the front walk and windows! Whitney continues to coach
Sally Brydon Booth has been busy traveling. After reunion last year, she and her husband went to their niece’s wedding in Madrid, Spain. The Roman Catholic ceremony began at 9:00 p.m., and they got back to the hotel at 7:00 a.m. She says it was a wonderful time with the family. They left Madrid and headed to Seville, Spain. Sally commented that the train system in Spain is superior. She danced the Flamenco, drank the wine, and enjoyed the locals immensely. They then headed toward the ocean and drove
Mary Dee Fall Boswell says, “I have had enormous trouble with my e-mail address, but I think it is finally fixed. Can it be that we got together a year ago? It was a fabulous experience to be back at SMS, and to see you again. We have more treads on our tires (and spare tires!) but still the same great group. It only seems like a few months ago, but much has happened since then. I am now living in Frederick, Maryland, due to a new job: Executive Director of the Historical Society of Frederick County. Tom is still living in New Hampshire, getting our properties ready for sale. I get to see him about every other month. After growing up in Virginia, I feel back home again with warm and friendly people and a lovely spring season! Frederick is a vibrant community with lots of history, and it is great to be so close to both St. Margaret’s and the College of William & Mary again.” Claiborne Jones reports, “My news is that my sister, Polly Jones Branch ’65, moved in with me
in October 2013. It’s a good thing we weren’t at SMS at the same time, given how much trouble we are getting into together now! I retired July 1, 2014, and am still waking up worrying about work—surely that will change soon? I look forward to more time with art projects and a little antique/vintage booth I opened in a local antiques mall. Other than that, I’m just beginning to try to imagine myself in a relaxed life. I hope to spend some time in Winter Harbor, Maine. I had a nice SMS lunch with Tucker Huger McQueen and Jeannette Hanson ’69 not long ago and noticed that Tucker and I were wearing identical shoes. Is this a Class of 1968 thing? Best to all!” All seems well with the Parrotts. Sarah Belle Eason Parrott and John stay busy. Their daughter, Sarah Boxley, and family live a few blocks away with a 3-year-old grandson, so they love that. Son, Jack, got his MBA last year and has settled in D.C. Last spring, Laura Smith Ware and her husband, Tyler, joined them in Hilton Head, South Carolina, for a few days. It was great fun and they hope to do it again, soon. For myself, Toni Day Davidson, I continue to work at the D.C. Department of the Environment, building databases and informing the public about bugs, good and not so good. Ticks are a big problem this year, for instance. I also have a series going in painting. Thank heavens Utrecht (paints, brushes canvas) has frequent sales. I have gone to New York several times to check out the art scene, have been walking a lot, and keeping up with friends. Other than that, I live a very quiet life.
Class of 1969 Ms. Mary Gwathmey Michaux 2227A New Garden Road Greensboro, North Carolina 27410 Mary Anne Townsend Hopkins writes that life is grand as she has two grandsons. They stay very busy and enjoy being with family and friends. She is still working part-time, but John is retired. She was the only person from the Class of 1969 to attend our 45th reunion, but she had a good time and was impressed with new Head of School, Lindy Williams, and her guidance of SMS. She was proud to be an alumna that day and encourages all to return for our 50th in 2019. Kate Foster Muller reports that she spends a lot of time with Sarah and Ned’s children, Katherine
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class notes (2) and Rand (1). Lewis is still working in D.C. and loving it, and her baby, Dixon, just graduated from the College of William & Mary and is also headed to D.C. She and John feel fortunate to live on the river, and both of their mothers are residing close by at Westminster Canterbury. Jeannette Hanson said that she really didn’t have any news but plans to join us for our 50th!!! Susan Bundy writes that she and Andre are still in Charlottesville, Virginia, and that she is with the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority—quite a challenge! Andre is working for a cabinet maker in Dillwyn, Virginia, and loving it. After 34 years in Charlottesville (for Susan—a bit less for Andre), they are going to make a change. Their house is on the market and they are ready to move back to Norfolk, Virginia. They’re not looking forward to the traffic congestion, but family and so many friends are there that it really makes sense. For anyone thinking about moving to the Charlottesville area, there’s a wonderful home on a small lake with mountain views available in a great little subdivision close to the University of Virginia, downtown, and great shopping. She says that she hopes her next communication for the Class of 1969 notes will find them in a nice little home near the water in Norfolk. Maryanna Jenkins Weeks has had a busy year! Their son, Casey, his wife and two girls (ages 4 and 6) moved in with them in October 2013. After being empty-nesters, it’s been quite an adjustment getting used to the increased noise and activity levels! Their other son, Bryan, and his family also live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He has two boys (ages 5 and 2). She says that it’s such a blessing living in the same town together as they can attend their grandchildren’s school functions, watch them grow, and have input into their lives. She is still busy as registrar of her Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter and really loves it because she gets to do genealogy to her heart’s content! Her mom had a stroke in March but has made remarkable progress. She’s still sharp as a tack, keeping track of the stock market! Maryanna misses all of us and remembers our St. Margaret’s days fondly. Susan Beck Folkins has been in San Diego, California, for over two years now. They went out there to be close to Allan’s mom, Dee, who is a very active and sharp 88-year-old. The three of them (and a cocker spaniel) have a house together 34
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in a 55+ community in Rancho Bernardo. Many friends thought she was nuts to live with her mother-in-law but actually she is closer to her than she was to her own mother (who passed away in 1985), and even calls her “Mom.” Her mother-in-law says it’s because she got her as an adult, and her mother had to deal with Sue when she was growing up and a brat. At any rate, the living arrangement is a win-win for all concerned. Sue says that she feels very blessed because though she is technically retired, she stays busy. She teaches water aerobics at their community center twice a week, works at the church thrift shop as much as she can, plays Mahjong weekly (she is the only player younger than 80 years old!), and is active with her college sorority (Pi Phi) alumna group. All of those activities take a back seat, however, to whatever Mom (Dee) wants to do, because she IS the reason they are there, after all!! They have two grandchildren, Caitlin (18) and KK (10). They just took a three-week trip in the RV to go to Denver, Colorado, for Caitlin’s high school graduation, and then meandered back home (with Caitlin and her best friend) through Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, several national monuments, the Grand Canyon, Route 66, Disneyland, etc., and had a great time!! As for me, Mary Gwathmey Michaux, being a grandmother was definitely the best part of this past year as we added a third grandchild!! Little Emma Grace was born on June 7, 2014, weighing 7 lbs., 4 oz. and 21 inches long. She was a bit bigger than the other two but Megan delivered her in record time just as she had with Hunter and Lily. The doctor said that he was going to write a book on how to deliver a baby and Meg was going to be his case study! Everyone seems to be adapting to the new addition though their house is quite a wild place. Little Lily (who turned 2 years old in January) is more possessive than jealous and thinks the baby should be hers. Since this is Hunter’s second sibling, he’s taking it in stride. He just graduated from kindergarten so has more things to do than to be concerned about the baby!! I’m still enjoying part-time work though do wish the money was a little better! I really like having Fridays off as that’s my “grandchild day” and it’s wonderful. Thanks to each of you who gave to the SMS Annual Fund as we exceeded our goal!! Great work! Let’s keep those donations coming in 2015! I am sorry that most of us couldn’t make the reunion this year but PLEASE put June 2019 on your calendar as I’d love for all of us to return to the river for our 50th! Can it really be only five years away?
Staige Prince DeBenedetti ’70 showing one of her Paso Fino horses.
Class of 1970 Ms. Elizabeth Terry Long 3711 Patterson Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23221 After 13 years, Mercer Bonney and Tim finally got married on November 6, 2013. She writes, “Last October, we decided that we’d get married and didn’t want to spend a lot of time and money on the whole deal, so we invited the two women who had introduced us to be our witnesses. We were going to just go down to Portland City Hall and get married, but after a chance encounter the Friday night before we were to be married on Wednesday afternoon, a very dear friend of ours said he could marry us in his flower shop. So, we got all duded up in Hawaiian shirts and indeed, got married by our friend in his flower shop. Tim and I love Scotch, as do our friends, so we shared a very old bottle of Springbank Single Malt Scotch with everyone after the wedding. The funny thing is, neither of us had ever been married and we LOVE being married. It changed the relationship in an extraordinary way we never expected. We are closer and even more partners than we were before. Our honeymoon is going to be a road trip that will include the Niagara Falls. I am now the Director of Operations for a small company that does demos in natural food stores, primarily Whole Foods Markets. Compassionate Commerce
LLC (Com Com) is now nationwide. I’m so busy with this that I will not return to L.L. Bean for seasonal work this year. Tim said, ‘Enjoy the summer and enjoy your work with Com Com,’… so, I am.” Catharine Jones Owen and Paul have been married for 41 years and stay busy in retirement. (Retirement means you get tired over and over again). She tells us, “Last summer, we took a river cruise from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Vienna, Austria. We met a wonderful couple from the Gold Coast of Australia. They invited us to visit them, so we did this past February. We visited Sydney and saw the Opera House and the bridge where the New Year begins. Next May, they will visit us! Our grandchildren, Ellen (6) and Henry (2), keep us on our toes. I love keeping in touch with our schoolmates on Facebook.” Betty Blount Dees claims to not be good at sending any news but tells us that she recently spent a long weekend at Janie Morris Garland’s with Staige Prince DeBenedetti and Gay Diz. They went to the Virginia Horse Center to watch Staige show her beautiful Paso Fino horses, and Betty even got to try out several horses. She said she had not been on a horse for 35 years!! After the show, everyone returned to Janie’s house for a couple of nights of catching up. They had lots of fun telling tales and reconnecting. Janie lives on the most incredible piece of land looking out on the mountains, and her home is fabulous. For a moment, Betty considered staying and maybe becoming her personal assistant. Betty now lives in Washington, North Carolina, on the Pamlico River. She does yoga most days and lots of kayaking when the weather is warm. Betty has two absolutely precious grandgirls whom she simply adores! Life is good. Because of Cecil Demaree’s life-long lung problems, she has been on oxygen for several years now. She no longer teaches nursing for a living but enjoys volunteering as a patient for nursing students and helps to guide them in their assessments, etc. Cecil really enjoys volunteering, since she could do only a little while working fulltime. She also volunteers for a local veterinarian to teach people how to care for their chronically ill pets and to train service dogs for children under the age of 12 years old. (Service Dogs of Virginia in Charlottesville trains for people above age 12 or for children whose parents will be the dog’s handler). Cecil broke her back recently, so the spinal cord injury has her in a brace and doing
physical therapy daily. This summer, she had a 7-year-old and 10-year-old come help her train their dog. (Both children are diabetics and use an insulin pump). She had been training the pup before she broke her back and the boy joined her during his spring break. You can see some of the work she has done with him on his Facebook page. The dog’s name is Buddy Storm, and his page is public for anyone to see the videos and photos of his training for diabetic alert. Cecil has trained her own service dogs and thinks that rescues make the best service dogs, since they know you saved them. If anyone wants to learn more about how to train a dog for diabetic alert or how to train a service dog, e-mail her at daycolores@aol.com.
janevoorheesart.com. Some of her original paintings are exhibited on the Woolworth Walk in Asheville.
Mimi Scott McMillan and her husband are in good health and have a beautiful family, who bring them great joy. Their five young grandsons are all heavily involved in sports, so they attend many events. They are debt-free, mostly retired, and spend their free time traveling many times a year. They took an 11-month RV trip around the U.S. and thoroughly enjoyed it, but plan to limit it to three winter months in the sun every other year from now on, trading off with three weeks timesharing in Hawaii.
first grandchild was born—a little boy. He is close by and we see him often. All children, with the exception of the ‘baby,’ who lives in Chicago, Illinois, are wed. I continue to be involved with the Colonial Dames and will serve as a regent of Gunston Hall this fall. My travel to Virginia will increase, which I’m looking forward to.”
Kitty Stark Caldwell writes, “It has been a big year for us. Our daughter, Betsy, who lives in NYC, had a son in March and daughter, Kate, in Charleston, South Carolina, had her third child, a boy, in June. We are thrilled to have two grandchildren so close together. Our son, Hardwick, lives nearby in the city and daughter, Charlotte, lives in upstate New York, where she is the director of an artist residency program. All the children are happy and productive!! Hacker and I are in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, but spend the summers in the mountains of North Carolina. Hope all is well with everyone in our class.”
Scoggin Jones enjoyed a fun time in May, visiting her three great-nephews (her niece’s sons) in Boston, Massachussetts. She hasn’t seen the older two (11 and 8) in eight years (the youngest is 5 years old), which is way too long. Scoggin is looking forward to a cruise/land trip to Alaska soon. Her feline, Gracie, is the best companion she could have and is spoiled rotten! Guess who’s done that? Nancy McAteer writes, “I have been in a remote area on the northern California coast, beautiful and relaxing but not tech-friendly. Recently, our
As for me, Terry Long, I still enjoy my job at the law library for the Supreme Court of Virginia. Because I have worked almost 40 years (Can you believe it?) for the Commonwealth, I have generous vacation—which has allowed me time to take a nice cruise every year. I just got back from a fabulous cruise on the Baltic Sea. I also took a short trip to Ireland last November and my niece, Caroline Brown, went with me. She is the daughter of Jane Easley Long Brown ’75. We had such a nice time. I am on the vestry at Church of the Holy Comforter for one more year. We have a new priest, who is breathing new life into the parish. She is an inspirational preacher and very well-organized. We are not the
Kendall Harrison Hatley reports that she and Robert are still working. Her elderly parents live with them, due to their many health issues. They have two adult children and one grandson. Their daughter is a pharmacist, and son has a small stucco business in Savannah, Georgia. Robert enjoys golf and she gardens. Kendall says, “Can’t believe how time has flown by and our age! Best wishes to all of you.” Jane Voorhees has made Asheville, North Carolina, her home since the 1980s. Visit her website to see her amazing artwork: www.
Mercer Bonney ’70 and her husband on their wedding day. THISTLE | 2014
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class notes Episcopal church of the 1970s; it is exciting. I also participate in a book group and a dinner group (got to eat!), sponsored by the Junior League sustainers. I try to get some exercise three days a week by going to Jazzercise, but still can’t get rid of that stomach muscle—it gets too much exercise after class!
on Facebook. It looks like Cindy Lyon-Vaiden and Marilyn Williams spent an evening with her while she was visiting her family in northern Virginia. Marilyn Williams writes that her daughter, Kathleen, received a doctorate in psychology from George Washington University and was called to work with active duty military and veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She joined the Navy, spent a year interning at Walter Reed Army Hospital, and is now stationed in Bremerton, Washington, as a psychologist. She got married last September to Mike Saul. Her son, Sam (22), graduated with a degree in ethnomusicology from Sarah Lawrence College and is applying to graduate schools with an
Class of 1971 Ms. Cecilia Brown P. O. Box 160 Gloucester, Virginia 23061 Debra Sizemore Boyd reports she and her husband, Gene, are blessed with two more grandchildren. Their first, Blake, turned 2 years old in April. His brother, Finley, was born in March. Their parents are her oldest son, Phillip, and his wife, Kristin. Her youngest, Stuart, and his wife, Katie, became parents on March 9, 2014, to a daughter, Macie. Debra states they are her greatest joys, along with their children—all of whom live nearby. She reports they are the youngest couple in their neighborhood that enjoys socializing. She simply states, “Life is good!” Vicki Selph enjoyed a summer in Denmark, playing bridge with friends she met playing online. Vicki said, “We had a full summer, and time is slipping away all too fast.” Janie Whitt Sellers wrote from her vacation condo in Bald Head Island, North Carolina, (near Wilmington), where they enjoy spending time throughout the year and the peaceful views of the marsh only minutes from the ocean. On the professional front, Janie is still a partner at McGuire Woods and still happy with her work— she just closed a billion-dollar securities offering and has another one in the works for later in the year, among other things. Her current role also involves mentoring/training junior lawyers in the firm, and she finds it very satisfying. Her husband, David, is enjoying an active retirement as a board member at The Burlington School (K-12). Her son, Whit, is a senior at Sewanee and spent his summer interning in NYC. Janie has been elected to a three-year term on the Sewanee Board of Trustees. On Memorial Day weekend, she met Margo Hardy and Liz Glascock Freshwater at Margo’s place at Wintergreen Resort in Virginia. Margo reports purchasing a new horse and touring Italy.
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Terry Long ’70 on a trip to St. Petersburg, Russia. Cindy Lyon-Vaiden reports her life and work is busy as usual. She enjoyed partying with Marilyn Williams at Patricia Brincefield’s Mardi Gras party. In June, she combined a food tour of Slovenia with one in Switzerland, Tuscany and Venice, Italy. She reports meeting friendly people, tasting fabulous food, and learning about eco fish farming, traditional marine salt drying, small olive oil production, prosciutto dry air curing, champagne production, organic bread baking, raw dairy production, and honey bee raising. She ended her tour with three days in Vienna, Austria, visiting the palace museum and eating schnitzel in the Vienna Woods. After returning home, she summered at the Jersey Shore. Janet Gouldman Rutherford says everything is great in Roanoke, Virginia. She is still teaching in Franklin County and enjoying spending time with her kids and three granddaughters. Her mom died in May, and she finds it hard to believe she is gone. She was definitely one-of-a kind! This summer, she joined Catharine Smith “Smitty” Spurlock, Robin Gwathmey Nigro, and Debra Sizemore Boyd for a girls’ trip. I saw on Facebook that Joan Garrity is living in Redding, Connecticut, and works at Kraft Foods. Charlene Martin Lee posted a wonderful picture of herself, her daughter, and her two grandchildren
interest in earning a PhD and teaching. She tells me that she won’t know what to do with all these doctors in the family! Marilyn recently spent time with Patricia Brincefield, Cindy Lyon-Vaiden, and Charlene Martin Lee. Anybody coming to northern Virginia, please look her up. She is still working hard at her practice and may never retire since she has to pay off ALL that college education! I found this about our very own Ellen Metzger LeCompte on the internet: “With more than 20 years of experience, Atlanta-based travel agent, Ellen LeCompte, is often called upon by national publications, including The New York Times and Travel Agent Magazine, for her expert knowledge. Her destination specialties include Scotland, Alaska, Canada, the American West, and especially Britain. In fact, Travel + Leisure magazine has named her the top London travel specialist in the nation six years running. LeCompte is also proficient when it comes to helping small groups with interests in antiques, architecture, and history.” Blanche Carr Symons celebrated a three-day holiday for her husband, Neil’s, birthday—which happens to be Bastille Day (July 14)—in Aix, France. In August, her family vacationed in Antigua. She and Neil will soon visit India for three weeks, traveling to Kashmir, Rajasthan, Pushkar, and Udaipur. She reports yet another adventure for March 2015—dog sledding in Spitsbergen and staying on a boat to spot polar bears. I am sad to report Kimberly A. Tilley passed away suddenly on December 27, 2013, at her home in Bethesda, Maryland.
It is hard to believe that in 2016 we will be celebrating our 45th reunion year! Where has the time gone? Let’s ALL plan to attend and celebrate with gusto! Meanwhile, please send me any updates, and please keep healthy and happy.
Class of 1972 Mrs. Elizabeth Hundley Harper 318 Duncan Street Ashland, Virginia 23005 Rachel Lynch lives in Sewanee, Tennessee, on the Cumberland Plateau with her 8-year-old Chinese daughter, Mary Ming Lynch. Rachel is selfemployed as a seasonal retailer, and Mary Ming enjoys traveling, swimming, and ballet. Rachel would love to see her SMS buddies again. Please contact her at radelo50@yahoo.com and let her know your news!
Class of 1973 Mrs. Elizabeth Hall Hargrove 319 South James Street Ashland, Virginia 23005 Mrs. Christine Glascock Bodendorf P.O. Box 1276 Orange, Virginia 22960 Mrs. Cheryl Brayford Swajkoski 3989 S. Old Oak Avenue Boise, Idaho 83706 Mrs. Vivian Scroggs Pierce 2292 Monroe Road Moselle, Mississippi 39459 Hello from the Class of 1973. Our class had a reunion in 2013, with 13 attending—not bad! We had a great time. It is good to hear that many of us have visited classmates and renewed friendships this year. I, Lizzy Hall Hargrove, am writing on Christine Glascock Bodendorf ’s behalf, as it is my turn as joint Class Agent to “do” something! I may not be 100% accurate with details about Christine, but I’ll try and brag more than she would! As you may know, Christine and Rob retired several years ago, she from teaching and he from dentistry, then set out to sail on an extensive trip while at the same time having their first grandchild. Guess where
Christine’s heart was!? They managed to balance the two events and then returned to Orange, Virginia, to establish and develop their new farm and hug on the new baby! Forever adventuresome, I know that Christine and Rob share their home with many chickens and I have had the pleasure of having their fresh eggs. They have gardens, probably beyond belief, as well. Christine has had a large hand in keeping her parents stable and happily situated at a lovely retirement facility in Orange, with the help of daughter, Allyson, and her husband. Anna and her husband live in northern Virginia with their precious 2-year-old, Mollie, who Rob and Christine adore. Their son, Robert, lives in Birmingham, Alabama, and just finished his masters in library science, landing a wonderful job at a law firm that he LOVES! That is a condition that we parents relish in a job! Her children and husband are all, of course, cute and precious. (Christine would never tell you this!) By the way, as Christine was away last year on her sailing trip during our reunion, we agreed to go to the Class of 1974’s reunion this past June and we had a wonderful time. That class kept us entertained, and Mary Alice Parrish Passagaluppi ’74 let us bunk in with the group! I would highly recommend going back to reunions, even if it is not a big one, as there is something magical about being back on the river and reminiscing! Katherine Graves Fichtler, who lives in Montana and who we had the pleasure of seeing at last year’s reunion, writes that her youngest son, Andrew, married his long-time sweetheart on July 5, 2014. Her other two sons, Ken and Alex, were the handsomest of groomsmen and I don’t doubt it. Her young grandson, a niece, and nephew added their fun touches to the outdoor pictureperfect wedding! Katherine and her family all went to Glacier National Park after the wedding to continue the celebration and relax. I can just imagine Katherine and family being back home and spending as much time as possible on the river with moose here and there. I think she lives in paradise and urges us to stay in touch and let her know when we are out West. She loved seeing classmates at the reunion, as she had not been back for a while, and thanks everyone for their kind words and condolences at the passing of her sister, Cornelia Graves Spain ’76. I highly recommend looking at Katherine’s pottery website, as she is the artist that she always was. Sarah Morton Olson writes that she and her husband, Gary, live in another paradise called
Charlene Martin Lee ’71 with her daughter and two granddaughters.
Wilmington, North Carolina. Many of our classmates seem to love the water and I just wonder if SMS had anything to do with it! Sarah says their town is beautiful and vibrant. Sounds like us girls! She and her husband take full advantage of the water—boating, paddle boarding, soaking up the scenery, etc. They also play duplicate bridge and love the company of their two very active wire hair fox terriers. The dogs will now have competition, as Sarah and Gary have a perfect grandson as of April. She says she is obnoxiously proud and joyful. Sarah sent a picture of her beautiful family, including the dogs, last year and I would say they (the dogs) are Westminster-ready! She reports that in contrast to the happy times, she is caring for her mother who has Alzheimer’s. It’s a very difficult situation and she savors each moment left with her mom. Our thoughts, prayers, and support are with you, Sarah. She urges our classmates to come visit if we pass her way and offers her contact information: smolson@ northstate.net, (336)847-3333. Vivian Scroggs Pierce, one of our Class Agents, shares that she and Robin Griggs Reilly have gotten together twice since our reunion, with more trips planned! Nita Norphlet Thompson joined them for a fun trip to the gulf coast of Mississippi in August 2013. I bet they had a great time! So glad to hear from Anne Frost Waring about a wonderfu1 10-day trip she took with a friend to Vancouver, British Columbia, after which, she took an Alaskan cruise. Anne reports that both Vancouver and the Inside Passage of Alaska have a very temperate climate. Temperatures were in the mid-50s to 60 in late May and early June. She saw everything from beautiful gardens to rain forests, totem poles, seaplanes, wildlife, and glaciers. “The
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class notes people were so friendly and helpful,” she said. Sounds like it might be a good place to go back and visit! We’ll try to get Anne to the next reunion or better yet, an earlier one!
Class of 1974 Mrs. Jane Bowman Fain 9904 Kingsbridge Road Richmond, Virginia 23238
Lastly, we group Class Agents gave Missy Brayford Swajkoski a pass on collecting and writing for the Thistle as she did almost everything last year! We deferred to her expertise with technology and social networking! It is no surprise that Missy is very busy and capably handling a big job with U.S. Club Soccer, weddings, and grandbabies. I think she told me that last year she threw a wedding in a week’s time. She kept me in stitches as she described the details. She lost both of her parents relatively recently, and needs our encouragement to get her back to Virginia to visit. Missy reports that she had a great visit with Jill Shankle Wall while she was in North Carolina. She and Jill tell us that they will both be getting back on the tennis court again now that they have time. No doubt, they were two of our class’ best players. Missy sends hugs to all and urges us not to wait until the next reunion to get together. I agree! Frank and I, Lizzy Hall Hargrove, have two daughters who are out of school, working, and contemplating graduate school, and a son in his last year at Virginia Military Institute. Our beloved Miss (Patricia) Grayson would be happy or empathetic to know that I continue to play for church on Sundays on an organ not too different from the one at SMS. I love anything to do with houses and enthusiastically serve on our garden club’s procurement committee to find homes for Virginia’s Historic Garden Week. I love junk shops, fabric stores (remember the one in Tappahannock), and do some decorating for others from time to time. I even substitute teach periodically, having convinced myself that I have become qualified to teach high school students just by having had three of my own! Frank is an elected official, which keeps us disciplined, except for the occasional ticket for past due automobile inspections! We have opted to spend any free time that we have, either at my family’s home in Heathsville, Virginia, or Frank’s home in Deltaville, Virginia. Both provide some river time, but require a lot of maintenance, grass cutting, and weeding. The sunsets are beautiful, though!
Ellen Metzger LeCompte ’71 and Janie Whitt Sellers ’71 at Buckingham Palace. 38
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What a great time we had at our 40th reunion at SMS! The campus looks beautiful, and the new Head of School, Lindy Williams, has brought a great new energy to campus. Catching up and laughing with such a fun, smart group of women was wonderful. Attending the festivities were Mary Beth Taliaferro Huneke, Caroline Long, Catherine Stuart Partrick, Mary Alice Parrish Passagaluppi, Sandy Richardson, Molly Fray Sanford, Sue Guinn Webb, and myself. We also had a few friends join us from the classes of 1973 and 1975. Also, thanks to all of you who gave to the Annual Fund. The Class of 1974 reached its goal of $2,000—which was fabulous! Way to go, ladies. We have already started talking about the 45th reunion. Hopefully, more classmates can attend. I look forward to seeing you then and catching up. Carol Willis Echols called me, and she sounds just the same! She is one busy lady. She is a minister, getting a master’s degree, and has another full-time job, as well as being a mom to a son. She always has been an overachiever, and I see she still is. I hope she can make the next class reunion. Elspeth Robertson Blakeman sent a note, since she and her husband were preparing for a move back to his hometown of Cleveland, Mississippi, and had lots of packing to do. They have both retired from the library in San Antonio, Texas. She still sings in the choir and plays the violin with the symphony. I was glad to hear she has kept up with her musical talent.
Mary Beth Taliaferro Huneke writes, “My mom had a health setback this fall, but she is still a trooper at 95 years old. Peter and I are getting addicted to golf. Every round, we shoot some bad shots and some good shots. I won’t say the percentage!” Susan “Suji” Boutwell Proffitt reports, “The Boutwell/Proffitt family is happy, healthy, and all of our children are employed! Having a steady, secure job in this economy is a blessing as I anticipate the U.S. will experience another recession in 2015. Jennifer will take the bar exam in Tampa, Florida, this year. Lee and Chris are steadily building their business, while Jack and Tosha are doing well in their professions. Randy is enjoying retirement, while I am busy in the executive search business. My company specializes in footwear, sporting goods, and fashion worldwide in manufacturing, wholesale, and retail. Randy’s retirement focuses on fast cars, fishing, and family. After 45 years with Footstar and Meldisco, he deserves the time off. You could say he is a recovering retailer. Randy and I took a 16-day cruise through the Panama Canal over the Christmas holidays. We were in Columbia on our anniversary, and Randy was quarantined with the flu, so I took the tour alone and picked out a nice green stone so we would never forget the day. Oh well, not every vacation is a home run. Most of the trip was a wonderful adventure. Next time, we hope to return to Italy and stay a while. Four days wasn’t nearly long enough to enjoy that wonderful country. If you are ever in my neck of the woods, please come by for a visit. We live on Lake Tarpon in Palm Harbor, Florida (just north of Clearwater near Tampa).” Martha Gates-Mawson says, “My husband, Chris, and I are enjoying our lives here on the banks of Loch Ewe in the village of Aultbea on Scotland’s northwest coast. My daughter and her family are not far away, living near Glen Coe in the village of Kinlochleven. Granddaughter, Catherine, started primary school in August and I can’t quite believe how the time has flown—seems just yesterday she was a tiny baby. The lead-up to Christmas 2013 was a tough one, with my mother and my husband’s father dying within four days of each other. We spent two weeks in the States settling everything, and then took a quick trip down to Sussex for my father-in-law’s funeral. The first of the year found my business, Ailleas Designs by Martha Mawson, steadily
growing with appearances in Vogue, Tatler, and Harper’s Bazaar. There are many changes behind the scenes as the business continues to evolve and grow, and I will be one of the exhibitors at the Scotland Trade Show (Glasgow) in January 2015. Despite severe and disabling arthritis that causes me to need two sticks or a wheelchair, I really can’t complain. Life is pretty wonderful. I keep in touch with my old roommate, Leslie Campbell Graves ’75, and recently was contacted by Betsy Roebuck ’73, who was my roommate for a short time in 1971. It was wonderful connecting with Betsy again and is always lovely to hear from old friends from my days at St. Margaret’s.
Class of 1975 Ms. Ann C. Peck 15641 E Sunflower Drive Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268 Sissy Crowther writes that she is in her 10th year as President of Rappahannock Community College and lives on the family farm. She enjoys sailboat racing and bicycle riding in her off hours, and still goes to her house in West Virginia for breaks. This past year, she had a marvelous trip to Ireland with a friend from County Cork, as well as a beautiful week with Jane Bowman Fain ’74 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Susan Blackford Hankins saw Joan Marsh last year. They were both at Macy’s, and Joan was riding up the escalator as she walked by. Susan said it was great to run into her unexpectedly. She seemed just the same, and is a copy editor for the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board. She edits news and information for a newsletter that has been sent in by missionaries from all around the world. Susan also says that after 22 years, they have moved; still in Richmond, Virginia, but in another part of town. Her son, Richard, is at the University of Miami. Susan bought a run-down house in Church Hill last year and has been renovating it. She now knows more about installing electrical wire in crawl spaces and hanging wallboard than she ever thought she would. She plans to put it on the market later this year, and hopes in a very small way to have done something to make Richmond a better place. Brooke Trible Weinmann simply doesn’t believe that we graduated almost 40 years ago?! She writes, “I spend my time these days parenting, leading volunteer efforts, fundraising, exercising,
Debra Sizemore Boyd ’71, Janet Gouldman Rutherford ’71, Robin Gwathmey Nigro ’71, and Catharine Smith “Smitty” Spurlock ’71 take a girls’ trip.
traveling, and e-mailing. Life is very, very good. I am busy loving, living, and laughing with my incredible husband, Winston, and enjoying our never-dull 28-year marriage. I text and occasionally talk directly with our four lively, fun, interesting children: Tucker (25), an Elon
and working for SunTrust. I have been with the bank for 35 years. Thoughts of retiring are beginning to run through my head. We shall see. My mother died last year, which is an adjustment. I am now taking care of my brother, who has some health issues. However, I still get out to play
University graduate, who is a singer/actor/dancer in Atlanta, Georgia, auditioning and performing in musicals and aiming for more, plus film; Ginny (24), a Princeton graduate, who works at Cambridge Innovation Center in Kendall Square and is preparing for possible architecture graduate school; Eason (19), a sophomore at the College of William & Mary, who is figuring out her major... classics? psychology? other?; and Whit (17), a senior at The Westminster Schools, who will make us empty-nesters when he matriculates at college somewhere next fall. I serve on several boards: Skyland Trail, a mental health residential and treatment organization, and co-chair their $18 million capital campaign; College of William & Mary Foundation; Atlanta Girls’ School, a grades 6 through 12, independent, non-sectarian, college-prep school I co-founded 15 years ago; and I am associated with a number of other organizations, including Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS), W&M Parent and Family Council, The Junior League of Atlanta, and Compass Rose Society of the Anglican Communion. Over the last five years, I have enjoyed international travel to Bermuda, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, England, France, Ghana, Turkey, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Canada, and Germany. I’ve also been fortunate to make summer drives to Lake Michigan, bike in Colorado, and visit family in Virginia, etc. I find myself exercising quite a bit, too, with my FitBit (my new step coach)! Please let me know if you visit Atlanta. I would love to reconnect! I look forward to hearing the latest from all you girls and will hopefully see you next year at SMS.”
golf and do a little traveling. I went to a golf event in Naples, Florida, and spent some time with Alexandra “Lex” Herbruck Farley while I was there. Coincidentally, Leslie Campbell Graves and her sister were traveling through the area. We all spent the night at Lex’s and had a great time. It was like old times. I also had a wonderful golf trip to Hawaii. Just as a reminder, our 40th reunion is next year. I hope to see you all there.”
As for me, Ann Peck, it has been an interesting year or so. I am still in the Phoenix area of Arizona
Class of 1976 Ms. Deborah L. Northern P.O. Box 307 Maryknoll, New York 10545 Archie Burke reports she had a busy summer at the Durham County Library with the summer reading program. Elizabeth Graves Vitu returned to school in 2012. Once a month she goes for a few days to Mechelen, Belgium, where she studies at the Royal Carillon School. She writes, “It is a privilege to study with such fine minds, to learn new techniques in carillon performance, to study campanology in minute detail, to compose, to improvise. I always return home after my intensive classes completely rejuvenated and my head so full!” Presentation of her thesis and final exam are in June 2016. Her son, Emile, is finishing his masters in hydro-geology and he hopes to pursue a doctorate. Isabelle is in her fourth year of medical school. Ann Page Sensibaugh says all is well and invites any classmates in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, to visit!
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class notes Susan Lee lives in Southern Pines, North Carolina, where she owns and operates Fun & Healthy Weight Loss Center. She is a member of the Rotary Club and chairs the Charitable Foundation Board. She still has property in Waterford, Virginia, and visits weekends during the year. She has four beautiful cats. Lisa Olsson Everett is President of the International Women’s Fishing Association. She and her husband, Clint, started the Mid-Atlantic Boykin Spaniel Club. They have four of these spaniels. They live in Nags Head, North Carolina (close to Ann Page Sensibaugh, but Lisa says they never run into each other). They also have a farm in Ayden, North Carolina. Colleen Payton has had nine of her poems taken by several journals, including the East Coast Literary Review. Her chapbook is available on Amazon. She wonders if anyone would have interest in creating a closed Facebook group for SMS classes in the mid-70s, to help us keep in touch better.
Debbie Northern ’76, Rhonda Foxwell Black ’76, and Ayn Farmar Coates ’76 spent time together over Christmas.
Beth Ware Katona writes that she and her husband recently helped daughter, Neillee Katona ’05, move to northern Virginia, where she has taken a job as an attorney with the U.S. Department of Mine Safety and Health Administration.
1977*
The sad news is that our classmate, Cornelia Graves Spain, died of a heart attack in October 2013. Her sister, Elizabeth Graves Vitu, says, “Three children survive her and continue to live in Luray, Virginia. The loss of their mother has been a dreadful blow, but despite everything, they are doing well. Cornelia’s love for St. Margaret’s was profound, and I understand she attended the school reunion last year which made her very happy. Please remember Cornelia in your prayers.” Ayn Farmar Coates is interested in setting up a memorial fund in Cornelia’s name. If interested, e-mail her at acoates@freemandunn.com. I, Debbie Northern, celebrated my 15th year as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in August. In June, I spent two weeks in Haiti, investigating the possibility of Maryknoll Lay Missioners serving there in the future. It was the first time I had been to Haiti since 1999, so seeing the devastation of the earthquake, especially the shell of the Cathedral, was heartbreaking. I got to see several Haitian friends, and unfortunately got Chikungunya Fever, a mosquito-born virus
sweeping the Caribbean. I am okay now. The good thing is you can only get it once, so when it comes to the U.S., I will be immune!
Catherine Milsted Hoang writes, “I presently am taking a mini course that requires me to teach a few lessons to my preschool class in Spanish—I cannot speak it, but I am forcing myself to learn! My older son, Stephen, acquired his PhD from the University of Virginia last year. He also got married and has a job! My younger son is a junior at James Madison University this year. About my husband and his job searching—I need to get back with you on that—hopefully good news in the next class letter.”
Class of 1978 Mrs. Wendy Adcock Charlton 8557 Kim Marie Court Pasadena, Maryland 21122
Class of 1979 Miss Cyane D. Williams 108A Oakhurst Circle Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 Ms. Hannah Spencer Overton 369 E. Banbury Road Tappahannock, Virginia 22560
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We had a great reunion in June, though not as many returned as for our 30th. It was fun catching up with Sara Acree Brooks, who is still teaching at SMS, and has been with Jeff more than 35 years now! Deborah McClure Ball, also still in Tappahannock, Virginia, joined us with her husband, Page. Her sons, Malcolm and Carter, are out of college, and Carter is living in Tappahannock with his wife. Kathy Kay May also joined us for lunch, and we had a good time catching up. Tracy Gammell and her partner, Sharon, came down from northern Virginia, where Tracy is very happy working for Apple and hanging out with the “young ‘uns.” She said her coworkers keep her young, but she really hasn’t aged at all anyway! Chandler Curd Wheeling and her husband, Randy, made the trek from Roanoke, Virginia, in time to join us for crabs on the River Lawn, which was amazing. Chandler had just returned from what looked like a wonderful tour of Europe, according to Facebook! I’m so glad they were able to come down and it was so much fun to hang out at The Essex Inn after dinner. And, of course, my coAgent, Hannah Overton, had the most exciting news of the weekend: she was married the next weekend (June 21, 2014) to Bob Tiffany. They are now making their home in Warsaw, Virginia, and from all reports, blissfully happy! Hannah’s elder daughter, Emma, just graduated from high school, and her younger daughter, Lizzie, is a sophomore at SMS. I also heard from a few classmates who couldn’t make it to the reunion. Stephanie Daughtrey was hoping to come but was only back two days from
a month in England, where she was visiting her grandparents’ house. Condolences to Stephanie on the loss of her uncle in England. Steph reports she is still teaching underprivileged children in Norfolk, Virginia, and enjoys the demanding and rewarding work. Susan McManus Rossi called Alumnae Weekend and was very sorry to miss the festivities. Her son, Will, had just graduated from high school. She also has a son, Nick, daughter, Margaret, and two adorable grandchildren nearby in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is working at Belk and enjoying trips to the beach with her partner, John, and their dogs!
promised to try to come in 2019! Lesley, we’re holding you to that! As for me, Cyane Williams, I’m still in Charlottesville, Virginia, and just completed a 17-week entrepreneurial workshop called the Community Investment Collaborative, which helps people with business ideas turn them into reality. As of July, I launched Cyaned Originals (Signed Originals) which creates patterns from names and applies them to just about anything to make fun, unique, and completely personalized items for weddings, gifts, and corporate events. My flask design was a huge hit at the reunion!! I’m still dogsitting and building up both businesses. If you are ever in town, please come visit.
Pam Sumner Craven and her husband, Jamie, are enjoying weekends on the James River in their boat. They live in Midlothian, Virginia, and are having a great time! Margie Scott Garza has had a great deal going on with the graduation of one daughter, Victoria, from college and the other, Micaela, from high school. To celebrate, she and her husband and the girls went on a cruise to the Caymans (during Alumnae Weekend, so she couldn’t make it). Next time, Margie!! Joan Sevick Baumann writes, “I am still married to Ed, and we will celebrate our 30-year anniversary in March. We are pretty much emptynesters and ‘retired.’ We volunteer every week and have started to do some traveling since the kids are out of the house.” Joan reports she’s taken up running and really enjoys it. Joan, come on up from North Carolina for the next reunion!! I’ve seen Mimi de’Olloqui-Turner most summers when she visits from Colorado. She and her husband have a beautiful bed and breakfast in West Virginia, where they spend the summers. They trek to Charlottesville, Virginia, to visit at least once, but, unfortunately, we missed each other this year. Mimi has had some wonderful gallery shows of her artwork; she is an amazingly talented artist.
It’s been QUITE a year for our class. Sadly, we lost two of our classmates in less than a year. In October 2013, Betsey Adams Coplan died after a short illness; her mother, fiancé, daughter, and grandchild survive her. Last spring, many of us rallied around Debra Charlton Wingfield on Facebook and in person as she fought a valiant fight against a very aggressive cancer; she was diagnosed in February and died in May. Her beloved son survives her. During Alumnae Weekend, we held a small service conducted by my sister, The Rev. Catherine Swann, on the dock at SMS to remember our lost classmates. We placed flowers in the water in the name of each girl: Karen Gruver, Sally Goodwin, Louise Mack Ferebee, Zanna Brawner Woodhead, Betsey Adams Coplan, and Debra Charlton Wingfield. We hope to be able to have a more permanent memorial in the new river project at SMS, which is currently being developed. If anyone would like to donate in memory of the members of the Class of 1979, please contact the SMS Office of Development.
Fay Spence is still in Roanoke, Virginia, and she and Kathy are experiencing the joys of raising three girls, one of whom just received her driver’s license this year! Lesley Adams Deighton has moved from Somerset, England, to Freetown, Sierra Leone, where it is summer all year long!! She has
Deborah McClure Ball ’79, Kathy Kay May ’79, Cyane Williams ’79, Tracy Gammell ’79, and Hannah Overton ’79 remember lost classmates in a small service over Alumnae Weekend.
I try to keep up with the class on Facebook, so please join our SMS Class of 1979 group and let everyone know what’s going on! I’m sorry if I missed anyone who has written me. Please write and let me know what is happening! I hope this finds you all well. PLEASE mark your calendars to be at our 40th reunion in 2019!!
Class of 1980* Cathie Northern writes, “I am living in Roswell, Georgia (close to Ingrid Schlubach Pauli), and have three children. My son, Colin, is a senior at Georgia College and State University; my daughter, Caitlin, is a junior at James Madison University; and Carlin is in the 4th grade. I still work for Atlanta’s Best New Homes, which is a television show on Fox Atlanta, featuring new home communities.”
Class of 1981 Mrs. Mary Miller Gentry 206B 64th Street Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 Ms. Elaine R. Flack 7011 Fox Green West Chesterfield, Virginia 23832
Class of 1982 Mrs. Meg Stewart Mason 40 Red Bird Lane Raphine, Virginia 24472 Jessie Duncan Rice writes, “After 24 years as a pharmacist at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset, Kentucky, I accepted a corporate position with the same company, Lifepoint Hospitals—my first job change since graduation. Currently, I work from home (seven days on, seven days off), doing computer order entry for eight Kentucky hospitals. It is truly a unique pharmacist position and a dream job—I am blessed. My 19-year-old son, Ben, is in his third year at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He obtained his private pilot license this summer. His academic focus is physics. Amy, my 17-year-old daughter, is completing her senior year in high school. Soccer is her love and she is varsity goalie. Amy was a Kentucky Governor’s Scholar and is now THISTLE | 2014
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class notes considering college options and career choices. A life transition finds me in Lexington, Kentucky, close to my sister, brother, and mother. A new home, new job, new path—God guides me and graces me every day of my life.”
Mrs. Margaret White Forsberg 1353 Cornwall Place Norfolk, Virginia 23508 Yvette Wolfe Frank is married with two children: son, Ian (10), and daughter, Ellie (8). Yvette and her husband just bought a new home on a lake in the west end of Richmond. She is in oncology medical sales and molecular profiling.
Class of 1983 Ms. Patricia Coffey Turrentine 3425 Lovers Lane Dallas, Texas 75225
Class of 1984 Mrs. Mary Katherine Straughan Kienzle 56 Sunnyside Lane Orinda, California 94563
Class of 1985 Mrs. Kimberly Harris McInnis 737 Arjean Drive Wilmington, North Carolina 28411
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT Lee
Class of 1986
Wendy Humphries DeTorres is still living in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with her husband and 12-year-old daughter. She has been very busy during the school year volunteering at her daughter’s school, and has also recently started a bracelet line called Madera (found at shopjodyg. com and on Facebook). She loves catching up with classmates on Facebook, and can’t wait for our next reunion! Something very important happened in Sandie Tsalapatanis’ family: her son just graduated from college, her daughter from high school, and little one from elementary school. “I am a very proud mom,” she writes.
Boudreaux ’86
Lee Boudreaux ’86 has been the editorial director of Ecco, a division of HarperCollins, since 2005. Before that, she worked in publishing at Longstreet Press in Atlanta, Georgia, then at Random House in New York for nine years. Throughout her extensive career, Lee has overseen the editorial process of many popular books, including Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain, nominated for the National Book Award and winner of the NBCC Award; The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, which won the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction; The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt, nominated for the Booker Prize, and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller and Oprah Book Club selection. Earlier this year, Lee decided to launch her own imprint, “Boudreaux,” at Little, Brown and Company in New York. She joined Little, Brown in September and has enjoyed her new role as vice president and editorial director. This year alone, she plans to publish at least eight titles. Upon announcing her move, she said, “I’ve been exquisitely lucky to have worked with such extraordinary writers and colleagues at Ecco and I know what I’ve learned from them—about the art of writing and the art of publishing with unstinting passion—will always stand me in good stead. To shape my own list, focused on discovering the kind of electrifying and unexpected voices I’ve grown to treasure, is truly an honor. And, I suspect, it’s also going to be a lot of fun.” Congratulations, Lee!
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Kelly Wawner Cooke says life is good on her end. She went through a bout of melanoma, but it’s all clear now. Kelly is still teaching kindergarten. Her daughter, Clay (8), got her first horse last year—which Kelly got bucked off of and broke her ribs—and she enjoys showing. Kelly is still working with homeless animals and just adopted a third dog. Katy Caldwell just placed on staff at a new music website that I love called Wondering Sound (www. wonderingsound.com) as their photo director. They specialize in long-form writing, so there are lots of great reads. She has been producing shoots with bands all over the world (Philadelphia, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Tokyo, Cape Town, London, etc.) and has enjoyed the excitement of it all. Jennifer Stott married Randy Thomas on July 26, 2014. She says, “We have been together for 10 years so we figured it was about time to tie the knot. I started a new job as French teacher at Northumberland High School this fall. I am serving as state parliamentarian for Virginia Alpha Delta Kappa, an international sorority for women educators, for the 2014-2016 biennium.” Polly Cutting is thrilled to be back in Warrenton, Virginia, having left her previous company last winter. She is the inn manager for the newly reopened Poplar Springs Inn & Spa in Casanova, Virginia. Gus and Dory, her two dogs, are loving Virginia and are super excited because she promised them she’d buy them a house with a backyard and doggie door after a few years of apartment living. Mary Leigh Curren Wolfe is still living in Covington, Louisiana, with her husband of 17 years, Tim, and three children, Jennifer Leigh (15), Elizabeth (12), and Timothy (6). Her organizing and redecorating business, Pleasingly Placed, which she founded two years ago, allows her to work with several wonderful clients and also be at home with family. In Mary Leigh’s spare time, she helps to build the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany by working on the exhibit design team and fundraising. She and Tim are still blessed to have their parents and brothers (and their families) living within an hour of their home. She sends her love to all classmates and friends from St. Margaret’s.
As for me, Meg White Forsberg, I recently spent some time at the beach in Sandbridge, Virginia, with Coco Leffen Jacobs ’89, which was really fun. Our two dogs, Angel and Aries, are enjoying getting outside more after a long, wet winter. I am actively involved as the secretary of The Horizon Circle of The King’s Daughters Children’s Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. We hosted a Derby-themed fundraiser this year, which was hugely successful.
Class of 1987 Mrs. Amy Taylor Avery 431 Blacklatch Lane Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011 After seven happy years in Connecticut, Jill Johnson Deupi and her family relocated to Miami, Florida, so she could assume her new position as Director of the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami. Her husband, Victor, also joined the University of Miami’s faculty as a full-time visitor in the School of Architecture. Jill reports that it was with great glee that she surveyed the many snow-removal instruments in their garage back in Newtown, Connecticut, while packing and realized that not a single shovel would be going with them. Similarly, her children, Anna Sofia (11), Carolina (9), and Tristan (7), are delighting in year-round swimming and their new proximity to Disney World!
ways. Now, I am geographically closer to my parents (who live still in my hometown, Roanoke, Virginia), allowing me to make the trek home more frequently. Carol and I have a nice home with two dogs, and I’m enjoying the “city life” again through cultural activities and events, and new areas to explore. Additionally, I have enjoyed reconnecting with so many of my SMS sisters, and look forward to spending time together. The unconditional friendships that were formed many years ago continue to provide support and love today as they did then—perhaps with more grace in our aging wisdom! I had an amazing time at the Class of 1988’s reunion and look forward to the next with even more of our classmates. Last year, I was able to spend time with Polly Cutting ’86 and Margaret Tompkins Asbell while I was on a business trip in Chesapeake, Maryland. I hope to visit with others during the coming months! Wishing good health, laughter, and love for each of you! If you are in the Pittsburgh area, please let me know.”
Class of 1989 Mrs. Amylynn Dodd Richards 354 Stillaguamish Place La Conner, Washington 98257
Class of 1990 Ms. Catherine Boyd
Candace Mattson Washing is busy being an awesome mom. Her kids are involved in many sports, and Candace recently signed on to be William’s 3rd grade soccer coach. She and Jason are finally in a home they built from the ground up. She says she thinks of all of us daily and is so thankful for all the friendships we have maintained throughout the years. Megan McGill moved to Galveston, Texas, for a job in the hotel business. She recently switched hotels and is currently looking for a new home in Houston, Texas. Her son, Mac, is adorable and has made lots of new friends. I love having them on Texas soil. She tells me Leslie Smith Okum has been traveling recently. She and her family went to Sweden. Cathy Boyd is working on her master’s degree. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. When she’s not studying she is traveling quite a bit. As mentioned before, she made the cross-country trek out to California in May, and this summer she took the train up to NYC to help Sarah Wood ’91 pack for her move to Asheville, North Carolina. Kim Aldridge’s fabulous son, Christian, graduated from the University of South Carolina Summa Cum Laude and finished his first year of graduate school at Louisiana State University with a 4.0. Kim is dating a wonderful man and starts training to be a flight attendant in August.
P.O. Box 1500
Class of 1988
Staunton, Virginia 24401
Mrs. Margaret Ellen Tompkins Asbell
Miss Elaine Green
12821 Noltland Castle Drive Bristow, Virginia 20136 It was wonderful to hear from Margot Myers, who writes, “Hello my SMS sisters. Life continues to treat me well. After almost 18 years of rural small town living in Bradford, Pennsylvania, I made the decision to move outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In July 2013, Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania, became my new home. I left an advising and teaching career in higher education to return to providing therapy as a licensed clinical social worker at the Women’s Center of Beaver County, where I have the privilege to work with women, men, and children who are striving to live life without violence; as all of them have been affected by domestic violence and/or sexual assault. This move has been wonderful in many
1529 Williams Street Apt. 113 Columbia, South Carolina 29201 I, Elaine Green, want to start by saying it has been so much fun catching up with so many of my classmates. I love hearing about everyone’s fun, adventurous lives. Social media has been wonderful, allowing me to watch everyone’s kids grow up. I can’t believe some of us have kids who are out of college. I moved out to Los Angeles, California, and am loving every minute of it. An added bonus is that I get to see Candace Mattson Washing fairly regularly these days. Now that Megan McGill has moved to Texas, I get to see her more often, too. I had a wonderful visit from Cathy Boyd, who made a cross-country trip, where she met up with Candace and Robyn Froerer as well.
Dibble Parker says she is doing the same old thing, hanging out with Kathryn and laughing with Denny. Anne Standing lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with all her boys. She still has her design company and has kept up with her exercise. Kristin Holler is in Charlotte, North Carolina. She still loves it and is doing well. Lavinia Jackson is our aspiring poet/writer. She is very involved in her local writing community and stays busy with her girls. Bekah Hughes has a precious 2-year-old and is loving every second with her little guy. I haven’t talked to Margaret Kayes Baker lately but from pictures online, it looks like she has been spending time on the baseball field with her precious son. THISTLE | 2014
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class notes Susan Dryden Smith also seems like she is busy being a mom. Unfortunately, I did not hear from the last couple of girls who are not mentioned. On that note, know that as we grow in age, we grow in grace. I love you all more than you know. There is not a day in my life that I don’t know I made the right decision to ask my father to go to boarding school. Without the love of you ladies, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today. I am so proud of all of us in the Class of 1990.
Class of 1991 Ms. Sarah Anne Wood Grace Church School 86 Fourth Avenue New York, New York 10003
Class of 1992 Mrs. Catherine Tanner-Stuber 301 Cashwell Drive Goldsboro, North Carolina 27534
Class of 1993 Ms. Margaret Jennings Booker 7709 Patterson Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23229
together. I hope this note finds everyone happy and healthy, and I can’t wait until we can all get together again!” Sarah Nichols Nagle wrote that she missed seeing all of us at our 20th reunion because she was expecting her first baby!! Congratulations Sarah! Sarah writes that “our little boy, Truman Henry Nagle, was born on July 19, 2013. So hard to believe he is already 1 year old! My husband, Tom, and I love being parents—more than we ever imagined. I’m still working as Director of Strategic Planning for a large health system in Wilmington, Delaware. I love my job and am thankful for the flexibility I have, but being a working mother is challenging! I still get down to the Northern Neck of Virginia to visit my family and always have fond memories when we drive through Tappahannock.” Angie Tucker is still in Richmond, Virginia, working as a nurse practitioner at Advanced Surgical Partners. She writes that she “loves this practice and enjoys seeing surgical patients.” Angie didn’t write this in her class notes to me, but I wanted you all to know that she had a great loss in June, when her grandmother, Mrs. Kelley, who many of us knew, passed away. “Gram,” as she was known to us, was a constant fixture at most of our important moments at SMS. I was able to be with Angie and Gram the day before she passed, and Gram knew how much we loved her. Our thoughts are always with you, Angie.
Our sweet Florida girl, Nickie Hartsock, writes that she has started a new job with the Sarasota County Tax Collectors Office, organizing outreach and administrative support. Nickie has also been contracted by Florida Mentor to complete mental health assessments on kids 17 years old and younger. Nickie wrote that she is enjoying the Tampa Bay Buccaneer football season, as always! In her spare time, she continues to do mud races, work out like crazy, and kayak as much as she can. AH… Florida life!
Mona Nasir Tucktuck writes that she has been doing well and keeping busy with her boys, who are now 6 and 4 years old. She has also gone back to school to start doctoral studies in special education in Autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mona is currently working as a research assistant and part-time instructor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She writes that she would love to see anyone who is there visiting.
Jennifer Hutcheson Powell writes that she is as busy as ever as a stay-at-home mom. Her foster “baby” is 2 years old now, and she and Paul are in the process of adopting her! Jen says that their sweet foster baby will “complete the family and be the last little Powell. I have been keeping busy with lots of short family trips and kids’ activities! Our oldest son enters high school this year, and I’m starting to feel a little old. I can’t believe it has been so long since we were all in high school
Elizabeth Baldwin writes that “Jeff, Maya, and I have been in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, for over two years now and love being close to Charleston. We live very close to the beach and get out there any chance we get. I am busy painting for many clients and love it. Maya will start 1st grade this year and is actually going to an all-girls school downtown, Ashley Hall. I’m so excited for her! I’m also super proud of my big sis, Carrie Baldwin ’81, for the SMS Distinguished Alumna Award she received in June!”
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Natasha Kollaros Laster has just completed her 12th school year at St. Margaret’s. She says it has been great living in the dorm, but it was time to move back to northern Virginia, where her husband, Daryl’s, real estate business is. Tasha will do Admissions work for SMS from northern Virginia, traveling to the river once or twice a week. The move was prompted by a need to be with her family on a daily basis and to be closer to extended family. The move happened at the end of June, and Tatiana loves her new school! Tash said, “If any of you are ever in the D.C. area, please come visit; I live in Kingstowne in Alexandria!” Danielle Walker Spradlin and her husband, Will, are doing well in Richmond, Virginia, and managing a busy household. She is still the claims manager for CorVel and enjoys her work. Her daughter, Grace (12), is in the 7th grade and her son, William (10) is in the 5th grade this year. Michaux Tayloe Chopski keeps busy with her work and family. She and Stan still live in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoy a full life. Michaux’s daughter, Millie, is a 1st grader and her son, J.T., turned 4 in July. Mich writes that she also “just joined the Mill Mountain Garden Club and I still work as a jewelry appraiser—currently one of only 20 Independent Certified Gemologist Appraisers in the United States.” I will attest that Michaux does incredibly thorough jewelry appraisals. If you need something appraised, you should go to her! www.octagongem.com As for me, Jenni Booker, life is changing at a rapid pace! I started a new job in November 2013 as the Vice President of Development at Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia and enjoy the work. I am still volunteering with various nonprofits in Richmond, serving on committees and boards—which keep me pretty busy. Stephen, my boyfriend of two years, and I rescued, fostered, and then adopted a 5-year-old German short-haired pointer named Maggie last December, and she has added much joy to our lives, along with our sweet Labrador, Jake, who is 9 years old. In May, Stephen, and I took our first international trip to Turks and Caicos for a friends’ wedding and had a blast—beautiful island and a great week away! This is a big time in our lives, with many of us hitting our 40th birthdays, and I hope that each of you and your families are happy and healthy!! Our 25th reunion is in 2018, so make sure you HOLD JUNE 2018 now for a grand party. Sending my love to you all!
Class of 1994*
Class of 1996 Ms. Kathryn Mae Porter
Masha Skuratovskaya writes, “I had a great time catching up with classmates, Cat Shoemaker Ramey, Cynthia Newton Smith, Jennie Krieger Bacon, Amy Bechtold Bratzler, and Amy Thompson at reunion in June. It’s hard to believe it has been 20 years already. On June 22, 2014, I gave birth to our second son, Gleb Montgomery Zimmerman (8 lbs, 21 inches), at Fauquier County Hospital in Virginia. Our whole family traveled back to Juneau, Alaska, about a month later. Everyone is welcome to come and visit us. Go Grey!” Cynthia Newton Smith tells us that she has recently moved back to the Northern Neck— Heathsville, Virginia, to be exact. Her father lives with her now, along with her children, and things are well. She says that painting is her livelihood, and she’s given up working anywhere other than at her easel. She paints live at events and also does commissioned work from home. Cynthia is currently working on a party, designing the artwork for the invitations and napkins, and a painting commemorating the restoration of the family’s boat, which the party revolves around.
4129 Stanhope Street Dallas, Texas 75205 Tara Nash married Joe Atallah in December, 2013; they honeymooned in Costa Rica. Tara is currently employed as a nurse practitioner with The Minute Clinic in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Booker Clay married Mike Perkins in October 2013. Booker and Mike are happily raising Colby, Mike’s 13-year-old son. They reside in Henrico County, Virginia. Booker continues to enjoy her job as an emergency room and forensics nurse. April Poole Anderson enjoyed the summer in Wendell, North Carolina, watching her children, McClendon and Maddie, swim the beautiful months away. She and her husband, Steven, will celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary this year. Abby Schoeb Binter and her husband, Fred, are celebrating their 10-year anniversary. They live in Charlottesville, Virginia, where Abby is a stay-at-home mom to their sons, Alex (6) and Zachary (4).
Cat Shoemaker Ramey is taking her old Honor Council skills to a new level. She will be teaching the behavioral special education students at Auburn Middle School this year. Her son, Jack, was diagnosed with high-functioning Autism spectrum disorder on December 31, 2013. As fate would have it, Cat had been working in the special education world for seven years prior to his diagnosis; this experience has helped her tremendously in assisting her own child. Cat stills lives in Maine with her wonderful husband, Sean. They have been married since 2003. She also attended the SMS reunion, celebrating 20 years gone by. It was absolutely wonderful, and she felt like she had come home.
Katie Wadsworth Clapp and her husband are also celebrating their 10-year anniversary. They reside in Ithaca, New York, where they are raising their daughters, Alice (7) and Nora (2). Katie continues to excel at her job as the event coordinator for Cornell University Alumni Affairs and Development.
Class of 1995
Tara Pirtle Garner has just completed her second year as an elementary school principal. Her children entered 2nd grade and kindergarten this school year.
Ms. Leslie Nicole McBride 14215 Ballantyne Lake Road, Apt. 203 Charlotte, North Carolina 28277
Kelly Evans Cox and her husband, Shan, are celebrating 12 years of wedded bliss. Their daughter, Addison, is a teenager, who continues to have great success in her competitive aquatics division; their son, Harper (10), is shaping up to be a baseball all-star. In their break from athletics, they are busy raising their boxer puppy, Kacey.
Leslie Ann Hunter and her husband, Greg, have just celebrated their 15-year anniversary. Raising four children keeps them on their toes. Michele Morgan has just embarked on a new journey as a resource manager, a delightful change
in pace after being in patient care for 16 years. Her son, Jack (3), keeps her laughing and loving life as they spend their summertime at the beach. Anne-Paige Stephenson and her husband, Jim, have just celebrated their 10-year anniversary. They are raising their son, Henry, in Richmond, Virginia, and plan to take a family vacation to Italy to meet some of Jim’s family. Christina Strickler Oliphant is the operations manager for Comfort Keepers in northeast Pennsylvania. She and her husband are starting a new adventure, purchasing several Sprint franchises. Their children were busy traveling and visiting family this summer. Cammie Osburn Vaughn and her husband, Brackett, are celebrating their 14th anniversary. They live in Tappahannock, Virginia, with their children, J.B. (10), Parker (8), and Avery (6). They took a family trip to Disney in December and had an amazing time. As for me, Kate Porter, I live in Dallas, Texas, and am employed as the administrative manager for The Real Estate Council, a professional organization that caters to the commercial real estate industry in Dallas and north Texas. I enjoy living near family, spending time with nieces and nephews and volunteering for local non-profit organizations.
Class of 1997 Mrs. Elizabeth Michael Crowther Angle 58 S 3rd Street Campbell, California 95008 Mrs. Christina H. Spain 515 Greenside Terrace Chester, Virginia 23836
Class of 1998 Mrs. Jennifer Christian Fauteux Eberline 1124 Meriwether Street Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 As a school with the vision to support the future and growth of young women, the seeds of a dream and its success were first woven at St. Margaret’s.
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class notes Since graduating from SMS in 1998, Rebecca Wilbur has avidly pursued higher education. She completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at George Mason University in 2002 and then a master’s degree in clinical psychology at Towson University in 2005. After working in research in the field of neuropsychology for the University of Maryland’s Schizophrenia Research Center, she went on to pursue a doctorate degree in clinical neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology at Pacific University in Portland, Oregon. She defended her dissertation, the results of a pilot study on an innovative treatment program that she developed for people with traumatic brain injury, on June 30, 2014. She has secured a two-year post-doctoral residency at the Cleveland Veteran’s Administration in Rehabilitation Psychology, a program that recently became the sixth residency program in the nation to receive accreditation from the American Psychological Association for the specialization of rehabilitation psychology, which will position her to become a leader in the field of rehabilitation psychology. She is now Dr. Rebecca Wilbur, M.A., Psy.D. The roots of this achievement began through the strong educational foundation and close relationships that were built during her education at St. Margaret’s.
Class of 1999 Mrs. Anne Worthington Aycock 420 Colony Avenue Ahoskie, North Carolina 27910 Lesley Newman spent the first half of 2014 finishing the school year in Danang, Vietnam, where she has taught English for the past two years. She is now back in Tucson, Arizona, where she lives with her husband, Casey. The children of Carolyn Stephenson Gosse ’99, Miles, poses with new baby sister, Rowan Frances.
Painting of Claire Stephenson’s ’01 wedding by Cynthia Newton Smith ’94.
Class of 2000 Mrs. Mary Emery Leipertz 9311 Ramsgate Lane Richmond, Virginia 23236 Hello to the Class of 2000! It sounds like everyone has had a great year so far. Jamie Shelor Brown and her husband welcomed their son, Robert “Taylor” Brown, on February 15, 2014. She enjoys staying at home with him and watching him grow and change so fast! He keeps her very busy! Lauren Cupp Feilke and her husband welcomed their second daughter, Eloise, on February 28, 2014. Their first daughter, Annabelle, is 2 years old and keeps them laughing constantly. She is a great big sister. Lauren is still in Little Rock, Arkansas, and home with the kids. Catherine Redfearn and her husband, Fabian, welcomed Roberto Fabian Cortes on June 23, 2014! She is also busy managing a community and preservation planning firm, Partners for Place. Sara Pirtle Robinson still enjoys living in Charlottesville, Virginia. Sara splits her time working for Region Ten Community Service Board as an outpatient therapist at Charlottesville High School, in her part-time therapy private practice, and photographing weddings with her husband for his business, Robinson Imagery. For two months last summer, Sara was excited to only work part-time for Region Ten, allowing her to
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spend more time with her sweet daughter, Ellery, who turned 1 in June. Garnett Ashworth is in Richmond, Virginia, and getting ready to move into a new house. She recently changed jobs and is working at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical Center (MCV) as a discharge planner. But, her most exciting news is that she will be going back to school for a masters in social work at VCU! Rebecca Dix is still teaching young women everything from science to sewing. She just completed her eighth (and final) year of teaching middle school at St. Catherine’s School. She is preparing for her second year of teaching a fashion design class at Madeira’s Girls First. Then, she is moving to New York City! She will teach middle school science at The Nightingale Bamford School on Manhattan’s upper east side. Carver Weakley is an adjunct professor at John Tyler Community College and Reynolds Community College, and an English teacher at Cosby High School in Chesterfield, Virginia. She recently traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana, where she enjoyed the city’s jazz and blues. She plans to return next spring for the city’s French Quarter Festival. Ellen Heish is living in Xiamen, an island in Southern China. She has been traveling between Shanghai, China, and Taipei, Taiwan, while managing a couple of real estate investments. She is also doing brand management consulting for a few small local companies on the side.
Anne Worthington Aycock ’99 joined Garnett Ashworth ’00 and friends at a wedding in March. Lisa Bruning Garcia is still enjoying life in Colorado and traveling quite a bit. Louisa Bo Hammond Magee just finished her seventh year of teaching and recently bought a house. Her son, J.T., will turn 5 in the fall, and she always enjoys her summers at home with him. She underwent surgery this year for Crohn’s disease, which she has battled since college. She asks for your continued support and prayers for a full recovery. Alexandra Cornwell lives in Richmond, Virginia, and works in the economic education department at the Federal Reserve. Lauren Cannon Glassman is always on the go with commuting and chasing around two kids, Piper (4) and Mason (1). She has been enjoying her weekends in the mountains! Kym Register started off the year as the sole owner of her music venue and bar, The Pinhook, for the first time ever, and it is going great! She has lots of touring acts coming through and has been meeting the coolest people. Her new band, Loamlands, has been touring quite a bit. They just got off a five-week tour that covered 38 states with Mirah and The Mountain Goats and are almost finished with their first record! Katie Hawks and her husband celebrated their first anniversary in November. She is enjoying married life in Cupertino, California. She is a product marketing specialist at Genomic Health, Inc. in Redwood City, California. Genomic Health develops diagnostic tests for breast, colon, and prostate cancer, which can help patients
and their doctor make better, more informed treatment decisions. She specifically markets a test called the Oncotype Prostate Cancer Assay, which analyzes the underlying biology of prostate cancer patient tumors. This test can help patients and doctors determine the appropriate course of care, either active surveillance or immediate treatment. And finally, I, Mary Emery Leipertz, am still living in Richmond, Virginia—13 years now! I am busy running my company, Montague Media & Marketing, helping my family with weddings at our family home, Mount Airy, and enjoying being with my family as much as possible. Our son turned 3 in June and is keeping us busy with his amazing energy. I enjoyed seeing Cameron Sgroi and Garnett Ashworth at Alumnae Weekend this year, and look forward to seeing a lot more of you at our 15th in June 2015! Thank you for letting me serve as your Class Agent for the past eight years. Starting next year, Garnett Ashworth will be taking over, and I know she will do a great job!
Class of 2001 Miss Dwann Cutler
As for me, Dwann Cutler, I just received an MFA in creative writing from Wilkes University. I have completed a feature length screenplay, which I’m in the process of submitting to festivals and competitions. For the past year, I have served on the SMS Alumnae Council and have really enjoyed connecting with and getting to know fellow alumnae. I look forward to many more years of advocacy for St. Margaret’s School.
Class of 2002*
P.O. Box 1633 West Point, Virginia 23181 The Class of 2001 has been busy transitioning into the next chapter of our adult lives. Sara Virginia Newman currently lives in Seattle, Washington. She is working on a master’s degree in nutrition from Bastyr University. Virginia is participating in a dietetic internship and is open to wherever her career may take her. In her limited spare time, she sells produce at the local market. Sarah Muller Turnbull has a daughter, Katherine Claybrook (3), and a son, Edward Randolph “Rand” Turnbull, Jr., born on February 5, 2013.
Jamie Shelor Brown ’00 and her husband welcomed son, Robert Taylor, in February.
the wedding and created a beautiful live painting of the event.
Claire Stephenson writes, “For the past six years, I have been working toward a PhD in child clinical psychology at the University of Denver. In May, Shane and I moved to Norfolk, Virginia, to complete my internship at the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters. Shortly after moving here, we got married in my parents’ back yard, then went to Honduras for a honeymoon. I began my internship on July 1, 2014. My husband is working remotely for a renewable energy company. We are happy being closer to family and the water.” Cynthia Newton Smith ’94 attended
Kristina Bethea has made it back to her alma mater in Tappahannock, Virginia! She began her position on July 1, 2014, as the new Assistant Dean of Students in the Office of School Life at St. Margaret’s School. Carter Holloway Fitch left public accounting and now works as the Director of Finance and Human Resources at the George Washington Foundation in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia. Kelly Proctor says, “I am living in northern Virginia and visit Richmond and Urbanna frequently. It was bittersweet seeing SMS alumnae Kat Price, Kate Taylor ’83, Susie Aguirre, and Danielle Magid at Kristen Keating’s funeral—a wonderful life cut short.”
Kate Taylor ’83, Kelly Proctor ’02, Kat Price ’02, Susie Aguirre ’02, and Danielle Magid ’02 at the funeral of classmate, Kristen Keating ’02. THISTLE | 2014
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class notes
Class of 2003
Class of 2005
Miss Claire Townsend Hopkins
Miss Susannah Hastings Orem
1377 Port Place #202
3533 Londonderry Lane
Reston, Virginia 20194
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
Class of 2004
Class of 2006*
Miss Allison Leigh Smith 2506 Hanover Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23220 Sarah Weakley has been staying busy seeking a master’s degree in business administration at Virginia Commonwealth University, and working part-time at Virginians for the Arts, a grassroots advocacy organization for public funding for the arts. She finds time to stay in touch with fellow alumnae and travel. Sarah visited with Lindsay Swinson Grosse and Maggie Ransone on the river cruise at their 10-year reunion in June. She also met Margaret Moncure Forsh’s new son, Turner, at Jessica Hinson Moncure’s home in Simonson, Virginia, helped Rebecca Dickinson Hundley ’06 celebrate both her wedding and nine months later, the birth of her daughter, Savannah Mae, and supported Meredith Walsh as she completed a sprint triathlon in July. She and sister, Carver Weakley ’00, traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana, on an Amtrak train— which she said was “a unique experience to not only see parts of this beautiful country with rich history, but to travel between the two cities by train gave a one-of-a-kind perspective.”
Class of 2007
Jessica Bailey ’05 welcomed son, Octavian Avery, in November 2013.
Miss Michelle Hummel Burch 403 Altamont Cr. Apt 3 Charlottesville, Virginia 23229 Katie Coffey moved to Washington, D.C., in February with her boyfriend, Tim, and cat, Betty White, to begin working at the U.S. Department of State. She is a program coordinator and offers regional support for near eastern affairs in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, within the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement. Her focus is on humanitarian assistance programs, focusing on conventional weapons destruction within the Middle East and North Africa. Mary Beth de Loache is still living in, and loving, Raleigh, North Carolina. She now works for Elizabeth Bradley Designs as the product development and design coordinator for Elizabeth Bradley Home. They are launching the home collection, so it is a very exciting time! Check out www.ElizabethBradleyHome.com. Mary Beth
Rebecca Dickinson ’06 celebrated her wedding day with a large St. Margaret’s crowd in October 2013.
is happily dating someone and is the mother of a 16-month-old, 6 lb. black toy poodle named Mabel. Laura Gorham received an MS degree from the University of Florida in agricultural education and communications. She worked full-time for the University of Florida’s (UF/IFAS) Center for Public Issues Education, conducting research on public perceptions of issues in the agricultural and natural resource industries, before moving to Lubbock, Texas, in August, to pursue her PhD at Texas Tech University. She was a recipient of the CH Foundation Graduate Fellowship and the Helen DeVitt Jones Graduate Fellowship awards. She will be a teaching assistant and researcher for the university while working on her doctorate. Tetyana McCain has had a very exciting year. She spent a month in Europe during the summer of 2013 backpacking from Greece to Denmark, and all the countries in between, with her fiancé, Alex, who became her husband in August. Her schooling is going well, and she continues to learn all the amazing things a dentist can do to keep her patients happy. She loves it! Whitney Thomas is in the U.S. Army, and working on a master’s degree in behavioral health. Hannah McKee is currently studying medical transcription and will graduate soon. She lives in Elkin, North Carolina. Erika Gibson is back in school after taking several years off. She plans to transfer to a four-year university in southern California. While she misses Virginia, the Laguna Beach weather is excellent consolation!
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I, Michelle Burch, purchased my first home and moved to Richmond, Virginia, last year. I am still working for Markel Insurance, where I am an underwriter in the agriculture department for equine mortality, farm, and horse trainer’s liability policies. When I’m not busy insuring other people’s horses, I’m competing my own in International Federation of Equestrian Sports (FEI) level dressage. I traveled to Ecuador with my mom last spring and enjoy getting back home to the Northern Neck area whenever possible.
Class of 2008 Miss Ann Bowdre Fortson St. Margaret’s School P. O. Box 158 Tappahannock, Virginia 22560 Megan Lynch graduated from the College of Charleston in 2013 and moved to Princeton, New Jersey. She teaches at a school for severely disabled autistic children, and she is currently studying to become a speech pathologist with a specialization in Autism. Blair Passagaluppi graduated from Sweet Briar College in 2012, and spent some time in Jackson, Wyoming. She is back on the east coast, working in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in orthopedic trauma sales. Martha Joslyn graduated from Bridgewater College in 2012 with a BS in psychology and a minor in neuroscience. Since graduation, Martha has been employed as a research biologist technician in a neuroscience laboratory at the veteran’s hospital in Richmond, Virginia. Her work centers around treating demyelinating diseases and antiaging in mouse models. This fall, she enrolled in a master’s program at Eastern Virginia Medical School, focusing in laboratory animal sciences, and will continue her work at the hospital. Martha Reynolds graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in May 2014 as a double-major in linguistics and Japanese language. Ellie Schneidman lived at Thorncroft Equestrian Center in Malvern, Pennsylvania, from September 2013 until May 2014, where she transcribed the farm’s history into a book, which is being released this fall. Soon, Ellie will move to Morogora, Tanzania, for two years to work as the communications and public relations coordinator at Sega Girls School, an all-girls boarding school.
Mary Catherine Sargent is still living the dream in Charleston, South Carolina. She started a new job as a leasing consultant at Elan Midtown, a Greystar apartment community. I, Bowdre Fortson, graduated from Wofford College in 2012. After college, I lived in Charleston, South Carolina. The Holy City was a hard place to leave, but my journey took me to Charlotte, North Carolina, where I worked for motivational speaker: Jeffrey Gitomer. This past June, I accepted the position of Assistant Director of Admission back at St. Margaret’s. It is an absolute joy to return to the school that gave me so much.
Class of 2009 Miss Caroline Starling Rollins 205 North Chambord Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30327 Miss Florence Adele Snyder 931 Myrtle Drive Rock Hill, South Carolina Clarice Medrano graduated from Christopher Newport University in 2013 with a BA in psychology and communications. She is a technical recruiter for Bart and Associations, a full-service, full-life-cycle enterprise software solutions integration firm that provides resultsoriented, value-based services for clients. It offers services in the areas of homeland security, enterprise strategy, enterprise-wide collaboration and business-systems, modernization solutions. Clarice is currently recruiting for the following B&A openings in the D.C./Metro area: Junior Project Analyst, Junior Mobile Web Developer, Junior Java Developer, and Mid-Level Junior Java Developer/Software Engineer. Antinnea Skipwith graduated from Temple University in 2013 with a BA in strategic communication. Shortly after, she received a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. Antinnea is currently employed as a teacher for Teach for America in the Maryland area. She has gained experience in areas such as education, communications, and international affairs. Taylor Douglas is working as a sales representative for cellular devices. She foresees a full-time position with AT&T in her future, as they have benefits and pay for further education.
Taylor lives in Richmond, Virginia. She has a beautiful feline daughter named Luna, a tabbyBengal mix. Caroline Casey graduated from Roanoke College in 2013 with a BA in psychology. She married Adam Leroy in October 2013 on her aunt and uncle’s farm in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her wedding was just as she envisioned, cowboy boots and all. She asked several of her SMS sisters to be her bridesmaids, including Hannah Kessler ’08 and Florence Snyder. She and Adam, a corpsman in the Navy, live on the Marine Corps base in Hawaii. Caroline went to graduate school for social work at Hawaii Pacific University for one year but has decided to explore horse therapy after doing volunteer work recently. She is working on an Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning (EAGALA) certification, which helps mental health clients. She is also training for her fourth marathon in December. Lizzy Cordes graduated from the University of Mississippi with a major in managerial finance. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and served as their co-treasurer in 2012. She had an internship with an accounting firm in New Orleans, Louisiana, called Elmwood Professional Group in 2012 then with IberiaBank in 2013. Recently, Lizzy has moved back to New Orleans and is eager to take the city by storm. Grace Rickenbaker graduated from Bucknell University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and religion. She is now working as a wedding stylist at Nordstrom. Melanie Waitzer graduated Cum Laude from Tulane University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. During her college years, she was a member of the Sigma Delta Tau sorority, the Jewish studies student organization, and the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society. She also worked at upscale boutiques and interned at both the American Diabetes Association and Brother Martin High School, an all-boys Catholic School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Melanie still lives in New Orleans—now with a cute grey kitty as a housemate—and is working as a development and next gen associate at the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, where she works with volunteers to raise funds for the organization’s annual campaign (approximately $2.5 million). She helps to cultivate a strong young adult donor base through education and programming. Melanie is also a board member of Girls on the Run New Orleans. THISTLE | 2014
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class notes
Linh Tran ’10 was crowned Case Western Reserve University’s Homecoming Queen.
Meghan Cooke graduated from the University of Mary Washington in May 2013 with a BA in English. She is working on a degree in psychology from Ashworth College. A few summers ago, she worked at SeaWorld’s water park, but now she’s juggling two part-time jobs at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Essex Concrete Corporation in Tappahannock, Virginia. Occasionally, she writes articles for the Rappahannock Times in Tappahannock, and works as a word processor at Kratos Defense and Security Solutions in Fredericksburg. Lucia Alexandra Pulchine graduated with honors from Shenandoah University in May 2013 with a BA in business administration and a minor in entrepreneurship. After college, she was employed at Country Chevrolet as the head accountant for the software company the dealership owns. She is now a sales consultant at a car dealership in Warrenton, Virginia. Scarlett Gregory graduated from RandolphMacon College in June 2012 with a BS in biology. After attending the Bon Secours School of Medical Imaging, she recently became a registered radiologic technician. Sarah Keating is living large in Washington D.C., where she works in sales at Wedding Wire, a large online network that helps brides find venues, florists, bands, etc. She was selling ad space on the website but has recently been promoted to work exclusively on the “brides side” of the site. In the past, Sarah worked for J. Crew and was consistently one of the highest-ranking sales associates for the Queenstown, Maryland, store. Corbin Brooks and Anna-Beth Lawler are both continuing the Green Team legacy, Corbin in Portland, Oregon, working in energy management, and A.B. in Fredericksburg, Virginia, for MarstelDay, an environmental consulting firm. 50
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Caroline Rollins graduated from Rhodes College in May 2013 with a double-major in literature and creative writing. During her time at Rhodes, she was heavily involved with her sorority, Tri Delta, and their philanthropy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (located in Memphis, Tennessee). She states that it was an honor and privilege to be able to work with patients, and probably one of the most moving experiences that she will ever have. One of her other favorite college memories was studying abroad in Oxford, England, at St. John’s College. After graduation, she stayed in Memphis and took a job with a marketing company that specializes in promoting fortune 500 companies, before moving back to Atlanta, Georgia, and rehabbing old furniture. She hopes to make it a business one day. Most recently, Caroline adopted a child of the prickly variety, an African pygmy hedgehog named Fanny, moved to Virginia, and started a marketing internship with St. Margaret’s! She loves being back in Tappahannock and has enjoyed reconnecting with friends and faculty. As for me, Florence Snyder, I have enjoyed sharing Class Agent duties with Caroline Rollins and am thrilled to be a co-chair for the Rappahannock River Run/Walk this year. Thanks to everyone who made it back for our 5th reunion. What a blast! Since graduating from Wofford College in May 2013 with a BA in sociology, I moved to Columbia, South Carolina, and am taking prerequisite classes for speech language pathology. This is the perfect field of study for me, since helping others is my passion. I also work part-time at a law firm to help pay rent. I plan to move home shortly to figure out the next step in my career. A full-time job or experience in the professional world is in my best interest, so the hunt for a position has begun. I love staying connected with SMS and continue to believe that I acquired some of the best friendships while there.
Class of 2010 Miss Linh Huynh Tuong Tran 9106 Saint Andrews Place College Park, Maryland 20740 Miss Cabell M. Edmunds 4601 Four Seasons Terrace, Unit E Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
Amelia Chen graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in industrial design. She plans to work in New York City and would appreciate any Blue/Grey connections in the industry. Georgia Courson is living and working in Stuart, Florida (near West Palm Beach). She works as a customer relations manager for Prime Source Accessories. Her position works mostly with the wholesale side of the company, and she loves the job as well as working in this industry. Cabell Edmunds graduated from Longwood University in May and is now working as the graphic production designer for Baby Jogger in Richmond, Virginia. Sarah Gibson is a senior in James Madison University’s Department of Integrated Science and Technology. She and her team were recently recognized as creators of one of the top five projects in the 2012–13 James Madison Innovations’ Intellectual Property Incentive Program for their algae-based oil extraction project. The goal of the ongoing project is to efficiently extract oil from salt-water algae. Specifically, Sarah is “fine-tuning the complex technologies used to separate the oil from the algae in an effort to find the methods that are highest yielding and most environmentally friendly.” Erica Houng graduated from University of California Los Angeles and began working on a master’s degree in engineering at University of Southern California this fall. Betsy Joslyn graduated from Bridgewater College with a major in chemistry and a minor in English. This past season, Betsy was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Academic Team. Betsy joins St. Margaret’s as the head coach for field hockey and will help out with math and writing labs. She also plans to start canoeing competitively this fall. Pepper Silliman is still in Houston, Texas, and will receive an associate’s degree this fall. She plans to take classes at the Art Institute in Houston and major in advertising design. Lauren Wilbur graduated from Randolph College with a degree in religious studies. She plans to move out to Los Angeles, California, to live and work for a year.
Emily Wilson is at James Madison University, studying hospitality management with a minor in business. She was recently initiated into Eta Sigma Delta, the International Hospitality Management Honors Society. Emily plans to graduate next summer. As for me, Linh Tran, I have enjoyed working with Cabell Edmunds on our class notes. It’s wonderful to keep in touch with all of you. I graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a major in psychology and a minor in nutrition and am now pursuing a master’s degree in student affairs at University of Maryland College Park.
Class of 2011
Corbin Brooks ’09, Ryan Martin ’09, Anna-Beth Lawler ’09, and Abby Odell ’10 were reunited on the river for the Fourth of July.
Miss Nichole Leah Kennedy Mary Baldwin College MBC Mail Box #518 Staunton, Virginia 24401 Miss Rebecca Ashley Parker P. O. Box 177 Walkerton, Virginia 23177 Madeline Bolles had many adventures while working on a farm and hostel for three months in Alaska. She then moved on to work on an off-the-grid organic goat dairy farm for nine months. Mady has realized that her passion is animal husbandry and she hopes to own her own dairy farm one day. She is also hoping to get an apprenticeship at a boat shop in Maine next year so she can develop her skills in boat building. Lucy Eckman was a summer research fellow at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, working with a mouse model of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). Her sister had a baby in December, and she is enjoying being a first-time aunt to Miss Katharine Lee Dawson! Lucy will apply to medical schools in the coming year. Motunrayo Olaniyan will study abroad in Madrid, Spain, this year as a part of a language and area studies program.
and finally to Cádiz, Spain, studying maritime ventures with a focus on social, political, economical, and cultural changes. Once she got back to the States, she was an executive operations intern at B&R International in Baltimore, Maryland. Annie is a senior at Sweet Briar College, where she is a business major. Stephanie Teal is a senior at Appalachian State and is excited to be working as a resident advisor. Elizabeth Tyson adventured globally this past summer! She completed a trip to South Africa and a three-week internship in Thailand. Nichole Kennedy spent the summer as the lead counselor at Camp Kekoka, and is now in her senior year, majoring in political science and serving as an area director for residence life. I, Rebecca Parker, had an opportunity to participate in Wesleyan’s Student Leadership Institute this past year, which culminated in an eight-day trip to some of Utah’s national parks. After I returned, I also had the pleasure of interning as a marketing assistant at St. Margaret’s. In August, I was an orientation leader for Wesleyan College, and began my senior year, majoring in English and French.
Class of 2012 Miss Miatta Kingg 4108 Jewell Street Alexandria, Virginia 22312
Class of 2013 Miss Tiffany Sierra Sutton 26080 Sparta Road Milford, Virginia 22514 Miss Isis Monique Daniel 908 E. Tantallon Drive Fort Washington, Maryland 20744 * These classes do not have a class agent. St. Margaret’s School welcomes and encourages alumnae without a class agent to submit notes either through the online portal (www.sms.org/portal) or directly to the Director of Alumnae Relations, Briana VanAudenhove at bvanaudenhove@sms.org. If you would like to be a class agent, please contact Briana VanAudenhove.
Annie Rich was quite busy last summer. She began by taking classes at the University of Maryland, then studied abroad via SEA semester where she sailed from Cork, Ireland, to Douarnenez, France, to Lisbon, Portugal, THISTLE | 2014
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transitions
TRANSITIONS Births A son, Edward Randolph “Rand” Jr., to Sarah Muller Turnbull ’01 and Ned Turnbull on February 5, 2013 A son, Truman Henry, to Sarah Nichols Nagle ’93 and Tom Nagle on July 19, 2013 A son, Octavian Avery Randhawa, to Jessica Bailey ’05 and Aaron Randhawa on November 4, 2013 A son, Robert Taylor, to Jamie Shelor Brown ’00 and Robert Ashley Brown on February 15, 2014 A daughter, Eloise, to Lauren Cupp Feilke ’00 and Jason Feilke on February 28, 2014 A daughter, Rowan Frances, to Carolyn Stephenson Gosse ’99 and Alec Gosse on March 2, 2014 A son, Turner Alexander, to Margaret Moncure Forsh ’04 and Ronald Forsh on May 28, 2014 A son, Gleb Montgomery, to Masha Skuratovskaya ’94 and Bryan Zimmerman on June 22, 2014 A son, Roberto Fabian, to Catherine Redfearn ’00 and Fabian Cortes on June 23, 2014 A daughter, Savannah Mae, to Rebecca Dickinson Hundley ’06 and Chris Hundley on July 3, 2014
Marriages Margaret Moncure ’04 married Ronald Forsh on August 3, 2013 Tetyana McCain ’07 married Alex Ji on August 28, 2013 Rebecca Dickinson ’06 married Chris Hundley on October 5, 2013 Caroline Casey ’09 married Adam Leroy on October 19, 2013 Booker Clay ’96 married Mike Perkins on October 22, 2013 Nancy Forsyth Walker ’66 married Bob Sykes on October 26, 2013 Mercer Bonney ’70 married Timothy Bachelder on November 6, 2013 Tara Nash ’96 married Joe Atallah on December 12, 2013 Claire Stephenson ’01 married Shane Flansburg on May 24, 2014 Hannah Overton ’79 married Bob Tiffany on June 21, 2014 Jennifer Stott ’86 married Randy Thomas on July 26, 2014
Deaths Mary Anne Hutchison Culbreth ’55, April 1, 2013 Ann Norvell “Polly” Gray Rice ’35, July 26, 2013 Frances Mason Waller ’45, October 1, 2013 Ann Elizabeth “Betsey” Adams Coplan ’79, October 4, 2013 Cornelia Graves Spain ’76, October 5, 2013 Polly Ferguson Williams ’34, December 3, 2013 Rosemary Thomas ’62, December 14, 2013 Kimberly Tilley ’71, December 27, 2013 Jean Willis Andreaus ’46, February 28, 2014 Ann Kennard Perkins ’48, March 5, 2014 Ellen Douglas “Dougie” “Bunny” Gray Wilson ’41, April 30, 2014 Debra Charlton Wingfield ’79, May 5, 2014 Kristen Theresa Keating ’02, May 24, 2014 Harriett Tavenner Owens ’40, June 8, 2014 Merrie Nash Boone ’62, July 14, 2014 Hannah Mallory Perkins ’40, July 20, 2014 52
THISTLE | 2014
scottiepride It’s easy to belong here. #sistersforlife
Want to know more about what it’s like to belong to our community? Follow us on Instagram @scottiepride. And while you’re at it, schedule a visit at (804) 443-3357 or viewbook.sms.org.
Girls’ Boarding and Day grades 8 through 12 Tappahannock, VA (804) 443-3357 www.sms.org
P.O. Box 158 Tappahannock, VA 22560 (804) 443-3357 address service requested
Development and Alumnae Events 2014 – 2015
October 18, 2014 Fall Family Weekend Rappahannock River Run/Walk St. Margaret’s School October 22, 2014 Golden Thistle Luncheon Westminster Canterbury Richmond November 16, 2014 St. Margaret’s Day St. Margaret’s School
January 7, 2015 Young Alumnae Day St. Margaret’s School
Parent Council Auction and Rubber Duck Derby St. Margaret’s School
February 7, 2015 Annual Alumnae Association Meeting and Luncheon Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond
May 2015 Senior Charms Chapel and Reception St. Margaret’s School
May 8-10, 2015 Spring Family Weekend
May 30, 2015 Commencement St. Margaret’s School June 12-14, 2015 Alumnae Weekend: Reunion 2015 St. Margaret’s School
2014 – 2015 Alumnae Board Members
St. Margaret’s School actively seeks and admits qualified students of any race, color, religious affiliation, national or ethnic origin.