Class Notes
Aiming to reduce gun violence Nancy Lamason ’54 stepped foot on the Wynnewood campus of The Agnes Irwin School as a shy and reserved eighth grade girl but graduated as an outgoing, confident, independent young woman. Lamason immediately felt that Agnes Irwin was the place for her, and she felt that it was refreshing to fit in somewhere. While at Agnes Irwin, Lamason, a self-professed “dreamer” felt that she was able to be herself while at school and that the school encouraged independence— which she loved. Lamason enjoyed reading and remembers English as her favorite subject. She also recalls sitting outside on warm spring days chatting with classmates such as Lucybell Newlin Sellers, Betsy Petersen Clark and Joy Carpenter Chadwick, all of whom she is still in contact with regularly. “Coming to school here was totally eye-opening. I had never met anyone who had traveled before. Girls in my class had been to and were going to Europe—a place I had always dreamed of going to. I became interested in the arts—something I credit to my time at Agnes Irwin.” After graduating, Lamason attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she obtained her B.A. in American civilization. Lamason felt that Agnes Irwin prepared her both academically and socially for college. She also credits an assembly she attended as an underclassman at Agnes Irwin to her desire to go to New York City. She remembers listening to an alumna talk about her career in New York City and how exciting it seemed; so Lamason added that to her list of aspirations. Lamason joined the Lord and Taylor managerial training program based in New York City, where she lived and worked for two years. During her time in New York, Lamason met her husband and after they were married, she moved back to his native Scotland. The couple had five children, all of whom were born in Europe—where they still live today, three in Scotland and two in England. Lamason lived in Scotland for 25 years and goes back quite often. Since 2000, Lamason has been actively involved in CeaseFire PA, an organization that works statewide to reduce gun violence in the communities of Pennsylvania, keep guns out of the hands of those who should not have them and stop the flow of illegal guns within the state. Attending the Million Mom March in 2000 sparked her initial interest in the topic. Lamason joined a bus trip from Philadelphia organized by CeaseFire PA, whose leaders noticed Lamason’s enthusiasm for the cause and invited her to sit on their board. Lamason served as vice president of the organization for seven years and remains an active board member today. Lamason is passionate about spreading the word against gun violence, particularly because of the suicide rate among young people and domestic violence. CeaseFire PA participates in gun buyback days held in different areas throughout the state, during which police forces buy back guns from members of the community. Most recently, Lamason has started working one day a week for the Neighborhood League Shops in Wayne, PA. She also visits her children and 13 grandchildren quite frequently.
wonderful husband of 56 years, Jim, in May to prostate cancer re-appearance. I have sold the home we built 47 years ago and am moving to an apartment in Bryn Mawr with my two cats. It’s a great space with lots of sunlight which helps. My local daughter Karin and many friends are a huge support and help. Happily, I have had
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The Agnes Irwin School Magazine :: Spring 2014
a lot of interior design work helping friends move into retirement communities. I see Jessamine “Susy” Brandt, Julie Dill Williams and Nancy Hill Lamason and talk with Mary Lou Cowper LaGrasse. Josephine Chapman Borthwick ’54 writes, “After 24 years in Pinehurst, NC,
life is good. I play a lot of golf, join local tournaments and win more than my share of first and second prizes in my flight. I paint in oil, water color and soft pastel. I mostly sell portraits of both young children and teenagers. For 35 years, I have studied and grown orchids in both my small greenhouses. A thumb replacement has not slowed me down at all. I walk three dogs and care for my husband. I am a type-A personality!”
:: J osephine Chapman Borthwick ’54 near the Mayan ruins in Guatemala in 2013
Jessamine “Susy” Brandt ’54 is volunteering as a first grade teacher at the Cassidy School, a Philadelphia public school. She travels whenever she can and :: Jessamine Brandt ’54 recently took an Amsterdam and Norwegian cruise – through the fjords and up to Spritzberger.. Mary Cowper LaGrassa ’54 writes, “This chapter in ‘my book of life’ began when I married Joe in 2002 and moved to Ohio. I have five amazing grandchildren. They even made me begin to text message! I was told ‘GaGa you need to learn how to text, we never read our emails. The next week our new car arrived, which is nothing more than a computer on four wheels with a mouse! I am now fully tech-ed out and ready to go!” Anna Farnum Wood ’54 says, “Happy news! Two classmates, Deborah Dilworth Bishop and Julie Dill Williams, have moved to Beaumont (in Bryn Mawr), and it’s just wonderful to have them here. I also have some unhappy news. I will be in Boston in early May for a special family event and will not be able to come to Reunion. I’m really sorry to miss seeing ‘The Girls of ‘54’ and send my love and warm best wishes to one and all!”