Class Notes
Calculating the benefit of an AIS education If you ask Barbara Gibbons Beucler ’64, she would say that an Agnes Irwin education provides its graduates with the tools and skills they need to succeed in the business world – problem solving, people skills, perseverance, organizational skills, attention to detail and, perhaps most importantly, being able to write in a concise, clear manner. She says that the writing, speaking and grammatical skills developed throughout an education at Agnes Irwin are truly exemplary, and that these skills allow a graduate to excel in myriad fields, including entrepreneurship, as Barb did. Like most, if not all, AIS graduates, Beucler departed from Agnes Irwin excited to continue her studies in college. Barb began as a math major at Connecticut College in New London, CT, eventually zeroing in on Spanish as her primary focus of study. “The only problem with that grand plan was that Cupid intervened when I met my future husband up in Maine after my freshman year, and after a few more semesters relocated to be closer and get married – not exactly the traditional profile of today’s AIS graduates,” said Beucler. “But the Vietnam War was well underway and somehow other priorities took precedent.” When her children were in elementary school, Beucler re-entered the workforce in 1976 when her husband, Dwight, launched his own CPA practice after several years with Arthur Anderson & Co. In 1985, her husband merged his practice with another colleague and founded the CPA firm of Beucler, Kelly & Irwin, Ltd. She has worked at the firm for the last 29 years in a variety of capacities – being mostly self-taught, learning “by osmosis an immense amount about the world of public accounting, and applying the foundational skills from her Agnes Irwin days. Beucler said that serving as the editor of The Lamp during her senior year gave her the best possible practical experience for successfully running a business. “I learned first-hand the value of being organized, managing people, meeting deadlines, and raising advertising revenue to cover publishing costs,” she said. All of these traits have helped her with a multitude of responsibilities, including managing HR/Benefits packages for employees, time and billing, collections, monthly financial reporting, payroll, tax tracking, 1040 tax preparation, banking relations, and dealing with third-party plan administrators, as well as clients and vendors. Beucler has learned first-hand that entrepreneurs must have a very committed work ethic because they traditionally have so much at risk, and that observing the growth and loyalty of the client baser over the years has been the most gratifying aspect of her work.
I can only tell you that I am doing whatever I like whenever I like, and the time still manages to fly by. Colin and I continue to sail around the British Virgin Islands each spring and spend every September with our three goldens on Belgrade Lake in Maine. I’ve been a member of the AIS Alumnae Association Executive Committee for the last three years and am really enjoying reconnecting with the school and meeting some amazing women at the same time. I’ve been having a blast compiling our 50th Reunion book and am so excited at
the prospect of seeing so many classmates again at our OMG-50th Reunion in May!” Daille Reeve Sharpless ’64 “Where has the time gone and how can it be possible that fifty years have passed since we walked down the aisle at Goodhart Hall!? Bobby and I have been married for 43 years and have three boys, Toby, 39; Mike, 35; and Christopher, 33. Toby and his wife, Ashleigh, are the proud parents of our precious granddaughter Savannah, who turns three in March. Toby and
Mike have their own business, Sharpless Brothers Construction, doing building and remodeling throughout the Main Line. Mike just got married this past June and he and his adorable wife, Esther, are expecting their first baby in July. Christopher and his darling wife, Lindsay, were married in March on Sunset Key, a gorgeous little island located just off Key West, FL. They too are expecting and the baby, a little girl, is due mid-January. Our lives are full of so many blessings, and I love all these babies coming. For the past twenty years, I’ve worked at the Mock Fox Interiors in Haverford - the site of the John Poteat Collection. I manage the shop and enjoy the creativity and people who flow in and out the door. Bobby is semi-retired and we usually spend the month of March in Vero Beach, FL. This year however, we will be home welcoming babies. Looking forward to seeing everyone in May!”
:: J oan Ardis Carlisle ’54, Louise Buonassisi and Daille Reeves Sharpless ’64 at the wedding of Daille’s son Mike and his bride, Esther
:: D aille Sharpless celebrates the wedding of her son Chris and his bride Lindsay. Pictured left to right: Bob Sharpless, Daille Sharpless, Mike Sharpless, Esther Sharpless, Lindsay Sharpless, Ashleigh Sharpless and Toby Sharpless
Susanne Browne Sprouse ’64 says. “Fifty years is hard to believe! Looking forward to seeing everyone at the 50th Reunion. I suddenly have lots of time on my hands. Both of us are retired, myself as a childcare administrator, and my husband, Tim, as an RN. We now love to
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