CLASS news well. Susan remembers Marcia as a best friend, bridesmaid in Susan’s wedding and travel partner. Reflecting on Marcia’s 20-year, off-again/ on-again battle against breast cancer, Susan reminds us that Marcia was such a strong, beautiful person but it was her deep faith that kept her even stronger. Gail Shackelford Narron reports in just in the nick of time. You never know where Gaily Sue is living, Smithfield during the off-season (baseball) or in gosh, is it Milwaukee? Heck, I can’t remember. Anyway, wherever it is that husband Johnny is a baseball coach. Sorry, Gail. Gail and Johnny celebrated the marriage of their daughter, Jane Royall, to Andrew Yarborough in November 2015. Jane and Andrew are living in Durham, and I was fortunate enough to get to see Jane and Gail before the big day. I also was called upon to round up a babysitter for a niece, which I was so happy to do. Gail’s other two daughters, Julia and Holden Royall ’00 are both doing well and working and living in the area. As for moi, our main news I guess is that our sons are both in the U.S.A. Our Peace Corps son Robbie (Rob as we are now suppose to call him) is relocating from Boston to good old North Carolina as I type. Soccer is his passion, so Robbie has been working in various capacities of soccer, hoping to land a scouting position within an upper level soccer organization. Davis finished his MBA in the spring of 2015, while being a graduate assistant for the Lincoln Memorial University men’s basketball team in Harrogate, Tenn. (don’t ask me, Google it). Davis has now been promoted to “first” assistant coach, which comes with full-time benefits. PTL! I love keeping in touch with all of my peeps from Saint Mary’s. Life is still good in Chapel Hill/Chatham County. I continue to use laughter as my medicine for old age and depression - a little wine helps too. No daughters-in-law and no grandkids as of yet, but I will shout from the rooftop when that does happen for Rob and me. Until then, I’ll keep enjoying life, loving my family and
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Saint Mary’s School | www.sms.edu
friends and being eternally grateful for this special place we all have had the privilege of being a part of - Saint Mary’s. Love, Melrose
1974
HIGH SCHOOL Catherine Blankenship ’74HS ’76C Janie Cameron Wagstaff is still running back and forth from Durham (Monday through Friday) to their Person County farm on weekends. She is president and founder of Issues Confronting Our Nation (ICON) lecture series in Durham and Chapel Hill, a non-profit 501(c)3 which is now planning a fourth season. She invites anyone in the triangle area: www. iconlectureseries.com. Son Jack (John Jr.) is a College of Charleston 2015 magna cum laude graduate with a double major in business administration and Spanish. He is currently in the Durham Police Department academy. (Cue proud mom!) Husband John, a CPA, is now working for Cherry Beckaert and Holland LLP in Durham. Serendipity: Lindy Edwards Muse has moved into Janie’s neighborhood. She loves seeing her! Beverly Stoney Johnson lives in Charleston and writes, “I would love to catch up with friends if you are in the Flat Rock area during the summer months.”
1976 COLLEGE
Bess Knotts Walker ’76C Jill Ciccone Pike writes that she is enjoying being a grandmother to Liam (2) and is excited about what the future will hold with more! She is still enjoying her art business, Ciccone Art. She tries to see Beth Justesen VanNortwick whenever possible. Laura Frazier Norman has all of her family on the east coast and is happy about that! Daughter Sally is in Boston, and son Dean is still in New York City. On a sad note, Laura and husband Dean both lost their mothers within four months of each other. Laura's
mother was a Saint Mary's girl, Laura Hays Frazier ’50HS ’52C. Laura and Dean have recently purchased a “lock and leave” condo in Wrightsville Beach. Laura still plays a lot of golf and duplicate bridge. She sends happy birthday wishes to all turning that big 60 this year. Sandy Sherrill Womble checked off a biggie on her bucket list. She visited Australia and New Zealand in 2015. Sandy is very active in historic preservation in her hometown. Working on her art, Sandy has begun a painting project of the historic properties listed in her town. Catherine Joyner Hoft writes that she and Randy are enjoying having all three girls living and working in Raleigh. They spend a lot of time with them and their two grandchildren. Catherine and Randy celebrated 35 years of marriage in November. Gayle McConnell Tallardy writes that she is coming home! She and husband Carl are building a house in Charlotte, where Gayle's sister, Coco McConnell Killian '72HS, lives. Her dad is still living in her hometown of Davidson and her brother is in Huntersville. Welcome back to North Carolina! Susan Bridger Ricks had a great September vacation in Greece! Said she gained weight (I doubt it) from all the delicious food! Her son, Hunter, lives in Philadelphia, and they recently visited and attended an Philadelphia Eagles football game. Jane Johnson Brady writes with happy news! Her daughter Trina married Cahill Hooker on Jan. 2 in Raleigh. Cahill is from Dallas, Texas, and they met at Fordham University. They will live in Fort Worth. Jane says it is awesome being a MOB! Leesa Lybrook Goodson is a grandmother of twins, Louise and Jim, and she is having so much fun. She and husband Tom are traveling more. They have just recently returned from a threeweek trip to Africa that she said was the “best trip ever.” Mazie Swindell Smith is enjoying retirement on their farm in Swan Quarter. She spends a lot of time caring for her 93-year-old father, pursuing her hobbies of crafting, photography, and traveling with her husband. Next year will be spent