Class of 1948 6 0 t h r e u n i o n (L to R) Row 1: Polly Phelps Deck, Jean Cowart Fleming, Kathy Thomasson Malone, Rhett Jenkins Smith, Corky Dessau Holliday. Row 2: Liz Hean Stone, Annie Anderson Jones, Jane Mobley Dickey, Rose Crockett McRae, Anice Willcox McArthur, Rosaline Gilmore Burt.
Tonnie Austin Paige Rushing ’62 lives in Hartwell, GA, and has very fond memories of her days at Wesleyan. “My husband and I spent a delightful evening with Julianne ‘Julie’ Snelling Blanks ’62 and her husband, Ross, in Christchurch, New Zealand, this spring,” writes Harriet Holland Schmitt ’62 from Kailua-Kona, HI.
1963 (45th Reunion)
With 45 years of memories to share, Golden Hearts from the Class of 1963 took advantage of every minute to “catch up” during Alumnae Weekend. Class President, Reunion Chair and Class Liaison Karen Connor Shockley made sure GHs had a fun-filled and memorable weekend. Lynda Brinks Pfeiffer and Karen presented the class gift at the annual meeting. Cecilia McDaniel Brock ’63 of Florence, KY, sends an update. “I am a retired teacher and live in Florence, KY. Daughter Rebekah lives in Florence and has two daughters: Cathryn (10) and Caroline (9). Don, Jr., lives in Dahlonega, GA, and has two children: Don, III (8) and Isabella Mae (5). Michael lives in Blufton, SC, and has two sons: Michael Noah (7) and John ‘Jack’ Hartley (3).” Cecelia earned two graduate degrees: a M.C.E. from Emory University in 1965, and an M.A. in commercial journalism from Murray State University (KY) in 1987. Peggy Craig Bryant ’63 realized a lifelong dream in January 2008 when she visited Israel. Back home in Cumming, GA, she has retired from teaching but still substitutes. “In May 2007, I retired as activities director of Carestone at Mt. Zion, an assisted living community. I enjoy volunteering with various groups in Henry County and marketing (part time!) with Home Helpers. We have four grandchildren in Atlanta: Jackson (4), Anne Clark (2½), Olivia (15 months), and Lanier 7 months. Such joy!” notes Helen Gnann Byars ’63 of McDonough, GA. 38
Mary Jean Campbell ’63 of Brunswick, GA, has a WESLEYAN FIRST. She has the distinction of being the oldest lady to graduate from the CADD program (Coastal GA College Architectural Design) in 2002. Judy Woodward Gregory ’63 of Quincy, FL, is proud of her seven wonderful grandchildren, age 6 and under: Mary Scott, Chapman, Munroe, Harry, Bates, Sarah Wren, and Helen Spain. She writes, “I love living in the Bahamas at the Man-O-War near Marsh Harbour part of the year. I also love living on the family farm, just .3 miles from my mother, Julia Munroe Woodward ’34, who was 94 in July. I’m thankful for Scott and good health.” Judy earned a master’s degree in Christian education (Presbyterian School of CE). She also has some WESLEYAN FIRSTS, as the first woman elected to an office (Deacon) at First Presbyterian Church in Quincy and first woman to chair the Board of Deacons there. Judy is also a Wesleyan Trustee. Mary Goss Hughes ’63 of Auxvasse, MO, was excited to be a delegate to the Missouri State Democratic Convention in May 2008. “My husband and I enjoyed visits in recent months with classmates Bitsy Wingfield Dick ’63, Molly Ray Wainwright ’63, and Lynda Brinks Pfeiffer ’63. Charlotte Thomas Marshall ’63 of Athens, GA, remembers the late Sara Anne Williams Stephens ’65. “We became friends here in Athens through the Junior Assembly, now Junior League. She succeeded me as president in 1979. Sara Anne was talented, intelligent, capable, generous, and a boon companion.” Tommie Sue MontgomeryAbrahams ’63 lives in Canada in New Castle, ON, where she spends retirement traveling and occasionally “working” as an on-board lecturer for HollandAmerica Cruise ships. She received a Ph.D. in politics from NYU and is the author of four books, that include Peacekeeping and Democratization in Latin America (2000) and O Revolucao Salvadorao, published in Brazil in 2007.
Alumna Trustee Virginia Barber Perkins ’63 and husband Earle traveled to upstate New York in July to attend the Chautauqua Institution. “This will be our third time to go and we just love it,” writes Virginia. Of course the BIG news for the Tallahassee, FL, residents is that they were first time grandparents this past summer. John Earle Perkins V was born on July 29, 2008, to son John and daughter-in-law Christa, who live in Denver, CO. “Greetings and best wishes to my Golden Heart classmates! I was sorry to miss our reunion, as it surely was fun for all. Ed and I stay busy with church and community activities. We’re enjoying retirement!” writes Rebecca Bullard Powers ’63 from Shreveport, LA. Renate Butler Ryan ’63 of Miami, FL, is an interior designer whose projects include homes and condos in the Miami area, New York, and Boston. Daughter Erica (a pre-school teacher) and her husband live in Sebastian, FL, with her three children. Son Keith served in Afghanistan and Iraq and received a Bronze Star and V for Valor from the President. “We were able to attend the special private ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House. Keith’s wife commands the U.S.S. Curts, which was recently named ‘Best Frigate in the Navy,’” writes Renate. Renate earned an M.A. in interior design from Harvard University and has several WESLEYAN FIRSTS, including being selected to be among the first 25 women to enter Harvard University’s masters program in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. She was also the first woman to be elected president of the board of directors of the Dranoff International Two Piano Competition, and was the first woman to be admitted to the Men’s Opera Guild of Miami. In Columbia, SC, Ann Ewing Shumaker ’63 is enjoying her two granddaughters: Amanda (9) and Sarah (6). Daughter Elizabeth is teaching at Cairo Middle School as a 6th L.D. inclusion teacher. After teaching for 38 years, Ann has retired. She earned a
master’s degree from the University of South Carolina in 1972. “I retired from teaching (30 years) in Dekalb County. I enjoy volunteering and spending time at Lake Lanier with or without its water,” writes Joyce Brandon Starr ’63 of Atlanta. She’s been retired since 2004 and Sally Irwin Williams ’63 of Simpsonville, SC, says she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and not getting up at 5 a.m. “My husband retired early from General Electric and is self-employed. Now I am his ‘worthy assistant,’ as needed.” Catherine Astin Armstrong ’64 has published an important historic biography, William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, after twelve years of research. It will soon be available to college and university libraries online. She has compiled an extensive genealogy for the book. Catherine was invited to present her work during the 800th anniversary of the establishment of County Ross in Ireland and prepared a special edition for the library there. She also has monographs in the French Archives on several significant historic figures from the 12th century. This biography includes several discoveries not found in any extant work on William Marshal. It is an excellent source for English and Irish medieval history for the years 1100 to 1245 and an aid for anyone interested in genealogical research. Lorinda Lou Beller ’64 of Staten Island, NY, had a wonderful ski trip to Colorado in March 2008. “Kelley Southerland ’92 came from Denver to ski with us for a couple days. She looks great and has just opened her OWN law firm,” says Lou. Lou also served as an alumna hostess for the 2008 Leadership Institute reception in New York. Glenda Barrett Bull ’64 says she loves being a grandmother. Recently she enjoyed meeting Loutricia Carter Stephens ’64 and her husband, Johnny, in Greenwood, SC. Glenda’s son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Shannon Bull, were selected as 2007 outstanding young alumni of Brewton-Parker