Class of 1954 (55th reunion) (L to R) Row 1: Marilyn Bennett Edwards; Joyce Paris; Martha Jean Laslie Woodward Row 2: Joan Clements Holland; Harriett Willis Bevil; Leah Wallat Odden Row 3: Natholyn “Nan” Miller Freeman; Athelyn Wade Buttrill; Jeannine Hinson Smith; Marcia Mallet Ades Row 4: Ruth White Fruit; Ann Parsons Odum; Nell Warren Hicks; Natalie Brewton Barfield.
of my work at Ocmulgee Art Gallery. The highlight of the fall was my trip to Italy, sponsored by the Wesleyan Alumnae Association. The Smithsonian tour featured the art masterpieces of Rome, Florence, and Tuscan villages. There I gleaned material for the Italian paintings I completed during the winter. This spring I participated in a number of art exhibits and festivals. I enjoy working in my home studio, as well as at our house in the North Georgia mountains. Mickey and I continue to be active at Mulberry UMC, where he teaches Sunday School. We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in April. The real celebration was in June when our two sons, their wives, and our four grandchildren were here in Macon.” According to Mary Parrish Sanders ’59 of Warner Robins, GA, “the last 10 years of retirement (after 31 years teaching middle school) has been grand. All four grandchildren are within an hour’s drive and closer. Billy and I are always anticipating the next visit! We are thankful every day for excellent health and ‘severe’ happiness.” Dr. Anne Ricketson Zahlan ’59 has recently retired from Eastern Illinois University. She and her husband, David, have moved to Charlotte, NC, to be near their beautiful granddaughters, Iman and Soraya Lahbabi.
1960s
Tena Roberts ’60, Gloria Boyette ’60, Betsy Palmer Smith ’60, and Martha Bell Lewis ’60 joined Kay Carroll Barnes ’60 at her home in Woodbury, GA, during the Christmas holidays for their annual “gathering of Green Knights.” Kay writes, “We had a great time together. This is the fifth year we have celebrated!” Maryann Bass Chapman ’60 has retired as associate pastor of Northside 48
UMC in Atlanta. Her husband, Jim, is still CEO of Chapman Coyle Chapman, Architects. They enjoy having two new grandchildren - Jim and Katherine Chapman have Martha Mundy “Mimi” Chapman (2) and James Bass Chapman II “J.B.”(6 months). Patricia “Patty” Shriver Mancuso ’60 celebrated her 70th birthday in style with a Houseparty in Littleton, CO, that included Class of ’60 freshman Karen Widdowson (Hunt), Betsy Bishop (Shipley), Richie Stiles (Whitaker), Winifred “Winkie Nesbitt (Game) and Mary Amerson Willingham (Burt). Their unofficial Houseparty portrait included a fun photo of the “girls” wearing hats with a cut line that read, “Goofing off in our hats – feeling 18 instead of 70!” The Wesleyan College Alumnae Association would like to thank Guilia LaCagnina Saucier ’60 of Hattiesburg, MS, for donating a copy of her book, Missed Generation, to Wesleyan in remembrance of Miss Munck’s dedicated teaching. Mary Ann Hawkins Collins ’61 lives in Roswell, GA, and would love to hear from her Wesleyan classmates in the area. “Just email stonesmom@ gmail.com. Hope to hear from you.” Janice McCord Doe ’61 of Alexandria, VA, writes about the wonderful Mediterranean cruise that she and husband Frank took during August ’08. She said that their favorite and most impressive port was Monte Carlo, but they also enjoyed ports in Italy, Spain, northern Africa and Sicily. RE/MAX Atlanta announced its first class of “Ultimate Agents” and Jean Cain Gaddis ’61 of Norcross, GA, is among its members. As a member of this group of established real estate agents who completed intense coursework designed to propel high-earners to a new level, Jean and others will benefit
from their new experience and status. Her company, Gaddis Partners, is a top 20 RE/MAX in GA. “Werner and I vacationed in Alaska via land and sea last summer,” reports Andrea Morris Gruhl ’61 from Columbia, MD. “I stay busy with the United Nation Association of the National Capital Area (VP and Secretary) and also with local, state, and regional League of Women Voters. I coordinate quarterly meetings of seniors in my Lutheran Church and nearby Episcopal Church. I am also active in three chamber music societies.” In Fall 2008, Dr. Sheila Leto Scott ’61 of DeFuniak Springs, FL, served as a volunteer for Children’s Disaster Service (a ministry of Church of the Brethren) at shelters for Hurricane Gustav in Alexandria, LA, and Hurricane Ike in Houston and Galveston, TX. She writes, “We set up special areas in the shelters where children can be children – playing and doing art, etc. This respite also helped stressed parents.” Nancy Bowden Wiley ’61 of Dunwoody, GA, writes that she and her friend took a whirlwind trip to Pigeon Forge, TN, in December. “We saw five shows in three days! We stayed at The Inn at Christmas Place, where the decorations were fantastic. Very enjoyable experience!” Ellen Weldon Dukes ’62 of Austell, GA, is a longtime member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus. In May 2008 she enjoyed a chorus trip to Berlin, where the chorus sang the Requiem by Berlioz with the Berlin Philharmonic. It was the second invitation; the chorus previously having sung with the Philharmonic in 2003. Charlotte Jolly Hale ’62 recently left the mountains and moved to the suburbs of Marietta, GA, to be near her only grandchild, Declan Clifford Hale. She writes, “I get to keep him two happy
days a week! I have also joined Sandy Springs Christian Church and am enjoying retirement and volunteering.” “My husband Jack and I enjoy hosting guests at our tea room called SereniTea. We serve by reservations only. After the article ‘A Taste for Tea’ was published in the May ’08 issue of Guideposts, we have had many guests from other areas visit us for high tea and afternoon tea - some have been Wesleyannes!” reports Dottie Rhoden Hicks ’62 from Cobbtown, GA. Rhoda Morrison Joyner ’62 of Decatur, GA, pays tribute to two special Wesleyannes, Peggy McKinney Youngblood ’61 and Joyce Paris ’54. “Peggy and I grew up in Decatur and she convinced me to choose Wesleyan as my college. Joyce celebrated her 55th reunion this year and received an alumnae award. I was fortunate enough to serve under Joyce’s leadership when she was principal at Glennwood School in City Schools of Decatur, GA. She is absolutely an outstanding educator and made my years teaching at Glennwood a joy. I am so pleased she was honored,” writes Rhoda. Reporting from Littleton, CO, Marybelle Proctor Menzel ’62 writes, “In November 2008, along with several ‘sister’ Wesleyan alumnae from several classes, I enjoyed a fun-filled tour of Central Italy sponsored by the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association. We experienced Rome, Florence, and a number of beautiful hill towns such as Assisi, Montepulciano, Lucca, Orvieto, and Perugia. This trip was a fabulous adventure combining history, art, and great food! Zack and Beth Wilson Arnold ’63 enjoy retirement living in Lilburn, GA. “After working as an elementary school media specialist, I now have time to return to the visual arts and to painting. I also have more time for our two