Class of 1974 (40th reunion) (L-R) Row 1: Gwen Ingram Kedzierski, Judy Hoffman; Sandra Duke Sallee, Patricia Stillwagon Kessler, Penny Thomas Row 2: Connie Crauswell Kemph, Martha Johnson, Debbie Doyle Edenfield, Hazel Burns Struby, Licia Drinnon Jackson Row 3: Beverly Hinely MacMahon, Becca Watson Dempsey, Elizabeth Bridge Risch, Carol Brown Sherrod, Marti Andrews Willis
Kathy Russell Leysath ’74 of Evans, GA, graduated early in 1973 but considers herself a ’74 PK. “PKs all the way!” Beverly Hinely MacMahon ’74 is a retired school psychologist. She spends her time in Punta Gorda, FL, playing French horn in the Charlotte County Concert Band, serving as co-captain of her tennis team, and cruising with husband Mark on their American Tug 34. They went on an African Safari in 2013 to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Elizabeth “Betty” Bridge Risch ’74 of West Sacramento, CA, says she is “just happy to be here!” Elizabeth’s husband, Steven, died on April 18, 2013. (See Sympathy) So glad to see the PKs who were at reunion,” writes Sandra Duke Sallee ’74. Sandra is a retired librarian (in 2005 from the Georgia Public school system). She enjoys visiting her children and reports, “No grandchildren yet but I have lots of grand dogs and cats!” Rev. Felecia Pearson Smith ’74 of Atlanta was sorry to miss reunion. “I trust that my 40th reunion was a success!” Felecia also shares her WESLEYAN FIRST story. “Wesleyan during the 70s was an interesting time for me. I grew and I was stretched. I am thankful for men like Dr. Harry Gilmer, Dr. Walter Brown, and Dr. Jacob Quiambo. I entered seminary because of these men and started my journey to being the first African American woman 60
to graduate with a Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Dr. Brown took me and another student to Emory and my journey started. It was not an easy journey, but because of their support in those early and trying years at Wesleyan, I was able to navigate turbulent waters.” Hazel Burns Struby ’74 lives in Gray, GA, and works at Central Georgia Technical College in Macon as assistant vice-president for academic affairs. Our thanks to Hazel for serving as her class reunion chair. Penny Thomas ’74 lives in Newnan, GA, and works in Sharpsburg, GA, as a music teacher and national board certified teacher at Thomas Crossroads Elementary. Her spare time is devoted to her jewelry business, Blue Melody Designs. Penny also sold her jewelry at the Alumnae Marketplace during reunion. Tina Farkas Williams ’74 of Tallahassee, FL, misses her mother, Betty Anderson Farkas ’42, who died peacefully in her sleep on October 14, 2013. Granddaughter Elizabeth Hollingsworth Hages and great granddaughter Colette Hollingsworth Hages also miss her dearly. (See Sympathy, Winter 2013) “Wesleyan connections are strong! We recently reunited with two Janes - Jane Kirkland Carter ’76 and Jane Gregg Wehrle ’76 - in Boston with their husbands. Both visits
were so special and very long in coming” writes Patti Henry ’76 from Wellesley, MA. Janet Rumler Brooks ’78 of Simpsonville, SC, will retire in June 2014 after 34 years of teaching children. “I am looking forward to hanging out with my husband, Ron. We want to travel and spend time with family.” “With our children grown and most of the grandchildren as well, we spend a great deal of time traveling – seeing the rest of the USA and as much of the world as possible,” reports Mary McMillan Mancin ’78 of Bartow, GA.
1979
(35th Reunion) Golden boas and Hollywood sunglasses adorned members of the Class of 1979 who pushed the meaning of fashion forward to the max during Alumnae Weekend. Reunion Chair Jackie Webb Bullard and reunion committee members Nadine Cheek, Sally Anderson Hemingway, and Kay Appling King pulled out all the stops to get a record crowd of GHs back to campus. Classmates applauded Nadine Cheek’s performance at the Celebration Concert and gave a GH “shout out” when recognized at the Annual Meeting. Celebrating 35 years of sisterhood with back-toback parties at La Quinta Inn never felt better, and classmates reported their “jade” reunion as one of their “best reunions ever!”
“We were blessed in December 2013 with a beautiful granddaughter! She makes us smile everyday,” reports Lynne Anthoine Hueglin ’79 from Roanoke, VA. “After an 18 year career in the corporate world, I retired to raise my two daughters. Both are graduating this May – Hayley from Samford University and Ashley from Wesleyan School. Ashley will attend Clemson University in the fall. Jim and I are looking forward to being empty-nesters! I have been a 2nd grade teaching assistant at Wesleyan School in Norcross, GA, for the past eight years and have taught with Mary Helen Johnson ’64,” writes Judy Sanders Hughes ’79. Judy has a WESLEYAN FIRST as the first woman director of risk management - BellSouth Corporation (19891998). Rebecca Tuten McClain ’79 is the CFO for Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools. She also serves as organist at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Husband Ray is active as a timpanist for the Savannah Philharmonic and plays for other area musical organizations. They have two sons, Chris (24), who starts police academy training soon, and Matthew (19), who plays electric guitar and works in the food industry. Natalie Anderson Rauch ’79 traveled from Kansas to Georgia to be with her Wesleyan sisters! Her husband serves as an Army chaplain stationed at Ft. Riley.