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UMW Today - Winter 2005
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class notes 1944



Phyllis Quimby Anderson
P.O. Box 164
Westminster, VT 05158-0164
pqhndson@sover.net

From outgoing Class Agent Nettie Evans Lawrey:

It was a chilly and rainy weekend, but about 20 of us arrived at Mary Washington around noon on Friday, June 4. Even though some classmates had to cancel, we were very excited about seeing the old friends who made it for our 60th.

Because she was experiencing severe back pain, Marilyn Price Heady had to immediately fly home to New York to see her doctor. Elizabeth Phillips Roe’s new grandchild was being christened at her house that weekend, and the entire family would be there. Bertha “Mac” McPhail Johnson had hoped to come, but was still recuperating from hip replacement surgery. Merle Updike Davis sent an e-mail saying she was thinking back to June 1944. She sent best wishes to all members of the class. We missed all of you who could not make it.

Christine Vassar Crute and Jean DeShazo Flemer co-chaired our class event and party. They did a tremendous job and put a lot of work into it. They called many of you to see how you are and what you are doing. They arranged a dinner for us on Friday and had more good food for the class meeting. They also arranged with Hampton Inn for us to use their hospitality room as our central meeting place. This was great!

Nancy Duval Andrews presented everyone with a beautiful fan and a poem that read:
“We were enlightened by professors
And friendships with the girls.
So now we have earned peace and quiet.
Open this fan with smiles and tears
And rock with memories —
An MWC girl you’ll always be
From now to eternity.”


Jean then continued our class meeting with the election of officers for the next five years. Elizabeth “Jean” Wade Otte and Dorothy Drake Grothusen volunteered to co-chair our class activities at the next reunion in five years.

In other news, Jean Adie Mogavero reported that she had read Dr. Alvey’s history of Mary Washington College. Amazed by all the research that went into it, she said it was a trip back in time. Ruth Samuel “Sammie” Legnini is trying to readjust following the death of her husband, Rom. While there are many great memories, she has no desire to travel as she once did.

Virginia Hawley Butler said the most exciting thing to happen in her family was the birth of her third great-grandson. She gets to see him often because his family lives nearby. Virginia went to Scottsdale, Ariz., last fall with her daughter and husband. Last Christmas, she enjoyed her annual trip to New York City with five friends. They saw Beauty and the Beast and went to the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall, but the real excitement was getting stranded at LaGuardia Airport when the big snow hit the East Coast. They spent two nights there trying to sleep in their chairs.

Marguerite Klenck Lovejoy spent last Christmas in Seattle with her children. Elizabeth Cumby Murray and family are busy doing interesting things and having a good time. Frances Tracy has had a pacemaker installed and was absolutely enthralled by this little thing about the size of the smallest Post-it note.

Virginia Pumphrey Webb welcomed the rainy weather and a road-widening project, which brought sidewalks to her neighborhood. She also tackled home-improvement projects.

Jane Brownley Thomas’ son passed away. She says they are coping, but it is very hard to bury a child. Hazel “Tommy” Strong Morris has had some health problems. Frances Plunkett Knox and Bill have moved from their lake home to be near their three children in the Twin Cities.

As for me, I have done some sightseeing around Washington, D.C. – toured Hillwood Gardens, went to see The Producers at the Kennedy Center and visited the new World War II Memorial. I have enjoyed being your Class Agent and have loved all the mail I received. I only ask that you remain as loyal to Phyllis. Fond regards to everyone.