Dorothy Held Gawley
177 McCosh Road
Montclair, NJ 07043
dnigawley@juno.com
Connie Metzger Verlander and Joe, from Altamonte Spring, Fla., celebrated
their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They also spent time on Sanibel
Island and Cocoa Beach. Their family organized their yearly fireworks display.
Clelia Boushee Bullard in Jacksonville, Fla., and her family are having health
problems, unfortunately. Clelia was diagnosed with low-grade lymphoma and
her condition is being monitored. Husband Ray continues to have heart problems
and was scheduled for further treatment. Daughter Molly was undergoing breast
cancer treatments.
Jackie Newell Recker and Len in Ponte Vedra, Fla., had a quiet year as Len
had an eye operation. They did manage a South American cruise.
Garland “Dorsey” Estes McCarthy from Humble, Texas, took trips
to Aruba and the Caymans. She and her daughter visited the Mary Washington
campus in October 2003.
From Jekyll Island, Ga., Gerry Boswell Griffin reported that her travels this
year included a short tour of the mountains of West Virginia, which featured
a jet boat ride and a tour of the formerly secret relocation shelter at The
Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs.
Virginia Hardy Vance is researching her Virginia relatives and is sure that
she is distantly related to some of our classmates. Husband Paul had a pacemaker
implanted without any problems. In Benzonia, Mich., Rosemary Miller is assistant
conductor of her church choir and the local symphony. Her 75th birthday was
celebrated with her brother, sister and cousins, and their families.
Nell Grieve Swanson and “Swanee” celebrated their 50th anniversary
this summer. Nell was hoping to meet with Betty Gavett Breeden in San Diego.
Betty did meet with Joe, Barbara Lloyd Hiller and Jim in March. Lloydie’s
granddaughter’s synchronized ice skating team from Western Michigan
University was competing in San Diego for the national championships. Lloydie
is active in the Women’s Club in State College, Pa. “Gavett’s”
recent news was that she had a bilateral total knee replacement just before
the holidays last year.
Barbara and Jim also lunched with the late Rachel Morgenthaler’s husband,
Skip. He is living in Maryland and Florida and keeps up with his friends and
family in various locations; of course, he really misses “Nickey.”
Nat Wilton in Bellevue, Wash., contacts Mary Cottingham Hardy Warren from
time to time. Back surgery kept Elsie Davidson Floyd close to home in Buena
Vista, Va., last year, but things are better now and she was looking forward
to the wedding of her grandson in Richmond. She still keeps up with some of
her church activities. She hears from Margaret Smith Emmons occasionally.
Nan Riley Pointer and Joe had a 12-day cruise in August 2003 to Norway, Sweden,
Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Germany and Russia.
Billie Mitchell Hanes in Virginia Beach lost power during Hurricane Isabel,
but neighbors organized nightly potluck suppers by candlelight. Billie has
had eye problems – wet macular degeneration at its worst – but
has had four surgeries to restore some of her peripheral vision. Her dear
Mary Washington friends Marcy Weatherly Morris, Anne “Ozzie” Osborn
Cox, Bobbie Booker Palmer and Nat Wilton were all very supportive with cards
and phone calls during this time. She and Dick have eight grandchildren; Marcy
and Juney have seven great-grandchildren!
Horse show season kept Carol Bailey Miller busy. Unfortunately, husband Bill
has been having health problems.
Marge Diener Knapp and Fred downsized to a condo in West Chester, Pa. Marge
had a heart attack in 2001, but is doing well and remains active in her church
and with Meals on Wheels.
In Bethlehem, Pa., Mary Mount Lind was hoping to get together with Eleanor
Sullivan Lewis, who lives in Allentown. Mary and Dick traveled to Eastern
Europe recently.
Barbara Birkenmeyer Mader and Bill’s daughter was married last October.
Barbara and Bill celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August and have
been doing some home refurbishing. Barb is still in real estate appraising.
Jean Sprower Hampton and Ruth Maynard Nuhn had a great lunch get-together
in Old Saybrook, Conn. Mim Sollows Wieland and Earl had a wonderful 50th anniversary
in which all their family members took part.
I had an interesting experience while touring the Daniel Boone Homestead in
Pennsylvania: Our tour guide turned out to be a 2001 Mary Washington graduate.
I end with a few words of sympathy to the families of our most recent deceased
members: Shirley Cole Schleter, Beth Dawideit Gravatt and Julia Ould Geiger.
It is always sad to hear about the passing of our dear friends.