Ann Tench Huml
P.O. Box 4039
Emerald Isle, NC 28594
ahuml@ec.rr.com
Jane Walshe McCracken and Jay celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at
a house in Yosemite for a week; their girls rented it for a family reunion/anniversary
party. They have five grandchildren and were expecting a sixth. The younger
members of the clan hiked the many trails within the park while Grandma and
Grandpa spent time reading on the deck. Jane and Jay were in New Hampshire
last fall for a memorial service for Jay’s dad. Even though the reason
for gathering was a solemn one, Jane says it was a beautiful time to be in
New Hampshire with the foliage at its peak.
Sue Katz Lieberman has a new granddaughter, Helen, who was born in April.
Sue and Ed loved having Helen all to themselves when the baby’s parents
took a week-long vacation to Rome. Sue and Ed have been to London and also
to Hawaii, where they shared a condo with their son and his family.
Mary Lott Haglund and Dave visited Bar Harbor, Maine, where they honeymooned
many years ago. They plan to take longer trips on their boat. They were eagerly
awaiting the birth of a second grandchild in March.
Donna Stevens Boyd e-mailed to update us on many of our classmates. She said
that Ashby and Sara were expecting a boy. Also, Donna had neck surgery in
January. Julia Shumaker Bailess reported that her son, Todd, who was at Barton
College with Ashby Boyd, is in law school at West Virginia University. Kay
Mizell Heppinstill had a total knee replacement last January. She retired
this year from teaching.
Edith Gilbert Smith continues her work as an advocate for military health
benefits. At a conference earlier this year, she led a session on survivor
benefits. Faye Greear Metzl passed her CPA exam at the age of 62 and plans
to get her license.
Carrie Lee Jacobs Henderson and Ted have moved to Keene, N.H.
She also has made a career shift. A marriage and family therapist for 37 years,
she has now started TLC Antiques and Appraisals and is studying to become
a certified appraiser. She skis twice a week and keeps in touch with Bonnie
Rovics Aberson.
Sheila Cooper-Hanna traveled to Ireland last July, and bought a house in the
village where Fergus comes from. They spent last Christmas in New York instead
of Ireland for the first time in three years.
Beverly Sulpice Persell was planning another trip to France. She and Bob also
visited their son and family in California during the summer. Louise Dunn
Fuqua was in hopes she soon would have another grandchild to spoil.
Joan Akers Rothgeb and Ed enjoyed a visit with Lucy Ritter Todd and her husband
in September 2003. Barbara Schwab “Schwabie” Jesser and Billy
joined them for dinner one night. Joan reported that she still hears from
Annie Lindgren Olwine in Vancouver, Washington. She also had the following
news: Bonnie Booker Kinzer has a beautiful grandbaby. Valiery “Val”
Hartsell has been in Guam for years, but her mother needs her so she moved
to Arkansas to take care of her.
Noel Sipple, Julia Shumaker Bailess, Diana Copple Smith, Dale Worsham Phillips
and Mary Sue Miller McDonald met in Roanoke for a visit. In July, Noel and
Julia flew to London for a week and then sailed home on the Queen Mary II.
Nancy Edwards Brockman was elected president of the National Society of Arts
and Letters. She also continues to enjoy her job as executive director of
the Piedmont Council of the Arts in Charlottesville, Va., and serves on the
Board of Virginians for the Arts and the regional concert series. Other news
includes the birth of her third grandchild.
Marcia Kirstein Fitzmaurice recently had lunch with Marilyne Schulman Rafal
and her husband, who were in town for a wedding. Marcia was undergoing a “nerve-wracking
kitchen renovation” at the time.
A kitchen renovation also has consumed the life of Nancy O’Neal Robinson
of Walnut Creek, Calif. She continues to keep busy with church and other volunteer
work. Robbie’s mother passed away recently, so he no longer makes the
monthly commute back to New York to help out. Nancy’s mother was approaching
her 101st birthday! She lives in a health-care facility in Florida.
Lois Hartman visited with family members and friends on the West Coast last
fall. She went to Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Arizona.
Helen Alexion James was looking forward to the wedding of youngest daughter
Nichole in July. Mary Wolff Maddrey Isenhour has given up her post as president
of the Friends of the Library, but she still is active in library fund-raising.
In March, Jerry and I returned to Berlin. We had a wonderful reunion with
German friends, saw all the changes that reunification has brought to the
city, and walked under the Brandenberg Gate. We also enjoyed a visit to the
Allied Museum prior to its official opening. My painting continues to give
me joy and a little monetary success.