Academic EXCELLENCE | Personal ACHIEVEMENT | SUMMER 2019
A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE, PARENTS, AND FRIENDS
Momentum builds for campaign
Board of Trustees 2019-2020 Officers Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS,Chair Elizabeth M. Roberts, Vice Chair Carter Warren Franke ’75HS ’77C, Secretary Stephen F. Later, Treasurer
Members At-Large Gloria Taft Becker ’92HS (2020), Raleigh, North Carolina Brooks Bell (2021), Raleigh, North Carolina Anna Neal Blanchard ’76HS (2021), Raleigh, North Carolina Martin W. Borden (2021), Raleigh, North Carolina Peter M. Bristow (2020), Raleigh, North Carolina Caren Threshie Camp ’71HS (2021), Alexandria, Virginia Eric W. Evans (2020), Raleigh, North Carolina Lucy V. Fountain (2020), Raleigh, North Carolina Carter Warren Franke ’75HS ’77C (2020), Owings Mills, Maryland Palmer Peebles Garson ’75HS (2020), Richmond, Virginia Mary D. Hinton ‘88HS (2022), Saint Joseph, Minnesota Lynn Cowell Ives ’85HS ’87C (2020), Rocky Mount, North Carolina Stephen F. Later (2022), Southern Pines, North Carolina Steven C. Lilly (2020), Raleigh, North Carolina W. Scott Mahoney (2020), Raleigh, North Carolina Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS (2020), Charlotte, North Carolina Janie Swain Molster ’78HS (2021), Richmond, Virginia William C. Monk, Jr. (2020), Greenville, North Carolina Elizabeth M. Roberts (2020), Raleigh, North Carolina D. Ward Russell (2021), Raleigh, North Carolina Sallie Shuping Russell ’75C (2021), Chapel Hill, North Carolina Charles A. Sanders (2022), Durham, North Carolina Maura Moylan Sullivan ’87HS (2021), Durham, North Carolina
Parents Association Representative to the Board Carolyn Fuller, Parents Association President
Student Representative to the Board Margaret Ivy Johnston ’20, SGA President
(Date in parentheses indicates expiration of present elective term.)
Mission Statement Saint Mary’s School, a community dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement, prepares young women for college and life.
SUMMER 2019 | VOLUME 104, NUMBER 2
Founded in 1842 in the Episcopal tradition, Saint Mary’s School is an independent, college-preparatory, girls boarding and day school dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement for grades 9-12. Saint Mary’s School admits girls of any race, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, or sexual orientation to all of the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to our students. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national and ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, or athletic and other school programs. Administration Brendan J. O’Shea, Head of School Tim Healy, Dean of Students Laura J. Novia, Director of Marketing and Communications Leslie Owen, Dean of Teaching and Learning Julie Ricciardi, Director of Development Kim Slade, Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid Sally Woods, Director of Finance
Saint Mary’s School Magazine Published twice each year by Saint Mary’s School. Please send address changes to: Alumnae Office 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27603-1689 919-424-4000 • www.sms.edu
ON THE COVER The first priority in the creation of a central learning hub is to create a performing arts center through the renovation and expansion of Eliza Battle Pittman Auditorium, to be funded by the Saint Mary’s Forever campaign.
CONTENTS FEATURES
Saint Mary's Forever Commencement 2019
Editor Mary Virginia Swain ’77C Director of Public Relations and Publications mvswain@sms.edu Class News Editor Emory Rogers Church ’74C Contributors: Alex Boerner Photography; Marion Dees, Lauren Gerber; Heath Hilliker; Margaret McGlohon ’81C; Colin Murasko, Brendan O’Shea; Laura Novia; Evan Pike; Julie Ricciardi; Mary Virginia Swain ’77C; Brandon Wright Design Heath Hilliker, Senior Marketing Coordinator Printing Metro Productions, Raleigh, North Carolina
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IN EVERY ISSUE Head of School Message ����������������������������������������������� 3 Personal Achievement ������������������������������������������������� 14 Athletics........................................................................... 16 Calendar of Events �������������������������������������������������������� 18 Event Photos ������������������������������������������������������������������ 22 Milestones ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 36 Class News ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 38
found You your voice.
Now you want
a place that will amplify it.
At Saint Mary's School, you can explore new ideas in a setting that values and respects your unique voice. Our rigorous curriculum and vibrant urban location offer endless opportunities to express yourself and use your voice to change the world. You are destined for greatness. We can help you achieve it. Find what you need at sms.edu.
visit Comeus today!
Overnight & Visitation Days • November 14-15 Day Family Visitation Day • October 15 To schedule an individual tour, call the Admission Office at 919-424-4100.
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Long After the Transcript By Brendan J. O'Shea, Head of School
It is common to hear the young women at Saint Mary’s discussing the results of their various academic assessments, whether a test, paper, quiz or presentation. To them, the grade matters. To them, the grade stands as a measure of their effort and knowledge. It becomes an all-important factor in their grade point average, which they believe will be scrutinized by college admissions officers evaluating their applications among thousands and thousands of other aspiring high school seniors. The pressure is intense, and it has only grown in recent years. As time passes and our age increases, we gain perspective. Seriously, when was the last time anyone ever asked you about your grades in high school? Has anyone in recent memory inquired about your high school GPA or your grade in AB Calculus? I doubt it. No one cares now how you did in physics, English, French or government back in high school. Observations from the spring Reunion Weekend at Saint Mary’s made me think about what outcomes really do matter to our graduates. As I witnessed members of the 60th Reunion Class of 1959 embrace in long, deep, affectionate, and heartfelt hugs upon seeing each other for the first time in five years, it quickly occurred to me that enduring friendships matter. These women were genuinely elated to see one another, to catch-up, and to reminisce. As the 300 or so reunion attendees gathered in Chapel and swayed to the words of the School Hymn, it was evident that a high school experience based in faith also mattered to these women. Conversations throughout the weekend reinforced for me that our students grow by supporting their peers, and benefit from the support of their peers while attending Saint Mary’s and long after graduation day. The all-girl environment enables young women to be the best version of themselves while encouraging others to do the same. In addition, our graduates learn how to navigate challenges and adversity, as well as opportunity and joy – and they
do so with confidence gained at 900 Hillsborough Street. Clearly, our graduates find their voice at Saint Mary’s, as evidenced by our alumnae who vocalize their passion for their alma mater and are wildly successful in a plethora of roles in their personal and professional lives. Enduring friendships. A faith-based high school experience. Mutual support and admiration from peers in a single-sex educational environment. Tackling challenges and realizing opportunities with confidence. Articulating a powerful, meaningful voice. These are the outcomes that truly matter for past and present generations of Saint Mary’s women. These outcomes far outlast any transcript. These outcomes last forever.
Brendan J. O'Shea Head of School
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The first priority in the creation of a central learning hub is to create a performing arts and humanities center through the renovation and expansion of Eliza Battle Pittman Auditorium.
We know the power of one vision - a vision building on the legacy of our historic campus, leading the field in educating girls, and boldly eliminating our debt while strengthening our financial position. Armed with confidence, Saint Mary’s embarks on a campaign to embrace our past and propel us into the future. Momentum is building for our Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign. As we traveled the country over the last several months, your thoughts, questions, and encouragement have continued to help shape our direction for the future of educating girls and for the enduring legacy that will provide a firm foundation for our beloved institution. Our three priorities remain the same: reducing our debt to provide the financial freedom and flexibility needed to propel our school forward; increasing our endowment to allow financial sustainability and student scholarships; and implementing the first phase of a three-phase campus master plan beginning with the creation of an academic hub that will provide centers of excellence for our students today, tomorrow, and in the future. We will continue to keep our community informed about our plans, describe how you can help, and highlight our successes. The Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign is an invitation to every alumna, parent, and friend of the school to join together to boldly realize the school’s potential. We know you will want to be a part of this monumental opportunity to secure our Saint Mary’s, Forever.
Frank and Ruth E. Holding ’81C Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign Steering Committee Chairs
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Frank and Ruth E. Perry Holding '81C
Momentum builds for campaign
A Debt of Gratitude
We know our fiscal strength lies in our ability to be financially agile. That will only happen when we eliminate our debt. A decade ago, we took the necessary steps to solidify Saint Mary’s as an outstanding boarding and day high school. We invested in our facilities to remain competitive. The heart of that commitment was the renovation of our core, historic buildings, including Smedes Hall, the centerpiece of our campus. This transformative project created the debt we carry now, a debt with a service cost of $1.8 million annually. Imagine what we could do if that $1.8 million was directed into scholarships and programming for our girls.
The Growth of Our Endowment
Our endowment totals $25 million. Though that may sound impressive, the reality is Saint Mary’s endowment is woefully behind our peer institutions. In fact, we rank in the bottom third. The strength of our endowment directly impacts the experience we can provide our students. Many of our peer schools have endowments in the $200-300 million-dollar range. With endowments so much larger than our $25 million, it is clear how other schools can support visionary programs and transform their campuses with state-of-the-art facilities.
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Creating a Central Learning Hub
Why do we need this? Saint Mary’s school is growing and thriving. In 1998, when we made the decision to become a boarding/day high school, we dreamed that 20 years later we would be successful. We are excited to announce that next year we will welcome more than 290 students - an increase of six percent over this year. With this increase in students, we are bucking a national trend. The Wall Street Journal recently published statistics that independent schools nationally experienced a 14 percent drop in enrollment over the last 10 years. Our students come from 16 states and 10 countries, and we are thrilled that our legacy families continue to choose Saint Mary’s as their school. Last year, alone, nearly 20 percent of the student body was in the Granddaughters Club with students connected as far back as the Original 13 students. We have momentum and must continue to push forward. What is driving our momentum? Our ability to think differently. In April, the board of trustees made the next important step in this leadership phase of campaign preparations. With a recommendation from the campaign steering committee and campaign leaders, a motion was approved to continue the leadership phase of the campaign and set the guidelines for the two key aspects of our plan. New 1. We will only begin building when we have gifts and pledges covering 100 percent of the costs needed for a building project.
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2. We will focus on a learning hub with two centers of excellence in our academics facilities plan. a. The first priority in our academic integration and expansion is to create a Performing Arts and Humanities Center through significant renovations and enhancements to Eliza Battle Pittman Auditorium. This renovated and expanded center will reflect Saint Mary’s commitment to interdisciplinary interaction, as well The second project in the creation of a central learning hub as excellence in individual disciplines. The renovation will be the development of an academic corridor, anchored will enhance Saint Mary’s teaching, research, and by Ragland Hall and including the construction of a new building that will house science, math, and technology. public outreach, and will heighten the visibility of the arts and humanities as major components of campus and community life. The center will continue to serve as a space where girls find their voice and inspiration from events including performances, honors convocation, sports assemblies, weekly all-school assemblies, and more. b. The second project will be the development of an academic corridor, anchored by Ragland Hall and including the construction of a new building that will house science, math, and technology. With a focus on innovative technology experiences and expanded interdisciplinary collaboration, the academic center will facilitate programming to promote students’ motivation and ability to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) studies. The facility will engage girls in hands-on field experience, laboratory/project-based entrepreneurial tasks, and mentorship experiences.
Saint Mary's Forever Progress Update
$6.9 Million 38
raised from
alumnae and friends
Where are we now?
Saint Mary’s celebrated its 177th birthday May 12 with more than a birthday party. We kicked off a series of small campaign events to share our plan, we received an anchor gift of $1 million for the Performing Arts and Humanities Center project, and we reported that since the July 1, 2018, quiet launch, we have raised: $6,920,000.
Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign Timeline
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February 2019
March 2019
A comprehensive campaign structure is approved by the Board of Trustees that will include Planned Gifts and The Annual Fund.
Campaign Committee Leadership recruitment begins with a goal of 60 by fall of 2019.
Saint Mary’s School | www.sms.edu
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Record applications and enrollment, successful auction funding, and generous donations show that Saint Mary’s is on the correct course. We know that together as ONE we can realize our POTENTIAL.
The creation of a central learning hub includes the creation of a performing arts center through the renovation and expansion of Eliza Battle Pittman Auditorium.
April 2019
April 2019
May 2019
The Board of Trustees reaches 100% financial commitment and pledges and challenges the Alumnae Council to reach 100%.
The Campaign Steering Committee prioritizes Pittman Auditorium as the lead project with plans to transform the space into a new Performing Arts Center. June 2020 ground breaking planned. Academic Building will follow.
First lead gift of $1 million is secured for The Performing Arts Center project.
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Commencement 2019:
Handkerchief drops on 177th session By Mary Virginia Swain '77C
Cokie Roberts is commencement speaker The sights and sounds of Pomp and Circumstance filled the Grove Sunday morning, May 19, 2019, as 61 seniors graduated from Saint Mary’s School. Head of School Brendan O’Shea presided over the commencement exercises. It was a glorious Saint Mary’s commencement day in the Grove, as the graduates turned their tassels and Saint Mary’s rings. In keeping with Saint Mary’s tradition, Student Government Association President Stephanie Woods ’19 and Senior Class President Cammie Griffin ’19 marched at the head of the line of seniors. As the graduates made their way to the center sidewalk for the official procession, underclasswomen presented each graduate with an iris to carry and place in the Class of 1987 urn just before stepping onstage to receive her diploma. Valedictorian Paige Stevenson ’19 of Ontario, Canada, delivered the valedictory address. “Whatever courage I have now, I earned from Saint Mary's,” said Miss Stevenson. “The school's ability to lead students to the edge of their range of comfort and say, 'You've got this,' is irreplaceable. We can laugh about those posters on the elevators at North Hills, but the motto is true. This place breeds strength, and there are no better posterchildren (literally and figuratively) for resilience than our class of 2019.”
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The commencement platform party, from left to right: Chief Marshal J’Lah Johnson ’20, Dean of Teaching and Learning Leslie Owen, Director of Residential Life Abby Wahlstrom, Commencement Speaker Cokie Roberts, Head of School Brendan O’Shea, Board Chair Gloria Taft Becker ’92HS, and Chaplain Ann Bonner-Stewart.
Chief Marshal J’Lah Johnson ’20 drops the handkerchief.
Commencement speaker Cokie Roberts, center, with her family, including 2019 graduate Regan Roberts ’19.
Graduates listen to the speeches.
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The procession from Smedes Hall.
Cokie Roberts delivers the commencement address.
Saint Mary’s Chorale and Voice Ensemble sing special commencement music.
The 61 members of the Class of 2019 were accepted at 112 colleges and universities across the U.S. and abroad. They will enroll at 39 different institutions in 18 states and Canada, with 51 percent attending colleges in North Carolina.
More details here: Saint Mary’s Class of 2019
Josie DeRonja ’19 of Raleigh, delivered the senior commencement address, having been elected by her classmates as the senior commencement speaker. “The story of my change from freshman to senior-year self is not the same as any other member in my class, but my story of finding my passion, becoming more self-confident, and developing a generosity with my talents connects me to my class," said Miss DeRonja. "Saint Mary's gave us an opportunity to each grow in this way. Even though our class is small with only 61 members, we still are an eclectic bunch. The Class of 2019 has K-Pop stars, future Broadway actresses, fashion bloggers, competitive athletes, prefects who are leaders in every dorm, political activists, dancers, artists, writers, scientists, and the list could go on. I love the Class of 2019 because everyone has a different gift that they have grown into expressing more outwardly or discovered during their time here. Our decision to give these talents back to the school has defined our class and allowed us to make Saint Mary's a better place.” Political commentator and best-selling author Cokie Roberts, delivered the commencement address. Ms. Roberts is the grandmother of graduating senior Regan Roberts ’19.
Head of School Brendan O’Shea offered parting remarks to the graduates. “What’s important is what you do," said Mr. O’Shea. “What will you do? Well, that’s up to you. Discover what needs to be done and go do it. Maybe you’ll find a cure for cancer. Maybe you’ll lead a Fortune 500 Company. Maybe you’ll interview world leaders and politicians as a journalist. Maybe you’ll invent the next 'must have' gadget? Maybe you’ll teach? Maybe you’ll serve as a mayor, governor, senator, or president. Who knows? But you just can’t be these things. You have to do these things.” Following the final singing of the year of the School Hymn, Chief Marshal J’Lah Johnson ’20 stood at the top of the steps of Smedes Hall, directly beneath the lantern adorned with Saint Mary’s blue ribbons, to drop the handkerchief and declare the 177th session at Saint Mary’s to be officially closed. After the traditional handkerchief drop, the marshals walked into Smedes and closed the doors on another Saint Mary’s commencement and the graduates joyfully tossed their caps high into the canopy of stately oaks. Baccalaureate preceded the commencement exercises in the historic Saint Mary’s Chapel with Chaplain Ann Bonner-Stewart presiding.
“I have read about the accomplished scientists here, know first-hand about the remarkable artists, looked at videos of the renowned dancers and singers, listened to the tales of experiences like a journalism trip to Myanmar or an internship at the state capitol and internships all over the Raleigh area in every imaginable field,” Ms. Roberts told the graduates. “What terrific preparation for whatever’s ahead. Then, there’s your capstone project, where, as far as I can tell, you have done the equivalent of a college thesis already – each in your own way, with the valuable tool of keeping a portfolio. I love Mr. O’Shea’s description of life at Saint Mary’s as a ‘portfolio of experiences.’”
By all accounts, Saint Mary’s commencement embodies personal touches of academic excellence, personal achievement, friendship, tradition, grace, honor, dignity, and courage that are hallmarks of the Saint Mary’s experience.
Following the speeches, special commencement awards were presented.
Members of the Saint Mary's School Class of 2019 are poised to step out of Saint Mary's gates and into an exciting future. Prepared at Saint Mary’s “for college and life,” these graduates have challenged themselves in and out of the classroom, expanded their boundaries, made real-world connections, and grown as young women of intelligence, integrity, and purpose – ready to serve and shape their world.
The Chorale and Voice Ensemble offered special music, No Time, by Susan Brumfield.
Once again, Saint Mary’s graduating class boasts 100 percent college acceptance to a broad range of outstanding colleges and universities around the nation and abroad. The range of colleges and universities Saint Mary's Class of 2019 have selected is as varied as the graduates themselves and reflects their wide-ranging interests.
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Awards
Paige Stevenson ’19 of Ontario, Canada, was the Class of 2019 valedictorian.
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Chen Liang ’19 of Beijing, China, was the recipient of the 2019 Cooper Medal, in recognition of achieving the highest G.P.A. for the year.
Josie DeRonja ’19 of Raleigh was the recipient of the 2019 Niles Medal for finishing with the highest G.P.A. over her years at Saint Mary’s.
Ava Blane Spiegel ’19 of Asheville, North Carolina, received the Catherine Ruth Proctor Award, presented by the Saint Mary’s chapter of the National Honor Society in recognition of the student making the greatest scholastic advancement over the past four years.
Madison Nash ’19 of Nashville, North Carolina, was the recipient of the 2019 Georgia Lee Kinsey Award, presented by Saint Mary’s Chapter of the National Honor Society to the graduate who has accomplished the greatest scholastic advancement over the past two years.
Wenxi Zhang ’19 of Beijing, China, was chosen to receive the King Medal, awarded each year to the graduate, who, in the opinion of the faculty, has most consistently practiced good citizenship at Saint Mary’s and inconspicuously served as an example to others.
Maddison Wooten ’19 of Raleigh was voted by her classmates to receive the Margaret and Ann Highsmith Medal, awarded to a graduate who exemplifies the Christian idea of helpfulness to others motivated by her genuine love for all members of the school community.
Lola Olagbegi ’19 of Lithonia, Georgia, is the 2019 Marian Drane Graham Award winner, as chosen by a committee of alumnae, students and faculty. This award was established in 1968 as a memorial to Marian Drane Graham, Class of 1919, wife of Frank Porter Graham, former president of the University of North Carolina and a former U.S. Senator. The award is made each year to a graduate who, in Dr. Graham’s words, exemplifies Marian’s “reverence and humility of spirit, scholarship without pride of excellence, zest for life, faith and fortitude, and all-around development in the course of her radiant and nobly useful life.”
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PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT Saints win robotics award Emily Leung ‘20, pictured left and Teresa Zhang ’20, pictured right represented Saint Mary’s Robotics Team at the 2019 VEX state championships March 2, after the team successfully qualified for the state event earlier this year. The Saints brought home the VEX Build Award from the state competition, which is awarded by the judges to a team that has built a well-crafted and professional quality robot shows dedication to safety and attention to detail, efficiently uses mechanical and electrical components, demonstrates reliability in the field, and exhibits teamwork and professionalism. VEX competitions, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, give students the opportunity to apply their newfound STEM skills in an enthralling game-based engineering challenge. With 20,000 teams competing in over 40 countries, VEX represents the world’s largest and fastest-growing educational robotics competition.
Chrismon Clark ’21 wins East Coast USA Diving competitions Chrismon Clark '21 won both springboard diving events in the 16-18 year-old girls competition at the East Coast regionals of USA Diving held in May. Her performance qualified her for the U.S. Junior Nationals taking place this summer.
Piano students earn honors at festival Congratulations to the following Saint Mary’s piano students who won Honor ratings and outstanding evaluations at the North Carolina Music Teachers Association’s annual Performance Festival (District Level) on Saturday, February 23, at Meredith College. Solo Category: Christine Huang ’20, Lily Lyu ’20, Lily Song, ’21, Mindy Yao ’20, Shirley Xue ’21, Serena Zhou '21 Ensemble Category: Mindy Yao ’20 and Grace Meng ’20. Highest Honors: Christine Huang '20, Lily Lyu '20, Serena Zhou '21, Mindy Yao '20, and Grace Meng '20 won Highest Honors in their respective categories and advanced to the State Level of this prestigious Festival, which will be held March 30. For this event the girls performed three memorized pieces selected from a required list of repertoire representing three contrasting stylistic eras from the 18th, 19th, 20th-21st centuries. Adjudicators were piano faculty members from colleges and universities around the state. Mindy Yao ’20, Grace Meng ’20, and Serena Zhou ’21
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Science Olympiad team earns medals Congratulations, to Saint Mary's Science Olympiad team, on a fun and productive day competing in the North Carolina Science Olympiad at Riverside High School in Durham, Saturday, March 2. The Science Saints, with both varsity and junior varsity teams, won numerous medals in categories such as astronomy, chemistry lab, Fermi questions, and thermodynamics.
Saint Mary’s students excel in Wake County Phi Beta Kappa essay contest Congratulations, to two Saint Mary's students on their success in the Wake County Phi Beta Kappa Association of Wake County's annual essay contest. Emily Leung '20, won the Junior Division of the essay contest with her essay, Sins of the Innocent: The Symbolization of Light and Shadows in The Scarlet Letter. Regan Roberts '19, took second place honors in the Senior Division of the essay contest with her essay, Canterbury Tales: The Miller’s Tale. The students' English teachers are Alison Chernin and Dr. Robert Belknap, respectively. Both girls were recognized and received their prizes on April 20 at the spring meeting and awards dinner of Phi Beta Kappa of Wake County held at the North Carolina State University Club in Raleigh. The keynote speaker was contest final judge Dr. Zelda Lockhart, author of several award-winning books, most recently The Soul of the Full-Length Manuscript.
Emily Smith ’22 wins USEF Clifden Award Emily Smith ’22 and her pony, Gold Medal Ribbon, won the U.S. Equestrian (USEF) Clifden Award for top scoring purebred Connemara in the pony hunter divisions for 2018. The award was presented to her at the U.S. Equestrian Horse of the Year banquet in West Palm Beach, Florida, January 12.
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ATHLETICS Varsity swim team is state runner-up Saint Mary’s varsity swim team brought home the runner-up trophy from the 2019 North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association swimming state championships held February 11 at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Thirteen members of the team competed, with nine making the finals. The Saints placed second to Cary Academy among 17 teams in Division One. Abby Arens ’20 and Caroline Crouse ’20 won individual events - Crouse in the 200 free and Arens in the 200 IM and the 100 breast. Many school records were set, and it was a great day in the pool for Saint Mary’s swimming. The Saints finished the season with a 14-1 regular season record and runner-up honors at both the TISAC conference and NCISAA state championship meets. Congratulations, Saints, on an outstanding season!
Abby Arens ’20 earns Raleigh Sports Club honor Congratulations, to Saint Mary's swimming star Abby Arens '20, on being honored January 16, 2019, by the Raleigh Sports Club as the Student Athlete of the Week. Abby is a six-time NCISSA state champion in multiple events for Saint Mary's and does her club swimming with the Marlins of Raleigh. She has excelled in national competitions and is an NISCA and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American. She received the award from sports radio show host David Glenn.
Two Saints named N.C. Private School All-Stars Congratulations, to Saints senior varsity basketball players Lola Olagbegi '19 and Georgia Smith '19, who were members of the East girls' team for the 2019 North Carolina Private School All-Star Basketball Game played Saturday, March 2, 2019. Head coaches and athletic directors from across the state nominated more than 100 players for consideration of the game. Selection committees then narrowed the rosters to two teams for each game that represent all classifications and regions from North Carolina. Providence Day School hosted the game that featured some of the top senior girls and boys basketball players in the state of North Carolina. The players and coaches also participated in a community service project Friday, March 1, in the Charlotte area, as part of the All-Star weekend activities. Lola Olagbegi ’19
Georgia Smith ’19
Varsity basketball celebrates winning season Saint Mary’s varsity basketball concluded a winning 13-11 season by advancing to the round of 16 in the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 4A girls basketball playoffs in February. The Saints hosted first round state playoff action in Bacon Gym earning a 59-36 tournament win over Wake Christian Academy. The Saints finished third in the Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference and were seventh in the state in the MaxPreps standings. During the season, the Saints scored notable wins over Durham Academy, Cary Academy, Wake Christian Academy, St. David’s School, and others.
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NEW! Saint Mary’s launches new athletics logo Saint Mary's launched it new athletics logo, Thursday, January 10, in a pep rally for the student body in Bacon Gym. The logo was created through a collaboration of student-athletes, coaches, the athletics director, the school administration, the marketing and communications office, and Clean branding and advertising agency. Go, Saints!
Hanna Abbruzzese ’19 signs with Barton College lacrosse Congratulations, to Saint Mary's senior lacrosse star Hanna Abbruzzese '19, on signing to play lacrosse at Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina. Surrounded by her family, coach, school leaders, teammates, and friends, Hanna signed her national letter of intent during a ceremony and celebration at lunch, April 25, 2019, in Chan-Poyner Hall.
Softball makes state playoffs for first time since 1999 Varsity softball finished the 2019 strong with five wins and the first NCISAA state playoff bid since 1999. Congratulations, Saints, on a successful season!
Varsity lacrosse makes state playoffs as sixth seed Varsity lacrosse advanced to the quarterfinal round of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association state playoffs with a first-round win versus Providence Day School 13-6 at home on Nimocks Field, Tuesday, May 7. The sixth-seeded Saints fell in the quarterfinals to third-seed Charlotte Country Day School in Charlotte to end the best season for the lacrosse program to date with a 10-7 record.
Two track and field athletes win TISAC conference championships Congratulations, to Saint Mary’s varsity track and field team on a strong outing at the 2019 Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference (TISAC) championships held May 10-11 at Cary Academy. The Saints finished fifth at the conference meet, and four individual conference championships were won, including: Emily Leung '20, pole vault, 8 feet, six inches; Emily Leung, triple jump, season best of 32-07.75; Jala McCormick '20, 100m hurdles, lifetime best of 16.06 seconds; and Jala McCormick, 300m hurdles, lifetime best of 47.49.
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CALENDAR 2019-2020
October 16 Wake County alumnae event
August 27 First day of classes for the 178th session
October 4-5 Family Weekend for current families and students
September 11 Saints Engage: alumnae networking event
October 10 Saints Learn: alumnae education event
September 19 Raleigh Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign event
October 10-11 Alumnae Council fall meeting
September 30 Houston alumnae event October 1 San Antonio, Texas, alumnae event October 2 Board of Visitors October 4 Chorale Music Theatre Revue
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October 16 Wake County alumnae event October 16-17 Board of Trustees fall meeting October 22 Richmond, Virginia, alumnae event October 24 Williamsburg, Virginia, alumnae event
October 25-26 Saint Mary’s Theatre fall play October 29 Atlanta alumnae event October 29 Founders’ Day Chapel November 1 All Saints Day Eucharist Chapel November 1 Saints Day of Giving November 6 Granddaughters Club inductions November 7 Saints Share: alumnae/student Career Night November 12 Greensboro, North Carolina, alumnae event
April 24-25 Reunion Weekend for classes ending in zero and five
November 13 Aiken, South Carolina, alumnae event
December 14 Santa story hour for alumnae families
April 23-24 Alumnae Council spring meeting
November 14 Augusta, Georgia, alumnae event
December 18 Collegiate Club holiday event
November 15-16 Orchesis fall concert
January 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
April 24-25 Reunion Weekend for classes ending in zero and five
November 23 WRAL Christmas Festival in the Grove, following the Raleigh Christmas Parade
February 6-7 Alumnae Council winter meeting
December 5 Birmingham, Alabama, alumae event
February 21-22 Saint Mary’s Theatre winter musical February 28 Granddaughters Club Luncheon
December 10 Rocky Mount, North Carolina, alumae event
April 7 Athletics Hall of Fame inductions
December 15 Lighting O’ the Grove
April 17 Grandparents and Grandfriends Day
April 24-25 Orchesis Spring concert May 1 Chorale Spring concert May 17 Commencement for the 178th session
SAVE THE DATES AND JOIN US FOR THESE SPECIAL EVENTS! For a complete calendar of events throughout the school year, visit www.sms.edu/alumnae/events. Regional alumnae events will be added to the alumnae web page as they are scheduled. All alumnae are welcome at all events.
The Saint Mary’s Auction takes a year off in 2020 and returns Friday, February 26, 2021!
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MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION
Happy Summer, Saint Mary’s friends! We hope you are getting the time you need to relax and recharge in your favorite destination this summer – be it the mountains, beach, lake, or at home. Here at Saint Mary’s, the alumnae and development team is putting together plans for an exciting new program for our alumnae to begin this fall. The Alumnae Council is thrilled to partner with the school and hopes you’ll take advantage of these new offerings. We heard you and now hope to see you! This fall, the Alumnae Council will co-sponsor three different opportunities for alumnae to engage with each other and Saint Mary’s. The opportunities are for you to engage, share, and learn. For this first year, the events and activities will be held at Saint Mary’s. Depending on their success, we may grow them in other locations and regions.
Saints Engage!
Saints Share!
Saints Learn!
Join us on campus on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at 6 p.m. to network with other alumnae. This gathering will take place at the end of the workday, and we’ll gather at Smedes Hall to offer alumnae of all ages and stages of life the chance to connect. If you are new to the area, are looking for new work opportunities, or just want to meet others, join us!
We are looking for alumnae in a variety of careers to share your path with our students. These Career Nights will happen twice this year and will be held in Ragland Building. Our first event is Thursday, November 7, from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. You are welcome to join us for dinner too. We hope to offer six to eight panels of professionals in varied fields, in which alumnae will share your passions and professions with our students. Let us hear from you if you are interested in this opportunity.
We are never to old to learn, right? This fall and spring, we will provide opportunities for alumnae to gain more knowledge on financial planning, philanthropy, and testimonial giving. On Thursday, October 10, we will have experts in the field to answer your questions and provide advice on how to get started. We’ll also hear from Saint Mary’s development team about how you can support Saint Mary’s in these ways. Join us!
The Alumnae Council is thrilled to co-sponsor these new programs for alumnae. We also encourage anyone interested in learning more about the Alumnae Council to reach out to us or to Margaret McGlohon ’81C, director of alumnae relations, at 919-424-4171 or memcglohon@sms.edu. We hope to see you on campus this fall!
Diane Gupton Becton ’77HS Alumnae Association Co-Chair becton5@bellsouth.net
Merritt Atkins ’99
Alumnae Association Co-Chair merrittatkins@yahoo.com
Left to right: Diane Gupton Becton '77HS; Brendan O'Shea, Head of School; Merritt Atkins '99
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EVENTS
AUCTION, SAINT MARY'S SCHOOL February 22, 2019
Angus Barn Pavilions • Raleigh, North Carolina
Clare Garden Maddison '64C, Larry Maddison, Caren Threshie Camp ’71HS
Auction co-chairs, from left to right: Mary Boney, Liza Williams, Joan Comer Johnston ’87C, Louise Stowe
Blanche Williamson ’76HS, Margie Johnson Springer ’79HS, Marion Winston
Leslie Allred Yates ’96HS ’98C, Kevin Yates, Christina Cerwin Allen ’96HS
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Lois Perry Sawyer ’52C, left, and Margaret Cheatham Williams ’50HS ’52C, right
Front row, left to right: Susan Young ’93HS ’95C, Brooke Ramos Singletary,’93HS ’95C Jessica Hobbs Lane ’95C, second row, Sasha Poston Osada ’95C, Heather Gibson ’93HS ’95C, Jean Lyndon Baldwin ’95C, Stacy Smith Saunders ’95C, Allison Wilkes Thomas ’93HS ’95C
Rob and Clarine Pollock Powell ’67C, left, and Bill Jane Darden Brown ’71C, right Laura Norris Raynor ’69HS ’71C, Joan Comer Johnston ’87C, Gloria Taft Becker ’92HS
Henry and Tracey Smith
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EVENTS
CALIFORNIA EVENTS February 27-28, 2019
Long Beach, Pasadena, and Los Angeles
Pasadena Sarah Rice Shelton ’80HS ’82C, Margaret McGlohon ’81C
Los Angeles
Front row: Alicia Sedwick ‘78HS, Jennifer Collins ‘81C, Kim White ‘85HS, Clarke Anderson Osborne ‘89C, Ashley Rogers ‘88HS ‘90C, Sarah Archie Griffin ‘83HS Back row: Brendan O’Shea, Elizabeth Killen Miles 94HS 96C, Margaret McGlohon ‘81C
Long Beach
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Brendan O’Shea, McNair Currie Maxwell ’59HS, Margaret McGlohon ’81C
April 4, 2019
Home of Dan and Katharine Pate Krueger ’79HS ’81C
Katharine Pate Krueger ’79HS ’81C, Whitney Currin ’10, Tina Currin
Roberta O’Shea, Brenda Forrest Swaim ’77HS, Joe Swaim, Julie Ricciardi, Sharon Odom Infinger ’77HS
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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA April 3, 2019
Home of Anne Chamberlain Fowler ’64C
Anne Chamberlain Fowler ’64C, Brendan O’Shea
Lucy Shand Edmunds ’62C, Frances LaMotte Robinsin ’60C, Emma Howell Williams ’60HS, Ellen Scurry Reynolds ’64C
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA February 12, 2019
Victoria Maurer, Mardy Gray Choate ’67HS ’69C, Gayle Boineau Darby ’66C
Home of Maura Moylan Sullivan '87HS
Jaye DeBerry '02, Chelsea Ward '09 Lucy Falk, Travis Brady '89HS, Leigh McAdoo Kempf '88C, Maura Moylan Sullivan '87HS
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EVENTS
FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA February 18, 2019
Kyle House at St. John's Episcopal Church
Libba Kornegay Pate '49C, Marilyn Ellerbe
ABOVE: Margaret Highsmith Dickson '65HS, Brendan O’Shea, Nancy Woodruff Broadwell '51C, Ann Highsmith '70HS, Robin Kelly '75C LEFT: Martha Broadfoot Brock '79C, Betsy Gardner '70HS '72C, Sweetie Seifart Stewart '68HS '70C
Martha Butler Goff '54HS '56C, Mary Foy Ragsdale '77HS '79C, Carolyn Foy Ragsdale '54HS '56C, Jane Thomason
Kirby Thompson Tyson '74C, Chip Dodd '71C, Walker Holmes Haigh '70C
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FLORIDA EVENTS January 16-18, 2019
Jacksonville, Key Largo, and Palm Beach
Margaret McGlohon ’81C, Katie Bradbury Wellman, Carl Tallardy, Gayle McConnell Tallardy ’76C, Kat Gregory Fritter ’91HS ’93C, Julie Ricciardi, Linda Kerr Moore ’69C, Ralph Moore, at the home of Kat Gregory Fritter ’91HS ’93C
Key Largo
Katie Bradbury Wellman, Julie Ricciardi, Leighton Holmes Tesche ’68C, Margaret McGlohon ’81C, Elizabeth Moerman Davis ’99HS, Bitty Grimes McRae ’41HS ’43C, Margaret Clements ’75HS ’77C at the River and Post
Jacksonville
Palm Beach Ellen Everett, Spencer Everett, Elizabeth Twohy ‘87C, Mariam Chum ’04HS at the Palm Beach Yacht Club hosted by Lou and Marcie Collie.
Palm Beach Grace Brown ’79HS ’81C, Lou Collie, Marcie Collie
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EVENTS
GRANDDAUGHTERS CLUB LUNCHEON March 29, 2019
Saint Mary's School
Seated, left to right: Elizabeth Smith ’20, Shore Tucker McCall ‘88C, Lindsay Anne McCall ’20; standing, left to right: Leigh Smith, Lucy Cheney ’21, Caroline Dixon ’20, and Ann Mason Smith ‘20
Seated, left to right: Nancy Church, Gillie Leggett Church ‘63C; standing: Jennifer Walker Barwick ’88HS ’90C, May Barwick ’21, Anna Church ’21, Hayden Savery ’21 and, Dolly Burton Savery ’82HS
Caroline Smith ’20 and Ashley Langley Smith ’90HS
Margaret Cheatham Williams ’50HS ’52C and Eleanor Williams ’20
Katharine Collie ’19 and Kim Norfleet Collie ’88C
Caroline Koonce ’21, Frances Holton Maffitt ’60HS
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GRANDPARENTS & GRANDFRIENDS DAY April 12, 2019
Saint Mary's School
Thomas Church, Gillie Leggett Church ’63C, Anna Church ’21, Lucy Paynter, George Paynter
Lucile Best Jones ’48HS ’50C, Gwyn Jones ’20
Webber Bell Paxton ’60C, Josie Parker ’21, Coalter Paxton
Richard Taft, Eleanor Becker ’21, Cheryl Lee Taft ’68C
Martha Luck Johnston ’20, Margaret Ivy Johnston ’20, Martha Comer Johnson
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EVENTS
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA March 5, 2019
Home of Harley and Kristy Garrison
Britt Carl '04, Dottie B Edwards Nutt '76C
Kitty Watkins Snydor ’95HS, David Howard, Martha Howard ’77HS ’79C, Kristy Garrison, Harley Garrison, Barbara Bryant Baynes ’88HS ’90C Marion Turner Hubbard ’49C, Aurelia Fulton Stafford ’48HS ’50C, Gray Watkins Lineweaver ’60C, Margot Hammond Cunningham ’55C
HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA April 9, 2019
At the home of Gene and Margaret Hambrick Glaze '87C
Jennifer Wilkins ’07, Sue Sermons Tarlton ’71HS ’73C, Julie Ricciardi, Lynn Gardner Curffman ’80HS ’82C, Mary Frances Hartshorn Comer ’77HS, Beth Farr Williams ’93HS ’94C, Kelsey Williams, Margaret Hambrick Glaze ’87C, Kristin Gardner Dettelbach ’89HS ’91C, Deanna MacCormac ’13, Pettway Tanner Brands ’70HS
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Margie Shuford Oxley ’56HS, Margaret Hambrick Glaze ’87C, Margaret McGlohon ’81C, Evelyn Menzies Beam ’52HS, Mary Frances Hartshorn Comer ’77HS
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA January 28, 2019
Downtown Marriott
Kyle O’Garro Moore ’06, Margaret McGlohon ’81C, Martha Woodard Pearlman ’73HS, Lea Sitton Stanley ’74HS, Hannah Wood Hepburn ’78HS ’80C, Carolyn Finch Bennett ’65HS ’67C
PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA April 24, 2019
At the home of John and Elizabeth Sherill Druga '84C
Pridie Clark Ariail ’69C, Wendy Tillman Pratt ’79C, Kate Holmes ’76C, Marshall Young Smith ’70C
Elizabeth Sherrill Druga ’84C, Kay Overcash Jenkins ’72C, Gina Keller Bycura ’88HS, Susan Keller, Linda Keller, Julie Ricciardi
Steven Later, Beville Druga ’12, John Druga, Currie Bryant ’12
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EVENTS
THE CARDINAL AT NORTH HILLS February 25, 2019
Raleigh, North Carolina
Elizabeth Smith '20, Connie Fisher Johnson ’57HS ’59C
Caroline Smith '20, Ann Divine Weaver, Susan Smith, Ann Mason Smith ’20
Peggy Mitchiner Marcus '53C, Brendan O’Shea
Lolly White Norris '42HS, Ann Tilson Janvier '86HS
Margaret McGlohon '81C, Fay Anderson, Cathryn Cheek Zevenhuizen '52HS '54C
Fay Anderson, Lucy Cheney ‘21
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UNC-CHAPEL HILL COLLEGIATE CLUB March 19, 2019 Carolina Inn
Saint Mary’s collegiate alumnae attending UNC-Chapel Hill gathered with Saint Mary’s and UNC alumnae and parents for a dinner at the Carolina Inn featuring an inspiring keynote talk by Susan Gravely, co-founder and owner of Vietri.
Susan Gravely, Libby Holding Ross ’78C, Betsy Ross Frazier
Hope Voelkel ’17, Marcy Everett Voelkel ’87C, Laurie Sugg, Catherine Sugg ’17, Emmy Whitford ’18, Ashlyn Whitford, Sally Bloom, Annabel Bloom ’18, Margaret Fountain ’18
Mary Virginia Swain ’77C, Diane Tyndall ’08, Melrose Whitfield Fisher ’72HS ’74C
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REUNION WEEKEND May 3-4, 2019
At Saint Mary's School
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IN MEMORIAM
IN MEMORIAM Marguerite Mathewson Hasbrouck ’37C October 18, 2018
Ina Virginia Ridley Pittman ’54HS ’56C March 30, 2019
Elizabeth Hunter ’39C November 7, 2018
Alma Weston Green ’54C April 6, 2019
Katherine Sigmon Hunter ’40C February 2, 2019
Shirley Hines Lazorik ’54C April 23, 2019
Louise Eggleston Martin ’42C May 16, 2019
Mary Rhea Spivey Jones ’55C April 19, 2019
The Reverend Elizabeth Scott Thompson Severance ’43HS ’45C February 11, 2019
Mary Brooks Yarborough Zuccarelli ’56C February 8, 2019
Lillian Bellamy Boney ’43C March 2, 2019 Essie Bryce Evans Gordon ’43C December 24, 2018 Margaret Spencer Shackelford Toms ’43C April 17, 2019 Mary Carolyn Reeves O’Neal ’45HS March 14, 2019 Damaris Thornton Porter ’45HS May 24, 2019 Elaine Frissell Neese ’45HS January 19, 2019 Mary Helen Wilson Long ’45B May 9, 2019 Isabel Barton King ’45C December 7, 2018 Lillian Virginia Worthy ’47C January 29, 2019 Frances Wood Drane Inglis ’47HS ’49C May 20, 2019 Nancy Holland Tucker Wildrick ’48C December 29, 2018 King Risley Sams ’50HS ’52C April 3, 2019 Nancy Derrickson Taylor Pace ’51C December 15, 2018 Gloria Gilmore Clapp ’52HS March 2, 2019 Beverly Grace Rutter Gregg ’52HS May 8, 2019 Sandra Donaldson Kirkland ’52C May 24, 2019 Duval Owens Bowen ’53HS ’55C February 12, 2019
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Lynn Palmer Pridgen ’57C April 18, 2019 Jean Thompson Poole ’58C June 5, 2019 Georgia Cobb Joyner ’59C February 25, 2019 Marsha Mustard Smith ’63C January 20, 2019 Susan Jean Anderson Drzal ’70C January 11, 2019 Janice Smith Lytle ’71HS ’73C April 30, 2019 Abbie Sims Edwards ’72C February 12, 2019 Terry Lynn Dawson ’78C March 26, 2019 Christine Beetham Lange ’85HS February 17, 2019 Jo Lee Credle Robinson ’86HS, February 25, 2019 Allison Cary Leap ’98HS January 14, 2019 Rhyne Andrews Callens ’07, March 14, 2019 Bob Simpson, former director of admission, January 13, 2019 Sarah Johnson, former library staff member, February 3, 2019 Sarah Clark, former staff member, May 9, 2019
Correction from Winter 2018 magazine: Caroline Finlay Meyer ’59HS (not college)
MILESTONES
Walker Andrews Arnett, born November 19, 2018, to Cam and Margaret Gibson Arnett ’03.
MARRIAGES
Class of 2006 friends celebrate the marriage of Elena FanjulDebnam ’06, February 2, 2019. Left to right: Anna Jones ’06, Arden Piacenza ’06, Elena Fanjul-Debnam Lemaistre ’06, Alexandra Speros ’06, Lauren Robbins ’06; kneeling, Paul Lemaistre, the groom.
Caren Akin '78HS married Lisa Lynn, April 18, 2019 Taylor Lyon ’01 married Neil McGowan, June 8, 2019
BIRTHS
Rachael van Beelen ’05, married Brandon Berger, March 23, 2019
Kempton Dunn McGrath ’99, a daughter, April 16, 2019
Morgan Brinkley ’06 married Spencer McKay, December 15, 2018
Louise Beasley Warenda ’01, a daughter, May 17, 2019
Elena Fanjul Debnam ’06 married Paul Lemaistre, February 2, 2019
Cassie Criswell Anderson ’03, a son, April 16, 2019
Katie Wharton ’07, married Jhondie Abreu, December 17, 2018
Margaret Gibson Arnett ’03, a son, November 19, 2018
Liz Moore ’08, married Jay Shaver, May 11, 2019
Laura Hill Dunaway ’03, a daughter, April 1, 2019
Charlotte Horney ’09, married Hunter Whitfield, May 18, 2019
Ashley Williams Gale ’03, a daughter, March 5, 2019
Eliza Benton ’11, married Dan Richter, April 27, 2019
Tootie Gaeta Nagiec ’03, a daughter, June 4, 2019
Katie Ward ’11 married Seth Stockley, June 1, 2019
Ryan Anthony Marston ’04, a daughter, February 26, 2019
Elizabeth Williams ’11, married Jefferson Ellington, April 27, 2019
Ellie Gilbert Daniels ’05, a son, May 2, 2019
Dorothy Jones ’12, married Thomas Batten, March 16, 2019
Melody Emerson Miller '05, a son, November 3, 2018
Logan Ardrey ’15, married Wylie Mendicino, June 1, 2019
Julia Corbin Jones ’05, a daughter, June 3, 2019
Katie Bradbury, Saint Mary’s staff, married Jacob Wellman, February 2, 2019
Lindsay Cutting Ryals ’05, a son, May 10, 2019
Aaron Sermons ’05, a daughter, December 29, 2018 Kristen Yates Umstead ’05, a son, June 1, 2019 Alexandra Bielec ’06, a son, May 25, 2019 Kelly Prak Ford ’07, a son, June 6, 2019 Morgan Gibbs Sobin ’07, a daughter, May 31, 2019 Greyson Kane Sidebotham ’08, a son, May 15, 2019 Carson Gombatz Allred ’09, a daughter, April 18, 2019 Brianna Horn ’09, a son, April 22, 2019 Ferebee Frazier Plyler ’09, a daughter, May 21, 2019 Carolyn Bacchus Stapleton ’09, a son, January 23, 2019 Melanie Joy Everson ’11, a son, April 25, 2019
These milestones were compiled based on information received by the school by June 10, 2019. Every effort is made to include everyone for whom we have official confirmation by press time. If we missed you or your loved one, please send an official announcement to mvswain@sms.edu, or mail to Mary Virginia Swain ’77C, Saint Mary’s School, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, for inclusion in the winter 2020 magazine.
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CLASS NEWS 1939
COLLEGE CLASS NEWS It’s all here – the latest and greatest news from alumnae in odd-year classes. Saint Mary’s extends a special thanks to the dedicated class secretaries who compiled and crafted these class newsletters, many who have served for decades. Even-year classes will be featured in the winter 2020 magazine. Alumnae in these classes will receive information to facilitate the reporting of news to class secretaries or directly to the school.
CLASS NEWS POLICIES Due to the uncertain nature of certain types of news, Saint Mary’s does not publish news of wedding engagements or pregnancies. We publish news of marriages, births, adoptions or deaths, based on published news reports or direct phone or e-mail contact with the Alumnae Office from the parties or immediate families. Please remember to include Saint Mary’s in your wedding announcement in the newspaper and please send birth announcements to the Alumnae Office for inclusion in the milestones section. Saint Mary’s Class Notes are published for each class once each year. Due to the extended nature of the production schedule for the magazine, class news is meant to be a once-a-year general update of your news for the previous year. We cannot guarantee the exact timeliness of your news, so please keep our advance deadlines in mind when submitting news. Saint Mary’s School reserves the right to edit class news for content, length and timeliness. Photographs may be submitted for consideration for the class news to mvswain@sms.edu or Mary Virginia Swain, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Photos must be high-quality prints or digital .jpeg photo files of at least 300 dpi. Group shots should include Saint Mary’s alumnae (and spouses and children) only and must include a detailed listing of everyone pictured, including full names and class years.
Helen Holt Morrison '39C is in Concord, where she lives independently at the Gardens of Taylor Glen, a retirement home. “My sons, John and Hugh, with their wives and four of my grandsons with their families, also live in Concord. My three granddaughters live in Charlotte, and my other grandson is in Boston. I have 21 great-grandchildren from ages 17 to 4 months and all gather for my birthday each year just before Christmas. I enjoy playing duplicate bridge four times a week. I have seen my classmate, Sassy Warren Fuchs, in Wilmington when visiting my daughter, Margaret Morrison Hamilton '67HS.” Helen regretted that she could not attend her 80th reunion in May. She’d love to hear from any other classmates.
1943
COLLEGE Marian Castellow Perry writes, “How time flies - hard to believe I'll be 95 in August! Live alone, still drive, so I'm out and about. Family and friends close by keep me company. Consider myself very lucky.”
1945
HIGH SCHOOL Caroline McGuirk Cromelin Mayfield writes that she is still in Chevy Chase, Md., “I have lost both husbands, Paul Bowen Cromelin and Richard Hereren Mayfield, but I am still living on Kirke Street, just a few blocks from my son and daughter-in-law, and recently my granddaughter and her husband have moved to Maryland where she is practicing medicine. She attended the University of Virginia and Emory, where she met her husband. They now have my first great-grandson, Griffin Cromelin Smith (1).” Caroline’s daughter, Caroline Cromelin, lives in New York with her British husband and twins, George and Virginia (16). A grandson, Paul Bowen Cromelin IV, now lives in California and was recently married. Caroline’s sister, Irene Foster McGuirk, lives near her.
1949
COLLEGE Susan Joyner Ferraro writes that 2018 was an eventful year. “Early in the a.m., April 13 (Friday the 13th) an intruder broke into my home and confronted me as I was getting ready for bed, wrestled me to the floor and tied me to the legs of the bed. He ransacked the bedroom, stole lots of jewelry and what money was in the house. I resisted and ended up with a broken neck, two vertebra from the base of the skull, which doctors said was usually fatal or left one paralyzed, so I was truly blessed to be able to get help.” After days in the hospital and six weeks in rehab, Susan has moved to assisted living and though still unsteady on her feet, she is healthy. She is still holding on to her regular home, where her son and daughter can stay when they visit her in Belton, Mo. Another son also lives in town and is a big help. Ann Duncan Story writes from Pikesville, Md., “Where did the years go? It just seems impossible! I am still semi-independent, thankfully.” Marion Turner Hubbard moved to Wellspring Retirement in Greensboro in September 2018. She is pleased with her move. Ladre King Floyd is now living in Rome, Ga.
1951
COLLEGE Louise Milliken Howard ’51C It was such fun talking by phone last April with Grace Gordon Pless in Asheville. She and Cecil are both in good health and stay very busy. They spent last February in warm, sunny Costa Rica and hope their four daughters and six grandchildren will join them next year. Two of their daughters live in Asheville. Another daughter lives in Seattle, Wash., and one lives outside Frisco, Colo., where the skiing is great. All of Grace’s grandchildren are either in college or have recently graduated. She expresses deep gratitude for her family and her life. Grace reported that Mimi Lynch Dow lives in a retirement community in Gaithersburg, Md., and that Nancy Woodruff Broadwell has served at a high level in the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Carolina and has also served at the national level in the Episcopal Church. Congratulations to Nancy. I am sorry to report that we continue to lose our classmates. Somehow I overlooked mentioning the death in May, 2017, of
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Margaret Dunn Toms, as was listed in the Saint Mary’s magazine. Margaret was very helpful to me with news of classmates and especially with news of reunions that I could not attend. She was always upbeat and loved Saint Mary’s. I know that she will be missed. Three classmates were listed as having died in 2018: Mary Ruth Ruble Steen, Millie Cobb Carr, and LaNelle Edwards Looper. All three of these classmates in their own ways enriched our college experiences. I remember them fondly. Virginia Hall Wood stays very busy in the beautiful town of Edenton, with lots of volunteer opportunities. Every Sunday afternoon she works at the 1782 Penelope Barker House on the banks of the Albemarle Sound. This historic house receives visitors from all over the world. Virginia’s home, Greenfield, was on the spring tour last April. Bible study is also very high on Virginia’s schedule. She deeply misses her special friend, Nancy Dawson Rascoe Stevenson ’52C, who died in 2018. In regard to the passing of so many friends and classmates, Virginia, with her own brand of humor, writes, “A lot of our friends and classmates will be on the welcoming committee.” Jean Graham Massengill is now living in Cary. June Bullard Winston and Kenneth have moved to a retirement complex outside of Winston-Salem in Bermuda Run. Their 12th great-grandchild arrived in August of 2018. Nancy Bobbitt Thompson ’49HS ’51C writes that she is fortunate to still be living in her house, still driving, and active. “When my Sam died eight years ago, my daughter, Nancy Thompson Heathcote ’75HS ’77C, was divorced, with three sons in college, so she sold her house and moved in with me. So many of my close friends—the ones still living—have moved into retirement and nursing homes. We stay in touch. I have three wonderful children. My son, Sanford, is an attorney here in Raleigh. My daughter, Nancy, I have already mentioned. My youngest daughter, Elizabeth, is married and lives in Richmond, Va. Each of them has three children. Nancy’s oldest son has a son (1), and her middle son is in his fourth year of residency in general surgery in Wilmington. He and his wife have three children—my four greatgrandchildren.” It is so very nice hearing from some of you. There are approximately 50 of us still living. It would be wonderful if you would send your news to me next year—or anytime during the year. We are a band of survivors! With love to all, Louise
1951 HIGH SCHOOL AND 1953 COLLEGE
Ann McColman Copeland ’53C has three daughters, all of whom are “well, busy, and doing fine.” Ann now lives at Southminster in Charlotte. Her husband passed away three years ago. Patsy Daniels Lindley ’51HS ’53C
writes from Vero Beach, Fla. Her husband, Jim Lindley, passed away March 17, 2019. He was a UNC grad from Greensboro.
1955
HIGH SCHOOL Barry Bowen Gilmer ’55HS ’57C Many thanks to my number four son, David Johnstone, for compiling the newsletter this year since it became impossible for me. I had some surgery last May Mary Lynn Lewis Delany ’44C, left, Olive Camp Johnson ’44HS, right that was not insignificant but not serious either. I had a stroke either to a barely-big-enough rental flat. Definitely during the operation or in recovery after. Anyway, I was admitted to a challenge, but not without laughs! My older Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Center here in daughter, her husband, and two daughters are Greenville, where I spent 13 weeks in rehab. here. One graduated from University of Alabama I have now been home since mid-July last in May and in the fall will do an Anglican Fellows summer with one shift of home health to get Program at Falls Church, Va. Both of Clark's me fed and dressed. She and Fred have taken daughters, his son-in-law, and three young great care of me, but we are all very tired. I have granddaughters are also here. We love being a deficiency on my left side, especially my left back with family! My younger daughter lives in arm and hand. My life has been slowed down, Houston, Texas, with her two young children but my family, friends, and church have taught and has recently started a pet-sitting business. me what love, patience, and prayer can do in my My son and his family are in Tallahassee, Fla. His life. I am now in outpatient therapy twice a week son is studying in Germany, his older daughter and am making slow but steady progress. That’s will be a freshman at the College of Charleston, my news, except I must say my grandkids are and his younger daughter is in tenth grade at all healthy and happy. My oldest granddaughter, Millbrook School, N.Y. I really am enjoying Jennings, is a counselor here in Greenville. Birmingham!” Lucy McPherson Girard muses Her sister, Ellison, is practicing law in Charlotte that it now takes her longer and longer to do and brother Rudy graduated from Clemson in nothing. She is caring for her husband, Jerry, May and will be working here for Elliott Davis. who has dealt with serious health problems Scott’s boy, Andrew, is in the Navy stationed in since ’06. “We live in a ‘mother-in-law’s home’ Japan but will be home on leave next month. connected by a back porch to my daughter's Scott’s daughter, Jordan, and David’s daughter, home. I couldn't make it without her.” Their Cary, are sophomores at USC, and their dads grandson, Jonathan Warren, received his Eagle did not pay millions to get them in. David's son award and gold palm on May 11. “Jerry and I is at Christ Church Episcopal School and plays have nine grandchildren, and I am so proud of basketball and football there. He is six-five, so them.” They live in Eads, Tenn., near Memphis. we think he may have a basketball future. Reid Carol McWhirter Cape reports that this has now has a blended family of five wonderful kids. been a busy year so far. “Christmas at my son’s The oldest graduates from the Citadel this year. in Houston, Texas, then New Year’s with my The next two attend Clemson, another at the North Carolina daughters. I went to Spain in Citadel, and Reid’s youngest graduates from January and on a Caribbean cruise in February.” Greenville High next year. I must mention that She enjoyed a special baby shower in Durham in I recently had a nice phone conversation with March, then Myrtle Beach to visit some friends Ann Speir Bruce. She called to let me know and finally back to Florida. “I am healthy and she lives across the street from my grandson, keeping as active as I can while I can still see. Rudy, who just bought a house here. Ann seems I have macular degeneration and have no idea well, and we will get together soon. Emily Cater how this will affect the rest of my life. The Lord Hubbard writes, “Twenty years ago, Clark and has been so good to me all my life. So glad to I left Alabama on an adventure that took us to have Him in my life. I live in central Florida, north Pennsylvania, New York, and Georgia. In January, of where I was born in Tampa. God bless you we left our beloved parish in Richmond Hill, all. I got by Saint Mary’s this winter and it really Ga., and moved to Birmingham, Ala., to be near looks wonderful.” Anne Powell Ward welcomed family. We downsized from our spacious home her sixth great-grandchild in April. Her husband
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CLASS NEWS
Front row, left to right: Martha Winstead Brannock ’59HS, Diane Blanton Cannon ’59HS ’61C, Amelia Yancey Bond ’59HS ’61C, McNair Currie Maxwell ’59HS; back row: Hadley Morgan Hines ’59HS ’61C, Jackie Polk Edwards ’59HS ’61C, Martha Pat Bell ’59HS ’61C
was inducted into the Engineers Hall of Fame at N.C. State University last fall. They have rented a house at the beach for the family this summer. Mittie Crumpler Landi reports that she and husband John are doing pretty well health-wise. “We are enjoying our retirement location and finding it meets our needs. Our four children and eight grandchildren are doing well. Three of the grandchildren are married; no great-grands. However, the younger four grandchildren are attending the University of South Carolina, Appalachian, UNC-Chapel Hill, and the oldest of these four, Edward, is graduating from N.C. State this spring. In all, we’re grateful for the health of all of us, which, though not robust, is sufficient. We still enjoy Debordieu, just less frequently.” Coleman Jenkins Dance writes, “I loved going to the big 175th anniversary gala at Saint Mary’s. It was a beautiful event. Our beach place was really hurt by the hurricane, but we hope to get back in by this summer. We are well: slower but still upright (with a cane). Thank the Lord!” Much love to all of you. And do please keep up with us. You can call me or email me anytime. And thanks to David for putting this together. He is now director of Christ Church Episcopal School Lower School. I hope for a wonderful year for all of us. Barry Bowen
Civic League and the Oceana High School newsletters. Julianne Boone Capel is still living in Troy. Jane Best Wehland writes from Raleigh, “There aren’t many of us left, and we are certainly not good about coming to reunions. I wish we could do better! I am sure most of us are adjusting to changes in our lifestyles. Chuck has been dead for almost three years. Because I did not want my children to have to struggle with me in coming years, I moved to Springmoor, a life care retirement community near my daughter in the same part of North Raleigh where Chuck and I lived for 14 years after we moved to North Carolina when he retired. It was a good move to Springmoor, and a gift to me and the children. They and their families are well, and I am too. Please come to our 65th reunion in 2020. Besides catching up, we can share tips for adjusting to our changing lives.”
1955
1957
COLLEGE Marian Dudley Kitchin writes from her home in Virginia Beach, Va. She goes to the gym five or six days a week and is editor of the Croatan
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First Row, left to right: Georgia Fuller Johnson ’59C, Doris Davenport Bradley ’59C, Betty Beales Watson ’59C, Ada Ellen Hoell Smith ’59C, Octavia Phillips McLeod ’59C, Jane Augustine Rabon ’59C; Second Row: Susan Baumgardner Kaiser ’59C, Jeanne Moye Whitford ’59C, Joyce Batchelor Parks ’59C, Bev DuBose Patrick ’59C, Rett Weston Padgett ’59C, Sarah Ellen White Archie ’57HS ’59C
Saint Mary’s School | www.sms.edu
1957
HIGH SCHOOL Sylvia Olson Longaker is enjoying retirement in Ft. Myers, Fla. “Our four daughters and five grands visit often. We joined a wonderful Episcopal church on Sanibel Island and feel very settled.”
COLLEGE Phyllis Wall Purdy writes from Calhoun, Ga., “Since I lost Ron four years ago, I have tried to stay very busy. I have traveled to Germany,
Austria, Norway, Sweden, Finland, U.S.S.R, Denmark, Estonia, and Russia. Still involved in church, Literacy Council, Historical Society, and Women’s Club.” Phyllis adds that one granddaughter is married and the other is studying for a semester in Germany. Holly Hollowell Smith writes from California, “My husband of 56 years, Edward, passed away a few years back and I have since moved into assisted living. I do come to North Carolina to see my daughter, Becky.” Josie Ward Patton has moved from Gimghoul Road to The Cedars at Meadowmont in Chapel Hill. She loves living at The Cedars!
1959
HIGH SCHOOL Judith Crumpler Lyon writes from Morehead City, “Hi All: Just a thought—“Face to Face with the Next Step.” Never, never give up! A lesson learned from my parents, who gave me the opportunity of Saint Mary’s. Go forward, Saints!” Rett Weston Padgett is living in Florence, S.C. “We are busy with weddings. My husband and I had three grandchildren married in two years.”
1959
COLLEGE Jane “Chip” Augustine Rabon writes from Raleigh, “I still enjoy social and travel opportunities. Just returned from visiting friends in Naples, Fla. In recent years, I have had several sailing expeditions in the Mediterranean and elsewhere on the Star Clipper line.” Bev DuBose
SAINT MARY’S REMEMBERS Patrick is celebrating the birth of her first great-grandchild. Susie Baumgardner Kaiser and husband Mike have lived happily in Highlands for 20 years, after leaving Valdosta, Ga., when Mike retired from the pulp and paper industry. Susie worked for Exxon in New Orleans for a number of years before they moved to Valdosta. “Our children, Steven, Andrew, and Catherine, all live in the Atlanta area with their families so we are able to see them and our nine grandchildren often. We have enjoyed activities in Highlands, and I still sing in the choir at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation. I am looking forward to returning to Saint Mary’s and sharing the reunion with everyone!”
1961
HIGH SCHOOL Barbara Craig Holsinger writes from Lexington, Ky., “I married Jim Holsinger (the love of my life!) in 1966, seven days after his graduation from Duke Medical School and five months before I graduated from Duke with a B.A. We have been blessed with four daughters: Anna, Ruth, Sarah, and Rachel, as well as seven grandchildren (six boys and one last little girl!). Jim worked in the Veteran’s Health Care system for 26 years and then the University of Kentucky’s Medical Center for 25 years. Barbara earned her Ph.D. in management with a minor in marketing. She worked at Asbury Theological Seminary from 1994 to 2008. In 2000, they were part of a small group of four couples who began Hope Springs United Methodist Church, with a ministry focused on street people, recovering addicts, and alcoholics. “Saint Mary’s helped me in my last two years of high school to focus on my faith (bless the weekly chapel services!). Miss Basis, Miss R, and other faculty helped me mature. I will be forever grateful for my two years at Saint Mary’s! Bless the school!”
1961
COLLEGE G.G. Saunders Buxton ’61C Another year has passed. How quickly time flies. Arden Fobes Scott has been home in Southern Pines for eight years. In 2017, she lost her husband, Jack. She has enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and the comfort of living in a small town. Pam Voliva Crutchfield loves volunteering with her garden club and the Junior League of Philadelphia. She plays bridge and recently took up mah jong. She and Jim (an N.C. State graduate) spend two months in Naples, Fla., avoiding the northern snowstorms. She enjoys exercising at a nearby gym and is in three book clubs—a very avid reader. They have eight grandchildren who live in Devon, Penn., Bethesda, Md., and Glen Ridge, N.J. The entire family meets on the Outer Banks for Thanksgiving and, in the summer, they convene in Avalon, N.J. Gill Holcombe Powell reports that Sheff Wilson has moved to assisted living in Kearney, Neb. She says that Anna Cay Henry Hawes and husband Peter moved to assisted living in Asheville, but that, sadly, Anna Cay died last year. Betty Jones Atkinson spent the night with Gill on the way from Chester to Atlanta. Betty keeps up with Bobbie Watson Douglas. Last summer Gill took her youngest of four grandchildren on a cruise to Alaska. It was Gill’s fourth trip there. When she wrote, she was headed to Charleston for a week for a high school reunion and then to act as a tour guide for Canadian friends. Betty Lynch Hammond sees Becky Elmore Clement on her way from South Carolina to Virginia. Betty reports that both Becky and husband Joe look great. Betty spent February in Florida and still goes to the Eastern Shore frequently. Sue Creech Wallace wrote that her husband, John, who turned 81 in May, was diagnosed with cognitive impairment in 2007. Lots of church and family support has helped. They moved to Smithfield in 2005 to be close to family. Sue is his long-term care
Sarah Elizabeth Miles Johnson longtime Kenan Library staffer 1925-2019 Sarah Elizabeth Miles Johnson, 93, died peacefully surrounded by her loving children, Annie Johnson Stamm ’75HS ’77C and Miles Johnson, on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019. Sarah was born on June 8, 1925 to William Alexander Miles, Sr. and Annie Duke Miles in Warrenton, North Carolina. She attended Warren County public Schools, Meredith College, and obtained a B.A. in English from Wake Forest College when it was in Wake Forest, NC. For over 25 years, Sarah taught English and Spanish in Warren County, Wake County, and at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg North Carolina. For 18 years, she worked in the library at Saint Mary's College, retiring in 1998. The Johnson were truly a Saint Mary’s family. Sarah married the love of her life, longtime Saint Mary’s College Registrar Thomas Hartful Johnson, in 1956 and they were the parents of daughter and Saint Mary’s alumna Annie Johnson Stamm ’75HS ’77C and son Miles Thomas Johnson. Sarah was proceeded in death by her husband in 1980 as well as her brothers, W. A. Miles, Duke Miles, and Randolph Miles. A devoted Christian and member of St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Raleigh for over 51 years, Sarah served faithfully as a church leader. Her strong commitment to God and her church was evident in her deep and abiding faith. A kind, loving heart and generous spirit filled Sarah's 93 years with blessings for all who loved her. Funeral services were held on Sunday, February 10, 2019, at St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. For the last four and 1/2 years, Sarah made Elmcroft of Northridge her home. She received exceptional care through those years and was a bright, sweet light to staff and residents alike. Many thanks to all the wonderful staff at Elmcroft, Heartland Hospice, Rex Hospital 5 East, BellaRose, and Transitions LifeCare. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Giles Presbyterian Church, 5101 Oak Park Rd., Raleigh, NC, 27612, Saint Mary's School, 900 Hillsborough St. Raleigh, NC, 27603, Heartland Hospice, or Transitions LifeCare. Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.
Published in The News & Observer on Feb. 6, 2019
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CLASS NEWS
Susan Cook ’64C, Marion Purcell Whatley ’62HS ’64C, Ellen Scurry Reynolds ’64C, Anne Chamberlain Fowler ’64C
manager. John is still physically active, but does not know family and even Sue at times. Amelia Yancey Bond reports that, thankfully, they are doing well. Her husband, Lin, had quadruple bypass surgery in November that required a month’s visit to the hospital in Greenville, N.C. Wonderful surgeons and doctors have him on the road to recovery. Their oldest grandchild is a freshman at the University of Georgia. They enjoy seeing their other grandchildren playing lacrosse. They had a nice visit with Frankie Stutts Boyd at DeBordieu, S.C. Amelia enjoys seeing Janie Stronach Wood ’62HS ’64C and Dickie Robinson Tyler ’56HS ’58C in Edenton. Amelia also enjoys seeing Janet Dawson in Atlanta. Amelia still plays tennis and some golf. Hadley Morgan Hines has a granddaughter at Saint Mary’s now, Hadley Crawford ’22, and Hadley enjoys the experience of seeing the school first-hand again. She says it was a treat to see Ginny McKimmon Noelke and to meet Ginny’s granddaughter at the Granddaughter’s Club induction ceremony. Hadley’s Saint Mary’s High School Class of 1959 had a reunion in May, so she reminds us that our 60th college reunion is just two years away. She says the campus
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Saint Mary’s School | www.sms.edu
looks beautiful and it is always a treat to visit. Lila Wolff reports that she always enjoys hearing from Molly Cooper Safrit, Mary Marshall Kerns, and Amelia Yancey Bond. Lila now lives in Carolina Meadows, a continuing care retirement community in Chapel Hill. She serves on several committees there and continues volunteering at her church’s reception desk. This is her 12th year. This year she visited the World War II Museum in New Orleans, and she took a cruise through the Dutch waterways. Ann Swindell Wyche had a wonderful week at the Spoleto festival last year and has made several trips to the Cincinnati, Ohio, area to see grandchildren. She hopes to visit the Wye River area and explore Wyche County next year. Anne Dickson Bowen has lived in Charlottesville, Va., for over 50 years. She spends part of July and the first part of August in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for the thoroughbred racing season. The second part of August she joins her children at their house in Wrightsville Beach. Her daughter lives in Chestnut Hill, Mass., and has two boys who are in boarding school in Massachusetts and a daughter (10). Anne’ son lives in Charlottesville and has 10-year-old twins. Anne frequently
sees Jane Bellamy Venters ’58C at Wrightsville. Molly Cooper Safrit gets the prize for seeing and keeping up with the most classmates. Molly and Martha Pat Bell sympathize and support each other in a Tuesday night yoga class. Charlotte Thorne Grant and Molly are volunteer “weed pullers” in the herb garden at a historic property in Raleigh. Molly and Hadley Morgan Hines keep current on quality film releases and Sue Bergamini is still busy as the world’s best travel consultant. Molly also enjoys catching up with Sis Strong, who is also in Raleigh. Sis looks great, gardens, and plays a good game of tennis. Molly is no longer selling Carlisle and misses seeing Buzzy Miller Smith. Molly says that Celeste Barnett Parker’s husband, Jerre, recently died unexpectedly. Kay Shipman Schoellhorn is always busy going back and forth from Raleigh to Atlantic Beach, overseeing repairs and rebuilding her beach condo that suffered storm damage. Molly and Lou Uzzle Blackman keep in touch, which is always fun. Molly had lunch in Durham with Lila Wolff a while back. Jackie Polk Edwards came to Raleigh from Durham to have lunch with Edith Alston, who was visiting Martha Pat Bell. Edith has lived in New York City forever, but is considering a move to Chapel Hill. Mary Marshall Kerns moved from the D.C. area to Brevard after the death of her husband, Bill. She will move to Bozeman, Mont., where her sister and brother-in-law plan to make their permanent home. Molly had a five-day visit in Atlanta with Helen Reid Steward, the most gracious hostess. Adding to the fun was having dinner with Janet Dawson, who lives two blocks from Helen on Peachtree. Molly keeps in touch regularly with Anne Metts Smith, who lives in N.Y.C. Anne’s son, Drew, was married in Memphis, Tenn., last fall. Molly also reported that Margaret Atkinson Segal, who lives in Basel, Switzerland, was widowed last year. Molly saw Becky Elmore Clement at a Dames meeting at the Dunes Club in Atlantic Beach. Thanks to all of you who replied. It is always good to hear from you and to hear about our classmates.
1963
HIGH SCHOOL Alice Stallings Lowry reports, “I still love living in New Orleans, and continue to appreciate the education and experience of my two years at Saint Mary’s.” Alleen Cater ’63HS ’65C writes from Alabama, “My life has been completely taken over by preparations for the annual meeting of the Southern Garden History Society, happening in Birmingham for the first time, in late April. It is a delightful group of serious gardeners, etc. from all over the southeast. I find it quite enjoyable, and I will also be thrilled to finally see this year’s meeting in my rear-view mirror. All else is pretty much the same here.” Michelle Bratton Parker ’63HS ’65C reports that her only granddaughter, Josie Parker ’21 of Wilson, attends Saint Mary’s. “She is loving it and learning a great deal.”
1963
COLLEGE Sue Battle Moore ’63C Dear Class of ’63C, what a special treat to hear from Sally Stevens Yount after such a long hiatus! She and husband Whitten, 50year California residents, are now retired from the furniture business and living on the beach in Oxnard, a coastal town north of Los Angeles. She has extended an invitation to classmates to visit if we are in the area. Their son lives in High Point, and their daughter and family reside in Dallas, Texas. The news from Dianne Croonenberghs Tilghman is that she and husband Granville are now residents of Springmoor Retirement in Raleigh after having lived 50+ years in Dunn. Dianne is enjoying Raleigh and renewing old friendships, especially that of Dianne Littlefield Rosenbluth. Also from Raleigh comes word from Bettie White Cooper that after 50+ years of life in Henderson, she has returned to her hometown following the death of her husband, Marshall. Bettie loves her new townhouse, where she is surrounded by the kindest of neighbors, as well as family, both Whites and Coopers. Need I mention that she is most appreciative of all the “retail therapy” Raleigh has to offer? An extra-added attraction is that she is even closer to their son, John D., and his family, who reside in Charlotte. Bettie welcomes visits from all Saints! More news from Raleigh, albeit sad, is that Mary Roper Boxley’s husband, Mac, died on October 17, 2018. I enjoyed a recent conversation with Mary about Mac, who was a personal friend of mine from Phi Delta Theta days at UNCCH. Of course, what would a ’63C newsletter be without a report from our “energizer bunny with the bionic suitcase?” Yes, I am referring to our very own Flo Pitts Carter from Nebo, N.C. According to Flo, “2019 will be a year of change and travel for us.” After 30 years at Columbia Forest Products, Flo’s husband, Donnie, will retire. Then, the race is on! They have already completed a trip to Lake Louise, Canada, with son Tucker and his wife, Lisa, for the ultimate snow ski vacation. In August, they are headed for Istanbul, Turkey, and then they board the Orient Express for Paris. Upon their return, they will need to “R and R” in place at home on Lake James, where water activities will be their main entertainment. Katharine Waring Pollard is about to become a great-grandmother for the fourth time in August. Kay is still living at Lynn Cove Lane, Va. Beach, and just retired from the Garden Club of Virginia after 51 years as an active member. She has seven grandchildren (5 girls and 2 boys ) and four great grandchildren. Her eldest granddaughter Heather and husband Adam recently bought a house in Pennsylvania where Adam (who just received his doctorate) will be doing cancer research, and Heather will be teaching. Granddaughters Courtney and Margaret are both married and each have two
young children. Son Garland and his wife Alice (Sarasota) have one daughter at home. Both grandsons are teaching gymnastics, one in Miami, the other in Oakland, and granddaughter “Mac” is in L.A. Life is good. Becca Timberlake Myhre lives in Alexandria, Va. My news is that I am adding another Saint to the family as my granddaughter, May Thompson, daughter of Heather Moore Thompson ’88HS ’90C, will enter SMS in the fall of 2019. Until next time, all my best to you and yours, Sue Battle Moore
1965 HIGH SCHOOL AND 1967 COLLEGE
Joan Wickham Sugg ’65HS ’67C Jean Healy Neville ’65HS ’67C writes, “Since our 50th reunion, I am preparing for another in May from UNC-Chapel Hill. I hope to see lots of Saint Mary’s/UNC grads there. I’m enjoying being a board member of UNC Libraries, the advancement committee for Hill Learning Center in Durham, and on the curriculum committee for Augustine Literacy Project. Tennis and walking keep me moving and husband Bobby keeps me healthy with his yummy cuisine he loves to prepare. I had a wonderful trip to Ireland last April and hope to put another fun trip on the calendar soon. Wishing good health and happiness to all of our SMS classmates.” Jannet Bowers Kramer ’65HS was looking forward to her 50th reunion at Salem in April and her 50th wedding anniversary in June. She and Roger now have three children, a daughterin-law, a son-in-law, and four grandchildren. They enjoy traveling to Richmond, Va., Marietta, Ga., and Apex from their home in Wilmington. In May, they traveled to Las Vegas and saw some sites in the southwest suggested by your truly. Annie Lee Mobley Redd ’65HS is enjoying retirement at Ashley Park, an independent retirement living center in Charleston, S.C. She is glad to have son Ellis and sister Libby nearby. Meredith Maynard Chase ’67C is planning to take a trip from Shanghai to Tokyo, which will include seeing old cruise friends on the cruise portion of the trip. She plays mah jong once a week and takes two yoga classes per week for mind and body. She still does all her gardening unless there is a limb higher than her ladder can reach. Meredith continues to lead a weekly Bible study for seniors and visits a local nursing home once a month. She is also going through hundreds of family letters dating back to 1917—quite a task. Virginia McSwain Carson ’67C lost husband Francis in July after 49 years of marriage. She continues to live in Madison, Ga., near family, and travels whenever possible. She does some work with college accreditation, which includes a university in Jamaica and with SACSCOC. Libby Keller Savitz has had a great deal of support from her family and friends since the February 13 death of her husband,
David, from esophageal cancer. They were married more than 39 years. Their daughter, Emma, married Sam Crawford on February 2, in a small, family-only, ceremony near Boston. David was not well enough to be there in person, but he was on FaceTime for the whole thing, and it was beautiful and meaningful to all. Libby says she is beginning to try to figure out the new normal. Nell Fleming Armstrong ’65HS really enjoys being in touch weekly with Georgie Campen Thompson ’65HS. Nell lives on a farm in Vanceboro, within ‘hollerin’ distance’ of daughter Christie and son-in-law Anthony. Grandsons Joseph (26) and Hunter (19) work in New Bern and Raleigh, respectively. Granddaughter Elizabeth lives in Raleigh and is in sixth grade. Nell looks forward to being a great-grandmother soon. Francey Breeden Schauss ’67C and husband Peter, now both retired, enjoy traveling and have recently visited France, Portugal, and Finland. Their children, Matt (wife Eraina) and Sarah (husband Tim) have added four beautiful grandchildren to the family: Isabella, Alistair, Blair, and William, for whom they are grateful. Francey and Peter remain active in their church: Peter as sacristan and Francey as treasurer. Sally James ’65HS ’67C continues as study leader and lecturer with Smithsonian Journeys and the National Trust tours. She is most often in Italy and Britain. Sally will give a paper on the renaissance to the Society of America in Toronto, Canada. She has retired from her 30-year career in higher education. Susan Gelston Mink ’67C spends the winter (mostly) in Florida. She planned to travel to England in June. She had gallbladder surgery and a small cancer on her face (just a place she forgot to do sunblock), but that hasn’t stopped her from learning to kite surf or trying to improve her golf game. All the children and grands are great. Clarine Pollock Powell ’67C and Rob are doing an awful job at being retired. He works at his firm, Sound Partners, and she does long stints teaching tap dancing at East Carolina and the studio but still finds time to visit Pine Knoll Shores. Gretchen Godwin MacNair ’67C and Clarine help each other get through UNC basketball days. Michele Millichap Henning ’65HS ’67C and husband Tim have moved to St. Simon’s Island, Ga., after 29 years in Atlanta. They moved to a house they bought three years ago and have renovated. Tim plans to continue working in real estate and Michele hopes to stay in the wine industry, perhaps conducting tastings. Christine Hurst Copley ’67C is “finally” a grandmother. Jane Lyddon Copley was born July 30, 2018. Jane and her parents live in Athens, Ga., not that far from Atlanta, so Athens is most definitely on the itinerary. Christine’s plans also included a visit to North Carolina for her 50th reunion at UNC-Chapel Hill, a visit to Charleston, S.C., to visit several ADPi sisters, and a visit to the beach with cousins. Yours truly had two trips to the southwest in the fall. The one in September was
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CLASS NEWS meeting in my rearview mirror. All else is pretty much the same here.” Willa McKimmon Dickens shares that she and Billy still love being retired in Morehead. They love seeing Saint Mary’s girls come and go! Her sister’s granddaughter, Anna Noelke from Austin, Texas, is a 10th grader at SMS this year. Sister Ginny and Willa have enjoyed working with the wonderful staff. They are continually impressed. Willa is enjoying lots of bridge, where she sees Saint Mary’s friends, as well as St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Ginny, Jody, and the two boys are still in Bangkok! Sons Fred and Henry Dickens are both in Raleigh with Blair and Ann. Carol Wilson Brewer Conner shares that she is loving Camp Cici with her six grandchildren in the mountains. She’s The Class of 1968 College is at it again! Members of the class gathered for a beach retreat at Atlantic Beach rebuilding a new home in April. Diane Stockard Wade ’66HS ’68C and Duffy Beasley Gibbs ’68C served as event planners. after Hurricane Florence hit the coast. They were so fortunate to have to archaeological sites in Colorado, Arizona, and another place to live, as New Mexico, especially Chaco Canyon, as well many people did not. Michelle Bratton Parker COLLEGE as a few days in Santa Fe. The trip in October ’63HS ’65C reports that her only granddaughter, included visits to Yellowstone, Deadwood, Trudie Turner Arrington ’65C Josie Parker ’21 of Wilson, is attending Saint Hello Class of ’65! Hope all is well and you’re and Mount Rushmore. In February, I made my Mary’s. “She is loving it and learning a great deal.” third trip to Egypt, with emphasis on places having a good year. Has it been 54 years since Gretchen Fracher Hardage has been retired not visited before and usually not open to the we learned and made lifetime friendships at from the Saint Mary’s admissions office for eight general public, but open to us thanks to Dr. Zahi our Saint Mary’s? I love to hear the news and years now. After 26 years at SMS, Gretchen is Hawass, whom I had met on a pervious trip. (Dr. share. Kay Symons Patterson writes that her rightfully proud that she had a part in helping to Z said, “I remember you! How are your cats that life is the same – still in Raleigh. Her grandson, make it the school it is today, and she says every you named for pharaohs?”) These sites included Rollie Tillman IV, was about to be a graduate of alum should be proud. Gretchen stays busy with conservation labs at the new and not-yet-open Cardinal Gibbons High School. Her 14-year- volunteer work and spending time in Winstonto the public Grand Egyptian Museum on the old granddaughter, Eliza Dunn Tillman, finished Salem with three grandsons (15, 12, and 10). Giza Plateau. We also saw Abu Rawash, where the eighth grade at St. Timothy’s School and She keeps in touch with Margaret Jackson the “missing” pyramid of Pharaoh Djedfre (for will begin her freshman year at Saint Mary’s Weatherly, Betsy Wilson Brady, Lawto Davis whom one of my cats is named), the funerary as a boarding student. Kay is so excited and Kasey, and Chris Collester Volf. Letitia Baker temple of Set I (another cat), Amarna, home of very proud of her because she was awarded Okerlund shares that their younger son, Greg, King Tut, and Taposiris Magna, the possible site the Capital Scholarship given on merit! Those got married September 28, 2018, and lives in of Cleopata’s tomb. In Luxor, we had a chance to children are Kay’s life. She says, “Please share if Buffalo, N.Y. “We are in the process of selling our visit the Valley of the Kings and again see tombs any of your granddaughters are attending SMS house in Jamestown, N.Y., and becoming yearnot generally open to the public as well as some so we can get together at grandparents’ events. round residents of Greenwood, S.C., instead of that are, such as King Tut’s. It was wonderful How can we be old enough to be grandparents? being ‘snowbirds.’” I had a very sad trip to Kinston to see the work being done to conserve and Where has the time gone?” Alleen Cater writes last July for the celebration of life service for from Alabama, “My life was completely taken restore them. Joan over by preparations for the annual meeting of Mary Jo Quinerly Jefferson. I still think about the Southern Garden History Society, held in the gathering and how dear Steve and Mary Jo’s Birmingham for the first time, in late April. It is a children are. We lost a mighty dear friend. Saint delightful group of serious gardeners, etc. from Mary’s was well represented. I was fortunate to all over the southeast. I find it quite enjoyable, sit with Diana Hodges Barwick. We shared super and I will also be thrilled to finally see this year’s good memories. Continue to cherish our time
1965
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Saint Mary’s School | www.sms.edu
SAINT MARY’S REMEMBERS at SMJC and plan ahead to get together for another reunion. Do you think the Cold Cuts could entertain? Thank you to all, Trudie
1967
HIGH SCHOOL Martha Hall Michaels ’67HS Hi girls! Sherwood Wright Crawford is still in New Bern, working for the United Way of Coastal Carolina as resource development coordinator. “My three children and seven grandchildren are the best part of my world. Molly and her husband are attorneys and live in Beaufort, S.C., with Rawles and Caroline. Kat is a senior design director for Coach and lives in New York with her husband and two boys, Harrison and Miller. Thomas and his wife live in Raleigh, where he is a partner in his CPA firm. They have twins, Rowan and Macy (4), and little Miles (18 months). I love spending time with everyone at the beach during the summer.” Margaret Highsmith Dickson reports that she continues to be very happy with her move to Raleigh. “Condo living is certainly very different than having a house and yard, but I have adjusted. No grandchildren yet, but four grand dogs whom I see regularly.” Margaret says that she and Marty Brennan Spry reconnected after many years at our reunion and when Marty asked if she wanted to go to Peru, she said yes! Marty has old friends with a tour company, so the four of them went to Peru and Bolivia. “It was lots of fun—yet another benefit of being Saint Mary’s girls!” Ellen Braddy Owens just celebrated 13 lucky, blessed years with her living donor kidney transplant. “Nancy Romero, my donor in Atlanta, gave me life and time to enjoy my family and friends.” Her grandchildren are 13, 10 and 3, and Ellen and Tom love their visits. “My spring hobby is air-layering camellias! Life reminds us, tell the ones you love, ‘Hey. I love you,’ every chance you get. Life is short. Best wishes to each of you.” Cary Scott Battle has moved to Hendersonville after being flooded out of her Nichols, S.C., home twice from hurricanes. “I am very happy for the move and thriving under the forced evacuation! I recently visited with Liz Bryan, who is nearby in Black Mountain. All visitors welcome.” Jody Friedberg Pagano lives in Chapel Hill and has recently moved into a “cottage” at The Cedars. “Although I am the youngest here, my husband is a bit older. He still works part time at the Lineberger Cancer Center, which he started many years ago. My daughter and her hubby live in Asheville, where she is a PT (coming in very handy!). My son and his wife live in Browns Summit and have four adorable children. Rosie just turned 2.” Jody was headed to Paris in April with the Ackland Museum. Margaret Morrison Hamilton and husband Jeff are still living in Wilmington but have bought a second home in Manchester, Vt., to get closer to their northeast connections. Their son, Jeff, and Katie live in Boston with two little boys (2 and 4). Their daughter, Caroline, with husband Eric Langerman, are in Charlotte with a son and daughter (4 and 2). “We keep the roads hot with my mother who is still in Concord (age 98 and coming up on her 80th reunion at Saint Mary’s!) We visited San Miquel in Mexico in late February and are headed to the Cotswolds in June. Who knew the eighth decade could bring such adventure?” Mary Burhoe Gillam and husband Scott are busy and happy in Asheville, and going to Boca Grande, Fla., to escape cold weather. Son Tom (40) is married to Amy Rochester and lives in Saxapahaw. Son Ingram (38) is married to Angie Cline and lives in Hickory. They have a daughter, Lindsey (18). Son Frank (34) is married to Anne Elizabeth Franklin and they live in Durham. They have two children, Carter (5) and Dottie (2). “Retirement is such fun!” Jane Byrd Melton and Dan are cleaning out lots of old “stuff” in preparation for selling their house in Clemmons this year. She says they are not pressuring themselves with deadlines. Liz Bryan writes, “Our days are spent in visiting our two grandsons (3 and 1), hiking the Swannanoa Valley Rim trails, exercise, and our UU church right down the road from us. Two and a half years in western North Carolina and still loving it. Cary Scott Battle has moved 45 minutes away from us, and she and I got together a couple of weeks ago for a long overdue visit.” I enjoyed hearing from you girls! As for Paul and me, we are thankful that our three daughters, Courtenay Bailey Jackson ’86HS, Hillary, and Fiquet Bailey Swain ’95HS, and son, Jeff, along with their significant others and children, live in the Raleigh area. With six grandchildren, we’ve attended our share of games and performances. Five are in the 11 to 16 age bracket now, so we are dealing with pre-teens and teens! Paul and I enjoy entertaining and traveling. Next up is a trip to Spain and Portugal with our travel buddies, Jim and Caroline Green Stone ’68C.
Robert T. Simpson
Former Director of Admissions
Robert T. Simpson, 88, passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina, to the late William Richardson Simpson and Elizabeth Truesdale Simpson. Mr. Simpson graduated from Duke University in 1952. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he was a 1st Lieutenant. He served during the Korean War, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for Distinguished Service. Mr. Simpson later attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for graduate school. He served as the Associate Director of Duke Undergraduate Admissions, the Director of Admissions at Saint Mary's College in Raleigh. Upon leaving Saint Mary's, he started a private enterprise and worked until his retirement. In his free time he mentored and coached many kids through youth sports including St. Stephen's basketball, undefeated for five years, Elk's youth football teams, and Little League baseball. He was an avid Duke Blue Devils fan, and he enjoyed following his grandchildren's sports endeavors. Mr. Simpson is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Sarah Wray Simpson; sons, Bobby Simpson and wife Heather, Billy Simpson and wife Melissa; daughter, Betty Harmon and husband Ted; grandchildren, Robby Simpson and wife Corey, Henry Simpson, Philip Simpson, Alex Simpson, Anna Ross Simpson, Carter Wray Simpson, Pride Simpson, Sarah McKinney Simpson, Macon Harmon and fiancé, Rod Mitchell, Abby Harmon; and great-grandchildren, Asher Harmon, Amelia Mitchell, Charlotte Toro; brother, Bill Simpson and wife Laura; niece Lauran Simpson and son, Josh. A funeral service was held Wednesday, January 16, at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, in Durham.
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CLASS NEWS
First row, left to right: Debbie Boyd Pearson ’69C, Jane Aycock Murphy ’69C, Wendy Soper McSweeney ’69C, Julie Badger Moore ’69C, Helen Alford ’69C, Liz Burleson Hudson ’69C, Kerr Blackwell Talberg ’69C, Frances Gillam Fontaine ’69C; second row: Sue Willingham Upchurch ’69C, Susan Johnson Hedgpeth ’67HS ’69C, Barbara Thompson Frye ’69C, Beth Holder Handford ’69C, Susan Foltz Deyton ’69C, Nancy Helms ’69C, Joan MacNair Petty ’69C, Bonnie Bowen Banks ’69C; third row: Corinne Davidson Aycock ’69C, Marian Wolff Nolan ’69C, Lenna Loveland Sikes ’69C, Josie Peoples Dickson ’69C, Anne Holcomb Belser ’69C, Kay Wetmore Stallings ’69C, Marie Sharpe ’69C, Ashley Mawyer Byrd ’69C
1969
HIGH SCHOOL Patsy McLaurin Hoch writes from Murrells Inlet, S.C., where she and husband Greg enjoy retirement on the coast after more than 40 years in the New York City area. “We welcome guests, but caution you to call or text first because travel to visit our grandchildren, participate in British car club events, or play golf in Scotland frequently! I enjoyed seeing Miriam Manning Sauls in Winston and at the beach last year.”
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COLLEGE Liz Burleson Hudson ’69C Greetings to all our wonderful class. The 50th reunion was wonderful, and it was so good to see so many of our class attending. We all look so young! The school looks so lovely and though changed since we went there, the spirit
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still resonates wherever you go on campus. Katherine Hunter Bratton missed the reunion due to a wonderful trip to Paris - up the Seine and ending up in Normandy. She remembers bringing her mother, Kitty Sigmon Hunter ’40C, who died this year in February, to her 50th reunion. This year would have been her mom’s 79th reunion. The second floor Holt group - Kerr Blackwell Tallberg, Cille Keedwell Allen, Bonnie Bowen Banks and Debbie Boyd Pearson - still gather once a year at the beach and act like they are 18. Cille and Kerr were shagging in the kitchen! Katherine says that they “have supported and loved each other for 50 years and it is the bond of Saint Mary’s!” Ashley Mawyer Bryd writes that her daughter, Elizabeth, was married in May 2018 and now lives in Atlanta. Her son, Worth, continues to live in Denver, Colo. Ashley retired from being a school counselor in 2013, but husband Sam still practices dentistry. He was previously a dental commander at the Charleston AF
base and they go back and visit Charleston whenever they can. Anne Holcombe Belser writes from Charleston. She and her husband are both retired: Rick from the Anglican Church and Anne from Federal Court, where she was courtroom deputy. They spent four years in Egypt (through three revolutions), and then Ethiopia. She met up with Marion Wolff Nolan, Wendy Soper McSweeney, and Beth Holden Handford in Charleston for a girls weekend and planned to do the same for Reunion Weekend. She was in N.Y.C. in March to sing at Carnegie Hall. “No kidding! Along with 100 other voices singing ‘Rutter’s Magificate.’ How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice!” She has a blended family of two boys and four girls, with 14 grands. She and Rick have survived some “health bumps in the road,” and plan to keep it up. Mathilde Duffy writes that her big news is that after 32 years in Boston, she has moved to Athol, Mass., and is living in an area of lush forests, great hiking, and bears and moose.
lovely horse farm next to a 3,100 acre national park. Wow! They board horses and she said it keeps them very busy, but somewhat young at heart. They have seven grandsons and one granddaughter. Life is full and rich with their involvement in the Anglican Church, her work with the Colonial Dames, and horses. She had a mini reunion in Charleston with Anne Holcomb Belser, Wendy Soper McSweeney, and Beth Holder Handford and has visited each of them recently at their homes. They all had a wonderful time at the reunion. Sally Woodroof Barton is so glad to be back home at the beach in Southport, where she and husband Rick have Front Row, left to right: Marilyn Kirkland Poole ’69HS ’71C, Laura Norris retired. They have a lovely Raynor ’69HS ’71C, Melissa Williamson Simpson ’69HS; middle row: Pam home in the St. James DeVere Crooks ’69HS ’71C Margaret Wellons Davis ’69HS, Julia Bowers Plantation Community. Hanson ’69HS, Susan Austin Brooks ’69HS; top row: Tibba Edgerton Their four children and ’69HS, Miriam Manning Sauls ’69HS four grandchildren are excited that they retired Quite a change from Boston. She is still drawing, doing photography, and producing wonderful to the beach and love coming to visit. Anne artworks for the surrounding bookstores and Graham Rowe lives in Edenton and was sorry farmers’ markets. So good to hear from Sara she was unable to attend the Class of 1969 Jane Hargrave Pate, who with husband Dan is College reunion. “These days, I have a pet living in Southern Pines. They are enjoying their sitting business and conduct a two-bedroom seven grandchildren ages 5 to 14. There are Airbnb service at my house. I have been a five girls, so she is looking forward to possibly widow for a long time, but I have a wonderful having another Saint Mary’s girl in several years. daughter, Emily Rowe, who lives in Raleigh No big trips this year, but they spend their now.” Anne invites classmates to visit her if time enjoying the North Carolina mountains they are in the Edenton area. We had so many and the Myrtle Beach cottage. She had a nice more classmates respond and I have just visit at Chapel Hill last fall with Susan Johnson had wonderful time writing the newsletter. Hedgepeth, and reminisced about spending My husband Walt and I, Elizabeth Burleson the last 50 years meeting in the bleachers at Hudson, are still enjoying our beautiful views Kenan Stadium. (Susan has just retired from of the North Carolina mountains from our 30 years of teaching kindergarten in Winston- home outside Lenoir. We would love to have Salem!) She had lunch with Sally Simpson anyone coming to the area stay with us. I am Neblett in Prince William, Va., and says that chairman of the Lenoir Service League Charity Sally retired last year from the Virginia court Thrift Shop, so am keeping more than busy, but system and is enjoying her less “scheduled” life. enjoying every moment of that. We are active Congratulations to Kay Whetmore Stallings! in the Methodist Church (Walt’s a Methodist)) Her son, Graham, and his wife, Leigh, had a and doing Meals on Wheels. So glad to see little boy, Graham Harrington Stallings, in April. everyone at the reunion. Happy 70th Birthday Kay is enjoying the new grandbaby. She is still to most of us! I think we all look great and it is working full time for a doctor in Raleigh. Nancy always wonderful to celebrate another reunion. Helms, Susan Foltz Deyton, and Julie Badger Love, Liz Burleson Hudson, Class Secretary Moore still meet for their “bridgeless” dinner once a month. She says everyone is doing fine, but can’t believe we are getting so old! Marian Wolff Nolan has had a rich life moving around the country, but has settled with husband Ferrell in Marietta, N.C., where they bought a
1971
HIGH SCHOOL Caren Threshie Camp ’71HS I am delighted to be your new class agent! Many thanks to Harriett Cowper Bobbitt for being
the agent for many, many years! I hope you will write next year and let me know where you are and how your life is. I would love to hear from you. A few years ago, Saint Mary’s asked me to serve on the Board of Trustees. I have really enjoyed coming back to Raleigh and seeing how impressively Saint Mary’s educates the girls and takes care of every need and special talent! It has been very interesting to see how the school and the board are planning for the future of Saint Mary’s. As you know, it’s unique in this day and age to be part of a single sex, Episcopal independent school. Very special! Last year Saint Mary’s celebrated the 175th Anniversary of the school. It was a spectacular occasion! Hundreds of people came. The event was very beautiful and successfully raised money much needed. Saint Mary’s was very influential in my life even after graduation. I went to NYC to attend fashion merchandising school and after graduation worked in the fashion business on 7th Avenue. One day while in Safeway on 2nd Avenue, I ran into Barbara Miller O’Herron from College ’71 . She called me two weeks later and asked me to get together with her and her husband and asked if would I mind a blind date. I said sure! My date was John Camp from Virginia. He knew many of the Saint Mary’s girls, as he had attended Woodberry Forest and dated a few. John and I married within a year and have been married 42 years. We live in Alexandria, Va., and would love to have you call or visit if ever in the D.C. area. I look forward to hearing from you next year! Best wishes, Caren Camp
1971
COLLEGE Betty Anne Queen Bush ’71C Greetings, classmates! As I write this, it is spring in North Carolina and my yard is bursting forth with baby leaves, and the swollen bulbs of baby blooms pique my interest. I love this time of year! Just witnessing life break forth again from the brittle dead twigs still left from winter’s cold and dreary days. We are all keeping busy doing something. Most of our class must be so wrapped up in their lives they have no time to write - I have in my palm only two blue slips of paper. The first note is from Peggy Flynt Carroll, who is now living in Waynesville and enjoying her six grandchildren. She writes, “I wish I lived closer to my grandchildren. I’m close enough to drive to babysit for a long weekend but not so close I crowd them.” The second note is from Anne McElwee Herschler. Since I’m writing this, I get to kinda cheat on this one. I called Anne one evening coming home from a family funeral in Shelby. I had yet to see her now-completed re-do in Statesville. Well, honey — it is worth taking the short jaunt off I-40! Anne’s home is utterly delightful! Full of color and personality - no “Maw Maw” here! Anne fixed me a delightful dinner, and we chatted and had just the best time! It was
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ALUMNAE BLOG CORNER
Stars and Saints
Musings on a Saint Mary’s Reunion from the desk of Becky Davis Morlok ’74HS
Lessons from the Season of Transition continue on the heels of my last post, Need a Blessing? I have just returned from my 45th high school reunion. Lord, have mercy! As the years roll along, few graduates have any intention of ever rejoining their classmates to remember high school years. The thoughts of dragging a spouse or arriving single, seeing old flames, worrying about weight gain, hair loss, and the ravages of time to gussy up for a social function do not serve as incentives. Thankfully, this is generally NOT the case for those who have attended single-gendered schools. I completed high school at Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh, North Carolina, an all-girls episcopal boarding school now 177 years old. It has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. Saint Mary’s was built upon a very firm foundation of faith. It was that faith that centered our high school experiences and friendships so long ago. We enjoyed and nurtured long-held school traditions, began new ones, participated in sports, art, music, theater, dance, and strong academics. We formed sacred bonds while eating our weight in M ‘n’ M’s, late night mischief, studying for finals and, if you didn’t have a date, watching the Mary Tyler Moore Show every Saturday night. It was not unusual to sneak into class wearing pajamas (under a raincoat) where we grew and learned without the distraction and competition for and with male students. Reunions now are much the same. We arrive sans spouses and significant others to avoid any contamination of our singlegender experiences. We worry about our weight just as we did as teens, but now include the aches and pains of aging. We share divorces as we shared high school break-ups. None of it bears weight (great pun) in our love and devotion for each other. We scoff at the superficial as we share the great joys and devastating sorrows of our lives. Everything and everyone are accepted and treasured as a part of our whole. We know and appreciate how well Saint Mary’s prepared and equipped us for the challenges of life we had no idea were heading our way. On the way to our alumnae Chapel service, we spied a bulletin board in Lower Smedes entitled “Let it Go!” with the message, “Write something you want to let go of this year.” Students were encouraged to leave anonymous post-it notes with their answers. Great idea! The Human Resource professional in me took note that this could work well in workplaces. As we scanned the board, we could not believe how many notes said ‘Mom,’ ‘Mother,’ ‘My Mother,’ ‘Mom and Dad,’ ‘My family.’ Granted, there is a lot of mother-daughter turmoil in the teenage years, but this was a bit stunning, especially given these girls were living away from home. It prompted great discussion. After Chapel, we returned to the board to show other classmates, and it was then that we discovered these ‘mother’ answers were NOT things students wanted to get rid of. Instead they were
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Becky Davis Morlok ’74HS and classmates at their 45th high school reunion this spring.
written on stars and posted under a message, “And we’re grateful for our stars.” There were so many more stars of gratitude than there were messages of things to let go of. What a great reflection of our youth and future leaders. This is a signpost for a successful life. If you are centered more in gratitude than lack, you know the secret. So too is the blessing of letting go of the superficial things that weigh us down unnecessarily and keep us from the authentic, sacred moments in life. We have lived a lot of life since we graduated May 11, 1974. If we make it five more years and make it back, we’ll receive a medal at our 50th reunion. As was the case 45 years ago, I grew and learned a lot from these Saints. They are now successful businesswomen, mothers and grandmothers, artists, CEOs, business owners, fundraisers, caregivers, community advocates. Without exception, faith and family form the center and we remain devoted to each other. It isn’t something we will be letting go of. We’re mighty grateful for our stars.
“You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea, in church or in trains, or in shops, or at tea, for the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one too.” Lesbia Scott (1898) This article first appeared May 8, 2019, in Career Chit Chat, a blog by Becky Davis Morlok ’74HS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP. Subscribe to Becky’s blog at https://thec3connection.com/career-chit-chat/. Morlok is a human resource professional with more than 35 years of varied experience identifying and providing human resource services and solutions.
CLASS NEWS totally an impromptu visit - exactly what we both needed - and her dinner for me was superb. Anne and I both had lived only several miles from each other in Greensboro for over 10 years and spent more time together in that one evening. Isn’t that odd? Of course, we were both busy. But that still gives no excuse for not keeping up with each other. Look around you - has this past year whizzed by? Mine sure has! Love to each and all.
1973
HIGH SCHOOL Barbara Egerton Tillery ’73HS I got several emails from classmates who just wanted to say hello, but didn’t have any news to share. Thanks to those of you who did share your news with us. Nancy Kerr Thomason writes that she is winding up her second term on the Saint Mary’s board. She says, “It has allowed me to reconnect to the school in a unique way but more importantly, reaffirm how important Saint Mary’s was/is in my life. I recently agreed to help with the next fundraising campaign, as making sure Saint Mary’s is sustainable longterm is important to me. If you haven’t been back in a while, visit. These girls are remarkable! I am still working as CFO of HAP Investment Group and handle their investments in biotech. Amusing, given my lack of science bent. I am spending most of my time at Topsail Beach now, recovering from Hurricane Florence and working from here. My sons, Gray and Cole, are now 26 and 23—such a great age! Let me know if you are in the area. I loved seeing those who made it to our last reunion.” Martha Woodard Pearlman writes that she retired last June after 27 years of teaching Latin in New Jersey. She is still serving as a NJ Junior Classical League state chair and is currently rector’s warden at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Glen Mills, Penn. Since her retirement, she has traveled to Montana, Greece, Bermuda, various Caribbean islands, the United Kingdom, and recently attended the Phillies’ baseball spring training in Clearwater, Fla. Martha, you are showing us a great way to “relax” in retirement! Catherine Phillips Winslow says that this time last year, she was in the midst of getting ready for two weddings—her oldest son, Chase, on April 21, and her younger son, John, on June 2. This year, she’s getting ready to welcome a granddaughter, Rosemary Juliette, due on John and Jessica’s 1st anniversary, 6/2/19! She is very excited about her first grandchild! She says she will be a future Saint Mary’s girl! Catherine is still working as an instructional assistant in an autistic I class. Her parents (91 and 88) are still active, though slowing down. She saw Sugar Cheshire McOwen and Gin-Gin Brogden ‘75C this spring while they were out walking and enjoyed catching up with them. She says that 2023 will be here before we know it. She’s looking forward to seeing everyone at our 50th reunion! Melissa Falkner Worthington reports
that she and Tom still live in Minnesota. She is ramping down work, and Tom is retired, and so far they are enjoying the freedom to travel (read: escape sub-zero temps). They have a granddaughter now and take every opportunity to visit the East Coast to see her. She says for us to please stop by if we are in Minneapolis—the summers are glorious, and you can kayak or sail or see the town with her. JoAnn Nance Small sends her best to our classmates. She’s sorry to have missed last year’s reunion, but she hopes to reconnect with many of us at the next one in 2023. Jaynie Milligan Spector is also sorry she missed the reunion last year. She says she is enjoying bucolic South Carolina and working at her gallery, Dog & Horse Fine Art in Charleston. Her son, Sean, is in New York City, working in finance, and husband Joe is still publishing his southern food culture magazine, “The Local Palate.” Terri Jansen Senter’s husband, Bill, is retiring October 1. They live in Madison, Miss., but plan to move to Wilmington, N.C., where their daughter and her family live. Their daughter and her husband have a little boy who will turn three in July, and they are expecting a baby in July. Terri and Bill are looking forward to being of some help to them and getting to see the grandchildren more. As for my news, I had a hip replacement last December, but I recovered very quickly. I was driving on the ninth day and square dancing within two weeks! I was back at work after three weeks, and ballroom dancing by the eighth week. Tim and I spent four days in March walking all over Disneyland and Anaheim, Calif., and it was fine. If any of you need a hip replacement, be sure to ask for the anterior method, not the more common posterior one. The recovery is so much easier! I also wanted to say if any of you are fans of the HGTV show, Home Town, it is filmed in Laurel, Miss., where I live. Ben and Erin Napier, the “stars” of the show, go to our church (he was our youth director for six years). They are making a remarkable difference in Laurel, a town of about 20,000 people. Tourists and tour buses come to town now, and houses are being fixed up all over the place! If you haven’t seen the show, I hope you will tune in. It just got renewed for its fourth season.
1973
COLLEGE Lynn Johnson Titchener ’73C Cheerio from Raleigh-o-ville! Seems like yesterday we just left those stately oak trees in the grove! Except for a few extra crinkles, you must agree that we are all still 29 in our minds and hearts! There’s a country music song out there somewhere asking the question, “If you didn’t know the day you were born, how would you feel?” Something to think about, right? One day I hope I’ll not have to scare the blood out of you turnips to gather news. Even if you’re in “static mode,” please play along when prompted for your updates as we all need to hear from
each other often, and celebrate verticality. In my house we call it checking in. (As opposed to checking out – ha!) I know you all like the back of my hand after all these years of reporting your additions and subtractions, and I care for you all beyond that. Never lose touch! That’s why I’m here – I’m your duct tape! Your Gorilla Glue! Use me! Many of you who responded were quick to point out what a unique and crazy class we are – full of life, and having fun in retirement. I’m happy to share your good news all around. (Remember, the password is RETIRED.) Enjoy the short novel herewith. We have a first: Blair Coffield Schuetz in Washington State is the self-proclaimed sole member (so far) of the Eager Beaver Club. She made that up, and I like it! Blair’s news came in loud and clear first, just edging out Ann Beland Brooks, who has always been number one in responding. That is, before Cameron Cutting Wilkinson ceased reporting. Ann is currently the official close second. I’ll take a close third or fourth at this point! Blair is busy. I’m exhausted just reading her email! She is treasurer of the Bremerton Backpack Brigade, which helps folks move through Caring Transitions. She’s traveling with her husband, Reinhold, and the Symphony Tacoma Voices, and after a singing gig to Estonia, the happy and talented couple will journey forth to Prague before returning to plain old Tacoma. Speaking of moving, Margy Perdue Price is leaving Alexandria, Va., and setting up house in Williamsburg. Well, there’s my next road trip! Password applies here. Margy, call Blair! She can help you move! With nine grandchildren ages 1 to 16, Margy wins the prize for the most: you get a set of bright, festive, colorful water balloons! Packing for a move is not for the faint of heart – am I right? I’ll get back to you, Beland, don’t worry. I’m working this letter from out of state then back to North Carolina. It’s just the way I do it. Way down in Huntsville, Ala., Virginia Cox Love writes of a recent three-week trip to Hawaii with her husband, son, and family! She would like us to picture her swimming with sea turtles, surfing, snorkeling, and climbing mountains. What a workout – Virginia, you need a vacay from your vacay! I thought the password was RETIRED. Perhaps I was misled in this next report. From Winnetka, Ill., Debbie Branscombe Jones takes the cake, and the greeting cards. She sends lots of juice about herself and others. The richest of all letters include news of other people mixed in with your own! Debbie is on her second wind, having started her own line of greeting cards called Heavenly Debbie - fun cards using old photos. Great idea! She says the two bestselling cards feature our classmates, Betsy Walser Thrower and Anne Smith McGoogan, with permission from each of course. Go to heavenlydebbie.com to see for yourselves! The cards are hilarious. Heavenly Debbie celebrated anti-retirement by adopting a new puppy, Lenny, named after Lenny Briscoe from her
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CLASS NEWS
Front row, left to right: Louise Wortham ’74C, Betsy Newman Brabson ’74C, Emory Rogers Church ’74C, Gail Shackleford Narron ’74C, Bolling Quicke Scott ’74C, Beth Ellington Owen ’72HS ’74C, Josie Rawl Hall ’74C, Bebe Aycock Krewson ’74C, Gail Goforth ’74C, Susan Byers Muir ’74C, Lynn Welton ’74C, Nancy Hunter Simpson ’74C, Pam Stroupe Brown ’74C; second row: Elizabeth Everett Wood ’72HS ’74C, Becky Clark ’72HS ’74C, Libba Barbour Shelton ’72HS ’74C, Sukoshi Williamson Roberts ’72HS ’74C, Susan Gotherman Hortman ’74C, Jan Carson Fries ’74C, Eugenia Owsley Fowler ’74C, Greyson Gates Kuhn ’74C, Susan Robinson Meares ’74C, Velda Carter Hughes ’74C, Nancy Raymer James ’74C, Jeanne Turcott Clark ’74C, Cindy Hancock Warren ’74C; third row: Jane Abernathy Hahn ’74C, Ann Thornton Sneeden ’74C, Lane Turner Nash ’72HS ’74C, Anna DuBose Doughton ’72HS ’74C, Coco Pollard Davis ’74C, Liesa Fellers Bell ’74C, Betsy Kempton Dunn ’74C, Kirt Rendleman Austin ’74C, Melrose Whitfield Fisher ’72HS ’74C, Rachael Holmes ’74C, Cathy Shaw Williams ’72HS ’74C; top row: Margaret Stevens Mauney ’74C, Tish Detgen Murray ’74C, Stacy Curran Lindsey ’74C, CC Capehart Baker ’74C, Ellen Henson ’74C, Laura Grimes Smith ’74C
Front row, left to right: Candy Bunn Davies ’74HS, Becky Davis Morlock ’74HS, Val Tullai Williams ’74HS, Ellen Stone Pittman ’74HS ’76C; second row: Leigh Spearman Goodson ’74HS, Mary McGranahan Moss ’74HS, Karen Hearne ’74HS, Betsy Lindley Jones ’74HS; top: Catherine Blankenship ’74HS ’76C
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favorite series, Law and Order. While in Boulder, Colo., some time back, Heavenly Debbie and Ellen Baumgartner Dale made a pizza together. Now that’s real news. Nothing fake about that! By the way, where are all the other out-of-staters? You know, it’s perfectly legal and morally acceptable to report on each other. If you know something, share it! It took a little nudge from Lynn Lasater Reynolds to gather that last report from Debbie, but, case in point. Lynn Cold Cuts Piano Woman gets it done. Let’s all get it done! Lynn and Paul are in Raleigh with their yellow labs, Cotton and Honey, and their children, Paul IV and Mary Margaret. With labs you get a robo-vacuum, but I would never put an infant on one as a free ride. Some people actually do that! Not Lynn. Not Paul. Lynn’s children both work with their dad at Triangle Securities and the whole family will enjoy Atlantic Beach in June! Which leads us back to Ann Beland Brooks’ news because she also is a beach person. Ann is now eight years cancer-free! Yay! Something to celebrate by buying a boat while your Emerald Isle house is being renovated/ repaired. Hurricane Florence was a beast. Ann continues to be the UNC-Chapel Hill basketball fan of the year, attending as many games as possible and screaming like a crazy person in the stands. Good for the soul. Let it out! One granddaughter keeps Ann happy and busy as well. Password applicable. Your names came up, by the way, Sarita Hardy Cawiezell, Candy Currin Taylor, and Jane Hight McMurry. The scoop on Jane proves most interesting. Seems as though Jane recently took a most exciting vacation, hiking and surviving in some jungles in Southeast Asia. From Fuquay-Varina, Libbie Hall Farias is considering a move to Statesville to be closer to her daughters. Together with her husband, Libbie volunteers with both the children’s ministry in their church and with the IBMA World of Bluegrass festival. Libbie, you may want to reach out to Sharon Seago since you are both into hiking waterfalls and parks, both national and state. At this writing, Libbie is traveling to Israel with her church members. How exciting! Down east, Sharon Seago writes from Hampstead that she is retired and busy with
church, her HOA board, and community theater. Isn’t it impressive that she is trying to visit all the national parks in the USA? So far, she has seen half of them! Sharon is loving life with two grandsons and an ever-growing family. Little Washington alert! Nancy Armstrong Murray is rocking life on the river. Nature just became a grandmother again on April 14 when Baby Lock arrived! Lock is named after Martha Blalock Mebane ’72C (the “other” grandmother) and, of course, the baby’s middle name is Armstrong. Campbell, Gray IV, and Nature’s darling, Clementine, round out the grand-crew. Daddy Gray still brings his dedicated teacherwife coffee in the mornings. He’s such a good egg. What a wonderful surprise to hear from Susan Gibson Lewis in Greenville, N.C.! Susan promises to join us at our next reunion and I, for one, can’t wait to see her! It sounds as though Susan is enjoying life to the fullest and her daughter and son are her pride and joy! Of course they are, and each one so successful. Did you say beach house? Let’s go! We know the password. From Manteo to Murphy, so to speak, Gwen Howard Temple is still holding down her proverbial fort in North Wilkesboro. Since 1975! Password applies, as Gwen is spoiling her two “grand loves” (isn’t that the best description?) in Wake Forest. Still active in church, hiking, and yoga, Gwen never disappoints in the news department. Thank you for your kind words – I truly love this job! Ahem, position. Touching base: Henni Towler Corbin is in Pinehurst, and Katie Jo Lawrence Redhead is in Greensboro. Life is good for both. Katie reports that her famous firm, Tyler, Redhead, & McAlister Realty, is going strong now with over 30 agents - all young and cool! She’s looking forward to a trip to Paris in September and a river cruise to Normandy. Jealous! Perfectly stated by KJ: “Let’s do all we can to stay together because that’s what friends are for and I’m grateful for each and every one!” Amen. Close to home is Elsie Thornhill James in Raleigh, who announces another happy wedding! August and Bailey were married February 16, 2019. McCauley James Yates ’08 and Drew Yates are celebrating their first anniversary already. Arthur and Hattie Boo Boo are ecstatic. Mary Legg Moore is a grandmama! Molly and Will welcomed Katherine Fox Warner on March 2, 2019, and “Mimi” is beyond happy! What a beautiful baby girl! Mary’s son and daughter-inlaw, Frank and Betty, are in Wilmington and happy as clams, working hard, and proud aunt and uncle to baby Kate. Carolyn Hicks Baggett and I met little Kate together during Easter week in Raleigh. It just makes your heart smile to hold a tiny baby in your arms. Carolyn and Fred stay forever-packed for traveling adventures. Carolyn is so using the password! Their next whirlwind tour starts in Charleston, then New York, then France, then Spain, then Portugal, and then everywhere all over the world this fall. Five godchildren and two
Marcy Connors ’75HS ’77C is thriving with her career as an artist in Greenville, South Carolina. She has been chosen by Phil Hughes Investments as an artist at the Art Crossing in downtown Greenville.
grandchildren are blessed to have Carolyn watching out for them – from afar, apparently! Plus, this generous loony lady joins me in my water fitness classes at least twice a week, and she is dedicated! As for moi, no retirement password for me, probably ever. I truly love calligraphy challenges, addressing, creating monograms, illustrating and designing wedding invitations and stationery. I love letters and see no end in sight! Please visit www.lynnarto.com and enjoy. Away from the drawing table, just lead me to a pool and watch me melt. Drive me to Asheville and watch me cry with delight visiting Winnie and Michael and the children. Meet me for brunch here in Raleigh with Liza and Jeremy and I’m smiling forever. So blessed. Both of my sweet, smart girls are happily married and doing what they love every day. Who could ask for more? My beautiful and amazing mother, Mary Lynn Lewis DeLany ’44C, celebrated her 75th SMC reunion this spring and she was there, folks! She arrived on SMS campus, rode the golf cart to lunch, and sported that reunion medal. She has happily served as her class secretary for 75 years. No kidding. Cheers to you, Mother! I have recently moved houses, but I’m still in Raleigh. Word of advice ladies: get rid of your extra stuff now! Your children don’t want what you’ve been saving. Trust me. My email address remains the same, so please stay in touch and send news anytime! I love hearing from you. Remember our 50th happens in 2023. Make a calendar and mark it now! It. Will. Be. Epic. Love, Lynn
1975
HIGH SCHOOL Ann Watters Matteson and husband Glenn are thoroughly enjoying grand-parenthood. They have one grandson, Smith, son of Dorothy Matteson '04. They see him every week. Ann and Glenn took a trip to Ireland in May with
Carson Joyner Clark, Katherine Wooten Bailey ’77C, and their husbands. Glenn and Ann loved every minute of their trip to the Cotswolds last fall. Debbie Lane Lamm retired from the N.C. Community College System after 39 years, having served most recently as president of Edgecombe Community College for 14 years. In retirement, she is living in Tarboro. She enjoys traveling with Carnell, her husband of 39 years (who’s already retired), increasing church roles and activities, completing home projects, and continuing civic responsibilities. Their daughter, Laura Ashley, lives in Kinston and works in Eastern North Carolina. Patricia Kerlin will be in the Washington, D.C., suburbs near Dulles Airport weekly for the next eight months. If there are alumnae in the area, she would love to connect with you.
1977
HIGH SCHOOL Molly Peebles Squire writes, “My news is Peebles, my oldest, got married to Lauren Cobert in June 2017, and they have just bought a house in the Fan District of Richmond, Va. So very happy about that. Barker got married to his Molly in June 2018 and they also live in Richmond with Cappy, their golden doodle, and they are quite happy with jobs, etc. My youngest, Harry, graduated from dental school (VCU) in May, so that is another reason to celebrate! My hubby is working hard and playing hard, too, and I am painting all kinds of stuff and having a blast seeing my friends and selling my art. Looking forward to my reunion and seeing the greatest girls ever! Hall is also looking forward to the reunion since he says he also graduated from there too!
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CLASS NEWS 1977
COLLEGE
High School Class of 1979: Front row, left to right: Michele Zaytoun ’79HS, Susan Fleming McCann ’79HS, Liza Ragsdale ’79HS, Coles Hines Jones ’79HS ’81C, Anne Sigmon McDonald ’77HS ’79C, Elizabeth Williams Martin ’79HS; back row: Ellen Rodman Hathaway ’79HS ’81C, Karen Apostolou Gliarmis ’79HS ’81C, Paige Brown DuBose ’79HS ’81C, Gwyn Cooley Pearce ’79HS ’81C, Margie Johnson Springer ’79HS
Front row: Windy Tillman Pratt ’79C, Holden Anthony Davis ’79C, Mary Foy Ragsdale ’77HS ’79C, Anne Smith Hutson ’79C, Ginny Gardner Waff ’79C; second row: Joan Andrews Holder ’77HS ’79C, Mary Craig Timberlake Brown, Anne Jennette Grainger ’79C, Julia Foxworth ’79C, Hilda Cameron Dill ’79C; third row: Marion Carson Green ’79C, Karen Dearing Ferebee ’79C, Margaret Longley White ’79C, Elizabeth Lane, Susan Wilson Snider ’77HS ’79C, Melody Lancaster Mitterling ’77HS ’79C; fourth row: Alice Smith Royall ’79C, Jane Hollinshed Horrocks ’79C, Betty Smith ’79C, Jennett Carver Skipper ’77HS ’79C, Sally Pelletier ’77HS ’79C; top row: Sally Nowell Archer ’79C, Beth Hemingway Hardy ’79C, Beth Gardner Standberg ’79C, Tricia Kelly Pinkard ’79C, Molly Peebles Squire ’77HS ’79C, Gina Stone Dawson ’79C, Leslie Overton Mosley ’79C
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Mary Virginia Swain ’77C Happy summer, Class of ‘77C! Here’s the news submitted for this year. Helen Lemmon Couch writes that after 30 years in Baltimore raising two sons, she and her husband moved to her home state of South Carolina. Her husband retired, and they are splitting their time between Columbia; Sackets Harbor, N.Y.; and Lake Ontario. Catherine Garrett Young and husband Charles moved to “Little Washington” in North Carolina two years ago and love life there and being on the river. Their two daughters live in Raleigh. The Youngs have two grandsons. Becky Flythe Watts is in her 39th year working in the telecommunications industry. Retirement may come in a couple of years. She lives in Cary and enjoys her fur babies and reports that everyone in her family is healthy and happy. Becky sees Martha Ann Auld ’75HS regularly – they have been friends since fourth grade. Becky is looking forward to our next reunion party – which will be in 2022. Marcy Connors has been chosen by Phil Hughes Investments as an artist at the Art Crossing in downtown Greenville, S.C. Marcy says Phil puts his money where his mouth is, and it is in the arts! Marcy’s new studio address is 300 River Street Studio, 101B, Greenville, SC. She invites everyone to visit and toast to life along the Reedy River that goes into Lake Greenwood that her grandfather Hines built after World War II. Marcy writes that she is divorced and has two amazing daughters, Sarah Boyd and Rebecca Shibley, and the cutest granddaughter, Piper. “I wake up each and every day with the talents God and my ancestors gave me just to make people happy with my bright colors on my palette,” writes Marcy. Corneille Little writes that she feels so blessed that for the first time since childhood, her entire family, including children and grandchildren, are all back in Raleigh. Her son and his wife even live next door. Corneille continues to enjoy teaching art at Poe Elementary, as well as teaching adult classes in her home studio. “Teaching funfilled art workshops regularly has been well received,” says Corneille. “I traveled to Florida last year to learn an entirely new art technique – hand painted and printed paper collages. I just love this new body of art I’m working with! Busy, blessed, and loving life!” Corneille continues to take commissions for pet portraits. I recommend following Marcy and Corneille – our talented class artists, then and now – on Facebook to see their extraordinary work! Some sad news to report is that we lost Vivian Rawls Watkins last fall. Vivian was doing well and in the process of moving from Raleigh into a nice new home in Little River, S.C., when she stumbled on a porch step at the new house and fell backwards on moving day. Her daughter, Lauren, and grandchildren had come to help her move in. After the fall, Vivian was in pain, but
had no idea how serious it was. Lauren went back home to Charleston and then could not get in touch with her mother by phone. She called the police for a courtesy check on Vivian, and they found her in bed very sick. She had injured her hip, which had been replaced and broken previously. She got a serious infection and the doctors did all they could, and she died within a week in Hospice. Barbara Johnston Bush, Caroline Holt Sterling, and I attended her beautiful funeral service at the Episcopal Church in her hometown of Rocky Mount in September. It was a stunning and unexpected loss for her friends and family. As for me, Mary Virginia, I can report now that I am on the other side of a cancer journey that lasted throughout 2018. I was diagnosed in February 2018 with endometrial cancer, had a big surgery in March, did chemo all summer, and was in and out of work through it all. The cancer is in remission, I feel great. I am grateful to the outpouring of support and help I had from so many, including many Saint Mary’s classmates and friends. If it was a card, a gift, a text, a call, a visit, taking me to an appointment, bringing flowers and food, or posting an encouraging message on Facebook, it meant the world, so thank you, all! I have been back at work in full force since the opening day of school in September and can report that Saint Mary’s is thriving as a school of which we can all be proud. Wishing all friends in the College Class of ’77 a happy and healthy year ahead! Mary Virginia
1979
HIGH SCHOOL Betty Lyn Walters Eller has re-established home roots in her hometown of Fuquay-Varina. Last year was spent gutting and renovating a new house - filling it with color. She loved every minute of the process. She works for American Silk Mills, selling and developing textiles for the home furnishings, aviation, and visual display industries. She hopes her niece will be a Saint Mary’s girl one day! Betty Lyn has one fur baby—a spunky Havanese dog named Fitzgerald.
1979
COLLEGE Windy Tillman Pratt ’79C Hi, everyone. By the time you read this many of you will have caught up on much of the news at the 40th reunion. Who can even believe that we just celebrated that big year? Hope this finds you all well. If you weren’t able to attend the reunion, know that we missed you. It was fun to hear from some of you and catch up on your news. Mary Craig Timberlake Brown is excited to report the birth of their first granddaughter, Eleanor Thorp Brown, to Whit and his wife, Abby, on February 13, 2019. Her daughter, Annie, and husband H.L. Montague are expecting in May. Mary Craig writes that life is very special and that they are blessed. Congrats,
Mary Craig and Brick. Katherine “Pooh” Herring Christophe sent me her autobiography! I wish we had room for the entire story, because you would love to hear all that she has been doing! She manages to keep up with lots of friends, traveling to concerts (Bruno to name drop), hiking in Colorado, hanging out in the Bahamas, busy with children, and generally loving life. Pooh’s oldest son will be in the MBA program at Tepper this fall. Her daughter graduated from SAIS in May, and her youngest is in Norfolk working. Direct quote from Pooh, “Pooh was born happy - every second is a gift, and life has never been more fun and adventurous!” Dana Darden Copeland reports from Virginia Beach that she has been promoted to second grade after 30 years of first grade! What a career she has had so far! Dana, you are the energizer bunny. Her son, Darden, is in law school at the University of Richmond. Dana visited SMS a few years ago and was so happy to see how it was flourishing. Nina Dooley McLean writes from Wilmington that she and Dickson are happy empty-nesters. Dickson is still practicing law with McGuire Woods and Nina is staying busy with a new church plant, Hope Community, as well as spending time with family in Charlotte. Their oldest, Nancy Lee, graduated from N.C. State last year with a degree in civil engineering, and was married in June on the family farm. She lives in Raleigh and is pursuing her Ph.D. in environmental engineering. Their youngest, Rebecca, played field hockey from App State, graduating last year. She is currently living in Randleman, where she is learning to break domestic horses. Nina says to look her up if you are headed to Wrightsville Beach. Mary Foy Ragsdale lives in Smithfield, and has started her own real estate investment business. She is buying “fixer uppers,” renovating them, and flipping them. Her first house, a farmhouse in Benson, went on the market in May. I know she is doing a great job with that, and she says she is learning a lot and having a ball! Holden Anthony Davis says her youngest moved to Charleston, S.C., this year and it was fun to help her move and see old SMC friends too. Holden is still in Paris, Ill., and is a grandmother of two. Lynn Jones Dixon lives in Raleigh, but spends a lot of time at the coast, in Marshallberg. She has four grandkids. Lynn is still playing tennis and stays busy working with her husband, Will, in their C12 business. It was great to hear from Jennett Carver Skipper, who welcomed a granddaughter, Phoebe Ransom Jones, on Mother’s Day of 2018. She calls her the perfect gift! She and Alan love having both daughters, Eva Skipper Jones ’06 and Emily Skipper ’08 living in Raleigh. Her mom, Margaret Wilkins Carver ’48HS ’50C is also loving being a great-grandmother to Phoebe. Beth Gardner Strandberg writes that she has moved back to Rocky Mount after five years in Raleigh. She is still working at the General Assembly in Raleigh, but loves being back home. Beth
has two grandsons, Jack (1) and a brand new addition in April. She says she loves seeing Missy Underwood Miller when she is in Charlotte. Molly Burton Tull is living the dream! She and her husband are traveling a lot, learning about new cultures and countries. As I am writing this newsletter, she is just back from Morocco. Molly, that is pretty exotic! I enjoy seeing other news from many of you on Facebook. Hard to believe it has been 40 years and we are turning 60! Mike and I are still in Southern Pines, I am still working at Stifel and doing calligraphy, and he works for Aflac. Our son, Win, and wife, Tracy, are in Raleigh. Our son Guion, and wife, Abby, are in Charlottesville, Va. Grandchild # 1 was born in Charlottesville in May: Moses Edwin Pratt. All very exciting! I hope you all find fair winds and smooth sailing in the upcoming year. I am thankful for your friendship and wish you every blessing. Fondly, Windy
1981
HIGH SCHOOL Madeleine Gilbert ’81HS Condolences to Alyson Poole, and her family on the loss of her father in January. Congratulations to Gigi Johnson on her oldest daughter, Ginna, going to Campbell Law School in Raleigh. Also, congratulations to Nancy Christian on her daughter graduating from Elon College. Loren Neuhoff Mumford’s daughter, Lizzie, is a freshman at UNC-Wilmington. Zaida Harris Clay had a roommate reunion with Jeanne Maple Olsen and Loren Neuhoff Mumford. The list of grandmothers in our class is growing. The newest addition to this club is Elizabeth Estill Robertson. In November, her daughter, Lindsay, and husband welcomed a daughter, Emory Revel Barnhill. They are calling her Revel. Carol Burhans Burns and her husband are having a blast with their one-year-old grandson, Asher. Louise Johnson Clement was the mother of the bride last fall. Last year was a busy one for Suiter Whitehead Coxe and her husband. In the spring, daughter Suiter got married and then in November, their son, Ragland, was married. This summer, Scotty Grine Frantz, Sallie Harris Glover, Louise Johnson Clement, and Mary Duke Sanders Grubbe all fished together in the Lady Anglers at the Big Rock Tournament in Morehead City. Scotty spent nine months in Boston taking a flower-arranging course. She not only learned new ways to use flowers but the meaning of each flower too. She attended the Boston SMS alumnae party with Bettine Bikle Boyd. Recently, Sallie, Louise, Mary Duke, and Suiter all had a girl’s weekend up in Boston with Scotty. Keep me updated with your news. Madeleine
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SAINT MARY’S REMEMBERS
CLASS NEWS 1981
Sarah Clark
Former administrative assistant to the Dean of Academics July 30, 1938 - May 9, 2019
Sarah Wheeler Clark, aged 80 of Raleigh, longtime administrative assistant to Saint Mary’s academic deans, died May 9, 2019, assuredly navigating control just as she did in life. She is survived by her two daughters, Neidra and Natalie. Sarah was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, to Earl and Laura Wheeler, and grew up in a picturesque red home that featured a large green yard perfectly suited for her cat, Tippy. She matriculated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and taught elementary school for a short while afterwards, naming her firstborn after a favorite student. After being engaged several years to her future husband, Forest P. Clark (Frosty), the pair married and moved to Raleigh in 1962 to start a lifetime of mild winters. Sarah taught her daughters kindergarten, and she enjoyed using her Singer sewing machine to create her daughters' matching outfits. Sarah was always an active member of the PTA in both of her daughters' schools until she sought business administration training and became a secretary at Southern Spot Sales. Years later, Sarah became administrative assistant to the cean of college at Saint Mary's School, where she befriended students and staff alike with her generosity, efficiency, and smile. Sarah retired from Saint Mary’s at the age of 77 in a special ceremony held in her honor. Additionally, Sarah served as a meticulous clerk of court, session member, deacon, and elder during her 55 years as a member at Hudson Memorial. She is to whom "the waltz for Sarah" is dedicated every Saturday night on WCPE, a tradition Frosty lovingly initiated two decades ago. She was proud of her two tall and kind grandsons, Ewan and Lucas Macpherson. Sarah has left us to reunite with Frosty and their beloved cats, Brandy and Morrow. Her service was held Tuesday, May 14, at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh with the pews filled with former Saint Mary’s colleagues. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider donating in her memory to WCPE at www.theclassicalstation.org, Saint Mary's School at www.sms. edu, or Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church.
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COLLEGE Allison Gilbert Holmes ’81C Margaret Taylor Kendrick's father passed away on May 19, 2018. Elizabeth Hardy Hogan is now a working for Worth NY and W by Worth. She can help you with any fashion needs that you may have. She and her family went to Spain for Christmas. She said they all had a wonderful time and would love to do that again. Ruth E. Perry Holding's father-in-law passed away on May 26, 2018. Anne Sigmon McDonald's mother passed away on June 17, 2018. Ann Tyler Edmunds Allen's mother passed away on July 27, 2018. Laura Carr's mother passed away on August 18, 2018. Ann Scott Arthur's father passed away October 20, 2018. Ruth E. Perry Holding’s daughter, Perry Holding Bailey ’09, and her husband, James, had a little boy, James Freeman Bailey, on Monday, November 19, 2018. They call him Freeman. Gigi Taylor Schweikert says her four children are doing well. Ashley (23) graduated from George Washington in D.C. and lives in Los Angeles, working in fitness for Equinox. Genevieve (22) graduated from C.U. Boulder and lives in Seattle, working for Nordstrom corporate. Marielle (20) is a college sophomore at C.U. Boulder and William (17) is a high school junior. Porter Page Do BaTien's mother passed away on November 20, 2018. Nancy Newton Sipp's mother passed away on November 15, 2018. Torrey Moss Munford's father passed away on November 23, 2018. Mary Cates Gravly has moved to a new house in Cary. She is thrilled to have downsized. Cleaves Smith has also moved to a new place in 2018. She said that she is glad that her move is over but loves her new place. She also just joined us for our Raleigh gatherings and said that she will join us again. It was great to see her and catch up with her. Dudley Hanes Faison's mother passed away on January 21, 2019. Ann Holman Little's mother passed away on February 14, 2019. I ran into Ann Scott Arthur in Pinehurst. It was so good to see Ann. She looks amazing. Her son, James, graduated from South Carolina this past December 2018. He has started a job in Dallas working for UMB in capital markets. Gwyn Cooley Pearce said that 2018 was a very busy year with both children getting married. Son James was married in May and Maggie Pearce Dill ’11 was married at Saint Mary’s Chapel in July. Life has returned to normal with jewelry making (www.Strandedbygwyn.com), travel, and visits to Nags Head. Gwyn has really enjoyed seeing her classmates at our dinners. Coles Hines Jones wrote that she and Reid are enjoying their empty nest. The boys are living in Charlotte (Reidy) and Atlanta (Ruffin). They all get together in the mountains to fly fish! Coles also says that she has loved catching up with our classmates at our Raleigh dinners. Karen Apostolou Gliarmis’s father-in-law passed away suddenly on March 14, 2019. Lee Trotter Dixon informed me that she has retired from her real work and has a new job. She is taking care of her new grandson, James Cooper Corbin. He was born on October 19, 2018. She writes that she is having a great time. Both of her children live in Winston-Salem. Elizabeth is a dentist and Rich is a mechanical engineer. Both kids are working hard. Lee is still happily married to Richard. They are coming up on 35 years married. Lee feels blessed! Christy Jones Anderson and Lee see each other often and are best friends. Catherine Winfield Pfeiffer informed me that she is still in Washington, N.C., still working as a school nurse in two elementary schools, still secretary of the Shepard Cancer Foundation and still planning the Radical Women's Summer Tour of 2019 to celebrate 40 years of friendship with Nancy Brooks Newlon and Margaret Taylor Kendrick (of course along with my sister Emily)! These four spend time with each other every summer. A testament to the long-lasting relationships that come from SMC! Catherine also says that she is ready for another reunion. Emily Winfield Bondy said that she is an empty-nester. Courtney is a junior at East Carolina and Malone is a freshman at Meredith. Paul is busy being a doctor, not retiring anytime soon, and Emily is still running a yoga/pilates studio. Emily is now a
Front row, left to right: Candace Harris Belmonte ’84HS, Christiana Black Kernodle ’84HS ’86C, Robin Ballard Earp ’84HS ’86C, Marty Worthy ’84HS, Mary Hannah Wyman Jones ’84HS ’86C, Ellen Zollicoffer Jackson ’84HS; back row: Susan Avent Irvine ’84HS ’86C, Amanda Hutchens Williams ’84HS ’86, Betsy Deidrick McLean ’84HS ’86C, Mandy Johnson Spears ’84HS ’86C, Vaiden Kramer ’84HS ’86C, Carter Manning Wade ’84HS Front row, left to right: Elizabeth Sherrill Druga ’84C,
Master Gardener! Amanda Adams Williamson wrote that her daughter, Austin Williamson, got married in Linville on August 11, 2018. There were many Saint Mary’s alums who attended the wedding. Austin’s maid of honor was Helen Williamson ’13 and the sister of the groom is Emily Szyperski ’14. Civil Adams McGowan ’76C, Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS, Cacky Williamson West ’83C, and Ashley Williamson Anderson ’86C are aunts. There were cousins, Stuart Anderson ’11, Cacky Anderson ’15, and Frances Anderson ’18, and her godmother is Rebecca Davis Pressley ’80C. Margaret Williams Williams ’78HS ’80C, Gates Killian ’10, Ashleigh Oxner Malm ’10, and Susan Wilson Snyder ’77HS were also in attendance. Margaret McGlohon told me that she has loved seeing our classmates as she has traveled about this past year. She hopes to see others as they travel this summer and in the fall. Margaret can't wait for our 40th in April 2021! Outside of her work in the alumnae office, she spent time traveling and hopes to travel more upon retirement. She had two amazing trips this year. First, in July, to Spain (southern region) and Morocco, and in March to the Big Island of Hawaii. She is not sure where she is heading next — she has some ideas and would welcome any suggestions for some must-see places. I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed getting the Raleigh girls together once a month. There is always some sort of reminiscing about something that happened at SMC. It always ends in tons
Virginia White Pou ’84C; back row:Dee Edwards Rainey of laughing. You name it, we have talked ’84C, Jackson Jordan Dixon ’84C, Beth Gobble ’82HS ’84C about it. My hope is that we get more girls to join us from the Raleigh area and see what all the fuss is about. I promise that you will have a great time. I will even buy your first beverage. Come join us. Allison HIGH SCHOOL
1985
1983 HIGH SCHOOL AND 1985 COLLEGE
Elizabeth Williams Henson ’83HS ’85C and her husband, Jeff, have been married 32 years and live in Austin, Texas. Elizabeth works as a nurse educator in labor and delivery for a large tertiary care facility and Jeff is a high school math teacher. They have two daughters, Emily (25) is a University of Texas alumna who works in marketing in Boston, Mass., and Mary Beth (22) is a soon-to-be University of Texas graduate in speech and language pathology. Elizabeth and Jeff enjoy running, biking and listening to music in the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Her email address is bwhenson64@ gmail.com and she is on Facebook under Beth Williams Henson. Molly Brooks ’83HS has three children in college at the University of Denver. Her extensive travels have taken her to Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. She also traveled to Scandinavia, where she stayed in the Ice Hotel near the Arctic Circle, and the West Indies, where she would like to stay.
Rebecca Pace Hello ladies, I’m sorry I didn’t get the class notes included last year in time. I start them and then wait for more information to come in, and then miss the deadline! Apologies. So here we go. This is what I received last year, so add one year to Anita’s info on her children! Anita Mehta Sartin wrote that she is blessed to be able to stay at home with her three boys, husband, two cats, and a 10-month-old Aussie. Her oldest son, McEwin, graduated from welding school and works for a company in Graham. Her middle son, Charlie, is a high school senior and is excited about attending Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington. Her youngest, Yancey, is in fourth- grade Spanish immersion and teaches Anita! Anita enjoys helping Yancey’s school’s PTO, exercising their Aussie, Gracie, and has recently started taking yoga classes. She would love to hear from Martha Fairer, so Martha, get on the horn and give Anita a bell! Speaking of Australians, my “pal” Mary Adkins (as she likes to use that term) and I went traveling a few years ago and, sadly, I had to come back to reality, but she kept on her world travels. Along the way, she
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CLASS NEWS
Friends in the College Class of 1987 enjoyed a get-together in March at the home of Kathy Respess in Raleigh. Pictured from left to right: Marcy Everett Voelkel, Susan Gregory, Eleanor White Hunter, Kathy Respess, and Chrissy Bolin Rand.
met a fellow in Melbourne, Australia! They have visited back and forth. She has visited me off and on in Raleigh, which is always great fun. Old friends (well, friends we have known for a long time) are the best! The belle of Wilson, Robin Bailey Hauser, is director of advancement for Greenfield School and lives in Wilson. Her daughter, Anna, attends Meredith College and is majoring in diet and nutrition. Robin also reports that Janet Cozart got married. Congrats, Janet! I love seeing Sally Maddison Wooten, as we both live in Raleigh and she helped me come up with some news for our classmates. Sally’s son, Louis, is at Georgia Tech, a very handsome, smart fellow who is dating a gorgeous lass (last part written by me). Her twins are sticking together: Maddison, who graduated from Saint Mary’s in May, and George, who graduated from Virginia Episcopal School (VES), will be going to UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall. Marty Hattaway Lewis’s son, Rom, is heading to Wofford and Katie Sullivan Landi’s son, Fen, is going to South Carolina in the fall. Katie’s son, Edward, graduated from N.C. State in May. Continuing on the graduation news front, Elizabeth Grine Blount’s son, William, is on his way to Alabama this fall while her daughter, Mable, attends Sewanee, as does Elizabeth Anderson Purrington’s son. Sewanee is the hot ticket in town. Elizabeth Byrd Etheridge’s daughter, Amelia Etheridge ’18, is an excellent field hockey player. She played hockey at Saint Mary’s and plays for Sewanee. Lynne Dixon Pate’s high school daughter, Chase, is very involved in crew. She was invited to participate this summer in a U19 US Rowing Olympic development program in Florida. Go, Chase! I’m already getting excited to cheer for you in the summer Olympics in 2020 or 2024. Meriwether Hill Fentress’s son, John Fentress, is following in the footsteps of his father, uncles Brandon Fentress and Jim Hill, and three cousins, by attending VES in the fall. I am so glad to know that we have a daughter from our class of ’85 currently attending Saint Mary’s: Holly Stephenson Thomas’s cute
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daughter, Ilse Grace, is there now and loving it. Mary Mac Ogden Motley’s daughter, Anabell, is already a senior at the U.S. Naval Academy. I felt like she just left for her freshman year! Anabell commissions as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and starts June 24th. (I think her being on the poster of “Uncle Sam wants you” would bring in many more recruits than the older version.) Mary Mac’s younger daughter, Mary Laci, is a Robertson Scholar and just spent the semester at Duke (I will refrain from what I think of that – she should stay in her rightful city of Chapel Hill). She’s a rising junior at UNCChapel Hill. Mary Mac is taking interviews of vets for the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress. She works through the Asheville VA and still teaches a few college classes. I’m glad that she is giving veterans their due, as we owe them so much. I get to see Mary Mac’s good friend, Margaret Park Hahn, once a year. A UNC friend hosts a college reunion weekend each fall, and I’m so thankful that I get to catch up with Margaret then. She loves living in Denver. Her mother recently moved out there as well. Susan Gardner is working for the United Nations in Kenya! Ever the brilliant and intrepid traveler and intellect, Susan is now enjoying having tea with monkey burglars in her home and office, rather than having chats with whales from years ago. Susan, if you receive your Saint Mary’s magazine out in the wilds of Africa, be prepared for a visit from RP (or RHLP)! Brother Richard (RHBP) has a travel business organizing trips for adults and students to Africa so maybe I can combine a trip! Kelley Edmondson Beiboer and her Dutch husband, Paul, moved back to N.Y.C. a couple of years ago after living abroad for 21 years. They had a fabulous experience living in Hong Kong, Jakarta, Bangkok, Sydney, and London. Sydney was their favorite, as they were there for eight years. Kelley now considers herself an expert “mover.” Their two children, Alexander (17) and Isabel (14), are really enjoying New York City. Sadly, her beautiful younger sister passed away from non-small cell lung cancer (non-smoker)
lung cancer in January. She is going to run in the N.Y.C. marathon in November for Team Alix — Lungevity charity. We all wish her well on that worthy goal. She looks forward to catching up with all her SMC girlfriends now that she is closer and promises to make the next reunion! And now on to another Kelly. Kelly Phillips Garrett’s oldest daughter, Adeline (21), is in her third year at Central Saint Martins (UK) studying textile design. Two more years to go! Kelly moved to Atlanta last August so that her son, Cole (17), could finish high school at The Cottage School in Roswell. He finished his junior year in May and graduates next May. Kelly’s younger daughter, Adair (15), is a freshman at Saint Andrews School in Sewanee, Tenn. Kelly’s husband is still practicing neurology in Albany, Ga., and is in Atlanta every other week. He has been there for five years, which Kelly says is unconventional, but his working there every other week has been great for their family as it has enabled Kelly to make the move with Cole. They sold their house in Savannah after being there for 25 years. They plan to go back when all the children are out of school. The family still spends most of their summer in Highlands, and they are really enjoying being so close from Atlanta. I am still in Raleigh and am an interior designer, working on residential and commercial projects, and I also have an Arbonne business. I ran into Missie Owens Alcorn at furniture market this spring in High Point. I was busy taking a picture of the latest and greatest and, thank goodness, Missy spied me! I don’t think we have seen each other since graduation. I had fun catching up with her and meeting her daughter. As Anita wrote at the beginning of this lengthy epistle and Kelley at the end, they hope to see us at the next reunion. I’m calling all of you out now – see you next year! This year, y’all were lucky: I had enough news that I didn’t need to make up anything, but if I don’t hear from you next year, you might be the lucky person who has a whole new life story written about them! Cheers and here’s to our 2020 reunion!
1983
COLLEGE Cammy Bailey Hodges writes, “I continue to burn up the North Carolina and Virginia highways selling in the gift industry. It’s so much fun, and I see lots of SMC girls in my travels. Sara Worth (25) has worked with N.C. Tennis Association for three years. She loves her job and has done very well there.”
1985
COLLEGE Coco Young Bancroft writes from LaJolla, Calif., “My son graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in May. We’ve had more fun catching up with so many Saint Mary’s friends over the past four years. Living in California makes it hard to see everyone, but we’ve loved every minute of it! We came to visit a lot!”
ALUMNAE BLOG CORNER
1987
COLLEGE Chrissy Bolin Rand ’87C Hey College Class of 1987! It was nice to hear from a few extra classmates this year. Jennifer Wechsler lives in Philadelphia but dreams of being back in North Carolina. She has a vintage store and spends most of her time sourcing merchandise. She recently started a volunteer position with one of the national Wheaton Terrier rescues as an intake coordinator. Jennifer says if you want a Wheaton to let her know. And if you’re in Philly, she’d love to meet up. Anita Mehta Sartin has recently taken on two part-time jobs after being a stay-at-home mom for 18 years. She’s working as a guide for WW International and for a non-profit called ACE (Alamance Citizens for Education) as their classroom coordinator. She’s enjoying them both and learning a lot about her community, plus catching up with friends and teachers she hasn’t seen in years. Anita says she would love to hear from Martha Fairer. Kiki Pullen West says, “Ed and I live in Milwaukee, Wis., with our daughter, Anna, a sophomore in high school who participates in competitive dance. Our boys are all grown up now, and it’s really quiet at home! Ed is VP of naval programs at a company here after retiring from 23 years in the Navy, and he likes his job very much. We celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary in April. Nicholas is a freshman at Hillsdale College, and his current interests are in physics and mathematics. Gill graduated from Hillsdale in May. He majored in mathematics and philosophy and played drums for the HC Big Band, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Pep Band, and in numerous bands with friends for events and parties around Hillsdale. Our oldest, Garrett, graduated from Hillsdale College in 2015 and Yale Law School in 2018. He currently clerks for a judge in Oregon. We love Milwaukee and have met many wonderful people. I enjoy doing some private tutoring for students of all ages but work that around my schedule with family and Anna’s dance competitions. Recently, I worked with a refugee family and helped the mom study and prepare to become a U.S. citizen. Walking through the process with her was a great experience. My dad’s wife, Jane, passed away in December, and he came to Wisconsin to live near our family. He’s amazing and doing well at 91 years old, and it’s a blessing to be spending time with him.” Lynn Cowell Ives says her son, George, graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in May and is working at a marketing firm in Atlanta. Her daughter, Jane Ives ’17 is a sophomore at the University of Georgia. Jane had a ball last fall making her debut with the daughters of Elizabeth Grine Blount, Robin Bailey Hauser ’85HS, Marcy Everett Voelkel, Mandy Johnson Spears ’84HS ’86C, Martha Anne Allen Dubose, and Valerie Purdie Cozart ’80HS ’82C. She says the parents all had a blast, too. Martha Anne Allen Dubose writes, “Blaine and I are getting used to being empty-nesters. Our oldest daughter, Carson, loves living and working in Charlotte. Our son, Blaine, loves living and working in Whitefish, Mont., and Allie is currently in her sophomore year, working hard at N.C. State.” Margaret Hambrick Glaze writes, “I’m excited and honored to have been asked to be on the SMS Alumnae Council. I went to my first meeting last month and sat between two fabulous ’87C classmates — Joan Luck Comer Johnston and Marcy Everett Voelkel. Gene and I have been married 25 years in September. God bless him. Mary Caroline is a freshman at Appalachian State and is having a great year. Catherine is a junior in high school and she acts just like me! Wilson is in
Elizabeth Lowder '07:
Woman in a man’s world By Elizabeth Lowder ’07 Two of my great-grandmothers were Alabama women. In tough times, they showed grace and resourcefulness. My maternal grandmother is an Alabama woman. She taught me compassion, and to help others when you are able. My mother, who gave birth to me nearly three decades ago, is also an Alabama woman. She is fierce and strong-willed, loving her family with every bone in her body. Although I was born and raised in Raleigh, N.C., fate would have me become an Alabama woman, too. After three degrees from the University of Alabama, I've done all the classroom learning my mind could take. Now, I have the dream job of working on the sidelines and in press boxes during college sporting events, chronicling the game through social media or the lens of my camera. When I'm in a media scrum trying to interview Bruce Pearl or Nick Saban after a game, I'm surrounded by a handful of women, and lots of men. I chose this path because I'm passionate about telling the stories of athletes in our community, just like those men. That doesn’t make my career any less valuable than theirs, or my voice any less important. I might have to stand on my tippy toes to get a good angle, but I’ll do it with grace and resourcefulness. Standing on a bench, fishing my way through dozens of fellow reporters, I’m determined to get what I came for. Following the outcome of a game, I remain unbiased, yet I show compassion, knowing that at the end of the day, they’re kids. Each and every day, I’ve got to be fierce and strong-willed. At times, it seems as if I must earn or prove my knowledge and skills. There will be people who say women don’t belong on the football field, but I’m here to show them the opposite and make my voice heard. If I’m lucky, I’ll get to bring an Alabama woman into this world, and I’ll love her with every bone in my body. I want to teach her everything I know and give her the opportunities to learn even more. I don’t want her health or mine to be dictated by anyone other than my doctor. I’ll raise her right on SEC football and she’ll fall asleep to the squeaks of shoes on the hardwood during basketball season. I will teach her the values of all the Alabama women in our family who came before her; and encourage her to find her voice, and to never be afraid of it, no matter what.
Elizabeth Lowder ’07 is a multimedia sports journalist at Al.com, from which this article is reprinted. She holds a Master of Arts in community journalism, Master of Arts in advertising and public relations, and a Bachelor of Arts in advertising from the University of Alabama.
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ALUMNAE IN THE NEWS
CLASS NEWS
Tori Hester ’16 awarded W&L Critical Language Scholarship Congratulations, to Saint Mary's alumna Tori Hester ’16, a junior at Washington & Lee University, who has been awarded a Critical Language Scholarship to study Chinese in Xi’an, China, for two months this summer. Ms. Hester swims on the varsity swim team at W&L, studied art history in the Netherlands during spring term, is a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, made the W&L President's List, and was a W&L Research Scholar in the biochemistry department. “Saint Mary’s equipped me for success in college and for opportunities like this Critical Language Scholarship by providing a stimulating environment to cultivate my abilities and passions and instilled in me the confidence to broaden my world view,” says Ms. Hester. “I am forever grateful to my Saint Mary’s friends and teachers who helped me become the person I am today.”
Front row: Elizabeth Allen Womack ’87HS ’89C, Scott Cole Bryan ’89C, Jill Sparks Hilliard ’89C, Laura Lassiter Kriofske ’89C, Shelly Stoughton Kelly ’87HS ’89C; back row: Dara Evans Brownlow ’87HS ’89C, Kitty Mattocks Bray ’89C, Lawson Armes ’87HS ’89C, Liles Waddill Dunnagan ’87HS ’89C, Amy Perry Brooks ’87HS ’89C, Miriam Mason Thompson ’87HS ’89C
eighth grade and he is a smart, nice kid. My mother died in January. Gene’s father died last summer. We’ve lost three parents in four years. It has been a tough season for us and our children. I work at our remodeling company, Glaze Design Build, as marketing director. It is a busy, exciting business.” Joan Comer Johnston writes that she can’t believe it is almost senior year for her twins at Saint Mary’s. Her daughter, Margaret Ivy Johnston ’20, was elected student body president for the coming school year, and daughter Martha Luck Johnston ’20 is president of the Beacon, has been elected to the Judicial Board, and is Junior Warden of the Saint Mary’s vestry, among other activities for both girls. Saint Mary’s is a wonderful experience for Joan’s girls, as it was for her back in our day. Joan served as one of the Saint Mary’s auction co-chairs this year for the fundraiser at the Angus Barn Pavilion, following up her service as co-chair, along with Laura Norris Raynor ’69HS ’71C, of the incredible 175th Anniversary Gala at SMS in 2017. Leslie Robinson Morris and her husband own Stuart Nye Jewelry in Asheville. Leslie says, “We’re one of the original members of the Southern Highland Guild. We have two boys. Jack attends Reynolds High and is in tenth grade. Michael attends Invest Collegiate Imagine Charter School and is in the seventh grade. Jack is the soccer goalie for Reynolds. Michael is in percussion ensemble. We’re looking forward to spending time in Montreat this summer, with family, as well as going to New York. Asheville is a very happening place to live right now. Our arts and culinary opportunities are endless.” Will and I celebrated 30 years of marriage in October of ’18. We also lost both of Will’s parents: his mother in October of ’18 and his father in February of ’19. This has been hard, BUT we gained a new grandson, Warren Kenan Holland. The circle of life continues. We’ve spent the summer transitioning from Wilson to Raleigh and will hopefully be back in Florida by fall of 2019. It’s been a lot of fun living back in North Carolina for the past two years and catching up with old friends.
1989
HIGH SCHOOL Heath Dalton Parker ’89HS ’91C It was great to hear from you, and I hope that everyone is doing well! I know many of you were looking forward to our 30th year High School Reunion weekend! Sally Pridgen Spiegel continues to enjoy her design and contracting work, renovating existing
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the Texas heat and humidity, but having hubby still in the beautiful PacNorthWest will give me a good reason to escape the summer temperature down here. When it’s not too hot to venture outdoors without melting, I’ll be exploring the Alamo City with my trusty K-9 sidekick, Max.”
1991
HIGH SCHOOL Cynthia Youngblood Rutherford writes from Newport that she has enjoyed seeing old classmates on numerous occasions. Her father passed away Feb. 10, 2019, in a tragic accident and they all continue to heal. “Other than that, lots of fun times, concerts, travels, and of course, that wonderful Hurricane Florence!”
1991
COLLEGE
Front row, left to right: Katherine Sheftal Donovan ’89HS, Katherine Cloninger ’89HS, Sloan Kramer Ward ’89HS ’91C, Monica McClain ’89HS, Sue Jett Russler Taylor ’89HS ’91C, Hunter Grogan Rogers ’89HS ’91C; second row: Ginny James Eagles ’89HS ’91C, Becky Covert Robinson ’89HS ’91C, Catherine Scott Lackey ’89HS, Cindy Ross Teague ’89HS; third row: Travis Brady ’89HS, Kathryn Falls Roberts ’89HS, Heather Clark Warren ’89HS ’91C, Mary Virginia Green Liles ’89HS ’91C, Bridget Butler Harden ’89HS ’91C, Laura Lewellan Dickinson ’89HS ’91C; fourth row: Alice Boggs Schroeder ’89HS, Gini Wade Slaughter ’89HS ’91C, Angela Sutton Furniss ’89HS, Kylie Wells Lewis ’89HS; top row: Ruth Dobson-Torres ’89HS, Audrie Adams Robson ’89HS ’91C, Sally Pridgen Spiegel ’89HS
construction in Asheville, and parenting children who are now both on the edge of the nest. Her daughter, Ava Blane ’19, has had an excellent boarding experience at SMS over the last three years. Sally says that it has been fun to be an SMS parent and to see how the school has changed and is even better at serving girls three decades after we were students. “Every trip to campus is memory-filled and life-giving, particularly when running into fellow alums. Ava Blane graduated from SMS where she won the Catherine Ruth Proctor Award for academic advancement at commencement in May. She is off to college at Sewanee in the fall. Although my player is now over 6' tall, I am still soccer momming with Gage, who is a junior at Asheville High School. I am looking forward to connecting with our class at our 30th reunion.” Gina Crow Hartness’s daughter, Eugenia, is a freshman at Broughton High School in Raleigh this year. They enjoy traveling together, and try to get back to Charleston, S.C., as much as possible! Kirke Hooper writes, “I am currently working at Edward Jones in downtown Youngsville and absolutely love it! I have been here for seven years. When I am not spending time with my
two teenagers, I am walking or volunteering in local non-profits in my wonderful town of Wake Forest.” As for me, Heath Dalton Parker, I live in North Raleigh with my husband and children, Kate (11) and Owen (9), and our newest Goldendoodle addition, Bailey. Between my work and the kids’ school, basketball, volleyball, and other activities - well, life is busy. I enjoyed catching up with classmates at the reunion in May! Heath
1989
COLLEGE Laura Query ’89C Louise Boucher Nellums sends greetings from San Antonio, Texas, where she is a commander in the Nurse Corps of the United States Navy. “I’ve recently relocated, now stationed at Joint Base Fort Sam Houston. I’m taking over as the department head of curriculum management at Navy Medicine Education and Training Logistics Command. My husband, Michael, is maintaining our house in Washington State, as that’s where we ultimately want to retire. After six years in Washington, I’m going to have to adjust to
Kirke Hooper ’89HS ’91C writes, “I am currently working at Edward Jones in downtown Youngsville and absolutely love it! I have been here for seven years. When I am not spending time with my two teenagers, I am walking or volunteering in local non-profits in my wonderful town of Wake Forest.”
1993
HIGH SCHOOL Claudia Bishop Stubbs ’93HS Keri Burnette volunteers with Band Together, a locally based nonprofit organization. In the beginning of 2019, Keri joined the Wells Fargo mortgage lending division. In July, Pany Seyed Allen will celebrate her 20-year anniversary with her husband, Joe. Pany loves living in Apex and raising her family there. Her son, Joseph (14), will be starting high school in the fall. Her son, Jaden (11), will be starting middle school in the fall. Their family stays busy with soccer. Pany has been working at SAS for 17 years in marketing/sales with universities all over the U.S. and Canada. She is looking forward to summer break and hopes to travel abroad. Heather Gibson is still in medical device sales. She was just awarded the product line rep of the year for the third year. Heather enjoyed seeing many high school and college classmates at Saint Mary’s 2019 auction at Angus Barn. Alison Wilkes Thomas celebrated 18 years of marriage to Jason on April 14. Wilkes is 14, and Ali George and Jack are 8. Alison stays busy with her catering business, Scarborough Fare. Zoe Graham Balsamo lives in Charlotte. She
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CLASS NEWS
Front row: Allison Hyde McLendon ’94C, Rachel Graham Fanning ’94C, Allison Britt ’94C, Margery Knott Clifton ’94C, Joanna Weatherman Huskey ’94C, Sandy Calves Still ‘’94C, Amy McIlvain Powell ’92HS ’94C, Jennifer Alexander Keeley ’94C; back row: Mason Waites Harrington ’94C, Emmy Teague Scott ’94C, Sally Howell Donaldson ’94C, Ann Green Floyd ’94C, Robin White Mangum ’94C, Toccoa Choate Patterson ’94C, Louisa Hickman Kinsman ’92HS ’94C, Andrea Staunch Green ’94C
Virginia Bullock Crisp ’94HS, left, Amy Macchiaverna Springett ’94HS, right
Front row: Caroline Davis Braswell, Anne Kochersberger Locklair, Chrissy Fiorilli Ellington, Laura Chilton Midget; middle row: Joanna Hill Worthington, Liz Thompson Bowen, Merritt Atkins; top row: Amanda McLaurin, Georgia Moore Brown, Stuart Small Beaumont, Megan Ryan Walker
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ALUMNAE IN THE NEWS is a stay-at-home mom and has a daughter named Isabelle. Michelle Oppegard’s daughter, Anna, will attend Saint Mary’s this year. She will be a member of the class of 2022. Michelle’s son, Eric Michael, graduated from Heritage High School this year. The whole family is going to Portugal again this year. Michelle loves living in Wake Forest. Helen Nobles is a CNA with Genesis Healthcare in Salisbury. Helen loves her job and the residents. She has been on light duty since falling on black ice and hurting her knee. She will be going to Pawleys Island, S.C., in July. If anyone is ever in Salisbury, Helen would love to see you. Katherine Mitchell Johnson is still teaching in Raleigh. Her daughter, Emily, is in middle school. Elizabeth Blackwood is living in Raleigh. She recently started a new job and bought a new home. As for me, Claudia Bishop Stubbs, I have enjoyed being at home full time this school year. I love being able to spend each day with Sarah Claxton (2). James is 11 and John Bayley is 8. We keep busy with basketball and soccer. I have enjoyed spending time with so many SMS friends lately. A Justin Timberlake concert in D.C. with Elizabeth, Alison, Corbin Jennifer and Cameron made for a great way to start off the New Year. I enjoyed hosting Laurie, Jennifer, Alison Elizabeth and Cassie for a weekend full of laughter and wine. Virginia wine country with good friends is always a good time. I hope to see many more of you soon. Keep in touch!
1993
COLLEGE Dow Perry Crowder ’91HS ’93C Katherine Gregory Fritter is living in Key Largo, Fla. She reports that her oldest daughter, Abby, will be starting SMS in the fall. Kat can’t wait to be back on campus, seeing it through her daughter’s eyes. Mary Louise Talley is living in Raleigh and working in a church preschool as a 4-year-old teacher. She has a daughter named Rainey (6). Jen Stocks and family are now living in Pittsboro. They love living in the country! Jen works at Figure 8 films as SVP of original programming. Daughter Daisy is 9 and son Elliott is 5. Jamie Brantley Fernandez de Castro and family are still in Sarasota, Fla. She and husband Miguel have five children (four boys and a girl) and recently celebrated 16 years of marriage. Their oldest will be 16 and driving this year, which Jamie says is scary! They are looking forward to building a summer house in Kiawah. She loves a project! Mimi Pinner lives in Raleigh and recently took on a corporate communications role at Foundation Medicine, which is a molecular information company focusing on transforming cancer care. She is “beyond thrilled” to have the opportunity to work with smart, passionate people who are truly dedicated to such an important mission. Her precious Weatherly is almost 8, but going on 18. She’s loving life: dancing, creating art, playing with slime and making videos of herself. Ashley Shelton Taylor and husband Paul live next to Mt. Vernon estate, in Alexandria, Va. They have a 4-year-old son, Brooks. She reports that her family has done a lot of traveling in the past few years, everywhere from Disney to the mountains. Their favorite was time spent exploring different beaches on the East Coast. Most recently they were in Ring of Kerry, Ireland, for two weeks. Sally Gallagher Lindsay and husband Marshall live in Charlotte and are approaching 17 years of marriage. Son Hil is almost 13, and daughter Ann Marshall is almost 10. Time is flying by. They spent spring break in Key West. Sally works as a speech therapist. Her family is in Raleigh often for her children’s swim meets, and she would love to meet up with some of us Raleigh gals! Sara Apple Wolcott lives in Alexandria, Va., and is a wound care nurse at George Washington University Hospital. Son Tad (15) plays the guitar and is in a metal/rock band. Sara reports that noise-cancelling headphones are worth every penny! Daughter Madeline (13) is obsessed with all things Broadway and field hockey. Ann Akers Douglas sends greetings from Clearwater, Fla. She has a house full of teenage boys (16, 15, and 13). Her car always smells bad and she owns nothing breakable, as every night is like a WWF wrestling match. The good news is that because of the boys, her house is also often full of teenage girls! Ann coowns a clothing store: For the Love of…Boutique. She says it is fun, but hardly makes a penny. She asks us to like the boutique on Facebook or Instagram. She recently got her real estate license and is working hard trying to promote that business. She also enjoys substitute teaching - it keeps her in the know with her boys. Ann supports the Arc of Tampa Bay and helps plans a black-tie event every year. Jennie Minges Hobbs and husband Ryan live in Cary, with daughter Betsy (13) and son William (4). She reports she co-founded a civilian disaster relief team to aid North Carolinians when disaster strikes. The group was founded in the wake of Hurricane Florence and is called The Carolina Calvary. Fellow SMS alum Andrea Staunch Green ’94C is on the board. Their goal is to be the first responders while the other organizations are cutting through the
Kayla Gwaltney ’15 awarded Fulbright Scholarship to teach in Malaysia Saint Mary’s alumna Kayla Gwaltney ’15, a senior communications studies major at James Madison University, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to work in a rural school as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Malaysia. Inspired by the way she benefitted from an allgirls education at Saint Mary’s, Kayla hopes to initiate an after-school program for the girls at the school. The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright U.S. Student program is the largest U.S. exchange program offering opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and primary and secondary school teaching worldwide. When she completes her Fulbright teaching experience, she will return to the United States, where she has been awarded a position with Teach for America to teach elementary school for two years in Eastern North Carolina. “I believe that education is the key to equality, and a child’s fate is largely determined by the quality of education they receive in their early years and beyond. By using the experiences and lessons in Malaysia, and then through Teach for America, I plan to fight for educational equality through legislation in the U.S. and perhaps internationally. My ultimate goal is to work on Capitol Hill on child welfare and education policy through the U.N. or an NGO. For now, I have the next three years planned, and I am going to focus on getting the most I can out of these amazing opportunities!”
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CLASS NEWS have a Goldendoodle named Lexi. Cammie says she misses North Carolina, but reports that Kentucky does have a lot of fun, cool stuff to do. We are all invited to the Kentucky Derby! Shannon Jones Shackelford and family are in Raleigh. Shannon and her husband own a business in Garner. She has a 25-year-old stepson named Jessie. Her son Tanner just turned 13. Julie Thomas Growney celebrated 21 years of marriage to John this year. They are in Raleigh, staying busy with a house full of teenage girls: Mary Braxton (16) and Sarah (13). Julie spends her time volunteering at school and church and playing tennis. Valerie Van Oosten Cline lives in Washington, D.C., and works as a mortgage banker. She co-founded and is co-president of the non-profit DC W.I.S.E. They are nine women working in D.C. residential real estate, who come together to lift up and support homeless women and children in D.C. The first year, the group raised $25K, but it has grown, and in the last four years they have raised and donated over $400K! Val is so proud of the work they have done and the organizations they’ve supported. Husband Kevin practices law in D.C. They have two children, Caroline (4) and son Aiden (8). Caroline loves her brother, unicorns singing, and dancing. Aiden loves baseball, his friends, and his sister, most of the time. He also enjoys singing and is currently loving Queen. His show choir is working on “Bohemian Rhapsody,” so most nights in the Cline Alumnae Instagram house are spent pumping the @saintmarysalumnae music, singing and dancing. She enjoyed spending a weekend in Raleigh in March for Mimi’s birthday. Dow Perry Crowder: Jason and I are still in Raleigh. We celebrated 11 years in May. It’s hard to remember our lives prior to having daughter Lilly (6). She’s smart and sassy and so sweet; most definitely the light of our lives. She started gymnastics this spring and unfortunately has the grace, flexibility, and athletic ability of her mother. But, she loves it, and I have no doubt that it will take no more than two years for her to have a strong cartwheel! She also loves swimming and thankfully, is good at that! I’m thrilled that she’ll be attending an etiquette camp at SMS this summer! Until next year…xoxo, Dow
red tape. Governor Cooper recently recognized The Carolina Calvary and held a reception for them! Jennie says that it is humbling to be able to help so many throughout North Carolina. Ann Lee Johnson and Gill are still happily married, living in Mount Pleasant, S.C. They have two boys: little Gill (16) and Smyth (15). Gill plays lacrosse and Smyth plays football. Ann says it’s hard to believe that they are both driving! She is still teaching at The O’Quinn Pre-School of Porter Gaud. Ann’s family spent spring break in Costa Rica. They are also working on several home improvement projects, which she loves! Betsy Harrison lives in Virginia Beach, Va., and has been working in the ophthalmic medical device field for 18 years. For the last eight years, she’s been a surgical device rep for Biotissue, selling amniotic membrane, which restores and regenerates the ocular surface. Betsy travels a lot; this spring she had a mother-daughter trip to N.Y.C. and had a vacation in Panama. Cammie Rundle O’Connell is in Kentucky. Her daughter, Hayden (12), will start seventh-grade this fall. She loves field hockey and shows horses. Cammie enjoys playing tennis. They
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1995
COLLEGE Tate Tattersall Garrison ’95C Dear 95C, Hope this finds everyone well! Time really does start to fly by, doesn’t it? Carla McMasters Murray says, “Life is busy!” Her children, Cole (15) and Owen (10), keep her and Jeff hopping! She is the elementary school principal at North Chatham Elementary. Carla says it has been awesome to go to school each day with her boys throughout the years. She finds it hard to believe that this will be the last year of having one of the boys with her at school. Mary Kelly Teague wrote to say she is loving the Wilmington life! She moved into a new condominium in early February after being delayed by Hurricane Florence for several months. She was especially excited to decorate and not to be renting anymore. She loves looking out of her windows and seeing the beautiful oak trees dripping with Spanish moss: a true Wilmington view! After three years with a real estate firm, she switched gears in May of last year and started doing paralegal work with a firm that specializes in litigation. She absolutely loves the attorneys and the daily knowledge she’s exposed to. She says Wilmington has done wonderfully bouncing back from the damages of Florence. She wishes all in our class her love and the best! Heather Gibson works for a privately-held medical device company as a territory business manager in the regenerative medicine space, covering North Carolina and Virginia. She says it was great to see friends from the high school and college who flew in to attend Saint Mary’s 2019 auction gala in February at the Angus Barn Pavilions and have a minireunion for the weekend. Heather is looking forward to spending time with SMS friends this summer at Topsail and Atlantic beaches. Ashley Dawson Forbes let us know she is teaching at St. Michael’s Parish Day School in Raleigh and loves returning to SMS quarterly for school updates. She loves having her cousin, Joyner Rascoe ’21, continuing the family’s Saint Mary’s tradition, and enojoys visits to see Joyner and watch games, attend chapel, etc. She can’t wait to see everyone next year at our 25th. My crew and I are here in Raleigh and love seeing familiar SMS faces around town. Speaking of reunions, I would love to see you all in Raleigh for our 25th - how can that possibly be? Raleigh is truly on the move and there is so much to see and do! Let’s start making some plans to celebrate! Lots of love to you all. XO Tate
2001
Louise Beasley Warenda ’01 Jennifer Maupin Alexander and Haywood recently celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary. Their daughter, Marguerite, is a rising third grader at St. David’s and enjoyed participating in her first play and learning to play lacrosse this year. Son Branch is in preschool at
St. Michael’s and knows the name of every truck and car on the highway! Jennifer has found a passion in bereavement care as she continues to share Griffin’s story at hospital training sessions for nurses and chaplains. Some highlights of the year were family trips to Disney World and Utah and the celebration of Haywood’s promotion to Raleigh police lieutenant. Ashley Batts Allen reports that Mack Thomas Allen was born on March 8, 2018 and just turned 1. The Allen family is moving to Angier, and Ashley will continue working at UNC-Pembroke. She’s also a principal investigator on a grant from the National Science Foundation investigating stress, coping, and social support following Hurricane Florence. Travis Manning Berk and her family have been busy this year in the mountains. Jones is now 4.5 years old and Mariana is a full-on 2.5 year old heading in to 3 like she’s already 13. Travis’ practice is thriving, and Adam is teaching fifth- and sixth-grade math and science. They’re glad to have Travis’ sister, Alice Manning Touchette ’97HS, back in North Carolina and look forward to lots of cousin time at Contentnea Farm with Missy Taylor Manning ’71HS ’73C. Keep smiling! Rebecca Johnson Coleman has been married for 10 years and has two beautiful and busy daughters, Gabby (6) and Nia (3). They are her whole heart in human form. They reside a few minutes away from Charlotte and love to stay on the go as much as they can. Lauren Talton Daniel is currently working in Raleigh as an environmental education program coordinator for the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. She looks forward to spending time this summer in the White Oak River with her husband, Seth, and Ledger (3). Lauren is still finding adventures and having a good time and thinks of folks from the class of 2001 often! Mary Catherine Benson Grew’s daughter, Ann Safrit, is 15 months old and walking and talking. She takes up all her time! They spend a lot of time with Lizzie Davis Elder and her daughter, Ruth. On September 24, 2018, Kelly Stocks Milam and family welcomed Stallings Castleman Milam to their family. Big brother Leon is enjoying showing his brother the ropes around Brooklyn. When they can, they are often looking for reasons to get back to North Carolina to visit family and SMS friends. Lee Crane Morris and her family welcomed Marilyn Louise on January 23, 2019! Upon return to work in May, Lee tackled resource management of the associates within her office of Booz Allen Hamilton, as well as the government contract that comprises of 80% of her team. Macon Sykes Parsley is still living in Winston-Salem with her husband, Robert, and their daughter, Brooks (3). Sara Frackelton Passero lives in Allen, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, and works with children and adults as a licensed professional counselor at a Dallas counseling and treatment center. She loves her job and being outside with her dog, Walter. She misses the East Coast
Front row: Hunter Jackson Sabol, Rush Williams; second row: Charlotte Smith, Britt Carl, Nia Triantis Gillespie, Sarah Simons Team
when summer fully hits in Texas, but loves her work and life there. Lauren Rutherford Perry and George have been busy building a house next door in Colerain. She is still working for the North Carolina Bankers Association in Raleigh and enjoying son, George IV (Ivey). Elizabeth Andrews Preyer is still working as a nurse in the ED and hospice. Her daughters are Elizabeth (4) and Alice (2). Her husband, Britt, is running their brewery, Preyer Brewing Company. Clara Wortham Robinson will be celebrating eight years of marriage this summer with husband, Stuart. She is still working every weekend as a staff nurse in the ICU. Clara is super proud of her two kids: Emma (5) and Stuart “Wesley” (3). She is enrolled full time in a double major MSN program, family nurse practitioner and adult gerontological acute care nurse practitioner. She has no social life in the interim and looks forward to graduation May 2020. Tiffany Frank Warren stays busy with work as an in-home CNA. She takes care of a very special lady with cerebral palsy. Her three kids also keep her on the go with oldest Riley (17), middle son, Skylar (13) and daughter, Kloe (9). A big thanks
to each of you for reaching out this year with your updates. I really enjoy hearing from you. I continue to spend my time in Raleigh with Joe, Beasley (8) and Mary Bruce (5). Most days are spent between the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, J.Y. Joyner Elementary School and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. When we are not in Raleigh, our family is likely in Atlantic Beach. Very much hope to see all of you soon. Please continue to stay in touch and have a wonderful summer! Louise
2003
Shea Vause Gravely ’03 Hunter Snell Schenk and husband Edward have welcomed their second baby. They had a little girl named Catherine “Rhodes” Schenk on April 14, 2018. Ashley Williams Gala and her husband welcomed their second baby girl, Laura Elizabeth “Libby” Gala on March 5, 2019. Laura Hill Dunaway and husband Fields welcomed their second baby, a girl, Penelope Herron Dunaway, on April 1, 2019. Lousia Walker Trouche and husband Perry welcomes
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CLASS NEWS pancreatic cancer. Blair Burke lives in Cary and is working at North Hills Tennis Club as tennis professional. She graduated from Methodist University last year with a degree in professional tennis management. Alex Crimmins Kaminski and her husband, Kyle, made the move from N.Y.C. to Miami this year. She continues to work as an executive assistant at Merrill Lynch. Aaron Sermons and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Cyra Elizabeth Ghaffari, on December 29, 2018. They love being her parents! Hannah Small Jones and her husband had a baby boy, Fielding Jackson Jones, on April 13, 2018. Alex Baxter is a licensed professional counselor and works as a case manager on a child and adolescent stabilization unit and seeing children and adolescents in private practice. Alex is also pursuing certification as a registered play therapist. As for me, I made the switch from insurance claims to underwriting at my company in January. It has been a great change, and I am looking forward to all the opportunities to come. Our son, Bear, is enjoying life in the two-year-old class at his school and is making lots of new friends! I hope everyone is enjoying summer. Ila
2007
Front row: Laura Medlin, Mary Stewart Bailey, Emma Carol Lewis, Anna Fletcher; middle row: Mary Southgate Dickson, Perry Kritz Hoyt, Betsy Church; top row: Becca Vinson Hamilton, Taylor King, Chelsea Ward, Elizabeth Moss Allen, Katherine Lochbaum
their second baby boy, Walker Mason Trouche on April 5, 2019. Liza Fleury married Marc Rabinowitz on June 9, 2018, at the Surf Club on Wrightsville Beach. Liza and Marc live in San Francisco. Margaret Gibson Arnett and husband Cam had a little boy, Walker Andrews Arnett, on November 19, 2018. His big sister is Anna Brice (2.5). Braz Shabrell is a social justice attorney in Oakland, Calif., where they just won a landmark jury trial. Amazing! Braz has recently accepted a new position as a managing attorney at a nonprofit serving low-income and immigrant communities. Last year Taylor White created Raleigh’s first-ever augmented reality mural in collaboration with Google Fiber. The wall is located at 410 S. Salisbury Street and can be viewed using an app called Abstracted Motion (currently only available on Android devices). Taylor has been selected as the lead artist on the Rocky Branch Greenway Tunnel public art project, funded by the City of Raleigh, which will begin production this summer. She will also complete murals this year in Wake Forest, Zebulon, and Cincinnati, Ohio. Tatyana Sharoubim-Stewart is killing it with her store, T Georgianos, in Sarasota, Fla., where she
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just celebrated 14 years in business. She was recently recognized as Sarasota’s best shoe store. She has also launched her trademarked private label this year called True Blue Vibes. Her store and her private label are available online @ www.tgeorgianos.com.
2005
Ila Walker Bittner ’05 The Class of 2005 has some exciting things happening. I can’t believe next year is our 15year reunion, and we can catch up on more of our news together in person! Caroline McClintic Flannery and her husband, Gary, welcomed their daughter, Charlotte, in October 2018. They also have moved to a new house in New Bern. Katie Skinner bought a house in Raleigh and is starting her own art business. Claire Cosgrove Edmondson married Lucas Edmondson in Harkers Island last May. They live in Wilmington. Sara Mayo Sealey started a new job at Lenovo, managing the part sales inventory and sourcing department. She is also an active advocate for Project Purple in honor of her late father, Luke Mayo. She enjoys running half marathons and raising money to help cure
Elizabeth Lowder ’07 First and foremost, thank you, ladies, so much for all of your submissions. I think we hit a record number this year, and I loved hearing from each and every one of you. Annie Sellers Greene lives in her hometown of Charlotte, working as a senior recruiter for a digital marketing and tech company, Red Ventures. In Chapel Hill, Kate Dickson graduated from medical school and is thrilled to begin residency in psychiatry at UNC Hospitals. Caroline Donaldson married her husband Ephraim, and they are enjoying life in Washington, D.C. Nancy Vander Veer currently lives in Alpharetta, Ga., with plans to pursue a master’s degree in Germany. She says she will gladly welcome visitors during Oktoberfest! Another classmate welcoming visitors is Kelly Prak Ford. She has earned a TEFL certificate so she can teach English while living in Lyon, France. Mary Katherine Perry Phillips gave birth to Forrest “Charles” Phillips IV last summer and is currently residing in Goldsboro. Bridget Myers Manuel lives in Ann Arbor, Mich., where she is a high school science teacher and her husband is in psychiatry residency at the University of Michigan. Helen Johnson and her family live in Greenville, N.C., and she had a blast taking her children to Disney for the first time — what a special trip! Blair Mikels Baker and her husband bought a local window treatments business last summer in Beaufort. Elizabeth Behar just finished up her third year of teaching at Savannah Country Day School in Savannah, Ga. Margaret Cheatham Williams married Frank Driscoll in September (but is keeping her maiden name). After their honeymoon in Africa, they adopted an adorable pit/spaniel mix and
ALUMNAE IN THE NEWS named her “Duma,” which means “cheetah” in Africa. Her bridesmaids included alums Annie Sellers Greene, Capel Kane Brendel, Scottie Springer, Rush Williams ’04, and Eleanor Williams ’20. Margaret Cheatham has started a fine art photography business, which can be found at www.moxiesdaughter. com. Leigh Anne Moreaur Hammill cofounded a locally owned and operated real estate firm, Ace Realty Group. She’s excited to be able to assist buyers and sellers in the Triangle area. Joy Zhou recently graduated with a master's in international education from George Washington University. Joy is currently exploring opportunities in New York City so please reach out to her if you’re ever up there for a visit. Over on the west coast, Janna Clare Weaver Cyrus received her RYT 200 as a certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher. She and her husband Nika recently relocated to Orange County, Calif., after living in Malibu. Allison Dixon Kennedy is “surviving sleepless nights of motherhood” thanks to her son, Jack, along with Meredith Vaughn Savill, who gave birth to Gavin Cameron Savill last fall, as well as Emily Long Melvin who gave birth to a future Saint, Catherine Amerson Melvin. In the past two years, Ashley Smith Clark and her husband have officially adopted three children while living in Wilmington. In Raleigh, Morgan Gibbs Sabin and her husband celebrated officially becoming foster parents. If you happen to find yourself in Raleigh, be sure to say hello to Mary Catherine Cornick, Anna Zevenhuizen, Margaret Matteson Richards and Scottie Springer — they're always up for a girls' night to grab dinner or drinks. As for me, Lizzie Lowder, I am still a sports and social media producer with AL.com, in Birmingham, Ala., spending time on the sidelines covering the College Football Playoffs, National Championship to the Final Four, and everything in between. It is with great sadness we mourn the loss of our classmate, Rhyne Andrews Callens, who passed away on March 14, 2019, after fighting a long and courageous battle against ovarian cancer. A beautiful celebration of her life was held on campus at the historic Saint Mary's School chapel, where dozens of classmates, family, and friends gathered to honor her passion for life.
2009
Betsy Church ’09 Emma Carol Lewis works for her family's company in Knightdale and lives in Historic Oakwood in Raleigh. Sara Bailey Stocks Pate lives in Atlanta, Ga., with her husband, Kep. They welcomed their first child, Henry Knox Pate, on November 24, 2018! Betsy Bryan Pitts Mandl and her husband, Michael, are a year into marriage and still enjoying living in N.Y.C. Outside of work,
Betsy Bryan stays involved with the North Carolina and Duke communities through the North Carolina Society of New York and the Duke Young Alumni Development Council. She was very sad to miss this year’s reunion! Sydney Johnson Beasley married Fletcher Beasley on April 7, 2018, in the Saint Mary’s Chapel. She teaches elementary and middle school special education at The Trilogy School in Raleigh. Mary Stewart Bailey lives in Raleigh, and her fur baby, Watson, turned one this year! Mary Southgate Dickson lives in Raleigh and runs internal recruiting at Personify. Victoria Touloupas Higgins got married on August 11, 2018. She and her husband moved from Nashville, Tenn., to Burlington, where she accepted a job as a product manager within Labcorps’ corporate marketing and business development team for women’s health and primary care. June Kim is working as an independent animation director. She is in production of a new film funded by Seoul Animation Center. June received a master’s in animation and graduated cum laude from Eesti Kunstiakadeemia (Tallinn, Estonia) in June 2018. She has moved back to Korea after living abroad for 10 years. Amy Slice Shea got married in 2016 and had her first child. She and her husband welcomed their second child in 2018 and just bought their first house in Huntersville. Olympia Agnew lives in Wendell and is entering her sixth year of teaching middle school science. She is finishing her National Board Certification process this year. She is an assistant softball coach for her middle school team and also plays on an adult team. Alex Harris Evans lives in Wilmington. She just started grad school to become a family nurse practitioner. Laura Medlin lives in Chapel Hill and is in her second year of law school at UNC-Chapel Hill. Carolyn Bacchus Stapleton and her husband relocated from Portland, Oregon, to Davidson, N.C., and welcomed their first child, Henry Tate Stapleton, on January 23, 2019. Perry Holding Bailey and her husband welcomed their first child, James “Freeman” Bailey, Jr., on November 19, 2018. They moved to Raleigh, changed jobs, graduated business school, and got a new dog all in the span of a few months! Perri Kritz Hoyt married Matt Hoyt on September 28, 2018 in Asheville. It was a big year for them: Matt graduated from law school, they bought a house, and they moved to Greensboro to start new jobs and their next chapter together. Morgan Roberts lives in Raleigh and is a neuro/oncology nurse at Duke. Taylor King teaches dance and does choreography at Northfield Mount Hermon, a prep boarding school in Massachusetts. She is also performing and choreographing for Quantum Dance Collective and VEERdance. Jess Eatman lives in Richmond,
Frances Cayton ’14 awarded FLAS Fellowship at Harvard’s Davis Center Frances Cayton ’14 has been awarded a Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS) at Harvard University’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, where she will begin her master’s studies this fall. Her FLAS award will support full tuition and a living stipend at Harvard where she will study Polish language and take courses in Russian and East European history, politics, geography, and literature. Through her affiliation with the Davis Center, she will be able to participate in numerous lectures and events featuring key policy makers, activists, writers, and researchers. Cayton hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in history following her M.A. studies. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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CLASS NEWS
Front row: Walker Lytton, Sara-Kinard Moyd, Caroline Edwards, Anna Lane Mayo, Dean Gibson; second row: Mary Haley, Haley Koppelman, Emily Szyperski, Emily Evans; third row: Holden Stanley, Coleman, Victoria Crook, Florrie McCard; top row: Katie Nash, Mary Stuart Fountain, Annalise Francina, Lindsay Nevitt, Frances Cayton
Va. Her pet pug, Biggie Smalls, just turned three! Arrington Clark Caison was married on December 15, 2018, in Raleigh to John Caison. John has committed to Kellogg Business School and they’re moving to Chicago this summer! Lauren Vitek is the director of sales for TravelBank, a San Francisco-based company. Her golden retriever, Wellie, just turned five, and Lauren is looking forward to lots of travel this year. Caroline Fuqua Owens lives in Charleston, S.C., and has been happily married for a year and a half now. She started teaching Pure Barre in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Sara Williamson lives in Raleigh and teaches second grade. Maggie Bratton lives in Charlotte and has been with her job at Charlotte Lucas Interior Design for five years. Adams Paschal moved to Charleston, S.C., to continue working in brand strategy with a new company, Cobble Hill. Tess Wells is graduating from pharmacy school with her PharmD/MSPH (master’s in public health) and relocating to Salisbury for a residency with the Salisbury VA. Chelsea Ward lives in Raleigh and works as a development officer at Saint Mary's School. Carson Gombatz Allred welcomed a
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daughter, Elliot Rose Allred, on April 18, 2019. She is still enjoying teaching high school math and looking forward to being a great mom. I moved to Charlotte last summer. I’m back in Raleigh to visit a lot, but I’ve really loved living in a new city! Dan and I brought home our golden retriever puppy, Sadie, in January, and I started a new job with an all-remote software company called GitLab. I can’t believe this year marks 10 years since we graduated from SMS! Sending love to all of you ladies. XoXo, Betsy
2011
Elizabeth Carson ’11 Olivia Barwick lives and works in Charlotte. She enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and her kitten “Fran.” Rebecca Behar lives and works in Chicago and is looking forward to the prospect of moving to a new city, or back home to North Carolina soon! Eliza Brinkley is enjoying her first year teaching high school English in Pittsboro. The school is in a vibrant community and is a nice place for a new teacher to begin her career. She recently enjoyed seeing Saint Mary's alumnae and staff
at the Chapel Hill gathering at the Carolina Inn in March and is looking forward to seeing some more SMS friends this spring and summer. Sally Cann is enjoying her recent move to Mobile, Ala., working as a medical assistant at an orthopedic clinic. Sarah Randall Fuqua works for McGuireWoods Law firm. Still full of life and seizing every opportunity that comes her way. She loves seeing so many classmates who live in Charlotte or visit. Elizabeth Carson also lives in Charlotte, working for Charlotte Lucas Interior Design. Louise Mann Clement Dull married Will Dull in August 2018 in Greenville, N.C. She lives in Charlotte where she works as a PreK teacher with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Caroline Collie moved to New Orleans, La., after graduation from The University of Mississippi. After starting her career at Whitney Bank in New Orleans, Caroline planned to move back to Raleigh at the end of May seeking new job opportunities. Léa Dickinson lives in Washington, D.C., where she is completing her second year at The George Washington University Law School. She will graduate in May 2020. Taylor Francis graduated from Appalachian State and lives in Raleigh. She is in law school. Lansdell Edwards received her master’s of science in clinical counseling from East Carolina University in May. She resides in Raleigh. Virginia Fulenwider resides in Morganton, enjoying work, her family, and two dogs. Millicent Fulk is living in Virginia Beach, Va. She is working as a Registered Nurse at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters emergency department in Norfolk, Va. Lizzie Jenkins graduated from Washington and Lee law school and works in Raleigh. Elizabeth Kerns moved to Richmond, Va., last summer from Washington D.C. She is working as a marketing coordinator for the law firm of Allen & Allen. Sidney Milholen Kinsella is living in Charlotte and enjoying life with her husband. Julia McKissick graduated with her master’s from the University of South Carolina in May 2018. She is enjoying her first year as a school counselor at Lake Forest Elementary school in Greenville, S.C. Farah Mohiuddin graduated with a degree in psychology from UNC-Wilmington, where she studied abroad in Beijing and interned in London. She went on to complete her master's degree in industrialorganizational psychology from Hofstra University in 2017. She does campus recruiting for accounting firm Ernst & Young, and lives on the Upper East Side in New York City. Torie Ness lives in Washington, D.C. She works for Senator Thom Tillis as a legislative aide handling energy, environment, and agriculture policy issues. Sallie Bailey Plumley lives in Richmond, Va., with her husband, Charlie. She owns and operates her own woodworking business where she creates custom handcrafted, hardwood furniture and gifts. Stiles Rader continues to work for the North Carolina Outward Bound School as the associate program director and whitewater river specialist. She spends part of the year
living in Asheville, and the winter months living in Patagonia, Argentina. This past year Stiles paddled the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and also guided on Tronador Mountain in South America! Hayden Rizer now lives in New Orleans and works as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She provides direct services to children with autism at Butterfly Effects ABA Center. Anderson Stark resides in Washington, D.C., and will soon relocate to Raleigh to continue her career. Abby Daniel Vallecillo lives in Wilmington with her husband, Will, and their two dogs. They were married in October 2018 and have just recently bought a house in downtown Wilmington. Abby teaches Spanish at a middle school in Brunswick County. Elizabeth Williams got married in April to Jefferson Ellington and is living in Charlotte. She is a freelance graphic designer specializing in invitation and stationery design.
2013
Catherine Carter ’13 Class of 2013! Thank you so much to everyone who sent in news. I truly enjoy keeping up with each of you! Sylvia Lee and her husband, Clint, recently completed building their new home. They are enjoying their neighbors and love their property. Sylvia says she would love to host some old (and new!) friends at Lee Woods soon! Deanna MacCormac was moving to Charlotte in May. Gini Todd Brink and her husband, Trevor, just celebrated their first anniversary. She is serving in the Minnesota National Guard and works as the coordinator for rehabilitation services at North Memorial Hospital. Gini is also planning to start her master’s in leadership in health administration this fall. As for me, Catherine Carter, I am opening a boutique called “The Gatorbug” this June, at Atlantic Beach. It has been a labor of love, and I’m excited to see my dream come to fruition! Please keep in touch and take care, Class of 2013!
2015
Kayla Gwaltney ’15 and Hayley Scialdone ’15 Kayla Gwaltney and Hayley Scialdone are so excited to hear from our classmates this year, as we round the four-year mark post SMS. Many of our classmates are entering exciting new phases of life, and we hope everyone is able to take advantage of the amazing network of Saints across the globe as they begin their next chapters. Kayla graduated from James Madison University with a B.A. in communications with a concentration in advocacy and a minor in political communications. She will be living in Raleigh for a few months and is looking forward to spending time with old friends and traveling. In January, she will begin her year as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Grantee in Malaysia. Once she returns, she will begin her two years as a Teach for America Corps member in
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Eastern North Carolina. Hayley graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a B.A. in advertising and a minor in information science. She will be taking time for friends and travel following graduation and will then be looking to pursue a career in creative advertising and brand development. Emma Wason graduated from Wofford College with a B.A. in sociology and anthropology. After graduation, she plans to get a Brittany spaniel puppy and move to Winston-Salem to begin her career. Taryn Travis graduated from Belmont University with a BBA in music business with an emphasis in production. She has plans to continue residing in Nashville, Tenn., while she completes her M.B.A. at Belmont in August. Relia Monk graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in medicine, health, and society. She is moving to Charlotte and working as a scribe while she applies to medical school. Bailey Ham graduated from George Washington University with a B.A. in journalism and mass communications, and a minor in sustainability. After finishing up her internship at POLITICO, she will be headed back to Camp Seafarer for one last summer, this time as the sailing master. She looks forward to what career move may be in store for her in September. Sophia Barsanti graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in psychology and music. She recently played Oberto in Handel’s Alcina and gave a senior recital featuring entirely women composers such as Larsen, Schumann, and Viardot. She performs research in a cognitive psychology lab studying the process of pronoun comprehension. With the goal of earning her Ph.D. in clinical psychology to improve the well-being of children and adolescents with externalizing disorders, she is currently applying to clinical research positions. Alexandra Barrett graduated from N.C. State University with a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in marketing. She will begin working in June for Genworth Financial in Raleigh. Maryanne Martini graduated in May from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in public relations and a minor in international relations. She is excited to be staying in Columbia, as she continues working for a political consulting firm and the South Carolina House Republican caucus as communications director. Kendall Hamilton was sad to see her time at Howard University come to an end, but is excited for what’s next. This fall, she will attend Columbia University in New York City to pursue her master’s in strategic communication. Hannah Cheney is in her fourth year at Northeastern University, studying international business with two minors in international affairs and Spanish, along with a concentration in marketing. She is completing her expatriate year in Madrid, Spain, where she studied at a local Spanish university during the fall and worked as an intern at the U.S. Embassy in the commercial service department. This summer, she returns to the
Dominican Republic as a program leader for her fifth year, working with AYUDA (American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad). She will return to Northeastern to complete her master’s degree in international management in the fall of 2019 and will graduate in 2020. Lucy Mae Rascoe graduated from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in marketing and management and is currently on the job hunt. Anna Gray Stallings ended school at University of Alabama after her sophomore year and moved back to Greenville, N.C. She took a year off from school and worked full time at a business in town. She says, “Mr. Orvis — it turns out I should have taken your advice all along!” She is now enrolled at East Carolina. She will be taking summer classes in hopes of speeding up the graduation process. Augusta Moran graduated Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va., with a B.A. in sociology and French, with a minor in women’s studies. She is thrilled to move back to Raleigh and start law school in the fall. Grayson Rodriguez graduated from MIT with a B.S. in chemistry and biology. She was looking forward to attending her last summer as a counselor for Camp Kesem at MIT in August. She will move to Palo Alto, Calif., in the fall to pursue a Ph.D. in immunology at Stanford University. Hannah Groover is studying psychology and English at Meredith College. She is currently employed as a nanny of five in North Raleigh and a direct interventionist at Pattern’s Behavioral Services. Jacqueline Collie graduated from Wake Forest University in May with a B.A. degree in politics and international affairs. Following graduation, she accepted a job offer and will be moving to Washington, D.C. Maggie Collier graduated from High Point University in May and moved to Nashville in June so she can begin her studies at Belmont University in August. She will be working towards a master's of music in vocal performance. Anna Carson Buckthal graduated from Wake Forest University in May. She accepted a job at Luquire George Andrews in Charlotte and will move there this summer. Madeline Joslin was so sad her time in Vermont was almost over, but she was ready to head back a little closer to home. She’s accepted a research internship at Tennessee State University's Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center, where she will be studying the efficacy of different plant propagation methods and working with TSU's extension program. After that, she will be moving to Nashville, where she is excited to reconnect with Anna Louise, Taryn, Maggie, and Relia! Sophia Buehrer planned to graduate from Carleton College in June with a B.A. in computer science and a B.A. in French and francophone studies, after having completed a senior capstone project in both areas. After graduation, she will be going on TAPIF, an English teaching assistant program in France. She has been assigned to the Academie of Nantes, but does not quite know exactly what
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CLASS NEWS city she will be in. After TAPIF, she intends to go to graduate school to continue studying French literature. Morgan Seidel graduated from the College of Charleston in May with a B.S. in biology and a minor in chemistry. This summer she will be serving as the director of summer programming at Kids on Point, where she has served as the academic success coordinator for the past year. After her gap year, Morgan plans on pursuing a master’s of social work. Abigail Ueland graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in May with B.A. in strategic communication and entrepreneurship. She will be moving to San Francisco in September to work at Facebook as a strategy and operations analyst. After graduating magna cum laude from Wake Forest University with a major in communication and double minor in journalism and art history, Sarah Boyce is excited to be moving to Charlotte. She will be working as an account coordinator at Wray Ward, a marketing and advertising agency. Thanks so much to everyone who sent in updates. We cannot believe it has been four years since we graduated and cannot wait to reconnect at our reunion next year!
2017
Sophia Abatangelo ’17 It is astonishing to think that this spring marked two years since our graduation as the Class of 2017. Catching up with my Saint Mary’s friends in Raleigh is always the highlight of my time at home; no matter the time or distance, we always pick up where we left off. Last year, I braved the Ithaca, N.Y., cold at Cornell University, where I study operations research and information engineering and English and joined Kappa Delta sorority. I am excited to be back in the Triangle this summer as a technical intern at Fidelity Investments. I love watching my classmates flourish beyond high school while also knowing that everyone is still the same girl we treasured in our four years at SMS. “We change but thou art still the same” could not ring truer. Hope Voelkel is studying human development and family studies, with a
minor in speech and hearing sciences at UNCChapel Hill, which she plans on merging with her passion for working with children. She plans on studying in Barcelona next spring and loved attending the Saint Mary’s alumnae dinner that took place in Chapel Hill in March. Other Class of 2017 alumnae in attendance were Ashton Vermillion, Catherine Sugg, Elizabeth Bryant, and Mary Mac Collie. Ashton joined Delta Delta Delta sorority along with Mary Mac Collie, Vaughan Poole, and Virginia Pace. Her sorority “big” is Mary Powell Boney ’16 and she studies media journalism, advertising, public relations, and entrepreneurship. She will be in China this summer on the Shuford Entrepreneurship Shanghai Program. Leann Kelly was accepted into Auburn's nursing program for Fall 2019. Congrats, Leann! Bonny Smith, majoring in mathematics and minoring in economics, is on the pre-engineering track at Sewanee. She is also a member of the varsity women's lacrosse team. Julia Bell is also a varsity collegiate athlete, who plays tennis in addition to being an admissions ambassador and member of the Q.V. honor society at Sweet Briar College. Langdon Kennedy, a health science major on the prephysical therapy track at Furman University, studied abroad in Italy last summer studying slow food. She is also a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, where she holds the title of recruitment Pi Chi, club soccer, and residential life council, and will be researching cognitive development linked with physical activity in children this summer. Always busy is Hannah Ueland, who is studying history and pre-health at the University of Notre Dame. On campus, she leads Student International Business Council projects within the consulting division and tutors her thirdgrade friend, Melanie. This summer, Hannah is conducting research at Duke and says fondly that she has “loved staying in touch with some of my classmates the past two years and am always thankful to Saint Mary's for lifelong friends!” Mary Hannah Sigmon is going into her fourth season this fall working for the N.C. State football team as a student athletic trainer. She
also serves her chapter of Alpha Delta Pi as one of the financial vice presidents with fellow Class of 2017 alumna, Mary Ashburn Mann, who has enjoyed visiting her Saint Mary’s friends in college and have them visit her. After graduation, Emma-Claire Purdie went to Italy and Greece for two weeks. She rushed Kappa Delta at the University of Alabama, where she studies biology and Spanish on the pre-med track, and now serves as secretary for her chapter. She loved experiencing a national championship for the Crimson Tide and loves visiting Blair Poirier, with whom she keeps up a fun rivalry. EmmaClaire has also started a personal painting company, “ECWPaintings” and will start opening commissions this summer. Check it out! Blair has immersed herself in Auburn University’s dance marathon; she raised $900 for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital this year. Every week, she mentors local school children through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, which she says has been the most rewarding experience. She is elated to be working this summer on a Colorado dude ranch. Clementine McCard is gracing the stage at East Carolina University and beyond, just as we all expected. She has been in the cast of ECU’s Dog Sees Dog and Bridge to Terabithia, and this summer she is a choir member for The Lost Colony in Manteo on her first professional contract! Another SMS sister making Ms. Catania proud is Lily Neary. At the University of Saint Andrew’s in Scotland, she has played Janet in the school’s production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show for the past two years. Having the opportunity to explore Europe, Lily has been to Budapest, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Dublin while she has been across the pond. As an art history major, she has loved seeing the artwork in person that she studies in the classroom. Vanessa Delarca is a coxswain for the Wellesley College crew team. In the spring, she coxed the second varsity boat and had an amazing season and was personally undefeated in all boats that she led.
ALUMNAE PROFILE SERIES sms.edu/alumnae/alumnae-profiles
Saint Mary’s founder Aldert Smedes believed that educated women could make a difference. That is true for all Saint Mary’s alumnae, as they make a positive difference in their professions, families, and communities. The Alumnae Office is showcasing alumnae by featuring an alumna profile each week on alumnae social media and the alumnae website at sms.edu/alumnae/alumnae-profiles. The featured alumnae represent all ages and a variety of professions and accomplishments, but they have one very important thing in common: they love Saint Mary’s. If you know someone who should be included in the series, let us know by calling 919-424-4118 or emailing annualfund@sms.edu.
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Make Plans Now to Support Saint Mary’s in the Future By Brandon Wright, Director of Gift Planning
A charitable bequest is an easy, flexible way to make a gift to Saint Mary’s School that will have a lasting impact. A bequest is generally a revocable gift, which means it can be changed or modified at any time. Your bequest can be designated for a general or specific purpose, so you have the peace of mind knowing your gift will make the exact impact you desire when it is received. Benefits of making a bequest: • Retain control of assets for use during your lifetime • Leave a legacy at Saint Mary’s • Reduce estate taxes • Reduce the burden of taxes on your family How it works Bequests of real estate, personal property, business interests, and cash are typically made through a will, revocable trust or a simple codicil to your current estate plan.
“When I think about the impact Saint Mary’s has had on my life, making a planned gift isn’t all I can do. It’s the least I can do. Whatever I’ve been able to accomplish as a community volunteer over the past 65 years comes directly from the confidence that a Saint Mary’s education gave me.” Sally Dalton Robinson ’51HS Heritage Society Member
The Office of Gift Planning welcomes the opportunity to provide suggested language to your estate-planning attorney for review and inclusion in your will or trust. Other bequests, such as those involving retirement assets, insurance policies, and bank and brokerage accounts, are made by completing a beneficiary designation form. Simply contact your retirement plan administrator, life insurance company, bank or investment broker and ask them to send you the appropriate beneficiary designation or payable on death form. You will need to complete and sign the beneficiary designation form and send it back to the account custodian or administrator to finalize your future gift. If you have included a bequest to Saint Mary’s in your estate plan, THANK YOU! Please let the school know about your intentions so that we can recognize you for your generous heart and thoughtful planning.
For more information please contact Brandon Wright, director of gift planning at 919-424-4111 or at bwright@sms.edu or go to www.sms.edu/plannedgiving
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Scenes of Saint Mary’s Commencement, May 19, 2019 Photo by Mary Virginia Swain ’77C
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