Saint Mary's School Summer 2021 Alumnae Magazine

Academic EXCELLENCE | Personal ACHIEVEMENT | SUMMER 2021

A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE, PARENTS, AND FRIENDS

Carol Killebrew begins tenure as interim head of school

Board of Trustees Officers Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS,Chair Liza M. Roberts, Vice Chair Anna Neal Blanchard ’76HS, Secretary Stephen F. Later, Treasurer

Members At-Large Diane Gupton Becton '77HS, (2023) 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 (2023), Raleigh, North Carolina April N. Browne '88HS '91C, (2023) Durham, North Carolina Caren Threshie Camp ’71HS (2021), Alexandria, Virginia Lucy V. Fountain (2023), Raleigh, North Carolina Palmer Peebles Garson ’75HS (2023), Richmond, Virginia Mary D. Hinton ‘88HS (2022), Roanoke, Virginia Earl Johnson III (2022) Raleigh, North Carolina Stephen F. Later (2022), Southern Pines, North Carolina Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS (2023), Charlotte, North Carolina Janie Swain Molster ’78HS (2021), Richmond, Virginia Sally Sabiston Pelletier ’77HS ’79C (2022), Baltimore, Maryland Jean M. Redding '72HS (2023) Atlanta, Georgia Liza M. Roberts (2023), Raleigh, North Carolina D. Ward Russell (2021), Raleigh, North Carolina Sallie Shuping Russell ’75C (2021), Chapel Hill, North Carolina Charles A. Sanders (2021), Durham, North Carolina Maura Moylan Sullivan ’87HS (2021), Durham, North Carolina Heather Clark Warren '89HS '91C (2023) Raleigh, North Carolina Julian R. Williamson (2023) Raleigh, North Carolina

Student Representative Tommi Wilder ’22, Raleigh, NC

(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 2021 | VOLUME 106, 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 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, mental or physical disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs. The school does not discriminate against qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, or mental or physical disability in providing the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

Executive Cabinet Carol Killebrew, Interim Head of School Shelly Lammon, Chief Financial Officer Julie Ricciardi, CFRE, Associate Head of School for Institutional Advancement Administrative Team Lou Caputo, Director of Technology Ann Marie Davis, Director of Faculty Learning and Development Lauren Gerber, Director of Communications and Marketing Eric Poss, Director of Facilities The Rev. Maggie Stoddard, Chaplain Debra Townsley, Interim Assistant Head of School for Student Experience Abby Wahlstrom, Director of Residential Life Stephanie Webb, Director of Student Life 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 Or update your contact information online at sms.edu/alumnaeupdate.

Editor Mary Virginia Swain ’77C Director of Public Relations and Publications mvswain@sms.edu Class News Editor Emory Rogers Church ’74C Director of Alumnae Engagement Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C Contributors: Hilda Bates; Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C; Lynn Doby; Lauren Gerber; Carol Killebrew; Colin Murasko; Eilleen Nedoma; Christiane Newell; Julie Ricciardi; Mary Virginia Swain ’77C, Brandon Wright Design Heath Hilliker Printing Metro Productions, Raleigh, North Carolina

ON THE COVER Carol Killebrew begins tenure as interim head of school. Story on page 10.

CONTENTS FEATURES

Commencement 2021 Carol Killebrew begins tenure as interim head of school

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IN EVERY ISSUE Head of School Message ............................................... 3 Saint Mary's Forever ..................................................... .12 Personal Achievement ................................................ 14 Athletics News ............................................................... 16 Arts News ....................................................................... . 17 Academic Excellence ................................................... 18 Calendar .......................................................................... 20 Alumnae .......................................................................... 22 Milestones ....................................................................... 30 Class News ..................................................................... 32

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MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOL

Faithful friends and comrades sure Ahhhh...the lazy days of summer!

These words are not exactly true at 900 Hillsborough Street, for the campus is alive with activities and laughter, a completely different experience than when I arrived on campus last July and the pandemic was in full gear. I had been told all about the wonderful programs that occur in the summer months at Saint Mary’s, and I am grateful that we are getting closer to “normal” every day.

I have spent my entire career working in girls’ schools, and I can say without hesitation that I have spent my entire career looking specifically for Saint Mary’s. I needed a school that is rich in tradition but has both eyes opened to the future; a school where girls are not afraid to meet the academic challenges presented to them; a school with a faculty and staff who give of themselves inside and outside the classroom; and a school with an unmatchable group of alumnae who continue to support their alma mater with time, treasures, and talents.

I needed a school with a mission statement that focuses on student outcomes but embraces each and every one of us with these opening words: Saint Mary’s School, a community dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement. I needed a school without judgement, where faith and spirituality

are interwoven but personal and respected. And finally, I needed a school that was not afraid to take a chance on me or on anyone who appeared at the doorstep with a desire to be part of the Saint Mary’s community.

I am excited about the future of Saint Mary’s, in part because of the contents of this summer magazine! “Academic excellence and personal achievement” abound in the articles featuring our students, our faculty and staff, and our alumnae. And remember: Almost all these successes took place with masks on and six feet apart!

Thank you, to all who have welcomed me in your homes and on Zoom screens, in outdoor settings and in emails, in small groups and in a very well-attended Reunion Weekend. For me, being at Saint Mary’s is an experience of a lifetime, and your imprint has made this a destination for me, for students, for adults, and for generations to come.

I close with words from the Saint Mary’s School Hymn: Faithful friends and comrades sure!

Carol Killebrew Interim Head of School

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Commencement 2021: Blue ribbon day for the Class of 2021

By Mary Virginia Swain ’77C Director of Public Relations and Publications

The sights and sounds of Pomp and Circumstance filled the Grove Sunday morning, May 23, 2021, as 78 seniors graduated from Saint Mary’s School. It was a glorious Saint Mary’s commencement day in the Grove, as the graduates turned their tassels and Saint Mary’s rings. It was a perfect conclusion to celebrate an extraordinary and successful pandemic year of in-person learning and activities.

In keeping with Saint Mary’s tradition, Student Government Association President Paige Fisher ’21 and Senior Class President Caroline Koonce ’21 marched at the head of the line of seniors. The new marshals led the two lines of graduates and the platform party from Smedes Hall through the Grove.

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The Class of 2021

Marshal Kruesi Griffin ’22 leads graduates through the Grove.

Chaplain Maggie Stoddard presided over baccalaureate in the Chapel.

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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.

Following the speeches, the awards portion of the ceremony was presented, introduced by Board of Trustees Chair Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS. Awards were presented by Ms. Marley, departing Head of School Brendan O’Shea, and new Interim Head of School Carol Killebrew.

The blue iris has long been an iconic symbol of Saint Mary’s rich The Chorale and Voice Ensemble offered special music, Homeland, by commencement tradition. Graduates have carried the irises in our Z. Randall Stroupe, tune by Gustav Holst. commencement procession for many decades. Irises bloom each spring all around campus, most notably, in the Class of 1904 sundial Following the final singing of the year of the garden in front of East Rock.

School Hymn, Chief Marshal Jane Usher The blue iris is a symbol of ’22 stood at the top of the steps of Smedes faith, hope, and wisdom, which Hall, directly beneath the lantern adorned makes it a perfect representation with Saint Mary’s blue ribbons, to drop the of all that a Saint Mary’s Once again, Saint Mary’s handkerchief and declare the 179th session at commencement embodies – Saint Mary’s to be officially closed. After the the faith a student has nurtured graduating class boasts traditional handkerchief drop, the marshals in her four years in Chapel and 100 percent college walked into Smedes and closed the doors on in our community; the hopes another Saint Mary’s commencement and the acceptance to a broad range and dreams of a graduate on graduates joyfully tossed their caps high into commencement day; and the of outstanding colleges the canopy of stately oaks. wisdom gained through a Saint and universities around Mary’s education. Through Baccalaureate preceded the commencement the years, the iris tradition has the nation and abroad. exercises in the historic Saint Mary’s Chapel evolved and grown into a most The range of colleges and with Chaplain Maggie Stoddard presiding. beloved part of a Saint Mary’s commencement. The High School Class of 1987 gave the brass urn still used today, as the marshals collect the irises from graduates as they step up to the stage to receive their diplomas.

In 2007, the tradition began of underclasswomen giving an iris to a graduating senior just prior to the commencement procession through the Grove.

Today, Saint Mary’s iris tradition is stronger than ever, a beautiful symbol of a Saint Mary’s School commencement day.

universities Saint Mary's Class of 2021 have selected are as varied as the graduates themselves and reflects their wide-ranging interests. From the Ivy League, to women's colleges, to HCBUs, to selective private colleges, and state universities, students will be attending colleges and universities across the nation and abroad.

Valedictorian Shirley Zhou ’21 of Shanghai, China, delivered the valedictory address live via Zoom from China. Five graduates who have attended school virtually this year from China participated live in the ceremony from their homes in China via Zoom.

Caroline Koonce ’21, of Raleigh, delivered the senior commencement address, having been elected by her classmates as the senior commencement speaker.

Author, inspirational speaker, and cancer survivor Jamie Valvano delivered a powerful commencement address.

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.

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 2021 have selected are as varied as the graduates themselves and reflects their wide-ranging interests. Students will be attending colleges and universities across the nation and abroad.

“Members of the Saint Mary’s School Class of 2021 are poised to step out of our gates and into an exciting future,” says Interim Head of School Carol Killebrew. “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 baccalaureate and commencement exercises were livestreamed and can be watched at any time on Saint Mary’s School's You Tube Channel.

Valediction Qiyun “Shirley” Xue ’21, delivered the valedictory address live via Zoom from her home in Shanghai, China.

Graduates process from Smedes Hall.

The platform party, from left to right: Chief Marshal Jane Usher ’22, Interim Head of School Carol Killebrew, Chaplain Maggie Stoddard, Head of School Brendan O’Shea, Commencement Speaker Jamie Valvano, Board of Trustees Chair Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS, Dean of Students Tim Healy.

The Class of 2021 celebrates graduation with the traditional cap toss.

Chief Marshal Jane Usher ’22 drops the handkerchief to close the 179th session.

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Class of 2021 Commencement Awards Caroline Batchelor Koonce ’21 of Raleigh, was the recipient of the 2021 Cooper Medal, in recognition of achieving the highest G.P.A. for the year.

The Cooper Award was established in 1944 by Sterling Gray Gilliam in memory of her brother, Hill Parham Cooper.

Ella Rae (Quinn) Groover of Cary, North Carolina, was the recipient of the 2021 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. The award was established in 1982 by Saint Mary’s College Chi Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa in memory of Georgia Lee Kinsey ’81.

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Ti-Shawn Wellington ’21 of New Rochelle, New York, 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. The King Medal was established in 1964 by Mr. and Mrs. Madding King of Florence, Alabama.

Jianan (Chloe) Shen ’21 was the recipient of the 2021 Niles Medal for finishing with the highest G.P.A. over her years at Saint Mary’s. The Niles Medal was instituted in 1905 by Dr. Charles Martin Niles.

Sylvia Tucker Yates ’21 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. The Highsmith Medal was established in 1969 by Mr. and Mrs. Seavy Highsmith of Fayetteville, North Carolina, in honor of their daughters, Ann Cameron Highsmith ’70HS and Margaret Highsmith Dickson ’67HS.

Celia Love Oechsle ’21 of Raleigh, 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. The Proctor Award was established in 1974 in memory of Catherine Ruth Proctor ’75HS.

Saylah Jai’elle Rogers '21 of Raleigh is the 2021 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, Mrs. Frank Porter Graham. 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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Carol Killebrew begins tenure as interim head of school Carol Killebrew has begun her tenure as Saint Mary’s interim head of school. The announcement of a female head of school further demonstrates the school’s mission to prepare girls for college and life with its core values of excellence in teaching; personal achievement in mind, body, and spirit; honor; community; and heritage.

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“We are delighted to report that Carol Killebrew has moved seamlessly into the role of Saint Mary’s interim head of school for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years and has already hit the ground running,” says Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS, chair of the board of trustees. “As an all-girls, college preparatory high school, naming a female head of school has deep meaning for our alumnae and students. As we continue preparations for our upcoming 180th academic year, Carol’s announcement has been met with great enthusiasm from students, alumnae, parents, and donors alike, and we feel privileged to welcome a strong, professional woman leader, teacher, and mentor into this role.”

“We are confident that Saint Mary’s is in very capable hands,” says Marley. “Carol brings more than 35 years’ of all-girls education experience including six years as a head of school, making it a natural fit. Saint Mary’s is a special place, full of energy and life because of the more than 300 amazing young women who live, learn, and grow here. Naming Carol as interim head of school allows our girls to see themselves in her and to see themselves as future leaders.”

A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Killebrew was hired in 2020 as Saint Mary’s assistant head of school after serving as head of school at Salem Academy (2018-2020) and The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, New York (2014-2018). Killebrew also served her alma mater, Girls Preparatory School (GPS), a renowned day school in Chattanooga for girls in grades 6-12, in a variety of capacities for 28 years (1986-2014).

After earning her undergraduate degree from The University of the South, Sewanee, Killebrew was named a Fulbright Scholar in 1996, earned her M.A. in English from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1997, and was named a National Endowment of the Humanities Fellow in 1999. Since then, her career has been steeped in her commitment to the importance of all-girls education.

“Never before has there been a moment when women’s education is so important. We need to hear women's voices; we need women leaders, scientists, engineers, advocates, politicians, and the list goes on. At Saint Mary's, we elevate girls' voices, focus on their strengths, and create a transformational experience for them, tailored for how they learn.”

Since joining Saint Mary’s, Killebrew took on the leadership role for the school’s efforts around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), clearly articulating the importance of these initiatives and weaving existing programs with new ideas to create a comprehensive program celebrating Saint Mary’s diverse community.

“Saint Mary’s is operating from a position of strength – an ideal situation for independent schools,” Killebrew says. “I look forward to partnering with our alumnae, parents, donors, and community partners to build on our success and leverage the expertise and experience of our wonderful faculty and staff as we continue to grow.”

Killebrew will serve as interim head of school for two years with her current contract. The Board of Trustees will begin the process of choosing a head of school during the 2022-2023 school year for the coming years.

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I came to Saint Mary’s because I am a product of an independent, singlegender, college preparatory school,” says Ms. Killebrew.

“I firmly believe it is essential to educate every girl so that she is not only collegeready but also career-ready.

“

“I came to Saint Mary’s because I am a product of an independent, single-gender, college preparatory school,” says Killebrew. “I firmly believe it is essential to educate every girl so that she is not only college-ready but also career-ready. So, I am thrilled to take on the role of interim head of school for Saint Mary’s. As a former head of school, I know the significance of this responsibility, and I’m confident that together we can continue to grow Saint Mary’s in this world of all-girls schools where we have really found our place – and where we daily demonstrate our expertise and live our mission. Thus, it is with heartfelt gratitude that I embrace the challenge of leading such a fantastic school like Saint Mary’s.

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SAINT MARY'S FOREVER CAMPAIGN

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Saint Mary’s School receives transformational $1 Million anonymous challenge grant in honor of Mary Dana Hinton ’88HS $640,866 raised towards $1 million match

By Julie Ricciardi, CFRE, Associate Head of School for Institutional Advancement Saint Mary’s School is pleased to announce the receipt of a $1 million challenge gift made by an anonymous donor as a way to inspire others to support the all-girls college preparatory high school and help eliminate debt incurred from past strategic growth initiatives.

"We are thrilled and humbled by this generous challenge gift to Saint Mary’s School," says Frank B. Holding, Jr. and Ruth E. Perry Holding ’81C, chairs of the school’s Saint Mary’s Forever campaign. "By making a $1 million challenge during the quiet leadership phase of our campaign, this anonymous donor hopes to inspire others to give. All new gifts and pledges designated for debt reduction and secured by December 31, 2021, will count in this challenge and could mean a total gift of $2 million toward our goal of total debt elimination."

In 1998, under the leadership of former Board of Trustees Chair Aurelia Fulton Stafford ’48HS ’50C, Saint Mary’s transitioned from a twoyear high school and junior college program to a four-year college preparatory high school. Ten years later, Saint Mary’s celebrated its 10th anniversary as an all-girls boarding and day school. At the time, the school's iconic Smedes Hall was in dire need of renovation. To ensure the building would stay online and to help attract boarding and day students, a commitment to renovate the central structure became key to growing enrollment.

"Through that intentional decision, the school accrued debt associated with the Smedes Hall renovation project – just as the recession hit in 2008 and Saint Mary's had launched its previous Beyond Imagination Capital Campaign,” explains Interim Head of School Carol Killebrew.

“The school's strategic enrollment growth plans have led to our record enrollment since the school's transition to a boarding/day school for girls in grades 9-12 nearly 23 years ago. That success confirms those early and intentional decisions, and Saint Mary’s has demonstrated incredible focus in paying its debt down over the last decade. The school continues to be steadfast in this effort, which is why it became one of the top priorities of the Saint Mary’s Forever campaign.”

After learning about the three pillars of the campaign – financial sustainability, growing the endowment, and academic integration and innovation – an anonymous donor stepped forward to make this challenge gift in honor of Saint Mary’s alumna and Hollins University president, Mary Dana Hinton ’88HS.

Total raised: As of June 2021 Includes grandfathered gifts

“We knew choosing debt as a pillar of a campaign was a bold move,” says Julie Ricciardi, Saint Mary's associate head of school for institutional advancement. “Not many institutions do that; however, financial sustainability was a priority, and thus, the decision to include the elimination of our debt. Our anonymous donor appreciated its inclusion and felt inspired to challenge others in this important facet of the campaign. But the challenge grant also has parameters: we must raise a total of $1 million to debt elimination by the December 31 deadline. Otherwise, we will not receive the matching grant.”

While the Saint Mary's Forever campaign has not been publicly launched, the anonymous $1 million challenge grant marks the eighth seven-figure gift to the campaign during its quiet phase, brings the total raised to more than $32 million since 2019, and puts the institution halfway to its aspirational campaign goal, which is yet to be announced.

“Ruth E. and I are proud to lead the Saint Mary's Forever campaign and to work with leadership donors like our anonymous friend who understands the importance of all-girls education and knows the impact a transformational gift like this can have on a small campus,” Frank Holding says. “By December 31, should we raise $1 million and this donor matches it with their own $1 million, the impact on our debt principal will have a significant effect on the campaign and in securing Saint Mary’s forever.”

Under the leadership of Frank B. Holding, Jr. and Ruth E. Perry Holding ’81C, William and Aurelia Monk, Nancy Kerr Thomason ’73HS ’75C, and Anna Zevenhuizen ’07, the Saint Mary’s Forever campaign steering committee is devising a campaign strategy to ensure the realization of Saint Mary's campus master plan and the sustainability of Saint Mary’s mission and vision for future generations.

With the help of Raleigh-based campaign counsel Armstrong McGuire, campaign planning is focused on strategies to provide the resources to meet the objectives of the campus master plan. While details of the campaign plan continue to be refined, the steering committee’s initial work has had enormous success.

“We know the impact of an all-girls education can change the world,” says Killebrew. “We see it every day in our alumnae, and the power of the Saint Mary’s Forever campaign ensures we can continue to be a thought leader in all-girls education.”

33,007,946

$

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For questions regarding the Saint Mary's Forever campaign, contact Julie Ricciardi, CFRE, associate head of school for institutional advancement, at jricciardi@sms.edu or 919.424.4114.

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PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT Isabel Yates ’23 earns poetry accolades, awards Congratulations, to Isabel Yates ’23, on being selected a 2021 Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series mentee for the central North Carolina region by the North Carolina Poetry Society. This mentoring program links established poets in three regions of North Carolina with emerging poets, enabling them to develop and perfect their lyric craft. Students in middle school, high school, and college, and adults not in school may apply to work with a Distinguished Poet during the winter months. Isabel will work with distinguished poet Dasan Ahanu. She will also collaborate with other selected students on a book and participate in poetry readings this spring. Isabel was encouraged to enter the contest in the fall by her teacher, Alison Chernin, instructor of English.

Isabel also won regional Golden Key Awards in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition for her work originally created for the Life in a History Book project in Melissa Ramel's class. Of the five poetry portfolios she submitted, three won Golden Key Awards and two earned honorable mention. Her three Golden Key Award entries will move on to the national level competition. The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program is the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.

Saylah Rogers ’21 earns DAR Good Citizen and Scholarship Awards Congratulations, to Saint Mary’s graduating senior Saylah Rogers ’21, who has received the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award and Scholarship. The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest, created in 1934, is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. This award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. These students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree. The student must have the qualities of truthfulness, loyalty, punctuality trustworthiness, cooperation, courtesy, personality, self-control, ability to assume responsibility, ability to inspire others, devotion to country, and an advocate for causes that make one’s community stronger, among other traits.

That’s our Saylah!

Elizabeth Zhang ’23 excels in Brain Bee Congratulations, to Saint Mary's 10th grader Elizabeth Zhang '23 of Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, on placing second in the 2021 China Brain Bee, among more than 2200 participants in the Jiangsu regional competition. With her second-place finish, she advanced to the national competition. The Brain Bee is a neuroscience competition for teenagers with competitions held internationally. Well done!

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Pipi Pi ’22 earns honorable mention in Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Congratulations, to Pipi Pi '22, who received honorable mention in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, for her mixed media art, Beneath the Skin. The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program is the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.

Morgan Phillips named 2021 College Counselor that Changes Lives Saint Mary’s Director of College Counseling Morgan Phillips was chosen by the membership and board of directors of Colleges That Change Lives as one of their 2021 Counselors That Change Lives. This honor is given in recognition of her dedication to the college counseling profession as it reflects the mission of the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) organization: to promote and support a student-centered college search process.

Serena Zhou '21 named National Merit Finalist Congratulations, to Saint Mary's senior Serena Zhou '21, on being named a National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist. She is among 15,000 students earning this distinction, among more than 1.5 million students nationwide who entered the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Congratulations, on this outstanding achievement!

“Given the incredibly challenging past few months, we appreciate Morgan and her work even more,” says Christine D. Bowman, dean of admission and enrollment services at Southwestern University and chair of Colleges That Change Lives board of directors. “We know that she is a partner in our work to help students frame their search beyond the ratings and rankings and to help them find a college that will cultivate a lifelong love of learning. Her tireless efforts are seen and applauded. This program is our way of acknowledging all Morgan does to help students and families in her daily work.”

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ATHLETICS

Saint Mary's alumna Ciara Carl ’00 named assistant coach for North Texas women's basketball team North Texas women's basketball head coach Jalie Mitchell announced Ciara Carl will join the Mean Green staff as an assistant coach.

Carl comes to Denton from San Diego State where she was an assistant coach for the Aztec women's basketball team the past eight seasons.

She directed the Aztecs' scouting efforts, worked with the team's guards and recruited. Since Ms. Carl began serving on SDSU's coaching staff, the Aztecs have garnered at least one Mountain West honoree each season.

"Ciara Carl comes to UNT highly recommended by everyone she has encountered in her career," Mitchell said. "We are truly blessed to have such a genuine soul on staff who takes great pride in her relationships and her life's work. Coach CC brings years of experience in coaching, playing and leadership development. We are ecstatic for her to call Denton, Texas, home."

"I would like to thank Coach Mitchell and her staff for this exciting opportunity to join the Mean Green family," Carl said. "I am truly looking forward to being a part of something special here at UNT." This past season the Aztecs earned the eighth seed in the Mountain West Tournament and tied for fifth in the league in 2019-20. In 201819, the team won 14 games and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament.

Carl assisted in the signing of back-to-back top-75 recruiting classes in 2017 and 2018. Prior to that, SDSU did not have a nationally ranked recruiting class since 2010-11.

During her one season at Metro State, Carl helped coach the Roadrunners to 21 victories and a spot in the NCAA Division II tournament, where they advanced to the second round.

Saints hoops star Paige Fisher '21 joins 1,000+ point club Congratulations, to Saint Mary's senior basketball all-star Paige Fisher '21, who passed the 1,000 point milestone for her fouryear Saint Mary’s high school career in the Saints win over Cary Academy at home, Jan. 27, 2021. Paige was also student body president and a standout on the varsity tennis and soccer teams, among her many activities at SMS. Congratulations, to Paige Fisher ’21, the newest member of our elite 1,000-point club!

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Carl also witnessed success during her tenure at Cal Poly Pomona from 2010-12, as the Broncos compiled a two-year mark of 47-14 (.770) and made a pair of NCAA DII tournament appearances, including a berth in the Elite Eight in 2011.

In 2019 Carl launched Unchained, a non-profit aimed to serve and inspire young people through love and passion while helping them visualize and realize the futures they desire. The organization uses basketball as a tool to teach leadership and character lessons while providing real life examples of people who have triumphed over challenging circumstances they faced as a young person.

As a collegian, Carl starred at point guard for Point Loma Nazarene, helping the Sea Lions compile an 83-27 overall record in her final three seasons. During that stretch, PLNU made three consecutive trips to the NAIA tournament, capped by a Final Four appearance in 2005. She still holds the school's career record with 647 assists and ranks second with 277 steals.

Carl received her undergraduate degree in exercise science from PLNU in 2005 and earned her Master of Science degree from California University (Pennsylvania) in 2006 with an emphasis in performance enhancement and injury prevention. She later completed an internship at North Carolina State University, working with the Wolfpack's strength and conditioning program.

A native of Los Angeles, Carl was raised in Cary, N.C., and graduated from Saint Mary's School in 2000. In addition to earning all-state honors in basketball as a senior, Carl also lettered in volleyball and golf during her prep career.

ARTS The arts at Saint Mary’s emerged from the constraints of COVID-19 this spring with the return of live performances, both indoors and outdoors to limited audiences.

Performers continued to be masked through the spring, but performing in front of live audiences provided a much-needed boost to our performing arts students after a year of pandemic restrictions. Brava!

Orchesis Dance Theatre presented its spring concert in March 2021 in Pittman Auditorium.

Saint Mary’s Chorale performed at the Celebration of the Arts in Pittman Auditorium in May.

Saint Mary’s Visual and Performing Arts Department presented Annie the Musical in April.

The Visual and Performing Arts Department presented a blockbuster outdoor Live on the Quad concert in April with performances by the Chorale, Chamber Choir, and Orchesis Dance Theatre.

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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Saint Mary’s School Earns AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award

Saint Mary’s School has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A. Schools honored with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded girls’ access in AP Computer Science courses.

Out of the 20,000 institutions that offer AP courses, 1,119 achieved either 50 percent or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or a percentage of the female computer science examinees meeting or exceeding that of the school’s female during the 2019-20 school year. That’s nearly 37 percent more than the 818 schools recognized last year. In 2020, Saint Mary’s School was one of 232 recognized in the category of AP Computer Science A. “During an unprecedented year, Saint Mary’s students have demonstrated perseverance and dedication in their study of AP Computer Science,” said Interim Head of School Carol Killebrew. “We are most proud of our students for staking their claim as the next generation of STEM and computer science professionals.

We can’t wait to see their passion for next generation technology lead to lifelong success.”

“During an unprecedented year, Saint Mary’s students have demonstrated perseverance and dedication in their study of AP Computer Science,” said Interim Head of School Carol Killebrew.

“We are most proud of our students for staking their claim as the next generation of STEM and computer science professionals. We can’t wait to see their passion for next generation technology lead to lifelong success.”

Saint Mary’s students need the power to shape technology, not just cope with it,” says Stefanie Sanford, College Board chief of global policy and external relations. “Young women deserve an equal opportunity to become the next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers and tech leaders. Closing the gap in computer science education empowers young women to build the future they want.”

AP Computer Science A students learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today’s society. The number of female AP CSA exam-takers has grown steadily, up nearly 25 percent since 2017. Overall AP computer science course participation has increased 79% since 2017, broadening STEM career opportunities for more students.

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Providing female students with access to computer science courses is critical to ensuring gender parity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to drive innovation, creativity, and representation. The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $88,240 in May 2019. However, a code.org analysis of 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics data finds women represent just 24 percent of the five million people in computing occupations.

That’s why new College Board research about AP CSP is so encouraging.

According to the data, female students who take AP CSP in high school are more than 5 times as likely to major in computer science in college, compared to similar female students who did not take CSP. The study also finds AP CSP students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP CSA, and that for most students, AP CSP serves as a stepping-stone to other advanced AP STEM coursework.

These findings make it all the more imperative that schools nationwide achieve gender parity in AP Computer Science classrooms. The 1,119 schools that receive this year’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award should serve as inspirations and models for all American high schools, where overall, female students remain underrepresented in computer science classes, comprising just 34% of AP Computer Science Principles participants. So, there is a long way to go to achieve equal gender representation in the field of computer science. Currently, less than half of the nation’s high schools teach foundational computer science, a clear opportunity to be addressed by strong partnerships between policymakers, the tech industry, and educators.

ALUMNAE IN THE NEWS

Mary Dana Hinton ’88HS elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences Hollins University President and Saint Mary’s alumna and trustee Mary Dana Hinton ‘88HS has been elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, an organization established in 1780 by John Adams, John Hancock, and others among the nation’s founders to honor exceptionally accomplished individuals and engage them in advancing the public good.

Announcing this year’s new members, the Academy stated, “The 2021 election provides an opportunity to recognize extraordinary people who help solve the world’s most urgent challenges, create meaning through art, and contribute to the common good from every field, discipline, and profession.”

The Academy’s newest members are grouped in 30 sections within five classes. Hinton is among the seven elected in the Educational and Academic Leadership section from the Leadership, Policy, and Communications class. They join other artists, scholars, scientists, and leaders in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors elected this year including: economist Dirk Bergemann, Yale University; neurosurgeon and medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta, CNN; Emory University; civil rights activist and math literacy pioneer Robert Moses, The Algebra Project; composer, songwriter, and performer Robbie Robertson; journalist Kara Swisher, VOX Media Inc.; The New York Times; atmospheric scientist Anne Thompson, NASA/Godard Space Flight Center; and media entrepreneur and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey The Academy noted that 55 percent of the members elected in 2021 are women.

The new class joins Academy members elected before them, including Benjamin Franklin (1781), Alexander Hamilton (1791), Ralph Waldo Emerson (1864), Charles Darwin (1874), Albert Einstein (1924), Robert Frost (1931), Margaret Mead (1948), Martin Luther King Jr. (1966), Anthony Fauci (1991), Antonin Scalia (2003), John Legend (2017), and Anna Devere Smith (2019).

Laurene Meir Sperling ’74HS named Duke University board of trustees chair Saint Mary's alumna Laurene Meir Sperling ’74HS has been named the next chair of the Duke University Board of Trustees. An investment executive, nonprofit board leader, and philanthropist, Ms. Sperling began her two-year term effective July 1, 2021.

She is a Raleigh native and attended Saint Mary's, graduating from the high school program in 1974. She then enrolled at and graduated from Duke University in 1978 and later earned an M.B.A. from Harvard University.

She has served on Duke's Board of Trustees since 2010 and has been vice-chair since 2017, leading the institutional advancement committee, undergraduate education committee, the committee on trusteeship, and the ad-hoc task force on governance.

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CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS 2021-2022

April 29-30 Reunion Weekend 2022 for classes ending in 2 and 7

August 25 Classes begin for the 180th academic session

November 9 Scholarship Tea

October 22-23 Fall Play: Twelve Angry Women

December 10-11 Orchesis Fall Concert

October 29 Founders Day Chapel

December 16 41st annual Lighting O’ the Grove Lessons and Carols Service Collegiate Club Reception

November 1 All Saints Day of Giving November 2 All Souls Day Eucharist Chapel

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January 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

December 16 41st annual Lighting O’ the Grove Lessons and Carols Service Collegiate Club Reception February 3-4 North Carolina Association of Independent Schools Women in Leadership Conference at Saint Mary’s February 25-26 Musical Theatre Production April 22 Chorale Spring Concert April 25 Senior Class Welcome to the Alumnae Association Dinner

April 29-30 Reunion Weekend 2022 for classes ending in 2 and 7 Hall of Fame Induction Orchesis Concert May 12 Saint Mary’s 180th birthday May 22 Commencement for the 180th session

SAVE THE DATES AND JOIN US FOR OUR SPECIAL EVENTS! These dates and events represent just some of the highlights of the 2021-2022 year at Saint Mary’s. For a complete calendar of events, visit sms.edu/alumnae/events. Regional alumnae events will be added to the alumnae webpage as they are scheduled. All alumnae are welcome at all events.

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SAINT MARY’S REMEMBERS

Blanche Robertson Bacon ’53HS ’55C October 2, 1935 – June 16, 2021

Saint Mary’s lost a great alumna, supporter, cheerleader, and friend when Blanche Robertson Bacon ’53HS ’55C died June 16, 2021, in Raleigh.

Born in Salisbury, North Carolina, on October 2, 1935, to Blanche Spencer and Julian Hart Robertson, she attended Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh, graduating from the high school in 1953 and the junior college in 1955.

At age 20, Blanche married Benjamin Robert Williamson of Raleigh and they had three children, the oldest of whom, Robert, predeceased her in 2012.

In the mid-1970s, Blanche joined the workforce as a salesperson at Montaldo’s and then became a realtor, eventually serving as relocation director of Bacon & Co., Zack Bacon’s residential real-estate firm.

At Saint Mary’s in the 1950s, Blanche was a student leader, serving on the Legislative Body, the Belles staff, and as assembly chairman, along with memberships in the Dramatics Club, the Y.W.C.A., Canterbury Club, Spanish Club, and MU athletics society.

As an alumna, Blanche led the way for decades and devoted herself in extraordinary ways to serving her alma mater. She was a member of the Alumnae Council before serving a total of 16 years on the Board of Trustees, answering the call each time it came for another term. She served as vice chair of the Board of Trustees and, throughout her tenure as a board member, on every possible committee and sub-committee.

She served as a member of the Board of Visitors and, along with husband Zack, served as a leader in the last three capital campaigns at the school, most recently being instrumental in the launch of the current Saint Mary's Forever Campaign.

Blanche was a member of the head of school search committee that brought Theo Wilkes Coonrod to Saint Mary’s and co-chair of the committee that coordinated the installation of Coonrod as the 12th head of school.

Blanche was the honorary chair of the 2005 auction gala and the first recipient of the Mazie Strickland Froelich ’51C Society Outstanding Alumna Award in 2000. She served as honorary chair of Saint Mary’s 175th gala celebration in 2017.

She is the namesake and heart and soul of the Blanche Robertson Bacon and Honors Scholarship, which transformed the boarding program at Saint Mary’s when it was endowed and established by her brother, Julian Robertson, and his late wife, Josie, in 2001. She took a personal interest in each of the Blanche Scholars, treating them to special outings and dinners around Raleigh, and a commencement day for one of the “Blanches” always included a beautifully wrapped gift from Blanche.

Her special touch could be felt in other areas of student life. She often shared tickets to special events, making a night at the North Carolina Symphony or Carolina Ballet possible for an aspiring young musician or dancer. In 2001, she lent her support to The Echo, a senior singing group, which she helped create and supported in all the years thereafter. The founding Echo members inducted her as an honorary member to show their love and appreciation.

Blanche was the 2009 recipient of the John Bratton Jr. Volunteer Service Recognition Award, awarded on rare occasions to those who have served Saint Mary’s with distinction for decades.

“When you mentioned the name Blanche to Saint Mary’s students, they

have a perfect model of a devoted, generous, kind, and fun-loving alumna who gave endlessly of herself alma mater and its girls,” said former Head of School Theo Coonrod at the Bratton Award presentation.

Outside of the gates at Saint Mary’s, Blanche was an active community leader and volunteer. She was a member of the Junior League of Raleigh, and in 2001 was Honorary Chair of the North Carolina Debutante Ball. She was a Wake County member of the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of North Carolina and was generous to its preservation efforts.

She was honored by the North Carolina Museum of History for her longterm support in 2012. She was a director of Wake Med from 2000 to 2005 and was for 17 years on the board of visitors at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Reflecting her interest in young people, she served as a director of the Wake County Boys and Girls Clubs for 24 years, bought uniforms for its basketball teams, and in 1993 was elected the first woman ever to chair the board. The organization elected her to its Hall of Fame in 2003.

She was a devoted member of Christ Church in Raleigh, where her enduring connection was established in her early years in Raleigh. She would later serve as a Sunday School teacher and win election to the church’s vestry. In 2018 the church recognized her and her second husband, Zack Hampton Bacon Jr., whom she married in 1980, with the Christ Church Cross for their distinguished and generous service.

Blanche is survived by her cherished husband of 41 years, Zack; and by two children living in Raleigh, Blanche Williamson ’76HS and Saint Mary’s trustee Julian Williamson; and two daughters-in-law: Julian’s wife, Beth, and Caroline Williamson of New York City. Also surviving are six perfect grandchildren: Caroline Williamson of Seattle; Rob Williamson of New York; Wyndham Williamson of Los Angeles; and three Raleigh sisters, Pell Williamson ’18, Blanche Williamson, and Elizabeth Williamson ’23.

A bonus from the marriage to Zack are his three surviving sons Zack, Louis, and Bart, and 13 step-grandchildren. Blanche is also survived by her loving siblings, Wyndham Robertson of Chapel Hill, and Julian Robertson of New York City, along with his three sons and their wives, and his nine grandchildren. She was also predeceased by her sister-inlaw Josie Robertson, Julian’s wife.

Blanche and Zack were among the earliest to discover the charms of Figure Eight Island, a place they both loved, and where she spent many happy days on the dock of the house she and Zack maintained there, teaching their grandchildren, and other people’s children and grandchildren, how to bait hooks and reel in fish.

A memorial service was held at Christ Church in Raleigh, Wednesday, June 23, followed by a reception at the Carolina Country Club. She was interred in the Christ Church Memorial Garden in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested that any memorials be sent to Saint Mary’s School (900 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27603), Christ Church (120 E Edenton St., Raleigh, NC 27601), Boys & Girls Clubs (701 N. Raleigh Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27610), or to any deserving charity. Funeral arrangements were handled by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Christ's words, from the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:14-16 NRSV)

MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNAE OFFICE

It is hard to believe that just five months ago, I began a new professional journey as Saint Mary’s director of alumnae engagement. It is both my honor and pleasure to represent each of you – the more than 9,500 Saint Mary’s graduates who have learned, lived, and loved this special school.

Visiting with so many amazing alumnae has been a wonderful experience, whether in person or through the magic of our virtual world, and I look forward to many more future opportunities to connect.

For the 2021-2022 school year, Saint Mary’s will continue to provide virtual and in-person programs, alumnae networking opportunities, and additional ways for you to connect with our alma mater. We’ll need your support as volunteers to be successful. Are you interested in hosting an event? Does your company have an internship opportunity? Would you consider serving in a leadership position? Are you an expert in your industry and would you consider speaking in a class? There are many ways to engage with Saint Mary’s today, and we hope you will support us with your time, talent, and treasure.

As your Alumnae Office, our goal is to encourage and foster lifelong alumnae participation, involvement, and commitment. In recent years, our alumnae participation in giving to the Saint Mary’s Annual Fund has fallen, and we need your financial support to help us do what we do best – educate girls for college and life. Philanthropic support has been an alumnae tradition for generations, and we need your help to support the next generation of Saint Mary’s students. There are many ways to give, Last month, we had “double the fun” at Reunion Weekend as we celebrated including making gifts to the Annual Fund and the Forever Campaign. classes ending in 0, 1, 5, and 6. This gift of reconnection was not lost on anyone, especially after spending so much time in isolation or with only Over the next several months and years, we will remain steadfast in our small groups of friends and family. For many, the weekend was their first desire to strengthen the bond between Saint Mary’s and our alumnae. time being with a larger group, and the joy of being back on campus, seeing We encourage each of you to complete and return the Alumnae old friends – and perhaps even making new friends – reminded each of Engagement Survey coming soon. With this information, we will better us of our days as students. Celebrating with my own class, we reminisced serve you by creating programs that match the interests and needs of over stories of mischief and fun memories at 900 Hillsborough Street, and our diverse group of graduates. We will work hard to maintain and build the weekend exceeded all expectations. Thank you, to all who were able upon the positive relationships we have with our distinguished alumnae to return to campus! Of course, we are already thinking about Reunion and increase participation, involvement, and communication with our Weekend 2022 for classes ending in 2 and 7 in April. younger alumnae.

As Saint Mary’s begins to prepare for our 180th academic year under new leadership, you can feel the excitement in the air. We look forward to welcoming new Saints to our community this August, and it will be exciting to get to know more of you and our most recent class of 2021 alumnae!

Our development and alumnae team will soon be back on the road hosting small, regional events this fall, as well as locally and on campus.

The intention for these events will be for Interim Head of School Carol Killebrew, our development team members, and me, to connect, share our future vision of Saint Mary’s, and learn how to better serve our alumnae.

These events will also serve as opportunity for you to ask questions and share your ideas with us. Please consider serving as a hostess for one of our events.

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Lastly, it goes without saying how grateful I am to have had time with retired Alumnae Director Margaret McGlohon ’81C these past few months. One great way to honor Margaret is for all of us to continue to give, serve, and connect with our alma mater. Whether you attend an alumnae event, volunteer your time, or stop by for a visit, we hope to connect with each one of you.

Go Saints!

Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C Director of Alumnae Engagement

EVENTS

The dedication of the Margaret McGlohon ’81C Pavilion.

Family and friends of Margaret McGlohon ’81C, left to right: Don McGlohon, Jill McGlohon, Ashley Richardson Allen ’81C, Janet McGlohon, Keila McGlohon Keadle, Margaret McGlohon ’81C, Theo Coonrod, Carol Killebrew

REUNION WEEKEND 2021

Distinguished Alumna Award recipient Sallie Shuping Russell ’75C and Margaret McGlohon ’81C

Saint Mary’s alumnae in classes ending in zero, one, five, and six celebrated milestone reunions June 11-12, 2021, with festive events on campus.

This year’s reunion weekend, dubbed “Double the Fun in ’21,” combined last year’s reunion classes with this year’s, since the 2020 reunion was postponed due to COVID-19.

Reunion Weekend kicked off with a cocktail party on Friday evening.

The evening was filled with celebrations and surprises, including a very special passing of the gavel from retiring Alumnae Director Margaret McGlohon '81C to Director of Alumnae Engagement Jeannine Eason Brown '94HS '96C. Friday night’s celebration included the presentation of the Mazie Strickland Froelich Distinguished Alumna Award to Sallie Shuping Russell ’75C. The festivities also included the announcement of The Margaret E. McGlohon '81C Endowed Scholarship Fund, which had reached a total of $417,590 in donations and pledges from classmates, alumnae, and friends as of June 11, and the surprise dedication of The Margaret E. McGlohon '81C Pavilion, located on back campus, named in her honor by a donor in recognition of the retiring alumnae director’s 26 years of service to Saint Mary's in various staff positions.

Saturday’s events included Chapel services, campus tours, lunch, and class photos, which are featured throughout the Class Notes section of this magazine. A good Saint Mary’s time was had by all, gathering safely in a group as alumnae for the first time since the pandemic began.

REUNION WEEKEND 2021

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ALUMNAE

Class of 2020 celebrated on commencement day 2021

By Mary Virginia Swain ’77C Director of Public Relations and Publications

Saint Mary’s welcomed the Class of 2020 back to campus Sunday evening, May 23, 2021, for a poignant celebration of a special class whose graduation ceremony was interrupted by the pandemic shutdown. The festivities included a beautiful Chapel service for the young alumnae and their families, including an offering of music by the Chorale which came as a surprise to the graduated members who were asked to sing, the presentation of irises, the dedication of a Chapel pew in their honor, a reception on Smedes Terrace, a looping video of the Senior Slide Show, friendship, fellowship, and a trip to the attic of Holt for name signing.

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It was a much-anticipated return to campus for these graduates, who left school for the shutdown at Spring Break in March 2020 for the remainder of their senior year, when school transitioned to virtual learning and the campus closed. A virtual commencement was held for them in May 2020, and they were invited to the Grove for graduation photos and diplomas in July, but, due to the circumstances in the nation and world, they missed their traditional Saint Mary’s graduation day.

So, these young women, with one year of college behind them, came intent on getting their march through the Grove at the school they love. Following the official festivities of the celebration, an impromptu march through the Grove to the sound of Pomp and Circumstance, piped in via a portable speaker played from a phone, was quickly organized with encouragement, and help from the Class of 2020 parents and staff.

Approximately 50 members of the Class of 2020, led by their SGA President Margaret Ivy Johnston ’20 and Senior Class President Emma Wharton ’20, marched triumphantly and joyfully from the front doors of Smedes Hall around the Circle and through the center walk in the Grove before crossing the stage still standing from the commencement exercises earlier that day. They marched as Saint Mary’s sisters in twos and threes, holding hands, carrying irises, some raising their hands in the air in triumph over adversity, as they arrived to a joyful throng of family members, who had also been waiting for an entire year for this precious Saint Mary’s moment.

We salute the Class of 2020 for your grace, resilience, patience, and loyalty to our alma mater. We are grateful for all who could join this celebration; we missed those who could not be here; and we look forward to seeing you all at the next reunion!

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IN MEMORIAM

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Flora Johnson Robinson ’33C January 13, 2021

Blanche Robertson Bacon '53HS '55C June 16, 2021

Susan Poyner Matthews ’66C January 9, 2021

Gertrude “Trudy” Carter Macon ’38HS ’40C December 4, 2020

Mary Susan Hayes Dunlevy ’54C December 26, 2020

Ginger Duke ’68C January 14, 2021

Ernestine Rich Tuton ’39C October 19, 2020

Dill Walker Lynch ’54C June 3, 2021

Harriet Matthews Jackson ’73HS March 9, 2021

Mary “Sue” Berry Waldin ’39C December 31, 2020

Priscilla Swindell ’54HS May 21, 2021

Stacey Penny Cooper ’76C May 25, 2019

Helen Royster Peck ’41C December 25, 2020

Mary Ruth Divine ’55C March 5, 2021

Valeria Wiggins Davidson ’78HS March 2, 2021

Nancy O’Herron Rankin ’41C May 5, 2021

Margaret Hunter Beck ’56C January 29, 2021

Rose Ann Mayo Lee ’80C March 11, 2021

Mary Charles Godwin Coppage ’43C January 12, 2021

Margaret “Peggy” Elizabeth Brinkley ’56C February 14, 2021

Alison Lennon Baxley ’91C December 11, 2020

Margaret Stone May ’43C March 20, 2021

Carolyn Michael Warlick Lane ’56C June 6, 2021

Hannah Purvis Bancroft ’97C April 9, 2021

Mary Thomas Pittman ’43C March 23, 2019

Ann Ruffin Hines ’56C June 1, 2021

Ken Beasley, instructor of mathematics April 26, 2021

Mary Drewry Estes Logan ’43HS February 2021

Shella Miles Strother Hollowell ’57C December 10, 2020

Charles M. Winston, former trustee February 9, 2021

Martha Cawthon Crook Thompson ’44C November 4, 2020

Claire Tolar Bass Kirven ’57C April 21, 2021

Carolyn Gaither Weeks ’44HS February 22, 2021

Mary Ann Keith Massey ’57C April 14, 2021

Clarice Woolard Kennedy ’45C May 2, 2021

Jeneal Deaver Smith ’57C February 29, 2020

Shirley Frew Ivie ’47HS February 5, 2021

Mary Stuart Nye Townsend ’57C November 27, 2020

Lettie Sheek Pennington ‘47HS May 16, 2021

Bibi Walker Harding ’58C December 7, 2020

Bobbie Liles Campbell ’48C February 9, 2021

Janice Sutton Manassa ’58C December 14, 2020

Vivian Scott Howard ’48HS ’50C November 27, 2020

Louise Landauer Allred ’58HS ’60C December 25, 2020

Marion Turner Hubbard ’49C December 29, 2020

Patricia Perkinson Bobbitt ’59C November 20, 2020

Rose “Nelle” Carter Pender ’49C February 21, 2021

Anne Cahoon Stratton ’59C October 21, 2020

Margaret Ann Duncan Story ’49C September 21, 2020

McNair Currie Maxwell ’59HS December 16, 2020

Betty Ann Williamson Welch ’49HS ’51C November 29, 2020

Mary Ethel Edmondson Tadlock ’60C January 1, 2014

Mary Alice Hicks Dorsett ’50HS ’52C March 9, 2021

Elizabeth Morton Valden ’62C December 26, 2017

Barbara-Lynn Harrell Dixon ’51C January 19, 2021

Morgan Ann Tinsley ’62HS ’64C April 27, 2021

Barbara Stott Metz ’51HS January 17, 2021

Ann Smith Hoover ’63HS December 6, 2020

Jerry Coslow Pence ’53C September 18, 2020

Lela Boudin Cowardin ’64HS March 15, 2021

Katherine Scott Whitford ’53C May 11, 2021

Elizabeth Lee Ponton Manning ’64C May 29, 2021

Eftehea Chonis Tucker ’53C October 29, 2020

Margaret Elizabeth Burgwyn’65HS ’67C June 2, 2021

Jacquelyn “Jackie” Steed Wray ’53C May 6, 2021

Susan Spiller Burnette ’66C June 3, 2021

Saint Mary’s School | www.sms.edu

MILESTONES

Hailey Elizabeth Hart ’12 married Edwin Brownrigg Borden II, August 22, 2020, in the Village Chapel, Bald Head Island, North Carolina. Edwin is the son of Martin and Elizabeth Rouse Borden ’83HS, the grandson of Ann Robinson Rouse ’57C, and the sister of Mary Ann Borden ’18.

MARRIAGES

NEW BABIES

Mary Leigh Lewis ’82C married Katie Seawell ’80HS ’82C, April 24, 2021

Meredith Bell Hughes ’00, a daughter, October 15, 2020

Kim Goines ’89HS ’91C married Jeff Biehslich, April 3, 2021

Kathryn McEnery Pittman ’03, a daughter, January 23, 2021

Danielle Boucher ’96C married Joseph Allen Guy, December 14, 2019

Juliana Proctor Stepp ’03, a daughter, September 8, 2020

Martha Bradley ’02 married Dan Weemhoff, March 20, 2021

Hunter Jackson Sabol ’04, a son, April 6, 2021

*Anna Jones ’06 married William Asher Michalove, January 23, 2021

Ellie Gilbert Daniels ’05, a son, February 25, 2021

Allison Cranfill ’08 married John Haywood, April 3, 2021

Gabrielle Bratton Hall ’05, a son, January 8, 2021

Nancy Stewart McLendon ’08 married Michael Dickson, May 23, 2021

Hattie Walter Steffens ’05, a son, January 20, 2021

Claire Murray ’08 married Jeremey Goolsby, April 24, 2021

Alexandra Bielec ’06, a son, February 10, 2021

Mary Southgate Dickson ’09 married Pete Simms, May 30, 2021

Eva Skipper Jones ’06, a daughter, October 11, 2020

*Adams Paschal ’09 married William Lent, June 5, 2021

Cat Parker Browne ‘07, a son, January 23, 2021

Sophie Trotter ’10 married Wells Stanwick, April 10, 2021

Kiki Sloan Eatman ’08, a daughter, March 2, 2021

Liza Wooten, ’10 married Chris DeFago, May 15, 2021

Roslyn Ragsdale Manning ’08, a son, May 12, 2021

Anna Boyce Rankin ’11 married Kyle Crosslin, December 20, 2020

Beth Walters Nash ’08, a son, November 20, 2020

Corinne Rixey ’12 married McNair Coleman, May 30, 2021

McCauley James Yates ’08, a daughter, March 2, 2021

Kassi Wehbie ’12 married Conner Saieed, March 6, 2021

Kelsey Lohman Halley ’09, a son, January 19, 2021

Wesley Neal Stallings ’13 married Watson Jenkins, April 17, 2021

Victoria Touloupas Higgins ’09, a daughter, April 21, 2021

Stephanie Hamilton ’15 married Jeremy Passmore, June 5, 2021

Lacy McClure Rollins ’09, a son, March 25, 2021

*Married in Saint Mary’s Chapel

Jessie Finch Weaver ’09, a daughter, April 9, 2021 Morgan Roberts Westbrook ’09, a daughter, April 7, 2021 Emma Powell Pike ’10, a son, January 4, 2021 Blair Barnett Diamond ’11, a daughter, September 7, 2020

Eva Louise Stepp (Saint Mary’s Class of 2039) was born September 8, 2020, and is the daughter of Juliana Proctor ’03, the granddaughter of Beth Clifton Morrison ’73HS, and the granddaughter of Randall and Ruth Proctor, endowers of the Catherine Ruth Proctor ’75HS Scholarship and commencement award.

These milestones were compiled based on information received by the school by June 11, 2021. 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 jbrown@sms.edu, or mail to Jeannine Eason Brown '94HS '96C, Saint Mary’s School, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, for inclusion in the winter 2022 magazine.

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CLASS NEWS 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 2022 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.

The family of Helen Holt Morrison ’39C gathered to celebrate her 100th birthday in fall 2020. Included in the celebration were Helen’s daughter, Margaret Morris Hamilton ’67HS, and her great-granddaughter, Carter Morrison, who will enter Saint Mary’s this fall as a member of the Class of 2025.

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COLLEGE Helen Holt Morrison writes, “I reached my 100th birthday last December. I am so fortunate to live independently at Taylor Glen Retirement Center in Concord, where so many of my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren also reside, so I can enjoy family gatherings. I have duplicate bridge games several times a week, and I always have a book or two on hand. My great-granddaughter, Carter Morrison, will enter Saint Mary’s as a freshman next fall. I hope her parents can bring me someday to see the campus now, but I realize a daylong excursion like that may be more than I can manage!”

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COLLEGE

Saint Mary’s School reserves the right to edit class news for content, length and timeliness.

Randy Gardner Newcomb ’44HS ’45C writes from her home in Raleigh, “I am well and fear living too long. Old age is not for the ‘faint of heart!’ Cheers!”

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.

1949

COLLEGE Libba Kornegay Pate writes from Fayetteville, “Being at the age of 91, and in a pandemic, doesn’t produce much news, but I have dutifully stayed home until recently after I received both of my COVID vaccinations. Woo-hoo! I went in a supermarket after a year of ordering my groceries online. I have used curbside service for almost everything, such as prescriptions, Hallmark cards, dog to the vet, dog food, dog to the groomer, garden supplies, etc. I have vision problems but can read labels on my computer that I can’t read in the store. Well, you can see that my life hasn’t been all that exciting during the past year. Most of all I miss so many of my close friends.” Sallie Thomas Chumley writes from Charlotte, “Still hanging in. Mask still on!” William Clark Pender, son of Nelle Clark Pender, writes that his mother passed away on February 21, 2021, “after a full 92 years of life. She remembered and cherished her time at Saint Mary’s.”

1951

COLLEGE Louise Milliken Howard ’51C Congratulations, to us! We are fortunate to be celebrating the 70th anniversary of our graduation. I am sorry that I could not be at Saint Mary’s for our special reunion.

I have enjoyed looking at our yearbook and remembering all of you as young, bright classmates. Grace Gordon Pless and Cecil have moved within Asheville to Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community. They love their bright and sunshiney cottage with a big deck that is a little bit in the woods. June Bullard Winston sadly reported

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Classes of 1955HS, 1955C, 1956C: front row, left to right: Nancy Mallon Towe '56C, Martha Brooks Bricio '54HS '56C, Anne Harmon Jones McDaniel '55C; back row: Martha Gay Burns Morton '55HS, Sue Jett Russler '56C, Glenn Norman Dickens '56C, Mary Louise Bizzell Burress '56C

that her husband, Kenneth, died in November of 2020, due to a stroke after a long illness. They would have been married 69 years within the next month. June now has 14 grandchildren, nine girls and five boys. As reported in the last issue of Saint Mary’s School Magazine, Catherine Bikle Currie died in September of 2020. Catherine was an important member of the day student community and served our class well in several positions. Nancy Bobbitt Thompson wrote that she is thankful that her older daughter still lives with her. Nancy’s son, Sanford, and wife are in Raleigh, and her daughter, Elizabeth, is still in Richmond, Virginia.

Nancy’s life is blessed with nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. I end this short newsletter with thoughts of you as we either have recently turned 90 or will do so in the near future. We are entering uncharted waters but how nice to be celebrating a milestone year with Saint Mary’s and a milestone decade in our lives. God bless. With love to all and please send news next year. Louise

1953

HIGH SCHOOL Betsy Williams Tyler reports that she is still living in her Williamsborough Square home in Raleigh and in Morehead City every summer. “My five grandchildren are growing up too quickly with one at UNC-Chapel Hill, one at Washington & Lee in Lexington, Virginia, one at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in the fall, and two at Cary Academy. All so happy! I stay in close touch with Eve Hargrove Smith close by in Raleigh and in the same book club.”

Class of 1956C: left to right: Sue Jett Russler '56C, Nancy Mallon Towe '56C, Glenn Norman Dickens '56C, Mary Louise Bizzell Burress '56C

1953

COLLEGE Haffye Sewell Cox ’53C and Becky Gordon Hoggard '51HS ’53C Becky Gordon Hoggard reports that she recently talked to several Saint Mary’s alums. “Ann Ayres Hartnett lives in Accomac, Virginia, and has four daughters. One of them owns Monkee’s.

She also has a load of grands and great-grands.

Her English husband is deceased. Patsy Daniels Lindley lives in Vero Beach, Florida, and travels to Raleigh often, seeing her children in various locations in route. She loves to travel, especially cruises.” Becky stays in touch with Laura Dean Matheson Gresham by telephone visits. Laura Dean still lives in Greensboro near her children.

“She loves opera and civic activities with her many friends. Jeanne Summers Tussing lives in Portsmouth, Virginia, and continues to be very active in the art community.” Becky has seen her work and reports that it is colorful and great.

Jeanne is excited about her upcoming “one man show” in February 2022 at Offsight Gallery in McArthur Mall. Anne Bailey Lewis and her husband, John, live at Westminster Canterbury in Richmond, Virginia, and really enjoy friends and a daughter who lives nearby. Cindy Ward Malmquist and her husband moved back to Elizabeth City after living in Vermont and Arizona. Sara Fair lives in New York City. She is retired and still loves the city life. Sarah visited her great-niece and family in Raleigh in June and enjoyed a visit to Saint Mary’s campus. Ann Miller Livingston lives in Durham, near Becky, at The Cedars in Chapel Hill. When on a recent phone call, they promised to get together.

And finally, Emily Urquart Ayscue and husband Ozzie also live at The Cedars near Becky and

Dicky. They see each other often and enjoy dining together. “As for me, Dicky and I enjoy the many activities and new friends we’ve made at The Cedars. I especially love being near my children in Durham and Raleigh. I am also a great-grandmother since March!” Jerry Coslow Pence’s daughter, Sallye Pence, sends the sad news of her mother’s death on September 18, 2020. “She loved her time at Saint Mary's and talked about it often.” Barbara Carter Ladd lives in Rosemont, Penn., and is so happy to say she has a great-granddaughter, Ava, and is expecting another one very soon. What fun it was to talk to Barbara. Was it just yesterday that we were all on third Smedes, dancing in the sun porch room, having the time of our lives? But nothing compared to the costume party hosted by Nancy McIver Chaffe, Nancy Boston, and Barbara Carter Ladd. Cheers for Ann Ayres Hartnett, Flicka Keane, and Dottie Allen, who came as the “three blind mice” and were all three clothed in only a blindfold! I had a very long delightful phone “visit” with Barbara Brown Ellis, who lives in Virginia Beach, happily near her grandchildren. Barbara says she is very healthy and doing well. How fortunate I feel to still be living at home. My grandchildren are the light of my life. Lindsey, who graduated from law school and lives in Lenoir with her husband, Lena Rose (named for my mother!), who will be off to college soon, and our twin boys, Thomas and Jack, who will be in 10thgrade. Both of my daughters are Saint Mary’s girls: Lainie Sewell Cox Johnston ’80C and Rose Cox ’85HS. Through the years, I’ve kept in touch with Nancy McIver Chaffe, Anne Bailey Lewis, Becky Gordon Hoggard, and lately Gene Overbeck Britt. We’ve enjoyed several reunions

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SAINT MARY’S REMEMBERS

Charles McKimmon Winston 1929-2021 Former Chair of Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees Charles McKimmon Winston, former chair of Saint Mary’s board of trustees, peacefully passed away on February 9, 2021. He was born in Raleigh, North Carolina September 11, 1929, to Anne McKimmon and Robert Watson Winston, Jr. Charles attended Ravenscroft School and graduated high school from the Augusta Military Academy in Virginia in 1947. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was an active member of the Zeta Psi fraternity, the Order of the Gimghoul, and the UNC ROTC Corps as a Cadet Colonel. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953, Charles went on to serve in the US Air Force as an officer until 1955.

Charles met the love of his life, Florence Barclay, in her junior year at Sweet Briar College, and after her graduation, the two were wed in 1957 in Flo’s hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. And so, began a wonderful relationship that would span 64 years. Charles and Flo were at each other’s side in all aspects of life - whether it was raising three children, starting new business ventures, or devoting time to charitable organizations. They were true partners in all sense of the word.

In 1959, Charles and his friend Thad Eure, Jr. decided that Raleigh needed a new restaurant, and they entered the business by building a steakhouse on the outskirts of Raleigh. This bold and decidedly risky venture left many questioning their sanity. Through a lot of hard work (much of it from their wives) and a little bit of luck, the duo opened the Angus Barn in 1960. Charlie and Flo were known to all patrons of “the Barn” and the venture proved to be a source of great pride and joy for him. Charles and Thad continued to capitalize on their success in the restaurant industry by opening Pizza Inn restaurants. Additionally, he, along with Thad and Darryl Davis founded the restaurant chain Darryl’s in 1970. In 1985, Charles decided to go into the hotel industry with his friends Jack Harris, Earl Johnson, Bill Clark, and Henry Shaw. After great success, the business was sold to son, Bob, who took the company public as Winston Hotels in 1994.

Charles had a deep love of Raleigh and he invested his time and talents extensively in his community. He always felt he was blessed and was generous with all he had. He often remarked anything he gave was rewarded with twice in return. Charles served as a board member of the North Carolina American Cancer Society, Rex Hospital Foundation and Raleigh Community Hospital. He also served as an Executive Board Member of the North Carolina Museum of History Associates chairing the new building committee. Charles served as Board Chair of Saint Mary’s School and as a member of the Trustee Advisory Committee for Ravenscroft School. He also served as President on the Board of the Carolina Country Club and the Figure Eight Island Yacht Club. He was a lifetime member of Christ Church in Raleigh, where he served in roles from choir boy as a child, to senior warden in his adult life. He and Flo received the Christ Church Cross for their service. For all their leadership and philanthropy in their community he and Flo, were also inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame in 2011.

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Charles was passionate about many things, but little superseded his love of the Tar Heels. He was an avid Carolina football and basketball fan. Charles served in numerous roles at UNC: Chairman and Board member of the Educational Foundation, President of the General Alumni Association, Vice Chair and Board Member of the Arts & Sciences Foundation. He served as an Advisory Board Member for the UNC Board of Visitors and as a board member of the Lineberger Cancer Center. His dedication and service to the university earned him the UNC General Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Medal and The William R. Davie Award.

Charles and Flo loved nothing more than entertaining friends, family, and community organizations. While Charles was engaged in many business and civic works, he will be remembered most for his gracious hospitality and the wonderful parties and events he and Flo hosted at their home.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Anne McKimmon and Robert Watson Winston, Jr. as well as his sister, Jane Winston Witherspoon '46HS and brother, James Horner Winston.

Charles is survived by his wife, Florence; his daughter, Marion T. Winston; son, Charles M. Winston Jr. (Jenny); son, Robert W. Winston III (Tracy); and seven grandchildren.

Due to Coronavirus, a private burial was held at Oakwood Cemetery followed by a private funeral service at Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh February 20, 2021.

CLASS NEWS additional 28 days in the skilled care unit at Hillcrest in Durham. I was able to go home December 20 in time for Christmas with my family. With the unfailing help of my family and blessings of God, I am making a very successful recovery. I hope the pandemic will be ending and we can all have a more rewarding time of fellowship in 2021.”

1957

HIGH SCHOOL

Mary Lynn Lewis Delaney ’44C with her first greatgrandson, Marshall Stanley Deckelbaum, grandson of Lynn Titchener ’73C and son of Lynn’s daughter Liza and husband Jeremy.

with a beach trip following. I greatly miss my Tarboro Saint Mary’s buddies Ruth Clark, Gray Proctor Clark, and Frances Williams Brinston.

Until next time - Au Revoir et à Bientôt. Câlins et bisous! Haffye

1955

HIGH SCHOOL Coleman Jenkins Dance ’55HS ’57C notes, “This will be our first reunion since high school days without our dear friend Jane Walker Kerewich ’55HS ’57C. She was a wonderful person, great friend, and loved her years at Saint Mary’s high school and junior college. We all miss her! I am thankful to say we made it through the terrible pandemic that has affected so many. Also thankful there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I’m proud to say that my youngest grandson, Hardy Hogan, graduated from the University of Georgia this year and has started a job with Stryker in Raleigh. His older brother, John, also works in Raleigh with CBRE Commercial Real Estate. My granddaughter, Elizabeth Hardin, is leaving Atlanta, where she taught at the Atlanta Speech School for several years and is moving to Raleigh to be the academic support specialist for St. David’s lower school. Grandsons Russell and Neal Hardin live in Atlanta and work for Cousins Properties and Deloitte.” Russell married Pierce Persons from Macon, Georgia, last September.

“We all love Pierce and are so happy for them!”

1955

COLLEGE Patsy Moore Upton writes, “Last October, I had the first critical illness of my life when I experienced a ruptured appendix with serious infections requiring four surgeries, four drains, 28 days of care at Duke Hospital, and an

Sylvia Olson Longaker writes from Ft. Myers, Florida, “Remembering my years at Saint Mary’s with much love and gratitude. Went to college for 2½ years—met my love, Perry, and married in 1960. We had our first daughter on our first anniversary, and three daughters followed!

Perry was at MIT for 35 years and we enjoyed life outside Boston—busy with the girls, dogs, and horses! Retired to Florida 14 years ago and we are enjoying the weather and having family visit often!”

1957

COLLEGE Ann McWilliams Cayton writes, “My third great-grandchild was born March 9, 2021.

They named him Wyatt. Had my two shots for COVID-19 and can now get out of the house!”

1959

HIGH SCHOOL Judith Crumpler Lyon of Morehead City writes, “Just saying hello to all the girls! Keep going, Saints!”

1959

COLLEGE Rett Weston Padgett writes that grandson Gaillard Townsend Dotterrer III was all set to marry Madelon Ann Kneece at St. John’s Episcopal Church on April 18, 2020. “Because of the pandemic, their plans changed many times, but they ended up getting married on the dock of the bride’s parents’ house on Lake Murray with the immediate family attending. It was a beautiful wedding on a beautiful day and so memorable.” Down in Birmingham, Alabama, Eliza Southall Johnson enjoyed setting out small flower and vegetable containers on her terrace as spring advanced. Eliza hoped for more manageability and a bumper crop!

Meanwhile, her retired husband, Larry Johnson Sr., was appointed professor emeritus in the School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Their son, Lawrence F. Johnson Jr., Esq., is now in his remodeled law office in downtown Birmingham, open and ready for business. Catherine Church and her husband, Bob Sasser, have moved to Penick Village in Southern Pines. May Eason Mills says, “We continue to love our retirement home in Beaufort, a quiet historical community in coastal Carolina. I have just completed A Genealogical

History of the Descendants of George Turnage, with the assistance of genealogist Roger Krammerer, which I dedicated to my mother.

Our only grandchild is 18, planning to attend college this fall.”

1961

COLLEGE G.G. Saunders Buxton ’61C Pam Voliva Crutchfield writes from Berwyn, Pennsylvania, “My husband, ‘Crutch,’ and I still love living here on the Main Line, near Philadelphia. I love my book clubs, Junior League cooking klatch and volunteer League activities, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church activities, and Suburban Garden Club activities. We escaped pandemic boredom with an extended trip to Hilton Head last fall. We continue to relate frequently with our eight grandchildren, all living within three hours of us.”

Editor’s note: After many years of devoted service, G.G. is retiring as class secretary. Please let the Alumnae Office know if you would like to volunteer for the position.

1963

COLLEGE Sue Battle Moore ’63C Dear Class of ‘63C, what a year this has been!

Needless to say, may 2021 be a happier and healthier one for us all! In the meantime, here’s news you need to know. In 2020, two of our classmates decided to change residences and move closer to family. After living in Richmond, Virginia, for over 50 years, Jennie Moore Odom and husband Ron moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, to be near son Matt and their grandchildren, Emily (11) and Andrew (9).They were grateful that their grandchildren’s school stayed open during the pandemic (especially important to Jennie, as a former elementary teacher, as well as Ron, a former elementary principal). While in Richmond, they were active members of St. James Episcopal Church, where Ron served on the Vestry, and Jennie headed one of the altar guild groups for 20 years. According to Jennie, they have enjoyed travels in the United States, Canada, and Europe along with many vacations at the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. I was happy to learn that Jennie still stays in touch with her SM roommates, Becky Timberlake Myhre and Gail Murphey Carr. Also making a move was Rosa Beckwirth Sands and recently retired husband Steve, who relocated to Charleston, South Carolina, “just ahead of the winter snow storms in Maryland and yet just behind the pandemic shut down.”

Fortunately, they bought a house sight unseen which they love. It is only a four-minute drive to their one and only grandson! Rosa is looking forward to “being able to get out and about in the Charleston area and would love to see any Saint Mary’s girls who are nearby.” Speaking of Charleston, I loved hearing from resident Charlotte Deloach Riley, who retired from real

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CLASS NEWS estate seven years ago after selling the home of her cousin, Jody Blackwell Anderson ’62C. According to Charlotte, Jody, along with her classmate, Courtney McDowell Gregory ’62C, are now living at Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community. Charlotte also reported that their two sons and two grandsons also live in Charleston, and that oldest son Joe was remarried in April. Husband Joe retired in 2016 from being Charleston’s mayor for 40 years, but is still teaching at the Citadel, acting as a liaison for the College of Charleston, and raising money for an International African American Museum which will open in 2022. The news from Nebo, North Carolina’s Flo (a-Go-Go) Pitts Carter was that 2020 was “a hard year in that travel was impossible and a good friend died due to COVID.” But, the good news for 2020 was the birth of Flo’s great-granddaughter, Lillian Grace, as well as the marriage of grandson Zach Carter to his best friend, Erica. Following their COVID vaccinations, Flo and husband Donnie travelled to Park City, Utah, with son Tucker and grandsons to ski. Additional travel plans for 2021 included a trip to Hawaii in April to see family. As Flo says “things are looking up!” From Raleigh comes the good news from Dianne Croonenberghs Tilghman that Springmoor Retirement has been a good choice for her and husband Granville.

Of course, having daughter Anna TilghmanScruggs ’88HS ’90C living nearby is an extraadded bonus! Not surprisingly, Diane “has made some fun friends, so life in the ‘old folks’ home’ is good.” The news from Chapel Hill is that Diane Littlefield Rosenbluth and husband Lennie, huge UNC sports fans, had to “sit out” this basketball season at the Smith Center due to COVID. For those who do not already know, Lennie was a proud member of the 1957 UNC basketball team, which ended the season undefeated and went on to become the ACC champions as well as the NCAA champs! Diane reminded me that her two years at Saint Mary’s were a turning point in her life and in her faith, a sentiment likely shared by the rest of the class of ‘63C. Nancy McIver Chaffe writes, “Black and I sold our house in New Orleans and, though we maintained an address, we live in Pass Christian, a charming little town on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where Black has a garden with vegetables and flowers. The fishing is good and there are lots of bridge players. On April 17, our oldest grandchild Mary Margaret Chaffe married Jack Daly, who grew up in Raleigh.

They live in Atlanta, and his mother works on Hillsborough Street across from Saint Mary's. I have hearing aids, macular degeneration, bad knees, and I am looking forward to our 70th reunion in 2023!” The best news from Rocky Mount is that Ben and I survived the pandemic and look forward to happy times with family and friends in 2021! Until next year, stay safe, stay strong, and stay true to Saint Mary’s. My best to all, Sue Battle Moore

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Saint Mary’s School | www.sms.edu

1965 HIGH SCHOOL and 1967 COLLEGE

Joan Wickham Sugg ’65HS ’67C Virginia McSwain Carson ’67C took advantage of travel plans being cancelled to transcribe more than 500 letters that her dad wrote to her mom while he was in the U.S. Army in Iran during WWII, as well as going through many boxes in the basement, discovering other relics.

She started the process for her grandchildren but realized she was actually doing it for herself. Christy Block Terrell ’67C got her COVID-19 shots thanks to SMJC classmate Mary Sue Lawrence Hitch, who directed her to the Granville County Health Department.

“Same house, same husband, same children, BUT there are three grandchildren, two girls and a boy.” Christy was also taking care of her daughter’s Catahoula Leopard Hound dog on a (hopefully) temporary basis. Meredith Maynard Chase ’67C and husband Bo have survived the pandemic and are hopeful they will be able to travel to Africa for their 13th safari if the borders don’t close again. In the meantime, she has kept busy reading 200-plus family letters from her parents and grandparents and going through newspaper clippings from the time her grandparents had a ranch outside Fort Sumner, New Mexico, up to and though WWII. Francey Breeden Schauss ’67C and Peter are beginning their 46th year at Emmanuel Episcopal Church and currently taking the church’s Race and Faith course online. They are grateful to be well, as are their children and grandchildren. Janet Hicks Bethune ’67C writes that 2020 saw additions to their family. Emma Rose was born to son Richard and his wife, Julia. Their almost-three-year-old son, Elliot, is proving to be a valued helper. Janet’s daughter, Caroline, married Bradley Trahan on October 18 in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Jean Healy Neville ’65HS ’67C writes from Chapel Hill, “This last year of COVID restrictions and vaccinations has been stressful for everyone. I have been fortunate to have been able to play tennis outdoors with friends and take long walks on the UNC campus to keep sane in the fresh air.

My husband and I have become quite efficient as home chefs and have read more books than ever. We are gradually getting back to doing our volunteer work, which has been gratifying. I am also getting proficient with Zoom meetings, which have kept us connected to friends and family. Wishing everyone a safe and healthy rest of the year. I hope to be able to participate in reunion activities in person.” I, Joan Sugg, celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by getting my first vaccine, followed up with the second on April 14. Trips to Europe originally planned for 2020 have been rescheduled for 2022. That has given me plenty of time for various needlework projects, as well as some Great Courses lecture

series. One in particular, on the history of the English language, reminded me of Mr. Tate and reading “Beowulf” in Old English. After spending 25 years doing research, Graham Phillips’ book, “The Lost Tomb of King Arthur,” proves that Dr. Morrison was right when she said Arthur was an actual person whose real name was Owain Ddantgwyn, king of Powys, who was killed in battle by his nephew. His battle name, “yr arth” (bear), accounts for the name we know him by today. Not so unusual when you remember that we know Henry Percy today as “Harry Hot Spur” thanks to William Shakespeare. Joan

1965

COLLEGE Trudie Turner Arrington ’65C Hope all are safe and vaccinated. Did we think we’d still be home a year later? Thank you to all who shared their news. We have mighty good friends in our ’65 class. Su Su Dixon Hodges shares that she and Rex have three married sons, and a total of four grandchildren, who all live where they are in Chapin, South Carolina.

The Hodges are retired and spend time in Chapin, Litchfield by The Sea, and traveling.

One son is an American Airlines pilot. Another son is with Medtronics, a medical firm, and their youngest son has his own lawn maintenance company. They are healthy and happy. Mary Stuart Dent Shouse shares that so much has happened in the last three years. Her husband of almost 52 years, Jim, passed away in June of 2018 of dementia. It was a sad time and yet a relief. She started attending various grief support groups, and in February of the following year she met her current husband, Phil Shouse, who had lost his wife three years before that and had moved to Jacksonville Beach area to be near family. “We took it slow at first and by May knew we both were in love. We married at the end of August of 2019, just in time to evacuate and escape hurricane Dorian. Love is definitely sweeter the second time around. We believe that God brought us together. We love to travel; but of course, that has been curtailed. I did get a chance to show him Saint Mary’s as we drove through Raleigh on our way home from our honeymoon. After we had our first COVID-19 vaccine, we both came down with the disease but a fairly mild version; and we’re 95 percent on the mend. Hoping all our classmates are staying well.” Hannah Vaughan shares that she and her husband have downsized to a condo with a view of the Cape Fear River from their balcony.

“Retirement is great. COVID-19 has been quite a challenge, seeing our new neighbors only on the elevator, fully masked!” They’ve both been vaccinated, so they are anxious to be out and about once again! Her COVID quilt is almost complete, so now she’s working knitting a JW Anderson sweater! Life is good! Mary Virginia Hurt Darby shares that she divorced in 1999.

She retired from Broward County Schools in 2012 in elementary art. She has two married

daughters, Margaret and Katharine, and five grandchildren – two boys and three girls. Her oldest granddaughter is a freshman at N. C. State University. Tish Baker Okerlund shares that she and Ted sold their house in Jamestown, New York, in September 2020. They are now South Carolina residents most of the time.

Glad to be back in the South. Perry Grimes Van Dyke says, “After graduating from Saint Mary’s in 2020 my granddaughter, Perry Morgan ’20, is enjoying college at Texas Christian University.

Her brother is a junior at Coastal Christian High School.” Perry’s grandson, Burke (4.5), was eagerly awaiting the birth of his sister, Mary James, in April. “Bloom where you are planted.” Carol Wilson Brewer Conner shares that she is so glad to have 2020 in history...have vaccines, will travel! Life has been very quiet for me. I really miss church. Please stay safe and healthy. Trudie

1832 in England. Surprisingly, there were many similarities between that pandemic and our coronavirus experience.

I have been wondering if any of you are interested in compiling a brochure/booklet about all of us now – a sort of ‘my life since 1967.’ We could each write a page or two, including photos if you wish. Is anyone besides me becoming reflective and sentimental at this age? Write me if you’re interested in this type of project: bookwoman1027@ aol.com ‘In a grove of stately oak trees…’”

1967

COLLEGE

HIGH SCHOOL Martha Hall Michaels ’67HS This has certainly been a strange year, being sheltered from COVID. We had each of our four kids’ families over individually and outside for Christmas! After being vaccinated in February, we now see them, since they all live here! We are blessed with 10 grandkids. Fortunately, Saint Mary’s has been open for my granddaughter, Martha Parrott's '24 first year there. She loves it! The classmates I heard from are vaccinated and relieved! Jane Byrd Melton reports, “We are in south Asheville and moved into a 1963-built house that we renovated. We are eager to get back together with family as I have about a dozen here across three generations, and my husband Dan’s sister and nephew are here.”

Margaret Morrison Hamilton says, “We now have six grandkids. Our son in Boston has two boys and a new baby girl. Our daughter lives in Charlotte and has a boy and two little girls. Additionally, my mother turned 100!”

Winnie Morris still calls Wilmington home.

“My daughter, Katherine Boisky Pittman ’97HS, is here with three kids (13, 10, and 4 months).

Since my son, Charlie, lives in Richmond with 5-year-old twins, I bought a townhouse there.

It’s been great to connect with Saint Mary’s girls in Richmond: Connie Spilman ’74C and Gilmer Edmunds ’65HS ’67C.” Betsy Bittle Eubanks writes, “I spent most of the ‘COVID year’ trying to develop patience. A leak in our kitchen required that it be completely gutted in August of 2020, and we are still, in April of 2021, waiting for electricity to be restored, so we can finally cook on a real stove. We have been ‘camping in,’ with a hot plate and microwave, and neither of us are sturdy, outdoorsy types. Thus, no Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners, and no Christmas cookies (the worst). I alleviated some of my frustration by researching and writing an article for the journal, Brontë Studies, about the Brontë family’s experience with the Asiatic Cholera pandemic of

1967

Class of 1970C: front row: Kack Harrison Hardin ’70C; back row: Stannie Farish Brewer ’70C, Olivia Grimes Roberson ’70C, Marshall Young Smith ’70C, Lillian Rudolph Gantsoudes ’70C, Sara Frances Walters Borden ’70C, Markay Farmer Carter ’70C

Clarine Pollock Powell writes, “We are doing well. Finally got to see and hug my children and grandchildren. Rob has a brand-new knee, so I am busy being a nurse.

We have three wonderful grandsons. The oldest, Jackson Powell, is second year at Woodberry Forest.”

1969

COLLEGE Liz Burleson Hudson ’69C What a year this has been. Hopefully, everyone has survived quarantine. My favorite tee shirt says “Quarantine hair. Don’t care.” that is so true. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you that have had COVID or lost a friend, relative, or parent.

Thank goodness for the vaccine. Helen Alford writes that we are so fortunate to have had our big reunion the year before COVID. Helen is excited to be returning to flying parttime again for American. She is spending her winters as a snowbird playing golf in Florida. Bonnie Bowen Banks says, “what a year.” She is hoping everyone is doing well and misses seeing everyone. Mary Douglass says that she and her wife, Diane, have sold their home in Seattle and moved to a retirement home in Olympia. Mary says that moving during the pandemic was challenging.

She had to downsize and found all sorts of SMJC memorabilia. She kept every letter she ever got and returned them to classmates who had written her. Mary got notes back from Seally Cross, Beth Goodwin Bramhall, Beth Holder Hanford, Sue Willingham Upchurch, Connie Johnson Graham, Julie Kirkland Berger, Kack Harrison Hardin, Sally Mann Scales, Lu Dixon Mannekin. (Wish I had heard from them too!)

Sara Jane Hargrave and husband are doing fine, but several family members had COVID. Husband Dan retired and closed his law office in July. In September he began his new “career” schooling his grandchildren at home! They

loved seeing their seven grandkids more often.

No big trips but loving Southern Pines and Myrtle Beach. Nancy Helms moved from Raleigh to the DeWebb Community at the beginning of the pandemic. It has been crazy, but she loves it there and has taken up pickleball and water aerobics. Nancy misses seeing her daughter and grandkids in Nashville but is thankful to still see her son and family in Carrboro. She is also administrating the COVID vaccine. Way to go, Nancy. Sue Willingham Upchurch says she is settling into less stress and pressure in her new home in downtown Blairsville. She thanks those that reached out to her last summer - it meant a lot. Hoping to start traveling some this year.

Katherine Hunter Bratton sends news that their son, Hunter, and Laura Barkley were married on May 8 at Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh. I, Elizabeth Burleson Hudson, have had a quiet year in the mountains. There is something to be said for blue skies, fresh air, and distant neighbors when you have to quarantine. We have stayed well and been fortunate that no family members have been ill. The charity thrift shop that I manage closed in August. It was sad.

Our dog died last October, and we adopted from San Diego (Yes, I flew out to get her in the pandemic.) a new little one, Graci. She is a fluff ball, 12 years old, handicapped, and sweet as can be! My husband Walt is 83 and has finally given up driving so I am now a fulltime chauffeur. I miss hearing from you all and hope next time that everyone will return their blue card even just to say HI. Please stay healthy and happy.

Love, Liz

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CLASS NEWS

Class of 1971HS: left to right: Candy Currin Taylor ’71HS ’73C, Elsie Thornhill James ’71HS ’73C, Missy Taylor Manning ’71HS ’73C Class of 1971C: front row, left to right: Alice Proctor Witten ’71C, Gail Perry ’71C, Pam DeVere Crooks ’69HS ’71C, Jane Darden Brown ’71C, Betsy Blee ’71C; second row: Chip Dodd ’71C, Barbara Call McGowan ’71C, Wendy Willcox Wheeler ’71C, Elaine Fleming Bridges ’71C; back row: Linda Glass Hyslop ’71C, Marilyn Kirkland Poole ’69HS ’71C, Trish Potter Taylor ’71C, Susan Mills ’71C

1971

HIGH SCHOOL Caren Threshie Camp ’71HS Dear Class of 1971 High School, Marsha Ann McElrath Taylor writes, “I have retired after a 30+ year career in the cardiac operating room and perioperative nursing at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, and Medical ICU experience at Georgetown University Hospital, and moved to Wilmington with husband Brad and son Chris. As lead clinical instructor for INOVA's Cardiac Dome Observation Program, I was featured in the Washington Post Magazine article, Hearts and Minds, by Paul Gustafson, in addition to teaching classes and publishing several articles. We are relaxing with family and friends in Wilmington, and I plan to prepare all those recipes from all those cookbooks I collected over the years!" Becky Sutton Gray says, “I retired in 2013 after working for Duke Energy for 30 years. Since then, I have been busy taking care my sister-in-law and mother-in-law (who died in 2018). We are blessed that my mom just celebrated her 97th birthday! My husband, Jimmy, and I have been active in our church for many, many years (HGBC). In prior years, we enjoyed seeing Saint Mary ladies at the Atlantic Beach alumnae event in July while we are down there approximately the same time each year.”

As for me, Caren Threshie Camp, I am living in Alexandria, Virginia,and still working as a meeting planner for HelmsBriscoe, a large conference resource company. I have enjoyed the last six years being involved in the Saint Mary’s board of trustees. I have been married to John Camp

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for 44 years, and my two boys live in Asheville and New Orleans. Please email any class news to me. I would love to hear all your updates!

1973

HIGH SCHOOL Barbara Egerton Tillery ’73HS It has been a most unusual time in our lives with this pandemic, and unfortunately, it has claimed the life of one of our dear classmates, Harriet Matthews Jackson, who passed away in March.

Our hearts go out to her family and friends. Our lives have all been altered in various ways during the last year, and most of the responses I received reflect that. Susanne Owens Logan writes that she is “still working full time as a residential real estate closing attorney in Atlanta. The past year has been challenging with all that it has brought. I have been blessed to have had a solid year of business with the interest rates down, but the difficulties of the process have been a real challenge. The majority of lenders’ staff people have worked from home, which has made it impossible at times to reach people when you need them and with the volume, it has been frustrating and stressful to get information from lenders at the last minute and try to resolve issues under the gun. I have been around more people in the past year than ever before, which has been scary at times. I have done closings outside in parking lots and garages in the heat, cold, and blowing rain. I am no longer a redhead as I was by choice before the pandemic! I have gone natural, which is basically white with some random dark streaks.

My hair is as long as it was at Saint Mary’s, the longest it has been since college. My husband, who is also a native North Carolinian, is a godsend. We have been married 13 years this May. As many of my classmates know, I have had a lot of tragedy in my life. I have said that Scott is my reward for a hard life. He has the spirit of a college boy, always ready to have a good time, and he is kind and giving. I feel truly lucky.” At the time she wrote this in March, Susanne added, “Today is my two-week anniversary since my second COVID vaccine. I think the thing I have missed the most in the past year is seeing Scott’s daughters for our ritual Wednesday night dinners. Emily and Julia both had finished college before the pandemic hit. Their lives have taken a bit of a detour, and graduate school plans are on hold, but both are healthy and happy and no doubt on a good path. They are coming for Wednesday night dinner this week, for the first time in a year!” Another classmate who was looking forward to post-vaccine life is Martha Woodard Pearlman, who wrote that she was planning to take Amtrak for the first time since Feb. 2020 to visit her daughter in Boston. Since the cruise she and Paul were planning to take in late May was cancelled, they plan to drive down to Charleston, South Carolina, to visit a friend and then go to Savannah, Georgia, a place she’s heard a lot about but never visited. She hasn’t been to Charleston in 20 years, but loved the food and the city the last time she was there. In the meantime, she and Paul are fostering a dog, Maverick, part coonhound and part bloodhound, with the option to adopt. She says he's a

sweetheart but has some fear issues due to abuse. Every day he gets less fearful and they will probably keep him. He has lovely manners and so wants to be loved. They lost their dog, Tulip, in late January due to cancer, and missed having a dog in the house and taking long walks in all the parks where they live in Pennsylvania. She says the walks saved her sanity during the long winter! Speaking of Charleston, Jaynie Milligan Spector writes that she is glad that COVID is almost behind us. They reopened their gallery, Dog & Horse Fine Art (narrative paintings too) on June 1, 2020. This fall, the gallery will celebrate a 20th anniversary. Joe’s magazine, The Local Palate, about Southern food culture, has survived as well. Their son, Sean, is living and working remotely in the West Village in New York. They were thrilled to have him home during COVID for five months--a good thing that came from this bizarre time! She says they are all boring worker bees. She ends with, “Blessings to all of my classmates! Come see us in Charleston!” JoAnn Nance Small reports that she is very thankful that her family has been healthy through the pandemic. She says her world has shifted with grandchildren, and that they have enjoyed every minute they could with them over the last five years - beach in the summer and Montana snow in the winter. Gina Doty DeMarsh has continued her volunteer work at the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Raleigh. She has not been able

to work at her church (Hayes Barton United Methodist) since March 2020 due to COVID, but she has been able to contribute to the Whitaker Glen newsletter with her writing. She played the piano in the Whitaker Glen talent show. Ellison Ainsworth Parker finally retired in February after 44 years of nursing. She loved every minute of it but is definitely enjoying her free time! Her days are filling up so quickly that she’s not sure how she ever had time to work!

She says her husband is “still working and probably will continue to work until he has one foot in the grave! He just loves what he does... keeps him out of my hair, haha!” Due to the pandemic, travel has been curtailed, but she found plenty to do around home. Her son and his wife and one of their two children in Raleigh had COVID but thankfully they all recovered from it. They are fortunate to have two grandchildren in Wilmington, where Ellison lives, so they have continued to see them regularly. Unfortunately, they have not been able to see the grandkids in California in a long time, but thanks to the vaccines, they plan to see them soon. Catherine Phillips Winslow has had a very busy year. From mid-March to midDecember 2020, she stayed in Washington, D.C., caring for her toddler granddaughter, Rosemary. If not for COVID, she would never have been able to spend that kind of time with her. In August, she welcomed another granddaughter, Sawyer Lee Winslow, in Greensboro. At the end of June, Catherine

retired from the Wake County Public Schools and is now working with WealthWave as a financial educator. Her website is https:// wealthwave.com/catherinewinslow. She is still “managing” her 93- and 90-year-old parents full time, as her father was diagnosed with dementia last summer. On top of all this, she has continued singing in the St. Michael’s Episcopal Church Choir (Raleigh), although it went to a virtual choir format during COVID. Susan Rogers Cassedy reported from Tallahassee that she spent a lot of the pandemic in western North Carolina, beginning in May 2020. She said it was a nice, quiet place to be and certainly more conducive to safe outdoor activities. She said they only had two cases of COVID in the family, both of whom recovered but reported that it was “no joke.” Susan spent time this winter and spring helping at their county health department during the vaccine clinics, and said she welcomed the diversion.

She especially enjoyed seeing the joy and excitement on people’s faces again! She says she is looking forward to a more normal summer. Marriott Little Sheldon says that she is still, since 2016, living near Wendell, on the Procter Farm in the homestead originally built by the Marriotts in 1785. She and her dog, Bodhi, enjoy the peaceful land, forests, and lake, and connecting with nature. It's been the perfect place for social distancing. She especially loves when her sons and daughters-in-law visit on occasion. She spends time in her art studio in

SAINT MARY’S REMEMBERS Margaret Elizabeth Burgwyn ’65HS ’67C 1947-2021 Former alumnae director Margaret Burgwyn ’65HS ’67C died Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at her sister’s home in Woodland, North Carolina.

Ms. Burgwyn was born on June 8, 1947, to W H S Burgwyn, Jr. and Lucille Poole Burgwyn in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Margaret attended Woodland-Onley School through the 10th grade.

She then attended and graduated from Saint Mary’s Junior College. She obtained her B.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill and went on to get her master’s from Appalachian State University. She started working at the North Carolina Archives in Raleigh.

She went on to work at Paul D. Camp Community College, Roanoke-Chowan Community College, Halifax Community College, Saint Mary’s College, and as an elementary school counselor in Northampton County Schools. When she moved back to Woodland, she became active in the

community. She served as a town commissioner and later as mayor. She served on several boards including the Roanoke-Chowan Mental Health board for many years. She was a member of the North Carolinian Society and Friends of Hope.

Along with her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her stepmother, Emerald Dahl Burgwyn, and stepbrother, Tyrus Dahl, Jr. Margaret is survived by two sisters, Anna Burgwyn ’70C of Woodland, and Molly Burgwyn of Wilmington; two nieces, Katherine Dahl Evans and husband Sandy of South Carolina, and Elizabeth Dahl Kelly and husband Ryan of Los Angeles; cherished friend, Charles “Hawk” Edwards of Woodland, and lifelong buddy, Maylor Langford of Woodland. A celebration of life memorial service was held on Saturday, June 12, 2021, with the Rev. Carol Taylor officiating.

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CLASS NEWS Boylan Heights in Raleigh, where she paints abstract paintings and also teaches art classes online as a creative coach. To entertain herself in 2020, she published a children's book, Mac and the Magic, an adventure about strange creatures on planet Mico where everything they dream happens—until they see other strange creatures - then things go wrong! (You can find it at Lulu.com and Amazon.) She’s a volunteer at A Place at the Table, a pay-what-you-can cafe in downtown Raleigh. Marriott is making plans to visit her boys in N.Y.C. After all the years in Atlanta, Nancy Kerr Thomason is now a North Carolina resident again and living full time at Topsail Beach. In July, she will officially retire after 20 years of running a family office. She is looking forward to having more time to do the things she wants to do, although her new COVID puppy will limit some travel plans! Nancy loves working with the Saint Mary's investment committee and the Forever Campaign, and emphasizes that both really need our support!

Betsy-Tom Homewood Brown writes that life at Lake Gaston was such fun with family and friends nearby (especially her son Stephen, her brother Sam, and his wife, Lyn), but she and Ray decided they were ready to adopt a quieter lifestyle. So, they sold their house in the Littleton area much more quickly than they expected and started looking for a new home. Incredibly, their search led them to her childhood home in her beloved Clarksville, Virginia —the same house she lived in while she was at Saint Mary’s!

She said it’s kind of like taking a trip back in time, since the neighborhood has some of the same families and the same feel to it. She says she’s right back at Buggs Island Lake, where she learned to water ski, and since they now have their boat docked at the marina, they are excited to explore that lake as geezers! She ends by saying, “So here we are, enjoying life in the sleepy neighborhood I have always missed and loved. I wish this feeling of comfort, contentment, love, and home for all my SMS buds!” What a great story, Betsy-Tom! After many delays, Terri Jansen Senter and husband Bill finally moved in March from their home in Madison, Mississippi, to Wilmington, where they moved into a house they built. She said someone approached them about buying their house in Madison “as is” before they ever put it on the market, so that was a really nice surprise. She and Bill are happy to be retired, back in North Carolina, where they can be closer to their daughter and two of their three grandchildren. I was able to spend several hours with Terri last August while my car was being serviced in Jackson. We had a delightful lunch together and enjoyed catching up on news. We have both lived in the “Magnolia State” for many years, and have spoken on the phone and emailed each other, but had never seen each other in person until that day. I’m glad we did so before she moved away. As for me, the pandemic forced us to slow down a bit and

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make adjustments to an otherwise overly busy life, and that’s a good thing. We have been fortunate to live in a place where the restrictions were minimal compared to so much of the country. We have continued our ballroom dance lessons, although we haven’t had any dances to attend. We have been square dancing in homes for over a year, and now our club is back up and running. The National Square Dance Convention is being held in Jackson, Mississippi, in June, and Tim and I are very involved with it. Most states wouldn’t have allowed the convention to be held, but our governor said YES back in January! Tim and I took a road trip to West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky last October. I had a Civil War presentation to make in Newark, Ohio, so we built a trip around it. We went back to West Virginia for a week of skiing at Snowshoe the week of Christmas. It was a place where my daughter and her family could drive and spend the week with us. They drove all the way from N.Y.C. in June 2020, with the baby, and spent two weeks with us, and they flew down for this Easter. Brady was baptized at our church on Easter Sunday, just a few days before his first birthday. We are already planning to spend some time with them at a house on Lake Erie in July. Having a grandchild to play with and cuddle has been so much fun! Love to all, Barbara

1973

COLLEGE Lynn Johnson Titchener ’73C Hello ladies! Got vaccine? There’s so much news, yet so little time and space. Speaking of which, it’s interesting how we all spent our time in our little spaces this past year. It was all about postpone, work from home, and use your phone. Raise your hand if you finally got a haircut, a mani/pedi, or left your mask at home by accident. Or, if you have a new grandbaby!

My hand is up! (I’m not wearing a mask while writing this, by the way.) I’m reporting west to east this go-round in honor of Blair Coffield Schuetz, who always checks in from Bremerton, Washington. God bless you, Blair! Or should I say, “Que Dieu te benisse,” since you are studying French now? Good for you! Tu ecris vraiment bien! In between conjugating verbs, Blair is also studying golf! Her husband, Reinhold, gifted her with lessons last fall. While some are at the shooting range, Blair heads for the driving range four days a week. It saved her marriage to get out of the house! On top of all that, Blair finds time to work with Caring Transitions, a household liquidation company that whips through other people’s belongings in hopes of finding treasures. Then they auction them off online. Fun! Hers is the first vote for 50th reunion attendance. Blair is packed and ready! Bien joue! Look! Lynne Brannon Powell is alive and well in San Marcos, Texas --30 minutes from Austin, where son Richard lives.

She is having a ball in an active adult community called Kissing Trees! That is hilarious. Who wouldn’t want to live there? Or a place called Hugging Trees! C’est drole! Grandmama to Bryson (3), Lynne is looking forward to many more – oui! Daughter Elizabeth lives in London and Lynne hopes to hop on a plane by summertime to visit. From Williamsburg, Va., Margy Perdue Price tells tall delicious tales and loves all 85 (really nine) of her grandchildren – the youngest is three. Her oldest is about to enter college. C’est excitant! Unfortunately, COVID got her and took her down for three weeks. Up and about now, Margy has put on her safari hat. She plans to visit South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana next April. Leave those water balloons at home, s’il vous plait.

You don’t want to scare the wild animals with sugar water! Remember our 50th reunion is 2023, so travel safe--we need you here! You know, golf carts and all that. A guest appearance

by Mark Spitz might just happen. Ooo la la!

Margy’s making WBU PLANZ. South Africa.

Hmmm. I smell a theme. Keep reading. Libbie Hall Farias left Wake County after 30 years and headed to the hills of North Carolina-Morganton to be exact. Both of her daughters are in Iredell County, and grandbabies are everywhere, hence the move! It’s coincidental that Libbie and Suzy Maynard Barile are again living closer together. Apparently, this isn’t the only time this has happened in the last 40 plus years! Passionnant! Moving east, Katie Jo Lawrence Redhead, the great elaborator, is in charge of all things real estate in Greensboro.

She merged. Now part of the largest independently-owned firm in the Triad, Katie Jo rules the selling game. Wrightsville Beach is her second home, and John is her first love. She calls him John Monet: he’s quite an artist! Her children are well and happy--who could ask for more? We remember the good times, don’t we?

The infamous “Mark Spitz Surprise” and poster we worshipped on the third Cruik door made history. We were so punished. Our first experience being quarantined, which was “campused” back then. I just can’t figure out why we rolled our hair at night! It’s a girls’ school! By the way, I have invited Dr. Spitz to our 50th reunion, so there’s even more incentive to be here! Unless he’s in South Africa that weekend, he said he would show up! Magnifique!

For the first time in forever, there’s news from Ginger Scales Longino, living on the banks of the Pamlico River in Little Washington. Ahhh, the quiet life! Ginger has another new grandbabe! Emory Virginia Jones was born in March to daughter Gini and husband Basil.

Congratulations! Guess who is across the river in Chocowinity? Mother NATURE of course!

Nancy Armstrong Murray continues to teach (albeit remotely) and waves the proud grandmama flag for Clementine (5), brother Campbell (3), Gray IV (4), and brother Lock (2 )!

Lock is named for both grandmothers, Nature

Class of 1975C: front row, left to right: Robin Kelly ’75C, Susanne Owens Logan ’73HS ’75C, Nancy Kerr Thomason ’73HS ’75C; back row: Sally Betts Goss ’75C, JoAnn Nance Small ’73HS ’75C, Lynn Harand Hankins ’75C, Sallie ShupingRussell ’75C, Gaither Kelly Velker ’75C

and Martha Blalock Mebane ’72C. Pack your bags - not for a Safari, but for Raleigh! There’s going to be a party in 2023 and you don’t want to miss it! Hampstead is home to Sharon Seago, who has three grandsons: JJ (3), Luke (2), and Grant (almost 1). The vaccine is Sharon’s ticket to resume her travels to visit all National Parks in the U.S. On her list: Indiana Dunes, Crater Lake, Hot Springs, and the Everglades. Sharon did not mention any travel plans to South Africa. No U.S. National Parks there. Jane Hight McMurry is in Wilmington and boasts seven grands! Speaking engagements take her all over the place, and her latest escapade was to the subcontinent where she stalked a tiger and rode a camel… wait! This was 2020 news, Jane! That’s okay – it fits the narrative, and you’re still taking risks with no regrets. Tu es le meilleur! Wilmington is also home to - drum roll - Marjy Younts Klinge, who loves the beach life! Walking the “loop” and the beach with dog Dewy, swimming, boating, fishing, and jet skiing keep her on her toes.

Daughter Allison is very busy working as a labor/ delivery nurse at New Hanover Novant Hospital in Wilmington. Now, we can talk some Raleigh talk! Betsy Haywood writes, “Life, especially during the time of COVID, has been challenging in downtown Raleigh. Last year beginning in May, every weekend and on some Thursdays, we endured marches, protests, and rioting in the streets about a variety of political and

Class of 1976HS: front row, left to right: BeBee Bason Lee ’76HS ’78C, Alice Golby ’76HS, Rosemary Summerlin Crane ’76HS 78C, Allison Dorr Daniel ’76HS, Debbie Gupton Van Zijl ’76HS; back row: Debra Rhodes Gladstone ’76HS ’78C, Anna T. Webb Wheeless ’76HS ’78C, Martha Murphy ’76HS ’78C, Susan Myers Twyman ’76HS, Blanche Williamson ’76HS

sociological issues. Tear gas, flash bangs, destruction at the State Capitol, broken windows, and bullhorns rattled my nerves but not my spirit. I have found much to count as blessings including three wonderful, successful children and SEVEN grandchildren! My latest grandbaby was baptized in Norfolk, Virginia, on April 18. Daughter Lindsay is here in Raleigh and is operations manager for a large optometry practice. Son Haywood is stationed in Virginia Beach and is a Navy squadron commander.

Daughter Julia is an RN in Charleston, South Carolina, and works for a plastic surgery and esthetics practice. I still work for the state of North Carolina and dream about retirement, travel, and a social life one day. I hope my classmates will plan to attend our fiftieth reunion in ’23!” Henni Towler Corbin writes, “I love living in Pinehurst! An added bonus this year is that Katharine Pate Krueger ’79HS ’81C has bought a house in Pinehurst, and we see each other regularly. Her friendship is such a blessing! Love to all!” Ann Beland Brooks is on the ball! May I offer a giant pat on her back for organizing a spring Zoom call for our class of ’73. Thank you, Ann! We’re trying our best to light a fire under all of you for our 50th reunion in 2023. When Ann’s not in Raleigh, she’s living it up at Emerald Isle.

Her new grandson arrived last July, Christian James Croy, to the delight of big sister Carter.

What’s with all the trips planned to Africa? Ann

has booked her sojourn for 2023. You and Margy should go together! And take Jane with you! The itinerary includes Kenya, Rwanda, safari camps, and trekking into the jungle to visit a family of gorillas. Sounds like a definite bucket list excursion. Amuse-toi bien! Quarantine time in Raleigh was used wisely! Elsie Thornhill James is a grandmother, too! Anne Laine Yates arrived March 2, born to daughter McCauley James Yates ’08 and husband Drew. Stealing hearts is Mary Legg Moore’s (a.k.a. Mimi) granddaughter Kate’s game! At two, this child is already playing golf on the toddler circuit (there’s a circuit?) in Pinehurst. Mary’s daughter, Molly, and husband Will visit often, and son Frank and wife Betty are in Wilmington. Fully vaccinated, Murr is ready to travel. What would this letter be without news from Carolyn Hicks Baggett? You’re in luck! I have the scoop!

Carolyn stays busy creatively gardening and cooking, and she is the best at both! Long dog walks and swimming are keeping her sane. We water walk and talk a few times a week at Optimist Pool, training for our African safari, and our BIG REUNION in ’23. Finally, after all these years, I have a new boyfriend! He’s kind of small, really cute, bald, and doesn’t talk much, but I’m in love. Grandchild Marshall Stanley Deckelbaum arrived Christmas morning, 2020, and turned our lives upside down! Daughter Liza and her husband, Jeremy, are here in Raleigh and they

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1977

Ann Watters Matteson had her best year ever in the booming Triangle real estate market.

“Despite being very busy, I have become a COVID golfer and really love the game. Happy to play with anyone!”

Mary Virginia Swain ’77C Thanks to all who sent news! I hope everyone has remained safe and healthy throughout this extraordinary pandemic year. Katie Cole reports that she and Rox are retiring and moving from Colorado back to Katie’s hometown, Virginia Beach, Virginia. They plan to do a lot of traveling “while the old bones are still able to carry us.” Katie would love to hear of favorite places others have traveled. Debbie Goodson Bunn writes, “Not a lot of new news, except that I have a new granddaughter-Vivian Elise Bunn. We call her Vivi. She's already 15 months old and is a cutie pie - and on the move! She definitely keeps me hopping. Her older sister Eva (7) has been a great help to her mom and dad. My step grandson, Hayden (14), is working on refurbishing an old Tahoe with his dad that will be his to drive once he gets his license. The rest of us are doing well and continuing to stay COVID free. I got my shots back in January/ February and am continuing to avoid it so far. Just keeping a low profile. In early April, I finally get to see and hug my mother (87) who had been quarantined in assisted-living since March of last year. Never ever thought it would last this long. I'm still working but seriously contemplating retiring--just can't quite figure out when to cut the cord. I still enjoy the work but am ready for a slower pace. The farm is doing well-hope everyone is eating lots of chicken!” Margaret Clements wrote to say hello from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Louisa McBrayer Roker is living in Greenville, South Carolina. Sissy Holman Chesnutt writes from New Bern, “Happy to report that our daughter, Parker, and her husband, Drew Honeycutt, have moved to New Bern – bought our home and had a beautiful baby girl, Hinton. Marc and I downsized to a home two doors down. We are still working hard and try to see son Marc, “Brother,” as much as his work allows, since he returned from MBA school in Charleston.

He lives in Morehead City, post-grad school, and just may stay! Can’t wait for a COVID release so we can all get together in person!”

Amphone Norasingh (Pon) stopped by campus in April while visiting her brother in Raleigh, and enjoyed a tour of campus as well as a delightful lunch together in Cameron Village/Village District with Azita Katouzian Wilson, who lives in Cary and works in real estate, and Mary Virginia Swain. I so enjoyed reconnecting with Amphone and Azita! Pon lives in San Gabriel/ Los Angeles, California, with her husband.

They have two sons who live near them and help with the family gemstone business. She says she started going by the name Pon when she would introduce herself as Amphone and everyone thought she was saying, “I am Pon,” so she got tired of explaining and just decided to go by Pon! Azita has two beautiful daughters

HIGH SCHOOL

1975

COLLEGE Patricia Holt Parker ’75C Christie Murphy Gustafson reports, “All is well with my husband, Gus, and me as we've just Class of 1981HS and Class of 1981C: left to right: Carolyn Green Boone reached our second '81HS, Margaret McGlohon '81C anniversary living in Leland, a Wilmington suburb. We live in a planned community are the best parents! My older daughter, Winnie, called Brunswick is in Durham, and she is the best aunt. Everyone Forest and have made great friends. Kaye Pass works remotely now – what’s an office? It is Lambert and I have managed to see each other truly a gift to have children and grandchild so several times in the past year, albeit masked! We close. We are so blessed to be healthy and do not miss the winters in Maine and love living happy. My mother, Mary Lynn Lewis DeLany on the coast. We visit the beach regularly. Fort ’44C, is an official great-grandmother, and now Fisher is our favorite. Fortunately, we've been that the gates of her home in Twin Lakes are healthy throughout COVID, but I haven't seen open again, and everyone’s had their shots, we my sons in Massachusetts and Maine since can visit and enjoy lots of hugs. Dieu merci! In December 2019. A trip was planned for June, spite of all the shutdowns and shut-outs, I as we are fully vaccinated. Right now, here continue to work creating wedding memories in Brunswick Forest, there is a lot of time and designing invitations. It has been tricky at for walking, bike riding, making great meals, times, but with a little imagination, the good books, and Netflix. Thank goodness impossible is generally made possible. A whole for FaceTime so I can see my precious new wedding industry has developed out of the granddaughters in Massachusetts. Sage is horrible virus situation as most 2020 weddings three and Stella is six months. We are looking were postponed or canceled. The silver lining? forward to a couple of weddings in the fall, one Simple backyard and intimate garden weddings in California in the Santa Ynez region, so we'll are back! I am happy to help guide brides and explore the area as well as San Francisco. All their mothers down this new path. As we ease in all - very grateful!” Frances Creel Opperman toward more normalcy, large church weddings writes, “I am divorced from Larry but we remain and receptions will return I’m sure, but lately it friends. I have a daughter, Cooper, who lives has been fun taking chances and reaching for in Alexandria, Virginia, with husband Brian and alternative plans. A roller coaster ride, for sure! I son Evan (5). My other daughter, Anna, lives in am still swimming and playing in dirt – not at Williamston with husband Scott and her two the same time however. Whatever I’m planting daughters, Sarah Scott (6) and Hayes (3). I stay seems to be happy but I have no idea what I’m in touch with Nancy Bryant Carter ’73HS ’75C doing except enjoying it all! Oh, I also have a and Loula Polites Plyler ’75C, Vincent Rawlings new knee, but who doesn’t. Please, make it a Dyer ’75HS and Katie Jo Lawrence Redhead priority to be in Raleigh for our BIG 50th ’71HS ’73C. Would love to hear from Sandra REUNION in 2023! The date is to be determined, Holt Stewart ’75C.” but it will be in the spring, I’m sure. And I really did invite Mark Spitz. Stay tuned! All the best to all of you - stay safe and cool! Au revoir! Love, Lynn

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COLLEGE

and, if you are in Durham, check out her daughter Shayda’s wonderful bakery, Sweets

by Shayda, on West Morgan Street. Shayda graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and is known for her macarons and other tasty pastries. I, Mary Virginia Swain, just finished my 34th year on the staff at Saint Mary’s, and still love coming to work every day in Smedes Hall on this beautiful campus. We have had an extremely successful year at Saint Mary’s with in-person learning and activities conducted safely throughout the entire year. The school successfully undertook a tremendous effort to offer the in-person Saint Mary’s experience this year, and the students were wonderful about wearing their masks and following the protocols. I continue to stay in touch with Saint Mary’s friends and classmates in Raleigh and in Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach, including Barbara Johnston Bush, Morgie Towler Duke, Jean Bridger Konitzer, Nancy Thompson Heathcote, Kim Shavlik Randolph, and many others. COVID cancelled some of our get-togethers this past year, but with most being vaccinated by now, we look forward to getting together soon! Have a great year, Class of 1977! Mary Virginia

1979

HIGH SCHOOL Liza Ragsdale and her husband, Bob Trache, are serving as interim clergy at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Cazenovia, a beautiful Class of 1981C: front row, left to right: Bonny Harris Herrington '81C, Allison Gilbert Holmes '81C, Margaret lakeside resort village in central New York.

McGlohon '81C, Ashley Richardson Allen '81C, Elizabeth Hardy Hogan '81C “After 13 years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, we sold our beach house. Bob ‘retired’ in 2019 for a week and began being an interim rector.

We spent 15 months at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, New Jersey. We are looking forward to living near my mom, Abbot front, Suiter Whitehead Coxe welcomed leading another Holy Land pilgrimage June Henderson Howard ’54C, and helping to take not one, but two grandbabies. Mary Marshall 25-July 7.” Liza says it will be a great “re-boot” care of her (along with my two brothers) in her Wasserman was born Dec. 22, 2020, and after the pandemic and both vaccinations. final years. She is 86 and still has an active social Edmond Ragland Coxe III, “Tripp,” was born “It is transforming spiritually, and because of life and is still driving, plus fully vaccinated now! January 7, 2021. Zaida Clay Harris is a firstour 35-plus years of leading pilgrimages, we My sweetie, Frank, is also moving with me! We time grandmother to William Beau Baskin, have access to places closed to the public. If will have two houses near each other in Tega born on April 14. Kathryn Davis Oglesby is interested, email rectorcaz@gmail.com. Loved Cay and look forward to fun adventures in our the mother of the groom. Kathryn’s son, Toler being with Paige Brown DuBose, Elizabeth retirement years together.”Ann reports that Julie Shore, got married on April 24, 2021. Theresa Williams Martin, Margie Johnson Springer, Ann Cook Stewart became a grandmother two Martin McIntyre write that daughter Brooke Karen Cepost, Coles Hines Jones, Gwyn more times recently, when her oldest son, Jake, is representing Wilmington as the 2020-2021 Cooley Pearce, and Susan Fleming McCann at and his wife, Katie, had a baby boy before the Miss Azalea Festival Princess. After her reign, our reunion and my sister, Mary Foy Ragsdale’s end of the year, and middle son, John, and his she will be attending Liberty University. She’s ’77HS ’79C Class of 1979 College. Love being wife, Jaime, had a baby boy last month. “This also a model for MMGNY and Marylu Modeling a Saint!” makes four grandchildren for Julie and Jimmy Agency. Son Daniel is currently living in Raleigh now! I’m so excited I’ll be living closer to Julie and working as a medical representative for and to Regina Lazorik Brown in Raleigh, so we Helo Medical. Theresa is a Registered Nurse at can have more fun girl times soon!”

Head to Toe Spa in Wilmington. Congratulation COLLEGE

to Mary Duke Sanders Grubbe on her new Windy Tillman Pratt ’79C job with Theorem. Carol Burhans Burns is Ann Howard Foster writes, “I recently made the going great guns with her pottery business, big decision to retire from my company, Hilti, HIGH SCHOOL Groovy Pottery. Look for it on Etsy. Margaret Madeleine Gilbert ’81HS after 33 1/2 years with them in Tulsa, Okla., and Plano, Texas. On top of that, I’ll be moving back Congratulations, to Nina Anderson Cheney’s Norris writes that she is pursuing ordination home to the Carolinas as I’ve already bought daughter, Lucy Cheney ’21, who graduated through the Moravian Church while working in a new house in Tega Cay, South Carolina, from Saint Mary’s in May and was accepted educational ministry. Her youngest has headed just over the state line from Charlotte. I’m to Sewanee for college! On the grandbaby off to college this year. Scotty Grine Frantz’s ’81HS ’83C daughter, Sarah, is now working for

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CLASS NEWS the Arkansas Children’s Hospital as a child life specialist. If you are in Chapel Hill, check out Sydney Brown Cardone’s ’81HS ’83C daughters new business, Spenga. It’s a spin, strengthen, train. and yoga place! Congrats, Hutter Black ’12 and Suejette Black ’13! Libby Ward Smart ’81HS ’83C recently moved to a new house in Charlotte. And I’ve moved back to Statesville to live closer to my parents. I’m having a house built for me in Statesville and will live with my parents while the house is being built. I’m still with my company, Jim Thompson, but now I live in my territory instead of living in Atlanta.

Madeleine

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COLLEGE Allison Gilbert Holmes ’81C Jenny Lewis Beall’s son, Addison Beall, got married to Brooke Loucks on June 20, 2020. They were supposed to get married in Kiawah Island in May but instead ended up getting married in the bride’s home in Charlotte. Congratulations, to the happy couple. Dudley Hanes Faison’s niece passed away on July 6, 2020. Mary Hollinshed Smitherman’s son, Sam passed away on July 14, 2020. Mary Wilcox Myers has accepted a new job at Fort Macon as their office manager. She and her husband have moved to Emerald Isle.

Ruth E Perry Holding’s son, Snow, got married to Kelsey Babbitt in Orange, California, on August 2, 2020. She is from Southern California and he has been working out there for a couple of years. They met at a small group at church over a year ago. It wasn’t exactly as they had planned (with COVID), but it was so very special and Ruth E is thankful they could all be together.

Felicia Wardlaw Sperr died on September 2, 2020. Louise Heath Cockrell’s mother died on September 15, 2020. Grace Brown’s father died on Friday, September 25, 2020. Evelyn Scruggs Davis and her husband, Stuart, have moved to Emerald Isle. They have opened a Briggs Hardware store there. Be sure and stop by and see her if you are in the area. Ellen Fussell Policastro’s mother, Faye Fussell, passed away on November 12, 2020. Faye served Saint Mary’s for 22 years as executive assistant to three of the college’s presidents (Pisani, Rice, and Jenkins) and to Dean of the College Mabel Morrison. Eva Atwill Robbins’s mother passed away on January 25, 2021. Caroline Brown Williamson writes that she has continued to enjoy life in her hometown, Waynesville, which is 30 miles west of Asheville. She likes to travel to their family’s beach house in Holden Beach, where her mother was raised. Caroline is grateful to enjoy the North Carolina mountains and the coast and generations of heritage in both areas. She serves as a workforce development and education director, helping support young people, 16 to 24 years of age, transition to post-secondary education and into careers. Her daughter, Grace, currently works remotely for IBM, due to the pandemic. They are grateful to have her

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home for a while after she lived in Raleigh for the past 10 years. Caroline has been married to Wesley for 32 years in May. Jenny Lewis Beall is a grandmother to William Stanton Beall. He is being called Billy. Emily Winfield Bondy says that they are fine, even in this time of COVID. Last year, she spent lots of time in her garden. It was wonderful. Her girls are very good. Courtney (23) is living and working in Raleigh. Malone is a junior at Meredith. Paul is busy with presidency of Boice-Willis Clinic. Emily shared sad news that her mother passed away in December. She was able to have her home for two weeks. Emily writes that she is so thankful. Catherine Winfield Pfeiffer writes that she and Richard are still in Washington, N.C. She says that they got crazy last year and sold their house and downsized to a smaller one in their same neighborhood.

She is planning on getting together with other radical women, Margaret Taylor Kendrick, Emily Winfield Bondy, and Nancy Brooks Newlon this summer like they always do. Emily and Catherine lost their sweet mother, Barbara, in December but they are so glad they are close. Emily hopes to see some folks at the reunion. Catherine is still a school nurse and hoping to get to retirement soon. Elizabeth Hardy Hogan says that it is hard to believe that we have all “entered a new decade!” She began a new part-time career with Pearl by Lela Rose and is enjoying selling this new clothing line. She and John have a new addition to their family: Shug, a mini golden doodle, who just turned one year old. Elizabeth’s second son graduated from the University of Georgia “virtually” in December. Both sons are working in Raleigh. Elizabeth and John will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary in May! Ann Scott Arthur sent word that last fall Leslye Fountain Plummer, Emily Vance Seeds, Lorah Gibson Pruette and Ann met in Nags Head for a safe, but fun-filled long weekend. It was so nice to see everyone especially since Ann lives so far away in Houston, Texas. Ann also got to connect with Gwyn Cooley Pearce and buy some of her cute earrings. I have continued to work at White Memorial Weekday School as a preschool teacher for 2-year-olds. This is my fifth year there. I have really enjoyed it. My son, Stuart, graduates from UNC-Chapel Hill this May and will go on to get his master’s of accounting at UNC. James, my other son, will finish this summer at N.C. State.

My husband and I have been doing what the rest of the world has been doing: cooking, watching Netflix, etc. Tom and I hope to spend more time at Atlantic Beach. I also look forward to when the pandemic is over. Allison

1983

HIGH SCHOOL Mary Beth Hughes ’83HS Elizabeth Rouse Borden reports that her son, Edwin Brownrigg Borden II, married Hailey Hart ’12, on August 22, 2020, in the Village Chapel on Bald Head Island. “The pandemic couldn’t stop these two! Such a joyful wedding!” Edwin is also

the grandson of Ann Robinson Rouse ’57C, and the brother of Mary Ann Borden ’18. Suzanne Via Dillon shared that she bought a new home in Winston- Salem in July and she's been keeping busy with renovations and decorating.

Alexander (29) and Patrick (27) are both living in Winston- Salem. She's been spending a lot of time at her house in Blowing Rock but gets to Raleigh and visits with Elizabeth Rouse Borden and Sterling Talley Wheless when in Raleigh.

She also keeps in touch with Ellen Block Engelhardt. I was excited to hear from Lynn Jones Gasch that she's still at Microsoft and her husband has taken a new role at Facebook.

They are both lucky to work from home. Their son lost out on the 10th-grade high school experience, but is managing to keep his spirits and grades high. In light of COVID, they have all stayed healthy and are looking forward to traveling after a few cancellations last year.

They've added a heated outdoor space so they are able to socialize and their home gym helps counter all the wine they are drinking!

As for me, I continue to split my time between Richmond and Deltaville in Virginia, though I've spent a good deal of time in Raleigh this year visiting SMS friends and parents. I keep in touch and visit with Kathy Keel ’83HS ’85C and Robin Hardy ’83C as often as I can. We had a great visit last summer and my Spanish Water dog, Bo, loves visiting with Kathy's adorable Golden Doodle, Tillie. I continue to work remotely (5 years!) in oncology molecular diagnostics. I have joined the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club and really enjoy learning how to play the game when not digging in my garden or tooling around on the bay. I have plenty of space at my latest farmhouse remodel project, which has conveniently (during COVID) become the guest house around the corner! All the best, Mary Beth

1983

COLLEGE Cammy Bailey Hodges writes, “I continue to cover N.C., S.C., and southeastern Virginia as a multi-line sale rep in the gift industry and just adore what I do! Fred and I have fun in our overnight travels and connect with friends and family along the way. Daughter Sara Worth (27) moved home in March 2020 to work from home in her position with North Carolina Tennis Association. She is still with us but has a new job in marketing with Nash UNC Healthcare Foundation in Rocky Mount. Never in a million years would I have expected this to happen. She loves her job and hopefully a cute house will hit the market for her, but right now there is no housing inventory! Fred and I have booked a summer trip to Antigua, and we are very excited about a little R&R!”

SAINT MARY’S REMEMBERS Ken Beasley, instructor of mathematics 1983-2021 Saint Mary’s remembers one of our faculty members, Ken Beasley, instructor of mathematics, who died in a fatal car accident April 26, 2021.

As our school mourns the loss of our colleague, teacher, and friend, we extend our prayers to Ken’s family and friends.

Ken joined the faculty for the 2017-2018 academic year after serving more than seven years as the STEM Center coordinator and assistant professor of mathematics for Wake Technical Community College. In addition to his work as a math professor and faculty member, Ken worked as a private tutor, a content developer for WebAssign, and as a GED and basic skills coordinator for Robeson Community College. He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Technical Community College and was Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certified.

Mr. Beasley was born on March 18, 1983, in Johnston County to Kenneth and Susan Raynor Beasley. He graduated from Triton High School in 2001 and went on to acquire and Associate in Arts degree from Wake Technical Community College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in applied mathematics. He was a member at The Gospel Tabernacle in Dunn.

Ken was a deeply connected educator and mentor to Saint Mary’s students and was passionate about teaching, learning, and Saint Mary’s.

Our entire school community gathered in Saint Mary’s Chapel April 27, to pray a litany anticipating heaven, read Psalm 46:1-8, hear words of comfort, write personal messages for Mr. Beasley, and sing beloved hymns – our School Hymn and Abide with Me. A celebration of the life of Mr. Kenneth Dale Beasley, Jr., was held Monday, May 12, 2021, at the Pavilion on the Hannah Smith ’12 Quad, followed by the dedication of a tree planted at the entrance of the Ragland Classroom Building in memory of Mr. Beasley, beloved instructor of mathematics who died in an automobile accident a couple of weeks ago.

Hundreds of students, faculty, staff, friends, and young alumnae joined Mr. Beasley’s family in a celebration of his life with celebratory offerings of readings, personal remembrances and tributes, dance, song, and a flower ceremony. Students in Mr. Beasley’s advisory along with students from his math classes spoke poignant words of his impact on their lives at SMS.

Members of Orchesis Dance Theatre choreographed and performed “Angels,” by Khalid. A trio of Chorale members sang “Benediction,” by Karl Nygard, an Irish blessing. Chaplain Stoddard and Head of School Brendan O’Shea presided.

Former students, including a contingent from the Class of 2020, came back to campus to honor Mr. Beasley. Instructor of Science Ann Marie Davis, a colleague and friend, of Mr. Beasley, spoke of her memories. Math Department Chair Chris Hoskin read from Scripture, Jeremiah 31:3-6, 8-13.

Later, students gathered informally after dinner in ChanPoyner to share memories of their beloved teacher.

Our school continues to lift prayers of gratitude for Ken’s life, for the impact he had on the Saint Mary’s community, and ask for strength and healing for those who loved him and are deeply saddened by his loss. Ken will be sorely missed.

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1987

Cackie Loughlin Stephenson ’87HS ’89C writes, “We are in Wilmington, where Taft is still with Merrill Lynch, and I am a broker with Landmark Sotheby's International Realty. Both our children are at UNC-Chapel Hill. Louise graduates this May and John will be a rising junior. We enjoy spending as much time as we can visiting them in Chapel Hill and catching up with old Saint Mary's friends there, as well as here at home!”

Chrissy Bolin Rand ’87C What a year. Starting in March of 2020, after grocery shopping, I’d take off all my clothes, like a hazmat suit, throw them in the wash, and hop in the shower, just in case I dragged a little COVID home from Harris Teeter. Then I’d wash off each grocery item. Sanitize and resanitize. I’m sure y’all did something along those lines, too. At the time of this writing, I no longer fearfully jump through those hoops, and am hopeful that things are looking up for our country and our world in terms of everything the pandemic brought with it. Eleanor White Hunter writes, “I hope everyone is making it

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through this crazy, unpredictable, and scary year. We have been very fortunate. We have spent more time as a family at our river house near Bath. We have tended to our garden, planted several trees, and just enjoyed being in nature. In Raleigh, we took out a main wall and opened up our floor plan, making it better for entertaining, which we look forward to doing very soon. Our daughter, Mary Ellen, virtually graduated from East Carolina in May 2020, got a job selling Cisco products and moved three blocks from us in Raleigh. We love being able to walk to each other’s homes for dinner. My mom, Katherine Shipman Schoellhorn ’61C, and my sisters, Katherine White Messenger ’84C and Allison White Sullivan ’87HS, all live in Raleigh and we get together monthly to

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CLASS NEWS

Class of 1996C: left to right: Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C, Karen Edmundson Dann ’96C

Class of 1995HS: front row, left to right: Jessica Thomas Capps ’95HS, Kitty Watkins Sydnor ’95HS, Liz Johnson Flaherty ’95HS ’97C

Class of 1991HS: front row, left to right: Penny Thompson Waguespack ’91HS, Ashley Edmonds Boswell ’91HS, Carolyn Foy Evans ’91HS, Charlotte Chiswell Dries ’91HS; back row: Kristin Trammell Cummings ’91HS, Sloan Dupree Turner ’91HS, Cynthia Youngblood Rutherford ’91HS, Holli Donnell Myers ’91HS, Martha Johnston Chesnutt ’91HS

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have dinner and catch up. I also enjoy getting together for sleepover parties with girls from our class including Susan Elizabeth Gregory, Chrissy Bolin Rand, Katherine Respess, and Marcy Everett Voelkel. Sometimes Elizabeth Grine Blount joins us too. This year, more than ever, I find myself reflecting on what are the important things in life! Friendship, love, giving, and kindness. Bless you all, and I hope to see you at the next reunion.” Katie Sullivan Landi wrote in, “I am good in Raleigh, always enjoy running into fellow classmates, though a lot less this past year. We made it through the pandemic with lots of family time. I work in fundraising for a consulting firm. Our three kids are all good. Edward is working on his master's in Colorado, studying birds, and enjoying this beautiful country. Hannah graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in May and is moving to N.Y.C. to work in marketing. Our youngest, Fin, is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.” Lynn Cowell Ives reports that all is well in Rocky Mount. “Allen and I continue to love living here and have the most wonderful friends. Our son, George (25), is in his first year at Kenan-Flagler but will be living and working in Los Angeles this summer for Jet Music Management. Our daughter, Jane Ives ’17 (22), is about to graduate from the University of Georgia with a degree in fashion merchandising and is moving to New York to work for Oscar de la Renta.” Kiki Pullen West wrote in to say, “Three of our kids are adults, and the baby (#4) graduates from high school next month.

(I guess you’ll need to call Kiki for more info!)

Will and I spent most of the summer and fall of 2020 hiking in the North Carolina mountains, way up high, to steer clear of COVID! For Easter 2021, it was nice relief to finally have a family gathering where my kids, grandkids, and my sisters and their families could all be together again at my mother’s house— for the first time in over a year. Also, I echo Eleanor’s wishes to see everyone at the next reunion, which is Spring 2022! Chrissy

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COLLEGE Cackie Loughlin Stephenson ’87HS ’89C writes, “We are in Wilmington, where Taft is still with Merrill Lynch, and I am a broker with Landmark Sotheby's International Realty. Both our children are at UNC-Chapel Hill. Louise graduates this May and John will be a rising junior. We enjoy spending as much time as we can visiting them in Chapel Hill and catching up with old Saint Mary's friends there, as well as here at home!” Ginny Dickens Condra writes, “I’ve definitely been out of the loop for a while.

What was to be two to three years in Southeast Asia tuned into 14. Loved our time over there, and it’s great to be back in North Carolina.”

1993

HIGH SCHOOL Claudia Bishop Stubbs ’93HS Cameron Dixon Currie is a resident of Annapolis, Maryland. Her husband, Jason Currie, is a native of New Zealand and works in the sailing industry. They have two children, Mackenzie (16) and Tyler (8), and a Beauceron mix named Ember. Mackenzie aspires to be a Broadway performer and Tyler says he is moving to California at 18 to become a game developer. Cameron has been a registered dietitian for 20 years but has recently developed a real passion for watercolor painting and paints under the alias “Nautipainter.” She is hoping to one day have a website or Etsy shop. You can see examples of her work on Facebook and Instagram. Heather Gibson Harmon writes, “What a crazy and blessed year for me. I was married on February 8, 2020, right before COVID. Anne Gibson Harmon was born on June 6, 2020. I SO missed seeing all of my family and friends. I wish that I had been able to share my bundle of joy with everyone. I had to believe that the silver lining was spending so much quality time with my baby girl. I know that she has kept me sane through the pandemic. I am hoping that we can all see our Saint Mary’s family soon. Love and miss all of you. I am hoping for an in-person reunion this spring.”

Keri Burnette writes, “I joined Transitions Lifecare (founded as Hospice of Wake County in 1979) in July of 2020 as the provider relations representative. I am grateful to be back working in hospice as an end-of-life advocate dedicated to supporting patients and families in the continuum of care.” Chrystal Weatherly West writes, “I married Jason Haynes West on July 18, 2020. We live in Ellerbe, North Carolina.

We are almost empty-nesters as my youngest, Cameron (18), prepares for his senior year this fall. I work for the Sandhills Opioid Response Consortium and Drug Free Moore County as an N.C. certified peer support specialist and recovery coach. Jason and I are active in our church and community recovery/addiction services as well as our own ministry, Bondage Breakers Deliverance Ministry. As for me, I think I speak for us all when I say, “I am surviving!”

This past year has been such a challenge for everyone, through the pandemic. There have been lots of ups and downs for sure. My oldest, James (13), has been lucky enough to be learning in person all year. That has been a blessing, for sure. My middle child, John Bayley (10), has been stuck at home with me all year long while virtual learning. He will be so glad to be back in person next year. My youngest, Sarah Claxton (4), started preschool for the first time. I have never seen a child love school more than she does! I have been working at home since October, as a speech therapist for Chesterfield County Schools. It has definitely been a huge learning curve and adventure,

figuring out how to provide speech therapy in a virtual setting…especially with my PK friends! It really has been a great fit for me though. It has provided a more balanced work/home life for my family and me. My husband, Jim, has been working with his family this past year to finally open a wine tasting room at their vineyard in Lexington. If you are ever in the area or close to Winston-Salem/Greensboro, you should come by and visit Curran Alexander Vineyards. It is a small family-owned winery that has some great reds. One of the highlights of the past year has been spending time with many of my Saint Mary’s friends. From quarantine birthday teams, to wine tastings, to Zoom calls and happy hours, those have all helped me to get through.

I am hopeful that the coming year will bring more normalcy to all our lives. I am so ready to be amongst a crowd of friends enjoying each other, giving lots of hugs, and having some good laughs again. Love and miss you all and hope to see you soon. XOXO, Claudia Bishop Stubbs

1993

COLLEGE Dow Perry Crowder ’91HS ’93C Mary Louise Talley is living in Raleigh, in Five Points, close to her daughter Rainey’s (9) school. Mary Louise is teaching Arts Together at Rainey’s school. She’s also teaching art to young children outside on her porch (due to COVID). She loves traveling to North Carolina beaches and mountains during her free time.

Jen Stocks and family live in Pittsboro. She is executive producer at Figure 8 Films in Carrboro. Daughter Daisy (11) and son Elliott (7) are both doing great, in spite of a year of home schooling. Jen says she is done with first-grade math! They are excited for the summer and the kids going back to school in the fall. She says it’s been a crazy year but she really can’t complain.

Jamie Brantley Fernandez de Castro and family have just finished a house in Kiawah and are looking forward to spending the summer there. Her children are all doing well. Alex (18) will graduate and is deciding between Baylor, High Point, and Florida Southern. Nicholas is a freshman, Tristan is in seventh grade, Natalie is in fourth grade, and Braden is in third grade.

They went back to school live this spring and that went well! Miguel is working hard, as usual. Her family got a new Goldendoodle puppy named Summer, so that is fun. Jamie is recovering from a hip replacement she had this spring. She looks forward to running again soon! She tells us all to take care, be safe, and enjoy living our best lives! Ann Lee Johnson and Gill are still happily married, living in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Big Gill turns 50 this June (side note: we CANNOT be this old, SERIOUSLY!) Little Gill goes to college this fall and Smyth is a rising senior. Ann is still teaching at Porter Gaud Pre-School. She loves her home and is decorating it constantly. She’s

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CLASS NEWS Class of 2000: front row, left to right: Anna Burkhart Turner, Sarah Rose Nordgren, Michelle Malecha, Elizabeth Knittel, Kathleen Kelley; back row: Campbell McMillan, Meredith Bell Hughes, Kim Moore, Megan Cox Gonzalez

such a homebody and is happy being that! She loves and misses us all. Charlotte Stephenson Hagman and family have been in Overland Park, Kansas, for almost eight years. She reports they are doing well, but it’s been a roller coaster! She and husband Rob have twin girls, Sally and Cat, who will be in fourth grade. They were lucky to have in-person school most of the year, with masks. Rob works in sales. He and Charlotte have become caretakers for Rob’s mother since his father lost his life in a terrible car accident in February of 2020. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy at KU but Charlotte reports she is doing better. All five of them had COVID in December but got through it and Charlotte is now vaccinated! The Hagmans have certainly had a tough year, but Charlotte says her girls have been troupers and their dog, Blue, keeps them all sane! She misses us! Catherine Dalton Feldman and her family are in Wilmington, loving coastal life! Daughter Elie is a rising sophomore at East Carolina. Son Dalton, is a rising senior.

Catherine is a busy photographer, specializing in high school senior and wedding photography.

If you haven’t seen Catherine’s work, you need

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to follow her on Facebook or Instagram- she is amazing! Beth Jervis Day and family are in Durham. Son Colin (18) graduates this year and will be heading to Appalachian State. Daughter Keenan (16) will be a senior. She swims every day and is in the college search. Sadly, Beth’s mother passed away last August. They were lucky to have her home with them the last few months.

Beth is caretaker for two cousins, one with Parkinson’s and one who had cancer removed four years ago. She says she misses us and wishes us to be safe and healthy! Emily Sprouse Leslie moved to Rolesville in 2020 with her son Roland (14). He plays ice hockey and runs cross country, and Emily works at GlaxoSmithKline in the quality department. She hopes we all start planning to attend the 2023 reunion-- it’s just around the corner! Valerie Van Oosten Cline is still living in Washington, D.C., and working as a busy mortgage banker. Husband Kevin is still an attorney with Arnold and Porter. Daughter Caroline (6) is a rising second-grader, and school has been a mess for her this year. Aiden is a rising fifth-grader and will be attending Landon, an all-boys school. They are thrilled for him! Their

family got a COVID puppy named Raleigh that had brought a lot of joy and distraction this past year! Val ran into Christina Urgo Porter, the only SMC girl she’s seen in a long time! She misses us all and sends us BIG hugs! Susan Cathey Strickland lives in Charlotte. She’s a stay-athome mom to two middle school boys. Susan added teacher to her resume this year during remote learning. She still keeps up with Kristy Bumgarner. As for me, Dow Perry Crowder, Jason and I are still in Raleigh, plugging along.

As with all of you, COVID threw us for a loop.

Lilly’s (8) school has been in-person all year, which has been the biggest blessing. I feel for you parents who had to do remote learning. If I’d had to home-school all year it would have been like The Hunger Games. Lilly would wake up one morning and I’d say, “May the odds be ever in your favor,” and walk out the door. She is honestly such a delight: happy all the time, seriously, ALL the time. She’s going to two spend-the-night camps this summer, which thrills her and us. She’s not a bit nervous, which makes it so easy and fun! We have an 11-yearold, no-eyed, going deaf, so-sweet dog named

Class of 2001: front row, left to right: Lindsey Suggs Gregg, Taylor Lyon McGowan, Louise Beasley Warenda, Lauren Talton Daniel; second row: Liz Dodd Sherrod, Grayson Glisson Nichols, Ashley Batts Allen, Chi Andrews Preyer, Jaye Rhodes Tisman, Kelly Stocks Milam; back row: Lindsey Bryant, Amy Barnes, Juliana Hoyle Martinez, Travis Manning Berk, Austin Nash Coley, Macon Sykes Parsley, Katie Newell Leach, Clara Wortham Robinson

Blossom who provides much joy. Jason and I feel lucky to be vaccinated. We look forward to time at Nags Head this summer. It feels like it’s been an endless winter! Love to you all! Until next year…xoxo, Dow

1995

COLLEGE Tate Tattersall Garrison ’95C Dear ‘95C, As I write this, spring is all around and Raleigh is simply beautiful! It reminds me of those months when we were at SMC, making plans for summer, travel, etc. It seems like a million years ago, but it’s always still close in my heart. Speaking of summer and beaches, I hope to see some of you this summer in Atlantic Beach. Emma Kay Teague writes that she continues to live in Wrightsville Beach and is thankful life is getting back to the way it was two years ago. She stays busy playing tennis twice a week, being on the water, and she took up acrylic painting last year. She started an Etsy shop and sells paintings and shell art there, which she says “has been fun.” She sends love to all her SMC ladies. Heather Gibson Harmon

writes that she hopes things are getting back to normal for us all. Albeit a truly extraordinary year, it has had its blessings and it ended up being just that for Gibson. She celebrated her oneyear anniversary with her husband in February and in June, they will celebrate their daughter, Anne Gibson’s, first birthday. Heather has surely missed seeing all of her family and friends but has found being able to spend this past year with her new bundle of joy has kept her sane!

She loves and misses you all and hopes for an in- person reunion soon. I think we all share the same sentiment. Everyone stay safe and well.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon. XO Tate

1999

Elizabeth Moerman Davis ’99 Merritt Atkins writes, “I am enjoying living in Oakwood and working at Holt Brothers in downtown Raleigh. Working from home was a challenge this year but was made more fun by our two rescue dogs Shadrach and Cash. We are lucky to be able to visit our house in Beaufort a lot and look forward to a great summer there.

I’ll soon be finishing my time as co-chair of the

Alumnae Council, and it has been an absolute joy to serve our beloved school in this capacity.

I’ll remain on the Alumnae Council and hope some of you might join me!”

2001

Louise Beasley Warenda ’01 Ashley Batts Allen and her family have moved to Angier. She has transitioned into a position as the interim associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at UNC-Pembroke. Kathryn Calder Barmore and her family welcomed a baby boy last April, Henry Edward Barmore.

He was born April 28, 2020, at seven pounds, 19 ½ inches. Travis Manning Berk is living in Valle Crucis and is working in private practice as a marriage and family therapist in Boone.

Her whole family, including her husband, Adam, and their girls, Jones (6) and Mariana (4), had just returned from a fantastic spring break trip at Cape Lookout National Seashore, where they camped on the beach! They were looking forward to a mountain summer! Austin Nash Coley joined Dogwood Properties last summer, selling residential real estate. She is

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CLASS NEWS living in Raleigh with her husband, Cameron, and their three children, Nash, Annie, and Tee. Lauren Talton Daniel, husband Seth, and son Ledger took advantage of the remote working environment brought on by the pandemic to sell their house in Raleigh and move to Carteret County. Lauren enjoys being an educational program coordinator for N.C. DEQ. She is able to work with educators from the mountains of North Carolina to the coast. Seth was graduating from N.C. State this spring with his teaching degree. Ledger will start kindergarten in the fall.

She says, “Life is good on the White Oak River!

Please reach out if you are in the area!” Mary Catherine Benson Grew says 2020 was an absolutely wild year. Mary Catherine spent a lot of time at the beach riding out the pandemic.

She lost her dad on August 10, but with a very sad death came the joy of new life. Joe and Mary Catherine welcomed John "Cabot" Grew

on September 11 (and he looked identical to her daddy at birth!). Big sister, Ann Safrit, absolutely adores her baby brother. The Grews moved into a new house in December of 2020 and are still trying to get settled. Thankfully, Lindsey Suggs Gregg is helping to make it look pretty!

Mary Catherine writes, “Looking forward to a calmer 2021 and finally seeing everyone in person soon!” Macon Sykes Parsley is still living in Winston-Salem with her husband, Robert, and two children, Brooks (5) and Wells (2). She is enjoying life as a stay-at-home mom and looked forward to seeing folks at the reunion!

Lauren Rutherford Perry continues to live in Colerain with her husband, George, son Ivey (6), and daughter Mary Charles (2), whom they welcomed in 2019 while finishing their new house on the Chowan River. Lauren is celebrating her 17th year with the North Carolina Bankers Association and helps her husband with

Alumnae Instagram @saintmarysalumnae

bookkeeping for his farming operation (let’s be clear... she cannot drive a tractor!). She stays busy with activities for the children and visiting family and friends. Clara Wortham Robinson is now a nurse practitioner for Wilmington Health Urology, specializing primarily in women’s urologic conditions including pelvic floor reconstruction, prolapse repair, voiding dysfunction, and primary urology. Emma (7) is going into third grade this summer (year-round school) and Stuart “Wesley” II (5) is starting kindergarten. Clara’s husband has started his doctorate in nursing practice. When they aren’t working, studying, or on-call, they enjoy their free time, driving onto the south end of Carolina Beach with their children and dog, Charley.

Sara Frackelton Spotswood eloped with her husband Brian, in Lake Tahoe on February 2, 2020, and then had a small, family celebration in Charleston in the summer. They live with her two stepdaughters in Allen, Texas. She still enjoys being a therapist and has been promoted to clinical supervisor at Dallas Counseling and Treatment Center. Jaye Rhodes Tisman and her husband, Simon, made a move back to Pinehurst last year to be closer to extended family. After a year and a half of virtual school, her boys, Jonah (9), Liam (7), and Silas (5), are excited to start inperson school in the fall! New COVID hobbies include geology and archaeology. As for me, Louise Beasley Warenda, it was so good to hear from each of you. Thanks for your updates. Our family enjoyed much of 2020 remote-working and schooling from Atlantic Beach. It was a lot of family time with Beasley (10), Mary Bruce (7), and Emily (2). I continue work with Research Triangle Regional Partnership and managing three daughters, with a lot of help from Joe. I am very much looking forward to seeing you at the reunion this summer. Thanks for continuing to stay in touch.

2005

Ila Walker Bitner ’05 Hi, from the Class of 2005! I hope y'all have stayed safe and healthy since our last newsletter. Claire Cosgrove Edmundson is living in Wilmington and continuing her work in recruiting for Live Oak Bank. Alex Baxter is relocating to Tucson, Arizona. Good luck with your move, Alex! Hannah Small Jones and her husband welcomed their daughter, Harriet Ann (Hattie) Jones on May 30, 2020. Susan Williams Mason welcomed a little girl named Virginia in January. She joins her big brother, Walt (3). Ellie Gilbert Daniels and her husband, Frank, had a little boy on February 25, 2021, named Wade Perry Daniels. Caroline McClintic Flannery lives in New Bern with her husband, Gary, and their two children. I have enjoyed seeing their family at the beach recently! As for me, Ila Walker Bittner, we moved into our new house right as COVID began last year, with a newborn baby, and have enjoyed getting things in place and watching our kids grow way too fast! Brinn Louise turned one

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Class of 2005: front row, left to right: Katherine Carlton, Susan Williams Mason, Hannah Small Jones, Clark Woodard, Caroline McClintic Flannery, Ila Walker Bittner, Andrea Boyle, Alexandra Carlson, Katie Skinner

Classes of 2005 and 2006: left to right: Katie Skinner '05, Hannah Small Jones '05, Sarah Shearin '06, Hannah Kate Mitchell McWilliams '06

in February and Bear is four years old. I have transitioned to working from home full time and it's the best! See everyone soon! Ila

2007

Elizabeth Lowder ’07 Janna Weaver Cyrus and husband Nika moved for the final time after hopping around nine cities in the past nine years. Janna and her family have planted roots in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., where she juggles remote medical health coaching with a toddler at home. Margaret Cheatham Williams and husband Frank continue to thrive in San Francisco, Calif., where she opened a photography gallery, Moxie’s Daughter, in January. Margaret Cheatham gave birth to her first child, a boy, in June. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nancy Vander Veer moved to Marburg, Hesse,

Class of 2010: front row, left to right: Morgan Edrington, Chandler Black, Laura Gulledge Rust, Gabie Craig Frantz

Germany. She says she’s looking forward to exploring a bit more once restrictions are lifted, and more places open back up. (By the way, Nancy is happy to send postcards upon request!) Katherine Phillips married Ivan Feign on October 20, 2020, and the happy couple now resides in Austin, Texas. Elizabeth Behar Powell moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to begin a new role at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School as a teacher and soccer coach. Sam Vaillancourt graduated from UNC’s physician assistant program in December 2019. She is now a urology PA, serving Alamance County, and is thrilled with her new career. In Beaufort, Blair Mikels Baker is still working hard to learn the balance between business and motherhood.

During the crazy year we've had, Blair has been trying to embrace new things, including the eight new chickens in her backyard! Mary Katherine Perry Phillips is living in Goldsboro.

In September of 2020, she gave birth to another son, Perry Wright Phillips. Scottie Springer O’Herron married Eddie O’Herron in August of 2020, in a beautiful ceremony, with several Saint Mary’s classmates in attendance. As for me, Elizabeth Lowder, I started a new position with UAB Medicine as a multimedia producer for the University of Alabama at Birmingham's hospital and health system based in Birmingham. There are so many incredible and inspirational stories to tell, especially over the course of this past year.

2009

Betsy Church Bula ’09 Mary Southgate Dickson Simms lives in Raleigh and is a People Operations Manager at Personify. Mary Southgate married Peter Simms in Sherwood Forest, Maryland, in May

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CLASS NEWS

Saint Mary’s friends celebrated the marriage of Wesley Neal Stallings Jenkins ’13 to Watson Jenkins, brother of Lizzie Jenkins ’11. Front row, left to right: Anna Carson Buckthal ’15, Anna Bridgforth ’13, Hadley Smith ’13, Wesley Neal Stallings Jenkins ’13, Abbey Dale ’13, Charlotte Niemann ’13, Helen Williamson ’13, Cameron Sloan ’13, Kassi Wehbie Saleed ’12; back row, left to right: Alex Mahoney ’13, Suejette Black ’13, Elise McKinney ’13, Caroline Edwards ’13, Annie-Gray Stallings ’13, Blakely Nielson ’13, and Mary Gordon Utt ’13.

2021. Sara Bailey Stocks Pate moved back to Raleigh in early 2020. She and her husband, Kep, welcomed their second child, Lillian Stocks Pate, on July 5th, 2020. Victoria Touloupas Higgins lives in Burlington and welcomed her daughter, Addison Leigh Higgins, in April. Lauren Vitek lived in Hawaii this spring, and plans to move to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, this summer. She’s in a new role as chief of staff at a venture capital firm called Aedifex Ventures. Tess Wells completed her residency and moved to Holly Ridge. She started a new job as a clinical pharmacist, working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Jacksonville. She loves spending every weekend on the beach with her fiancé and two pups. Becca Vinson Hamilton says it is hard to believe she and her husband, John, are approaching seven years living in Atlanta. While being away from North Carolina is challenging, they have really enjoyed making Atlanta home. Most days, you can find them chasing their toddler and golden retriever around the backyard! She loves her job as a therapist, working with women and couples at a practice called Cultivate Atlanta. She says she’s grateful for her family, extended families, and good friends more than ever! Mary Stewart Bailey lives in Raleigh and loves her new job. After six years at a branded merchandise agency, she made the jump into digital marketing, and couldn’t be happier! Alex Harris Evans lives in Wilmington and graduated as a nurse practitioner in December. Emma Carol Lewis lives in Raleigh. She says she’s living for the

SAINT MARY’S PROUD As part of a legacy of generations of women who have benefitted from a Saint Mary’s experience and gone on to live lives of purpose and intention, Saint Mary’s alumnae stand tall and proud from coast to coast and continent to continent. Here are some ways you can show your pride for your alma mater and inspire others about Saint Mary’s: • Include Saint Mary’s on your resume or whenever you are listing or discussing your education.

• Remember to wear that beautiful Saint Mary’s ring.

• Get some Saint Mary’s gear at our school store, shop1842, and wear it often.

• Send Saint Mary’s your news so we can share it with others. We love to hear about your personal and professional aspirations, achievements, and milestones.

• Mentor a Saint Mary’s student through an internship.

• Like/follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn • Keep the Alumnae Office apprised of your current contact information.

• Attend your Reunion Weekend.

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weekend!

Catherine Worth Davis lives in Fort Worth, Texas, and is the associate director for a non-profit supporting urban public school leaders. Catherine and her husband, Austin, lovingly welcomed their daughter, Simmons, in September 2020. Kelsey Alexandra Halley lives in Mobjack, Virginia. Her son, Benjamin Colton Halley, was born January 19, 2021. Arrington Clark Caison lives in Chicago and is enjoying a new role on the marketing team at Hindman Auction. She and her husband, John, have a new fur baby named LuLu! Megan Currin Shiels writes from Nashville, Tennessee, “Had my baby boy March 30, 2020, (Finn) and have been loving being his mom!” Brianna Horn Crews lives in Maysville and married her husband, Derek, on May 17, 2020.

Ferebee Frazier Plyler lives in Raleigh, and works Class of 2011: front row, left to right: Anderson Stark, Elizabeth Williams Ellington, Olivia Barwick, Hannah Moore Harris; in HR at WithersRavenel. second row: Texie Arnold, Elizabeth Carson Blair; back row: Lizzie Jenkins, Virginia Fulenwider Edwards, Louise Mann Her daughter, Marian, Clement Dull, Rebecca Behar Gronroos, Caroline Collie, Sally Cann Holmes, Sarah Randall Fuqua turned two in May! Lacy McClure Rollins and her husband, Matt, welcomed their first child, Winslow James Rollins, on March 25, 2021. They moved to a new house in Raleigh in April. Olympia Agnew Catherine Carter ’13 Kayla Gwaltney ’15 and is entering her eighth year of teaching middle It has been a joy to keep up with the Class Hayley Scialdone ’15 school science. Olympia started her firearms of 2013! We are moving into such a special Kayla Gwaltney and Hayley Scialdone are instruction business, Sights Unlimited, LLC, phase in our lives, where so many are getting thankful to have made it through the craziness in October of 2020 with great law assistance engaged, married, advancing in their careers of 2020 and entered 2021 on a strong foot with from Laura Medlin. Olympia is an NRA-certified and I appreciate your allowing me to keep up the highlight being, of course, hearing from firearms instructor. She provides one-on-one with you all! As for me, Catherine Carter, I am their wonderful Class of 2015 classmates! After instruction, NRA classes, and concealed carry keeping busy and traveling often with both having her Fulbright Grant cut short in March classes. I moved back to Raleigh in September. locations of The Gatorbug Boutiques. It means 2020, Kayla was able to join the 2020 Teach for My husband, Dan, and I bought our first house the world to me when I see a fellow Saint place America corps in Eastern North Carolina. She in North Hills. We miss Charlotte a lot, but we an online order or walk through those store has been teaching first grade at KIPP Gaston love being back “home” and close to both of our doors! Marion Brown graduated from UNC Primary School in Gaston. They have been families (our golden retriever, Sadie, loves being School of Law with honors in May 2020. She virtual for the majority of the year but began incloser to the beach!). I’m enjoying my new role is enjoying work as an in-house counsel for person schooling on April 19. She is living in at GitLab on the remote work marketing team. Credit Suisse in Raleigh. Sylvia Lee, happily Jackson, and has loved working at the local Sending my love to all of you! xoxo, Betsy reports that her daughter, Genevieve, is now restaurant on weekends, finding great

2013

2015

walking! Sylvia and her husband are beginning an apiary of two beehives. She still works at the Forest Service and is very happy to see so many engaging in outdoor recreation, which keeps her as busy as ever.

friendships within the tight-knit community, and traveling to see friends like Hayley since becoming vaccinated! She is looking forward to splitting her time between Jackson and the Outer Banks, once again working at Brew Thru this summer. Hayley spent some time at home

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CLASS NEWS

Class of 2015: front row, left to right: Anna Clark, Caroline S. Edwards, Lucy Mae Rascoe, Maddy Sullivan, Anna-Gray Stallings, Liddy Blincow, Aurelia Monk, second row: Madeline Joslin, Taryn Travis, Morgan Seidel, Anna-Carson Buckthal, Sophia Buehrer, Grace Wayne, Rollins Crumpton, Kendall Andrews, Jacqueline Collie, Emma Wason, Alexandra Barrett; third row: Megan Blelloch, Sarah Blelloch, Emmy Garvey, Grace Replogle, Hayley Scialdone, Grier Paulson, Rachel Cecil, Maryanne Martini, Cynnie Boney, Lyndsey Jones, Augusta Moran, Maggie Collier

in North Carolina in the beginning of quarantine, but headed straight back to N.Y.C. in July, where she has been ever since. She is still working at the same agency that specializes in developing luxury fashion e-commerce sites and was recently promoted to an e-commerce strategist role. After work, she took classes for, and recently completed, a UX/UI program. On top of freelancing to build out her UX/UI portfolio, she is looking forward to sun-bathing on New York City rooftops this summer and discovering cool bars and restaurants in her East Village neighborhood. Emma Wason will begin the University of Virginia’s Master of Teaching elementary education program starting in June.

Caroline Edwards got her nursing home administrator license and master’s in public health and is starting a job in Snow Hill. Aurelia Monk is finishing up her first year at the UNC School of Medicine and will be participating in research this summer. She has loved her medical school experience so far and is excited to continue gaining more clinical experience in different fields of interest. Bailey Ham was recently promoted to senior operations associate for Headfirst Summer Camps in Washington, D.C. She is looking forward to

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running a site at the National Cathedral this summer. Bailey recently moved into a townhouse in the heart of D.C. and is grateful to have had a front row seat to the many historical events this year. Maryanne Martini is the communications director for the president of the South Carolina Senate. She worked on numerous political campaigns over the past year before taking on her new role in December.

She currently lives in Columbia, South Carolina, and has enjoyed staying close to college friends who live nearby and being a quick drive from her family in Myrtle Beach. Moira Barrett is working at the REI Co-op in Chicago, where she lives. She spends her free time pursuing her passions of cycle racing and rock climbing!

Sophia Buehrer was doing a year of teaching English abroad with TAPIF in Saumur, France, over the 2019-2020 school year, and had been enjoying doing some travel in between work and applying to Ph.D. programs. Unfortunately, she had to end her school year early and come back to the U.S. at the end of March 2020. On a much more positive note, she is about to finish her first year at N.Y.U., where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in French literature. Moving to New York this year was different than it would have been

at a different time, but she has been enjoying it as much as she can. Tara Elise Richard currently serves as the director of operations of Aging Mind Foundation, a Dallas-based non-profit that raises money for Alzheimer's disease research. For the past eight months, Tara has been pursuing her Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Texas A&M University. Along with running Aging Mind, Tara will be an elementary teacher in Dallas this August. In her spare time, Tara enjoys teaching Pilates, exercising, and sewing. Tara will be competing for the title of Miss Texas USA in September 2021. After graduating from Belmont University in 2019 with her bachelor’s in business administration, Taryn Travis continued her education. In August of 2020, she graduated with her Master of Business from Belmont.

Taryn is currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee. She has been using her newfound free time to reawaken past interests and develop new hobbies, such as becoming a proud plant parent. Augusta Moran finished her second year at Campbell University's School of Law in Raleigh. She continues to serve as a board member on the Young Alumni Board at her undergraduate school, Randolph-Macon

College in Ashland, Virginia. She is excited that she will have even more reasons to return to her undergrad, as her younger sister, Isabel Moran ’21, will be attending school in the area beginning in the fall. In addition to her studies at Campbell this year, Augusta worked as a graduate assistant in the development office at Campbell Law and as a legal intern at Parker Bryan Britt Tanner & Jenkins Family Law Firm in downtown Raleigh. She is excited to spend the summer in Charlotte, where she accepted positions that will allow her to split her summer between two opportunities: a legal intern for Judge Paulina Havelka in the North Carolina District Court, District 26, in Charlotte, and an extern at Legal Aid of North Carolina in Concord. Maggie Collier is continuing to pursue her Master of Music at Belmont University. In March, she had the opportunity to perform in Belmont University's opera program's production of Serse, by Handel. She performed the role of Atlanta. The production was recorded and is available to view under Belmont's livestream archives. She is looking forward to participating in the opera program again next year. Morgan Seidel has continued to work at Thorne HealthTech as an inside sales representative in Charleston, South Carolina. She plans to move to Seattle this summer. Morgan will continue to work remotely for the Charleston-based company, as her fiancé is stationed across the country with the Marine Corps.

Abigail Ueland is still living in San Francisco. In the fall, she moved to a new neighborhood and loves her apartment in Pacific Heights. Between the elections, social justice movements, and the pandemic, she remained busy with her job at Facebook. When she’s not working, she enjoys park days with friends, hiking in Marin County, making cocktails with her boyfriend, and playing in her women’s tennis league. She’s grateful to have been able to take advantage of work-from-home policies by visiting family in Deer Valley, Cary, and Vero Beach, Florida, and vacationing with friends in Lake Tahoe, Palm Springs and Cabo. She was looking forward to spring travel plans and attended the graduation of her sister Hannah Ueland ’17 from Notre Dame in May. Jacqueline Collie is still living and working in Washington, D.C. This past year, she had the opportunity to work at the White House in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, where she assisted the chief technology officer of the United States. She has recently started a new job in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves as a legislative assistant and handles an array of policy issues.

After a year-long hiatus from education to serve as a raft guide in Western North Carolina and ski instructor in Sun Valley, Idaho, Alice Gaddis has returned to school at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, to finish her bachelor's degree in outdoor education. She enjoys spending her time working at the university's Outdoor Adventure Center and going to the local yoga studio. Alice is not going to make it to the reunion but she loves and misses the Class of 2015!

Anna-Gray Stallings graduated from East Carolina University in the fall with a bachelor's degree in communication studies with a concentration in interpersonal and organization communications. She is currently searching for a job and would love to connect with any other alumnae in that field! Grayson Rodriguez is a second year Ph.D. student in the immunology program at Stanford University.

In July, she adopted a beta fish, Santiago. Maddy Sullivan, Liddy Blincow, Anna Carson Buckthal, Grier Paulson, Sarah Boyce, and Lucy Mae Rascoe are all currently living in Charlotte. Maddy planned to finish up her two-year interior design program and hit the job hunt in Charlotte come late May! She would love to talk with an SMS alumna involved in interior design in the Charlotte area. Liddy has had a strong start to her nursing career amongst the pandemic. She works at Atrium Health in the Hematology Oncology Unit and this year, will be transitioning to the ICU. Anna Carson has recently started a job as an account coordinator at Union and is enjoying it so far. Grier just started a new job as a project management coordinator at Wray Ward in Charlotte, along with Sarah, who is a client business manager at Wray Ward. They are having WAY too much fun as co-workers. After earning her SHRM-Certification this past fall, Lucy Mae has just started a job as a human resources administrator at AGDATA in Charlotte.

Rollins Crumpton lives in Raleigh and works as a medical assistant at EmergeOrtho. She hopes to pursue graduate school in the near future. After completing her Master of Science at Columbia University, Kendall Hamilton was excited to stay in N.Y.C., where she works as an analyst for the Viacom CBS MTV Entertainment Group. While the pandemic has stopped her from seeing many of her SMS friends, videos of Kayla Gwaltney’s first graders at KIPP elementary have more than made up for the distance.

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CLASS NEWS 2017

Sophia Abatangelo ’17 The four years since the Class of 2017 walked in The Grove have brought many challenges and moments of self-reflection and I was again grateful to have my Saint Mary’s experiences and fellow Saints to serve as reminders of resilience and brightness. I graduated from Cornell University this past May, majoring in operations research and information engineering and minoring in English (a love for which I have Saint Mary’s to thank). This summer, I will be moving to Lake Tahoe to work as a product engineer at a fintech startup. I am missing all my classmates and hope the coming years bring health and healing as we adapt from a period of change. Jane Brown graduated from Princeton University in May with a degree in chemical and biological engineering. After graduating in August and coaching three years of club volleyball, Lauryn Durham will begin coaching her first season as a varsity high school volleyball coach. This spring, she worked with children with autism in social therapy and had a reunion with classmates Zoe Haynes and Sylvie Uwineza this past December. Zoe Haynes, recent Howard University graduate, will begin her master’s in anesthesia at Case Western this summer. Mary Ashburn Mann graduated with honors from N. C. State University in fashion and textile design. She was excited to return to N.C. State after receiving her diploma to attend graduate school, where she will be studying to earn a master’s in textiles. Still with a love for the out-of-doors, Olivia Ng will be leading a bike-touring trip this summer with Overland Summers from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco. Saints Hannah Ueland and Blair Poirier were travelling across Ireland when the pandemic disrupted their international plans. Over quarantine, Hannah hunkered down with her family, baking, walking, and “tik toking” with her sister, Abigail Ueland ’15. Hannah spent her final year at Notre Dame, cheering on the Fighting Irish football team and making memories with friends at the Golden Dome.

She planned to move to Chicago following graduation to work with Bain & Company as an associate consultant. If any Saints are in the Chicago area, she’d love to connect!

Sylvie Uwineza accepted admission to North Carolina Central University for graduate school in communication sciences and disorders. Ashton Vermillion graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in May and has accepted a job offer in Austin, Texas. She will be working as a business development consultant for Oracle. Hope Voelkel graduated from UNC-CH in May and will begin her master's in speech language

pathology at East Carolina University in the fall.

This summer, Hope will be living and nannying in Atlantic Beach, where she hopes to spend time with other young Saint Mary’s alumnae. Lilah Wilfong will be joining her sister, Sophie Wilfong ’15, in New York City as she begins a post BACC pre-med program at either New York University or Columbia University. Following her graduation from Appalachian State University, Virginia Wood was accepted to the UNC- Chapel Hill’s school counseling program and cannot wait to begin her journey to becoming a school counselor.

2019

Lily Katherine Nuckolls ’19 Parker Pope will be interning for McGuireWoods Consulting in Raleigh this summer. Josie DeRonja loves Georgia Tech and Atlanta, where she studies materials science and engineering. She is a member of the club swim team and does research related to 3D printing metals. She will also be back in Raleigh this summer for an internship. Lydia Thompson just accepted a sales lead position at

the Impeccable Pig in Raleigh. She is still a fashion and textile management student at N.C. State.

Emma Cline transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill and is the director of philanthropy for her sorority, Chi Omega. Julia Allen is a student at Wofford College. She joined Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and is also a staff writer for Wofford’s newspaper, The Old Gold and Black. Lola Olagbegi will be interning at PwC this summer. Janie Jackson says, “I have had a great sophomore year at the University of Georgia and joined Alpha Delta Pi. I was recently accepted to the UGA School of Social Work and their nonprofit leadership and management program. I am also a mentor and tutor for elementary school kids in the Athens area. I have loved being able to catch up with my SMS friends throughout the year especially Josie DeRonja, Julia Allen, Rim Metina-Belknap, Emma Rose McCune, and Emma Cline.” Best, Lily Katherine

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2021: A Unique Opportunity to Use Retirement Plan Assets to Support Saint Mary’s School

By Brandon Wright Director of Gift Planning In the winter 2021 magazine, information was shared about using Qualified Charitable Distributions from an Individual Retirement Account to support public charities* like Saint Mary’s School. As this tax-savvy way of giving becomes more familiar, increased numbers of alumnae and friends who are 70½ are choosing to make gifts to the school in this way. Continuing the theme of using retirement assets to support the School, I was inspired by an accomplished alumna who utilized these important assets in another creative way to support Saint Mary’s.

Last December, the United States Congress passed additional COVID relief legislation. The legislation included provisions intended to encourage charitable giving in Calendar Year 2021. One of the provisions allows donors who itemize for federal income tax purposes to deduct up to 100 percent of their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for cash contributions to qualifying public charities like Saint Mary’s School.

Recently, an alumna and Heritage Society member decided to accelerate a portion of the gift she planned to leave the School from retirement plan assets as part of her overall estate and wealth succession plan. In deciding to make her gift now, the alumna voiced joy in knowing she would be able to see the impact of her support during her lifetime. Her generous gift will help reduce Saint Mary’s debt. Her gift will also be matched as part of the School’s $1,000,000 debt match challenge – doubling the impact of her philanthropy. I hope this alumna’s decision to support the School in this way, and to realize the power of her giving now, will inspire others to utilize the unique opportunity available in 2021.

Alumnae and friends who are over 59½ years old and who are not dependent on retirement funds for the entirety of their income, can take a

distribution from a retirement account, contribute the cash distribution to Saint Mary’s, and may be able to completely offset the tax attributable to the distribution by taking a charitable deduction in an amount up to 100 percent of their AGI. If you are considering making a Forever Campaign commitment, 2021 might be an advantageous year to make your gift. Gifts directed from retirement assets can be used to support the Annual Fund, create a new endowed fund, fulfill an existing pledge, help eliminate the School’s debt, or support much-needed renovations to Pittman Auditorium.

If your financial situation prevents a gift using provisions unique to Calendar Year 2021 or from using Qualified Charitable Distributions from an IRA, remember that a deferred gift from an IRA or other type of retirement plan asset through beneficiary designation is a great way to support the School.

Qualified retirement plan assets inherited by non-spousal beneficiaries are often one of the most heavily taxed assets in an estate, even if the estate is not large enough to trigger federal estate tax. As a qualified charity, Saint Mary’s does not pay income tax on gifts received from retirement plan assets – the full value of your gift will be used to support the School.

I welcome the opportunity to work with you, your financial advisor, or estate planning attorney to find creative ways for you to support this very special place. I can be reached at 919-424-4111 or at bwright@sms.edu. * A donor-advised fund is not recognized as a public charity for receiving Qualified Charitable Distributions.

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Scenes of Saint Mary’s Saint Mary’s Chapel

Photo by Mary Virginia Swain ’77C

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