Alumnae

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. 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)

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.

Last month, we had “double the fun” at Reunion Weekend as we celebrated 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 small groups of friends and family. For many, the weekend was their first time being with a larger group, and the joy of being back on campus, seeing old friends – and perhaps even making new friends – reminded each of us of our days as students. Celebrating with my own class, we reminisced over stories of mischief and fun memories at 900 Hillsborough Street, and the weekend exceeded all expectations. Thank you, to all who were able to return to campus! Of course, we are already thinking about Reunion Weekend 2022 for classes ending in 2 and 7 in April.

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. 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, including making gifts to the Annual Fund and the Forever Campaign.

Over the next several months and years, we will remain steadfast in our desire to strengthen the bond between Saint Mary’s and our alumnae. We encourage each of you to complete and return the Alumnae Engagement Survey coming soon. With this information, we will better serve you by creating programs that match the interests and needs of our diverse group of graduates. We will work hard to maintain and build upon the positive relationships we have with our distinguished alumnae and increase participation, involvement, and communication with our younger alumnae.

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

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

The dedication of the Margaret McGlohon ’81C Pavilion.

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

Saint Mary’s alumnae in classes ending in zero, one, fi ve, 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 fi lled 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 fi rst time since the pandemic began.

REUNION WEEKEND 2021

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 offi cial 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!