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 Offi ce 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 Offi ce for inclusion in the milestones section.

Saint Mary’s Class Notes are published for each class once each year. Due to the extended nature of the production schedule for the magazine, class news is meant to be a once-a-year general update of your news for the previous year. We cannot guarantee the exact timeliness of your news, so please keep our advance deadlines in mind when submitting news.

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

Photographs may be submitted for consideration for the class news to mvswain@sms.edu or Mary Virginia Swain, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Photos must be high-quality prints or digital .jpeg photo fi les 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.

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.

1939

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!” 1945

COLLEGE

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!” 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 Deerfi eld 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

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 Class of 1956C: left to right: Sue Jett Russler '56C, Nancy Mallon Towe '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.”

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

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. 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.

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 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

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

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

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 1967

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 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

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

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 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

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 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!

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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.

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 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 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

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 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

1975

HIGH SCHOOL

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!” 1975

COLLEGE

are the best parents! My older daughter, Winnie, is in Durham, and she is the best aunt. Everyone works remotely now – what’s an office? It is truly a gift to have children and grandchild so close. We are so blessed to be healthy and happy. My mother, Mary Lynn Lewis DeLany ’44C, is an official great-grandmother, and now that the gates of her home in Twin Lakes are open again, and everyone’s had their shots, we can visit and enjoy lots of hugs. Dieu merci! In spite of all the shutdowns and shut-outs, I continue to work creating wedding memories and designing invitations. It has been tricky at times, but with a little imagination, the impossible is generally made possible. A whole new wedding industry has developed out of the horrible virus situation as most 2020 weddings were postponed or canceled. The silver lining? Simple backyard and intimate garden weddings are back! I am happy to help guide brides and their mothers down this new path. As we ease toward more normalcy, large church weddings and receptions will return I’m sure, but lately it has been fun taking chances and reaching for alternative plans. A roller coaster ride, for sure! I am still swimming and playing in dirt – not at the same time however. Whatever I’m planting seems to be happy but I have no idea what I’m doing except enjoying it all! Oh, I also have a new knee, but who doesn’t. Please, make it a priority to be in Raleigh for our BIG 50th REUNION in 2023! The date is to be determined, 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

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 called Brunswick Forest and have made great friends. Kaye Pass Lambert and I have managed to see each other several times in the past year, albeit masked! We do not miss the winters in Maine and love living on the coast. We visit the beach regularly. Fort Fisher is our favorite. Fortunately, we've been healthy throughout COVID, but I haven't seen my sons in Massachusetts and Maine since December 2019. A trip was planned for June, as we are fully vaccinated. Right now, here in Brunswick Forest, there is a lot of time for walking, bike riding, making great meals, good books, and Netflix. Thank goodness for FaceTime so I can see my precious granddaughters in Massachusetts. Sage is three and Stella is six months. We are looking forward to a couple of weddings in the fall, one in California in the Santa Ynez region, so we'll explore the area as well as San Francisco. All in all - very grateful!” Frances Creel Opperman writes, “I am divorced from Larry but we remain friends. I have a daughter, Cooper, who lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with husband Brian and son Evan (5). My other daughter, Anna, lives in Williamston with husband Scott and her two daughters, Sarah Scott (6) and Hayes (3). I stay in touch with Nancy Bryant Carter ’73HS ’75C and Loula Polites Plyler ’75C, Vincent Rawlings Dyer ’75HS and Katie Jo Lawrence Redhead ’71HS ’73C. Would love to hear from Sandra Holt Stewart ’75C.”

1977

COLLEGE

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

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 lakeside resort village in central New York. “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 leading another Holy Land pilgrimage June 25-July 7.” Liza says it will be a great “re-boot” after the pandemic and both vaccinations. “It is transforming spiritually, and because of our 35-plus years of leading pilgrimages, we have access to places closed to the public. If interested, email rectorcaz@gmail.com. Loved being with Paige Brown DuBose, Elizabeth Williams Martin, Margie Johnson Springer, Karen Cepost, Coles Hines Jones, Gwyn Cooley Pearce, and Susan Fleming McCann at our reunion and my sister, Mary Foy Ragsdale’s ’77HS ’79C Class of 1979 College. Love being a Saint!”

1979

COLLEGE

Windy Tillman Pratt ’79C Ann Howard Foster writes, “I recently made the big decision to retire from my company, Hilti, after 33 1/2 years with them in Tulsa, Okla., and Plano, Texas. On top of that, I’ll be moving back home to the Carolinas as I’ve already bought a new house in Tega Cay, South Carolina, just over the state line from Charlotte. I’m looking forward to living near my mom, Abbot Henderson Howard ’54C, and helping to take care of her (along with my two brothers) in her final years. She is 86 and still has an active social life and is still driving, plus fully vaccinated now! My sweetie, Frank, is also moving with me! We will have two houses near each other in Tega Cay and look forward to fun adventures in our retirement years together.”Ann reports that Julie Ann Cook Stewart became a grandmother two more times recently, when her oldest son, Jake, and his wife, Katie, had a baby boy before the end of the year, and middle son, John, and his wife, Jaime, had a baby boy last month. “This makes four grandchildren for Julie and Jimmy now! I’m so excited I’ll be living closer to Julie and to Regina Lazorik Brown in Raleigh, so we can have more fun girl times soon!”

Class of 1981C: front row, left to right: Bonny Harris Herrington '81C, Allison Gilbert Holmes '81C, Margaret McGlohon '81C, Ashley Richardson Allen '81C, Elizabeth Hardy Hogan '81C

1981

HIGH SCHOOL

Madeleine Gilbert ’81HS Congratulations, to Nina Anderson Cheney’s daughter, Lucy Cheney ’21, who graduated from Saint Mary’s in May and was accepted to Sewanee for college! On the grandbaby front, Suiter Whitehead Coxe welcomed not one, but two grandbabies. Mary Marshall Wasserman was born Dec. 22, 2020, and Edmond Ragland Coxe III, “Tripp,” was born January 7, 2021. Zaida Clay Harris is a firsttime grandmother to William Beau Baskin, born on April 14. Kathryn Davis Oglesby is the mother of the groom. Kathryn’s son, Toler Shore, got married on April 24, 2021. Theresa Martin McIntyre write that daughter Brooke is representing Wilmington as the 2020-2021 Miss Azalea Festival Princess. After her reign, she will be attending Liberty University. She’s also a model for MMGNY and Marylu Modeling Agency. Son Daniel is currently living in Raleigh and working as a medical representative for Helo Medical. Theresa is a Registered Nurse at Head to Toe Spa in Wilmington. Congratulation to Mary Duke Sanders Grubbe on her new job with Theorem. Carol Burhans Burns is going great guns with her pottery business, Groovy Pottery. Look for it on Etsy. Margaret Norris writes that she is pursuing ordination through the Moravian Church while working in educational ministry. Her youngest has headed off to college this year. Scotty Grine Frantz’s ’81HS ’83C daughter, Sarah, is now working for

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

1981

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 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!”

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.

1987

HIGH SCHOOL

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!”

1987

COLLEGE

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 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

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

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 1989

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

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 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

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 fi nally 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 fi nishing their new house on the Chowan River. Lauren is celebrating her 17th year with the North Carolina Bankers Association and helps her husband with 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 fl oor 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.

Alumnae Instagram @saintmarysalumnae

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

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

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, 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

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 fi rm 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 Aff airs in Jacksonville. She loves spending every weekend on the beach with her fi ancé 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 fi nd 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 benefi tted 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 Offi ce apprised of your current contact information. • Attend your Reunion Weekend.

Go Saints!

weekend! Catherine Worth Davis lives in Fort Worth, Texas, and is the associate director for a non-profi t 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 in HR at WithersRavenel. Her daughter, Marian, turned two in May! Lacy McClure Rollins and her husband, Matt, welcomed their fi rst child, Winslow James Rollins, on March 25, 2021. They moved to a new house in Raleigh in April. Olympia Agnew is entering her eighth year of teaching middle school science. Olympia started her fi rearms instruction business, Sights Unlimited, LLC, in October of 2020 with great law assistance from Laura Medlin. Olympia is an NRA-certifi ed fi rearms instructor. She provides one-on-one instruction, NRA classes, and concealed carry classes. I moved back to Raleigh in September. My husband, Dan, and I bought our fi rst house in North Hills. We miss Charlotte a lot, but we love being back “home” and close to both of our families (our golden retriever, Sadie, loves being closer to the beach!). I’m enjoying my new role at GitLab on the remote work marketing team. Sending my love to all of you! xoxo, Betsy 2013 Catherine Carter ’13 It has been a joy to keep up with the Class of 2013! We are moving into such a special phase in our lives, where so many are getting engaged, married, advancing in their careers and I appreciate your allowing me to keep up with you all! As for me, Catherine Carter, I am keeping busy and traveling often with both locations of The Gatorbug Boutiques. It means the world to me when I see a fellow Saint place an online order or walk through those store doors! Marion Brown graduated from UNC School of Law with honors in May 2020. She is enjoying work as an in-house counsel for Credit Suisse in Raleigh. Sylvia Lee, happily reports that her daughter, Genevieve, is now 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.

Class of 2011: front row, left to right: Anderson Stark, Elizabeth Williams Ellington, Olivia Barwick, Hannah Moore Harris; second row: Texie Arnold, Elizabeth Carson Blair; back row: Lizzie Jenkins, Virginia Fulenwider Edwards, Louise Mann Clement Dull, Rebecca Behar Gronroos, Caroline Collie, Sally Cann Holmes, Sarah Randall Fuqua 2015 Kayla Gwaltney ’15 and Hayley Scialdone ’15 Kayla Gwaltney and Hayley Scialdone are thankful to have made it through the craziness of 2020 and entered 2021 on a strong foot with the highlight being, of course, hearing from their wonderful Class of 2015 classmates! After having her Fulbright Grant cut short in March 2020, Kayla was able to join the 2020 Teach for America corps in Eastern North Carolina. She has been teaching fi rst grade at KIPP Gaston Primary School in Gaston. They have been virtual for the majority of the year but began inperson schooling on April 19. She is living in Jackson, and has loved working at the local restaurant on weekends, fi nding great 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

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 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.

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

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