Academic EXCELLENCE | Personal ACHIEVEMENT | WINTER 2022
A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE, PARENTS, AND FRIENDS
Major gifts support innovative educational spaces at Saint Mary's The Blanche Robertson Bacon Performing Arts Center
New STEM Academic Building
Board of Trustees 2021-2022
Officers Liza M. Roberts P’19,’24 - Chair Heather Clark Warren ’89HS ’91C - Vice Chair Julian R. Williamson P’18,’23 - Secretary Stephen F. Later P’18 - Treasurer Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS - Past Chair
Members At-Large Merritt Atkins ’99 (2024), Raleigh, North Carolina Diane Gupton Becton ’77HS (2023), Raleigh, North Carolina Martin W. Borden P’18 (2024), Raleigh, North Carolina Peter M. Bristow P’17 (2023), Raleigh, North Carolina April N. Browne ’88HS ’91C (2023), Durham, North Carolina Hope Carmichael P’24 (2024), Raleigh, North Carolina Lucy V. Fountain P’14,’16,’18 (2023), Raleigh, North Carolina Palmer Peebles Garson ’75HS (2023), Richmond, Virginia Mary D. Hinton, Ph.D., ’88HS (2022), Roanoke, Virginia Earl Johnson III P’09 (2022), Raleigh, North Carolina Stephen F. Later P’18 (2022), Southern Pines, North Carolina Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS (2023), Charlotte, North Carolina Janie Swain Molster ’78HS (2024), Richmond, Virginia Sally Sabiston Pelletier ’77HS ’79C (2022), Baltimore, Maryland Susan Creech Rankin ’74HS P’11 (2024), Charlotte, North Carolina Jean M. Redding ’72HS (2023), Atlanta, Georgia Liza M. Roberts P’19,’24 (2023), Raleigh, North Carolina D. Ward Russell P’20 (2024), Raleigh, North Carolina Charles A. Sanders, M.D. (2024), Durham, North Carolina Maura Moylan Sullivan ’87HS P’15,’19 (2024), Durham, North Carolina Heather Clark Warren ’89HS ’91C (2023), Raleigh, North Carolina Julian R. Williamson P’18,’23 (2023), Raleigh, North Carolina
Parents Association Representative Maureen Wingfield P’22
Student Representative Tommi Wilder ’22
(Date in parentheses indicates expiration of present elective term)
Mission Statement Saint Mary’s School, a community dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement, prepares young women for college and life�
WINTER 2022 | VOLUME 107, NUMBER 1
Founded in 1842 in the Episcopal tradition, Saint Mary’s School is an independent, college-preparatory, girls boarding and day school dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement for grades 9-12� Saint Mary’s School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, mental or physical disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs� The school does not discriminate against qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, or mental or physical disability in providing the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school� Executive Cabinet Carol Killebrew, Head of School Shelly Lammon, Chief Financial Officer Julie Ricciardi, CFRE, Associate Head of School for Institutional Advancement Debra Townsley, Ph�D�, Interim Assistant Head of School for Student Experience
ON THE COVER Major gifts to the Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign will support the construction and renovation of innovative educational spaces at Saint Mary’s.
CONTENTS FEATURES
Administrative Team Lou Caputo, Director of Technology Ann Marie Davis, Director of Faculty Learning and Development Eric Poss, Director of Facilities The Rev� Maggie Stoddard, Chaplain Abby Wahlstrom, Associate Director of Student and Residential Life
$7 million given by Henry and Tracey Smith for new academic STEM building
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Saint Mary’s School Magazine Published twice each year by Saint Mary’s School�
Major lead gift to support creation of The Blanche Robertson Bacon Performing Arts Center
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Please send address changes to: Alumnae Office 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, N�C� 27603-1689 919-424-4000 • www�sms�edu Or update your contact information online at sms�edu/alumnaeupdate� Editor Mary Virginia Swain ’77C Director of Public Relations and Publications mvswain@sms�edu Class News Editor Emory Rogers Church ’74C Director of Alumnae Engagement Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C Contributors: Hilda Bates; Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C; Carol Killebrew; Eileen Nedoma; Christiane Newell; Julie Ricciardi; Mary Virginia Swain ’77C, Brandon Wright Design Heath Hilliker Printing Metro Productions, Raleigh, North Carolina
IN EVERY ISSUE Head of School Message��������������������������������� 2 Campaign Update ����������������������������������������������������������� 3 Personal Achievement ������������������������������������������������ 12 Athletics News ��������������������������������������������������������������� 14 Arts News........................................................................ 16 Academic Excellence ���������������������������������������������������� 17 Calendar �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 20 Alumnae �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22 Events ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 24 In Memoriam ������������������������������������������������������������������30 Milestones ������������������������������������������������������������������������31 Class News ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 32
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
A vision for the success of future generations “We are the music makers, /And we are the dreamers of dreams… …Yet we are the movers and shakers/ Of the world for ever, it seems.” (from Ode by Arthur O’Shaughnessy)
It is hard to believe that we are already well into 2022; it is even harder to believe that in a few short months, 86 members of the senior class will graduate and join the ranks of Saint Mary’s alumnae. This simple fact - coupled with the articles in this edition of our magazine – inspired me to include the above quotation, for words have never been truer for Saint Mary’s School. Oftentimes in schools, the word “vision” is overused or misapplied. Vision is not reacting to a challenge – that is management; nor is it following the trends of other schools when they really don’t apply to who we are – those are misplaced priorities. Vision is being able to look beyond this year and even the next few years, because past leadership had the vision to take care of today. Vision is putting energy and resources into an institution so that it will always be a leader among peers. Vision is having the courage to do something unimaginable, all the while knowing that the impact will also be unimaginable. Vision is saying yes. I share this because Saint Mary’s has been blessed to have so many graduates, parents, and friends of the school who have not only shared their vision but have also supported others’ visions. The magazine that you are holding is a testament of this generosity and commitment, and the content will not only impress you
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but will also amaze you� For a school to be able to share that it is on the path to constructing two new buildings is admirable, but to be able to share what will be housed in these buildings is vision� This magazine also highlights student achievement, employee professional development, and alumnae engagement – all visionary components of the foundation that we will need to execute new ideas, new programs, and new partnership� I have said this my entire career: Graduates of girls’ schools and women’s colleges are changemakers� The change does not need to be flashy or lucrative to make a difference; the change needs to be necessary, and it thrives when the vision for the success of future generations is included at the forefront - and this is the area in which Saint Mary’s succeeds the most� Faithful friends and comrades sure!
Carol Killebrew
Carol Killebrew Head of School
SAINT MARY’S FOREVER CAMPAIGN Saint Mary’s has always had an unstoppable drive to provide an unmatched experience for learning and life. Today, we celebrate the commitment to the Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign, the most ambitious campaign ever undertaken at Saint Mary’s in our 180-year history. While your gifts to this campaign will transform our campus, they also embody the generous spirit of Saint Mary’s alumnae, parents, and friends. This spirit is contagious and is due to each and every donor who finds a way to stretch a little so we can go farther together. Thank you, for your energy to match and surpass our DEBT CHALLENGE and raise awareness of all alumnae, families, and friends. Together, with your commitment to foster a new era of increased discovery, creativity, and innovation for our girls, we will ensure Saint Mary’s Forever.
Total raised as of February 4, 2022
$49,021,492.98
Debt Anonymous Challenge met! With total raised towards debt:
$3,983,152.58 [Total raised including debt match]
Annual Fund
$1,260,957.14 $1,655,000 goal *You can help us reach our goal
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SAINT MARY’S FOREVER
Tracey And Henry Smith P'12 Give $7 Million To Support Construction Of New Academic STEM Building Largest Single Gift In School’s 180-Year History
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Saint Mary’s School announced Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, at a Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign event on the school’s campus, that the school will receive a gift of $7 million from Henry and Tracey Fodor Smith P'12 of Farmville and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the largest single gift to the school in Saint Mary’s 180-year history. The donation is the lead gift to help fund the construction of a new academic STEM building on the school’s historic campus. 5
Our inspiration to continue supporting Saint Mary’s School stems from our daughter's relationship to the school,” said Tracey Smith P'12.
With a focus on innovative technology experiences and expanded interdisciplinary collaboration, the new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) center will be an integral part of the school’s academic corridor and will facilitate programming to promote students’ motivation and ability to pursue STEM studies. The facility, projected to open in 2025, will engage girls in hands-on field experience, laboratory/project-based entrepreneurial tasks, and mentorship experiences. The gift secures naming rights to the facility, to be determined later. Henry and Tracey Fodor Smith are parents of Saint Mary’s alumna Hannah Smith, Class of 2012. Mrs. Smith served previously as a member of the school’s board of trustees, and the family has supported the school and its mission previously with other generous and impactful gifts. "Our inspiration to continue supporting Saint Mary’s School stems from our daughter's relationship to the school,” said Tracey Smith. “Hannah graduated in 2012, and we are so proud of the person she has become as a result of attending Saint Mary's. We see the need for all-girls’ schools, and we hope our gift will benefit successful women for many years to come. Education matters!”
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“Tracey and Henry Smith have set the bar higher than any fundraising effort in Saint Mary’s history,” said Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign Chairs Frank and Ruth E. Holding in a statement. “Even in one of the most turbulent years in history, we see the value of passion and commitment through their extraordinary generosity. We are fortunate to have the best education in the country right here in the heart of Raleigh, and for girls, it all starts at Saint Mary’s. The Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign is a bold move to transform our campus and, in return, the world, through each girl who creates a path to change the world she is in through her leadership and growth, forever. There isn’t a better time to invest in education and in our school.” Under the leadership of Frank B. Holding Jr. and Ruth E. Perry Holding ’81C P'09, William and Aurelia Monk P'15, Nancy Kerr Thomason ’73HS ’75C, and Anna Zevenhuizen ’07, the Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign steering committee has created a campaign strategy to ensure the realization of Saint Mary's campus master plan and the sustainability of Saint Mary’s mission and vision for future generations. The campaign is focused on three pillars – financial sustainability, growing the endowment, and academic integration and innovation. The campaign, which kicked off its silent phase in 2018, has raised more than $49 million to date. With the help of Raleigh-based campaign counsel Armstrong McGuire, campaign planning is focused on strategies
Board of Trustees Chair Liza Roberts P'19,'24, left, and Tracey Fodor Smith P'12, right
Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign Chairs Frank and Ruth E Perry Holding ’81C P'09 at the announcement of the Smith family’s $7 million gift to Saint Mary’s.
to provide the resources to meet the objectives of the campus master plan, which includes the construction of the new building, the first academic facility built from the ground up at Saint Mary’s since the Ragland Classroom Building opened in 1971� “On behalf of Saint Mary’s, I offer heartfelt thanks, to Tracey and Henry Smith, for this extraordinary lead gift towards the construction of our new academic building, which will serve our science, technology, and mathematics programs,” says Saint Mary’s Head of School Carol Killebrew� “STEM fields are the way of the future, and Saint Mary’s girls are poised and ready to make an impact in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics� Our STEM programs continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of our students, and this new academic building will magnify the opportunities we can provide girls in these fields so important to the world in which they live�” For questions regarding the Saint Mary's Forever Campaign, contact Julie Ricciardi, CFRE, associate head for institutional advancement, at jricciardi@sms.edu or 919-424-4114.
The new academic building will provide innovative 21st century spaces and resources for learning in the STEM fields.
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Saint Mary’s School Announces Multi-Million Dollar Lead Gift to create
The Blanche Robertson Bacon Performing Arts Center
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“The renovation and expansion of the performing arts center at Saint Mary’s School is so meaningful and impactful,” say Forever Campaign Chairs Frank and Ruth E. Perry Holding '81C P'09 of Raleigh.
Blanche Robertson Bacon ’53HS ’55C
Saint Mary’s School has received a $4.25 million gift as part of the Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign for the creation of The Blanche Robertson Bacon Performing Arts Center. The gift is being made in honor and memory of alumna Blanche Robertson Bacon, a member of the school’s high school Class of 1953 and the junior college Class of 1955, by members of her family. Family supporting this important initiative include Julian H. Robertson Jr., Mrs. Bacon’s brother; Wyndham Robertson, Mrs. Bacon’s sister; Blanche Spencer Williamson ’76HS, Mrs. Bacon’s daughter; Julian and Beth Williamson and family, Mrs. Bacon’s son (and a member of the school’s Board of Trustees); and daughter-in-law (also past and current parents); and Caroline Williamson and family, Mrs. Bacon’s daughter-in-law. At the family’s request, the facility will be known as The Blanche Center. After an architecturally sensitive renovation, Eliza Battle Pittman Auditorium, a Raleigh Historic Property built in 1907, as well as a new adjoining facility, will collectively create the multifunctional Blanche Center. The center will encompass the school’s largest indoor gathering space as well as house a Black Box Theatre, atrium and event lobby with concession area and art gallery, offices for faculty, dressing rooms, restrooms, storage for costumes and sets, and expanded side and backstage areas. The Blanche Center will bolster Saint Mary’s commitment to interdisciplinary interaction as well as excellence in personal artistic exploration and participation. Additionally, the center will enhance the educational experience of all Saint Mary’s students, as it will provide spaces where girls gain confidence and find inspiration from performances, convocations, awards and sports ceremonies, weekly all-school assemblies, speakers, and more. The center will enhance the arts scene in the Raleigh community by welcoming and connecting renowned artists, performers, and speakers to the school’s historic downtown campus.
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The late Blanche Robertson Bacon was a Saint Mary’s alumna with a lifetime legacy of distinguished leadership, service, and philanthropy at the school and in the Raleigh community� She served for many years on the school’s Board of Trustees, including as vice chair� She was the recipient of Saint Mary’s Outstanding Alumna Award and the John Bratton, Jr� Volunteer Service Award for her decades-long, instrumental guidance� “The renovation and expansion of the performing arts center at Saint Mary’s School is so meaningful and impactful,” say Forever Campaign Chairs Frank and Ruth E� Perry Holding '81C P'09 of Raleigh� “This is a central part of campus life where so many gatherings and events are held for the school� It will be enjoyed for generations to come� We thank the family of Blanche Robertson Bacon for their amazing gift for the performing arts center at Saint Mary’s�” Under the leadership of Frank B� Holding Jr� and Ruth E� Perry Holding ’81C P'09, William and Aurelia Monk P'15, Nancy Kerr Thomason ’73HS ’75C, and Anna Zevenhuizen ’07, the Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign steering committee has created a strategy to ensure the realization of Saint Mary’s campus master plan and the sustainability of school’s mission and vision for future generations� The campaign, which has raised more than $49 million to date, is focused on three pillars – financial sustainability, growing the endowment, and academic integration and innovation� “I extend a heartfelt thank you to the family of Blanche Robertson Bacon for making our performing arts center possible,” says Head of School Carol Killebrew� “This arts center will have a powerful impact for our students, our school, and the Raleigh community�”
A new atrium/event lobby will connect Pittman Auditorium to a new arts building to the east of the existing auditorium, creating the performing arts center.
A new building, adjacent to Pittman Auditorium, will house arts faculty offices, a Black Box Theatre, costume and set storage, and more. The new building will abut Rankin Terrace and will be located next to Kenan Library.
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PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT Annabel Semans ’22 earns National Merit Commended Student honors Congratulations, to Saint Mary’s senior Annabel Semans ’22 on being named a National Merit Scholarship 2022 Commended Student� These Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2022 competition by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)� “Those named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” said a spokesperson for NMSC� “These students represent a valuable national resource� Recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation�” The announcement by Head of School Carol Killebrew took place in assembly Monday morning, Sept� 27, 2021�
Saint Mary’s students attend NAIS Diversity Leadership Conference A group of Saint Mary’s student leaders attended virtually from study rooms in Kenan Library in December the 2021 National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Diversity Leadership Conference. The programming took place online from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. each day with conference activities each evening. The NAIS online Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of upper school student leaders (grades 9-12) from across the U.S. and abroad. SDLC focuses on self-reflecting, forming allies, and building community. Led by a diverse team of trained adult and peer facilitators, participating students develop cross-cultural communication skills, design effective strategies for social justice practice through dialogue and the arts and learn the foundations of allyship and networking principles. Saint Mary’s participants are, pictured left to right, Keithia Robinson ’22, Destiny Ellington ’23, Ollie Atkins ’24, Chloe Coleman ’23, Zoe Lee ’22, and Sophia Bahna-Neta ’24 (not pictured).
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Heather Ramee accepted for NCGS cohort Instructor of Seminar/Academic Chair Heather Ramee has been accepted as a member of the National Coalition of Girls Schools' (NCGS) Global Action Research Collaborative on Girls’ Education’s 2022-2023 cohort, which will be researching The Global Reset – New Opportunities for Educating Girls.
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ATHLETICS
Golf team places third in NCISAA state division one Congratulations, to Saint Mary’s varsity golf team on placing third among the top tier teams at the 2021 NCISAA Division 1 state golf tournament played at Bryant Park Golf Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, Monday, Oct. 25. Freshman Madison Myers ’25 led the Saints with a fourthplace finish with a round of 73 (+1). Sophomore Kinsley Smith ’24 finished T7 with a round of 75 (+3). Junior Vivian Shillingsburg ’23, playing in her second consecutive state tournament for Saint Mary's, made the top 10 with a round of 76 (+4). Rounding out the Saints lineup were Bryn Montgomery ’24 (T26) and Elizabeth Powell ’23(T30). The final standings in team competition were North Raleigh Christian Academy winning the state title with a team score of 217 (+1), followed by Durham Academy as runner-up with a score of 223 (+7); Saint Mary’s in third with a score of 224 (+8); Rabun Gap at 244 (+28); Carmel Christian School at 252 (+36); Cary Academy at 262 (+46); and Charlotte Country Day School at 285 (+69). Individual golfers also competed from Charlotte Latin, Wesleyan Christian, Providence Day School, and the Cannon School. Madison Myers ’25 and Kinsley Smith ’24 were named to the All-State Team. Congratulations, to coaches Robert Guzzo and Julie Sandridge and the entire Saint Mary's golf team on an outstanding year on the links!
Field Hockey team makes second round of state playoffs Congratulations, to the members of the varsity field hockey team for making it to the second round of the NCISAA state playoffs this fall. Go, Saints!
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Varsity volleyball finishes in top eight in NCISAA 4A tournament Varsity volleyball advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCISAA 4A volleyball playoffs with a decisive straight set 3-0 victory over Ravenscroft School at home in a standing room only Bacon Gym, Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, in a second-round game after receiving a bye in the first round. The Saints finished the season in the top 15 percent of all girls’ high school volleyball teams in the state, ranked 89th of 616 teams, representing the first top 100 finish for Saint Mary's. The team finished the season with eight wins and enjoyed one of the most competitive seasons in program history, following a 2020 season with no interscholastic competition due to COVID-19. Congratulations, to the coaches and team on an excellent season!
Varsity tennis finishes in top eight in NCISAA 4A tournament The varsity tennis team enjoyed its best season in recent history by advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCISAA state playoffs by defeating Wesleyan Christian Academy, 5-0, in the first round of the tournament and Ravenscroft School, 5-0, in the round of 16. Congratulations, to coaches Gina Ellis Minton ’82C and Lou Harley Garvey ’82HS ’84C and team members on a successful season!
Cross Country team members qualify for NCISAA state meet Congratulations, to Saint Mary's cross-country team members who qualified for and competed Oct. 29, 2021, in the NCISAA state championship meet at Olson Park in Wilmington. Congratulations, Saints runners!
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ARTS Fall play featured 12 Angry Women The reviews are in for Saint Mary's fall theater production of 12 Angry Women, which ran for three nights in October 2021 in Eliza Battle Pittman Auditorium, and it was a hit. This gripping drama told the story of 12 female jurors deliberating the verdict in a murder case to decide the fate of a 19-year-old boy on trial for murdering his father. Tempers got short, arguments grew heated, and the jurors became 12 angry people in this riveting drama. The play is adapted by Sherman L. Sergei, and is based on the Emmy Award winning television movie by Reginald Rose. The show featured intense drama and tension along with snippets of humor. Brava, to the cast and crew!
Orchesis fall concert features alumnae choreography Congratulations, to the members of Orchesis Dance Theatre, on an outstanding fall 2021 concert, their first full concert in Pittman Auditorium in two years since the pandemic began. Orchesis put on two fantastic shows Dec. 10-11, 2021, for enthusiastic audiences in Pittman. The concert featured new choreography by dance instructors Michelle Pearson and Natalie Morton as well as a jazz piece created by Sophie Wilfong '15, alumna and professional dancer in New York. Brava!
Chorale wows audience at ninth annual Music Theatre Revue Saint Mary’s Chorale presented a blockbuster ninth annual Music Theatre Revue in Pittman Auditorium during Family Day, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. In collaboration with members of Orchesis Dance Theatre. The Chorale, Chamber Choir, musicians and dancers performed songs from legendary musicals including Hair, Sleepless in Seattle, Hairspray, The Secret Garden, Once on This Island, Mean Girls, Prom, The Greatest Showman, and 13 The Musical.
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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Latin Instructor Presents Innovative Classroom Activities At Fall Conference
Saint Mary’s Instructor of Latin Kat Byrd presented a session on oral vocabulary activities for Latin classes at the Foreign Language Association of North Carolina (FLANC) fall conference, Saturday, Oct. 9. Ms. Byrd’s session was titled Quid tu vides in pictura? Oral Vocabulary Activities for Latin Classes. “We, as Latin teachers, ultimately want our students to be most proficient at the Reading Communicative Mode,” says Ms. Byrd. “In this session, teachers experience simulations of oral Latin vocabulary activities and discover how to incorporate these activities into their
curricula. These activities are designed to strengthen a student's ability to recall previously learned vocabulary and to internalize new vocabulary more quickly. The end goal: our students can READ Latin!” This is Ms. Byrd’s third year teaching at Saint Mary’s. In addition to Latin, she teaches 10th and 11th grade Seminar. She is passionate about using a variety of pedagogical methods to support vocabulary acquisition, retention, and the Reading Communicative Mode which is most heavily emphasized for classical languages.
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CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS WINTER/SPRING 2022
Join us!
February 25 Granddaughters Club Luncheon
April 29 Alumnae Leadership Council Meeting
March 4 Grandparents and Grandfriends Day For grandparents and grandfriends of current students
April 29-30 Reunion Weekend For classes ending in two and seven
March 29 Alumnae Leadership Council Meeting (virtual)
May 12 Saint Mary’s 180th birthday
March 31 Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign Spring Vision Event
May 22 Commencement for the 180th session
April 25 Welcome to the Alumnae Association Event for the Class of 2022
June 14 Alumnae Leadership Council Meeting (virtual)
April 27-28 Board of Trustees Spring Meeting
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The Mazie Strickland Froelich ’51C Distinguished Alumnae Society Call for Nominations by April 2, 2022 Under the umbrella of the Mazie Strickland Froelich’51C Distinguished Alumnae Society, two outstanding alumnae awards are given annually. The Outstanding Alumna Award is given for outstanding service to the school through leadership, student recruitment, and alumnae support. The Distinguished Alumna Award recognizes an alumna's outstanding achievements in volunteer service and/or her professional distinctions. Eligible nominees for 2022 must be in a class ending in two or seven. To nominate a classmate, please complete the form found at sms.edu/ nominate by April 2, 2022, for this year’s awards. The awards will be presented during Reunion Weekend, April 29-30, 2022. Please contact Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C at jbrown@sms.edu with any questions.
SAVE THE DATES AND JOIN US FOR OUR SPECIAL EVENTS! These dates and events represent just some of the highlights of the 2021-2022 year at Saint Mary’s. For a complete calendar of events, visit sms.edu/alumnae/events. Regional alumnae events will be added to the alumnae webpage as they are scheduled.
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MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNAE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
It’s All in the Name Originally established in 1879, the mission of the Saint Mary’s Alumnae Council was to “preserve a cordial affection for our alma mater,” and to “give tangible expressions to those sentiments.” The women who created this bold mission provided a framework that has endured for generations of Saint Mary’s alumnae. Inspired by the founders’ dedication to Saint Mary’s and their profound wisdom, current council members worked diligently throughout the spring and summer to evaluate how best to fulfill this lofty mission. One of the more significant changes has been adopting a name that more accurately reflects the abilities and ambitions of its council members. The Alumnae Council has been renamed the Alumnae Leadership Council (ALC) with a new focus. The council seeks to support, empower, and market the Saint Mary’s community and to broaden the school’s base of support. With guidance from Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C, director of alumnae engagement, and Julie Ricciardi, associate head of school for institutional advancement, and with assistance of a focus group dedicated to analyzing research on best practices in alumnae engagement, members discuss and implement changes to make the council stronger. Alumnae Leadership Council members are also committed to fostering a greater sense of community within our alumnae base and continuing the tradition of excellence through active engagement and support. The council recognizes that Saint Mary’s alumnae are extraordinary women with incredible skills and talents. Members are dedicated to being more visible in their leadership roles. Each member will serve on one of the following newly created committees: Communications; Leadership and Governance; Philanthropic; and Saint Mary’s Experience. Committees have clear goals and objectives to ensure that their work and specific charges are achieved successfully. The members of the ALC volunteer their time to serve for a two-year term and attend six to seven meetings throughout the school year. The council consist of members who were at Saint Mary’s for high school, college, or both. The council wants alumnae to feel that ALL of their contributions – whether talent, time, or treasure – have a meaningful, productive, and lasting impact on our beloved school. The Alumnae Leadership Council encourages alumnae to find ways to get involved and reconnect with their alma mater. We ask that all alumnae continue to support the Annual Fund, share milestones with the Alumnae Office, attend oncampus and virtual events, speak during a student event, attend your reunion, or schedule a virtual call with your class members. The opportunities are boundless! If you are interested in serving on the Alumnae Leadership Council, please contact Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C, Director of Alumnae Engagement, jbrown@sms.edu. Ann Beland Brooks ’73C, Alumnae Leadership Council Chair Stephanie Bishop Williams ’90HS, Alumnae Leadership Council Vice-Chair Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C, Director of Alumnae Engagement
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Pictured left to right: Stephanie Bishop Williams '90HS, Jeannine Eason Brown '94HS '96C, Ann Beland Brooks '73C
SUPPORTING SAINT MARY'S
Saint Mary’s Annual Fund: Fall Days of Giving set new records For many reasons, fall 2021 was a season to remember at Saint Mary’s School, and for Saint Mary’s Annual Fund it was a November for the history books. Between All Saints Day on November 1 and Giving Tuesday on November 30, the school received 675 commitments of gifts totaling $328,895 raised for Saint Mary’s Annual Fund. This total surpassed our Fiscal Year 2020 Fall Day of Giving numbers by more than $75,000. This milestone would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of two anonymous alumnae donors who challenged a
community of Saints with matching funds and inspired hundreds to answer the call to action. Through this shared connection we will continue to elevate our school to develop Saint Mary’s graduates who are challenged to be bold, to be inspired, to be prepared, and to become extraordinary. Thank you, for your generous support! Eileen Nedoma Director of Annual Fund and Major Gifts enedoma@sms.edu 919-424-4118
GRANDDAUGHTERS CLUB
GRANDDAUGHTERS CLUB 2021-2022 The Granddaughters Club held its 2021-2022 inductions of new members Nov. 3, 2021, in a ceremony in the Chapel attended by family members and friends. A reception followed in the Long Student Center in Lower Smedes (photos on page 27). Members of the Granddaughters Club are direct descendants of Saint Mary’s alumnae. Founded in 1909 by alumna and teacher Kate McKimmon, the Granddaughters Club is the oldest existing club on campus. GDC members work with the Alumnae Office on numerous projects and events each year including the Founders’ Day Chapel, the luminaries and special memorial candles at the Lighting O’ the Grove, Reunion Weekend, Spring Fling, and more.
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Marian Anderson Adams ’25, daughter of Marian Morris Godwin ’98HS Ollie Holt Atkins ’24, granddaughter of Evanthia Aretakis Atkins ’67C Anna Parham Barber ’24, granddaughter of Ruth Watkins Barber ’54HS ’56C Marion Porter Barber ’24, granddaughter of Ruth Watkins Barber ’54HS ’56C Chesson Louise Becker ’24, daughter of Gloria Taft Becker ’92HS and granddaughter of Cheryl Lee Taft ’68C Mahala Kathleen Bell ’25, granddaughter of Sara Frances Walters Borden ’70C and granddaughter of The Rev. Frank Pisani, former President of Saint Mary’s from 1969-1976 Sara Elizabeth Bell ’23, granddaughter of Sara Frances Walters Borden ’70C and granddaughter of The Rev. Frank Pisani, former President of Saint Mary’s from 1969-1976 Caroline Davis Bradshaw ’23, daughter of Shayla Kirchin Bradshaw ’92C Ella Susan Pemerl Craddock ’24, daughter of Rebecca Rogers Chilton ’84HS Margaret Hadley Crawford ’22, granddaughter of Hadley Morgan Hines ’59HS ’61C Evelyn Elizabeth Crosthwaite ’22, daughter of Suzanne Morris Crosthwaite ’88HS Rebekah McNeil Elam ’22, great-greatgranddaughter of Lucie Clifton Boddie 1899 Julia Carson Louise Ford ’22, daughter of Jennifer Boleman Ford ’93HS Abigail Adams Fritter ’23, daughter of Katherine Gregory Fritter ’91HS ’93C and greatgranddaughter of Katherine Jamieson Gregory ’32C Mary Holland Godwin ’22, great-greatgranddaughter of Margaret Knowlton Thomas 1915 Margaret Kruesi Griffin ’22, granddaughter of Marcia Sawyers Griffin ’62C Virginia Elizabeth Griffin ’23, daughter of Kim Goines Biehslich’89HS ’91C
Katie Elise Guess ’22, daughter of Catherine Mann Wade ‘93HS and granddaughter of Diane Stockard Wade ’66HS ’68C, and great-greatgranddaughter of Mildred Holding Stockard 1913 (Fr.) Alice Adeline Harris ’23, great-granddaughter of Alice Cason Lineberger 1927C and greatgreat- granddaughter of Alice Makely Cason 1896-1898 Mary Elizabeth Hauser ’22, granddaughter of Darnell Knight Eller ’63C Isabella Dunstan Howard ’23, daughter of Virginia Dunstan Howard ’91C and greatgranddaughter of Madeline Jenkins Howard 1929C Margaret Louise Kerr ’22, great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Kerr Stewart ’34HS Eugenia Louise Waters Larson ’25, daughter of Allison Poe Larson ’91HS Lillian Aycock Larson ’23, daughter of Allison Poe Larson ’91HS Olivia Renee Linton ’24, great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Louise Byrd Cannon ’47C Laura Grace McSwain ’23, daughter of Sarah Montgomery McSwain ’93HS Bryn Claire Montgomery ’24, daughter of Ann Jones Montgomery ’92C Carter McKinnon Morrison ’25, greatgranddaughter of Helen Holt Morrison ’39C Lucy Scott Nogas ’25, great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Barnes Scott ’44C Martha Reeves Parrott ’24, granddaughter of Martha Hall Michaels ’67HS Bryson Mills Perry ’23 granddaughter of Ann Harrell Perry ’69C Lillian Randolph Platto ’24, greatgranddaughter of Nancy Crow Stovall ’35C Elizabeth Perry Powell ’23, granddaughter of Betsy Johnston Powell ’64HS ’66C Katherine Hanna Pulsifer ’24, granddaughter of Susan Russell Denniston ’62HS Maria Louise Schafer ’23, daughter of Perry Vann Schafer ’82HS ’84C
Sarah Anderson Smith ’24, daughter of Ashley Langley Smith ’90HS, great-granddaughter of Billie Freeman London 1929C Marion Allen Suiter Stowe ’24, greatgranddaughter of Virginia Clark Jenkins ’34C and great-great-granddaughter of Martha Louise Wilson Clark 1917HS Emma Maria Teague ’25, daughter of Cindy Ross Teague ’89HS May Edmunds Thompson ’23, daughter of Heather Moore Thompson ’88HS ’90C and granddaughter of Sue Battle Moore ’63C Elizabeth Dunn Tillman ’23, daughter of Melissa Morrisette Tillman ’88HS, granddaughter of Kathryn Symons Patterson ’65C and Mary Windley Dunn Tillman ’54C Margaret Borden Vermillion ’24, great-greatgranddaughter of Margaret Gold Borden 1918C Anna Amelia Boryk Weaver’22, daughter of Michelle Oppegaard ’93HS ’95C Helen Dana Wein ’25, great-granddaughter of Mary Augusta Taylor Long ’41C Lucy Moye Whitford ’24, granddaughter of Jeanne Moye Whitford ’59C Elizabeth Redfern Williamson ’23, granddaughter of Blanche Robertson Bacon ’53HS ’55C
SAINT MARY'S FOREVER CAMPAIGN HANNAH SM ITH '12 QUAD OCTOBER 28 , 2021
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CAMPAIGN, CONVERSATIONS, COCKTAILS
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EVENTS
Saint Mary’s After Hours October 26, 2021 The Rooftop at The Durham Hotel Left to right: Carolyn Green Boone ’81HS, April Browne ’88HS ’91C, Jeannine Eason Brown '94HS '96C, Maura Moylan Sullivan ‘87HS, Kathryn Finney White ‘86C, Melrose Whitfield Fisher ‘72HS ‘74C
Wake County Young Alumnae Gathering November 14, 2021 Hosted by Gabie Craig Frantz ’10 Junction West, Downtown Raleigh Front row, left to right: Gabie Craig Frantz ’10, Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C, Ellee Craig Stewart ’12, Head of School Carol Killebrew, Associate Head of School for Institutional Advancement Julie Ricciardi; back row, left to right: Chelsea Ward ’09, Catherine Bryant ’12, Kelly Ann Rusher ’12, Perry Winborne’16, Charlotte Broadwell ’16
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rs aughte Grandd tions and duc Club In ption Rece 21 er 3, 20 e b m e v No Th pel and r in a h C e Th ente dent C u t S g n s Lo Smede Lower
Sara Elizabeth Bell ’23, Sara Frances Walters Borden ’70C GP'23,'25, Mahala Bell ’25
Gloria Taft Becker ’92HS P'21,'24, Cheryl Lee Taft ’68C P'90,'92,'95 GP'21,'24 Richard Taft, Chesson Becker ’24
Anderson Adams ’25, Marian Morris Godwin ’98HS P'22, 25, Holly Godwin ’22
Carson Ford ’22, left, and Jennifer Boleman Ford ’93HS P'22, right
Eliza Dunn Tillman ’23, left, and Melissa Morrisette Tillman ’88HS P'23 right
Margaret Morrison Hamilton ’67HS, Carter Morrison ’25, Helen Holt Morrison ’39C P'67 GGP'25, Knox Morrison, and Betsy Morrison P'25
Michelle Oppegaard ’93HS ’95C P'22, Anna Weaver ’22, Kristie Melvin '89C, Evadora Boyd ’93HS ’95C
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EVENTS Frances Vann Club Gathering September 21, 2021 Coonrod Head of School Home
Shayla Kirchin Bradshaw ’92C, Gretchen Fracher Hardage ’65C, Florrie McCard ’14, Selden Gray Steed ’85C
Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C, left, and Jane Augustine Rabon ’59C
Mary Virginia Swain ’77C, Lou Johnson Johanson ’58C, Gretchen Fracher Hardage ’65C
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, irginia V , d n o g Richm e Gatherin a n 21 Alum 11, 20 r e b Novem f Stephanie o ms Home Willia p o h s Bi ’90HS
Carol Killebrew, Claudia Bishop Stubbs ’93HS, Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C, Stephanie Bishop Williams ’90HS, Linda Glass Hyslop ’71C, Molly Peebles Squire ’77HS ’79C, Mary Thrower Kulp ’88HS, Brandon Wright
Cary Hodges Wyatt ’89HS ’91C, April Browne ’88HS ’91C
Linda Glass Hyslop ’71C, Molly Peebles Squire ’77HS ’79C, Betsy Coley Fralin ’83C, Kate Kittrell Kerns ’80HS, Dial Baker Love ’79HS
Mary Thrower Kulp ’88HS, Katherine Johnson Cabaniss ’89HS
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IN MEMORIAM
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Agnes Gregory Carter ’37C June 26, 2021
Nellie Truslow Hutchins ’48C June 29, 2021
Ann Winslow Jennette ’55C July 21, 2021
Helen Lucretia Divers Glenn ’38HS November 27, 2021
Eleanor Pollard McIntyre ’48C October 18, 2021
Virginia Lilly Yarborough ’55C December 5, 2021
Mary Wilson Kistler Stahl ’39HS March 1, 2021
Sue Stowers Morrow ’48C April 2, 2021
Ann Christian Goodno ’40C May 28, 2020
Rebecca Smith Bunn ’48HS July 9, 2021
Camille Grice Redding ’55HS ’57C September 11, 2021
Marilyn Reaves Louthan ’40C October 15, 2020
Carolyn Watson Hines ’49C January 24, 2020
Frances Lightfoot Barrett Fitzgerald ’41C May 10, 2021
Frances Clark Jennings ’49C August 3, 2021
Florence Daniel Riepe Kalbacker ’41C June 19, 2020
Ruth Clark Saunders ’49C December 29, 2021
Elizabeth Grimes McRae ’41HS ’43C June 23, 2021
Jane Hope Watson ’49C August 8, 2020
Dorothy Lee Barrett ’42C August 20, 2021
Isabel Blount Carter Worthy ’49C October 5, 2021
Dorothy Spivey Bryant ’42C January 14, 2020
Margaret Gaston Bates ’49HS ’51C May 27, 2021
Elizabeth “Betty” Walters Reid ’42C June 8, 2021
Margaret “Peggy” Sears Mordecai ’49HS September 21, 2021
Charlotte Anne Hunt Pennell ’58C September 28, 2021
May Taylor Crawford ’42HS November 5, 2020
Emma Lou White Taylor ’49HS ’51C September 29, 2021
Margaret “Peggy” Pegues Kinney ’58HS ’60C July 31, 2021
Lillian West Parrott ’42HS November 12, 2021
Mary Anne Stout ’50C March 21, 2021
Alice Leota Edwards Bryant ’59C January 8, 2022
Emily Cheshire Dockery ’43C October 9, 2021
Martha Hood Herron ’50HS ’52C February 7, 2020
Jeanne Moye Whitford ’59C November 5, 2021
Margaret Parker Hill ’43C December 1, 2020
Lane Buchley Stiles '50HS '52C December 15, 2021
Marjorie Soar Miller ’43C December 27, 2020
Dorothy Morris Horn '51C December 4, 2020
Elizabeth Lamm Murphy ’63C June 27, 2021
Dora Winters Taylor ’43C June 11, 2021
Margaret Ann Brock Beaty ’51C June 10, 2020
Mary Elizabeth Jones McGehee ’43HS November 3, 2021
Junie McGwigan Purrington Hickman ’51C November 21, 2021
Eva Renfro Blackmer Bryan ’44C June 21, 2021
Virginia Randolph Moss ’51C September 12, 2021
Leigh Kemper Jones ’44C June 12, 2020
Barbara Scott Metz ’51HS January 17, 2021
Frances Marks Arnold Parker ’44HS July 30, 2021
Lucile Overton Adams ’51HS ’53C October 3, 2021
Elizabeth “Betty” Baer Lewis ’45C December 24, 2020
Rosemary Courie Koury ’52C October 14, 2021
Susan Tolar Williams ’45C September 15, 2021
Laura Holoman Murphy ’52C December 31, 2020
Phyllis Langdon Cockrell Gill ’45HS April 27, 2021
Jane Morgan Mills ’53C\ December 12, 2020
Celeste Irwin Hinson ’76C August 26, 2021
Roberta Langley Huffman Johnson ’45HS December 15, 2020
Athalia Cotton MacKenzie Cooper ’54C September 18, 2021
Lisa Blake Jones ’77HS September 11, 2021
Lloyd Eggleston Neff ’46C July 17, 2021
Susan Woodall Fuller ’54C July 10, 2021
Lauren Taylor Epps ’79HS June 3, 2021
Jane Campbell Symmes ’46C August 20, 2021
Vail Kugler Hawkins ’54C June 2, 2021
Mariah Elizabeth Gerow Lynch ’89C June 24, 2021
Jouett “Judy” Taylor Prisley ’47C February 21, 2021
Betty McGowan Lee ’54C March 16, 2021
Lucy French Wallace ’47C November 26, 2020
Sharlene Howard Vainright ’54C August 16, 2021
Juliet Coward Wendel ’89HS January 5, 2022
Saint Mary’s School | www.sms.edu
Mary Lou Macon Bell '57C January 23, 2022 Marjorie Coddington Cannon ’56HS ’58C July 13, 2021 Sallie Rembert Quirk ’56HS ’58C June 5, 2021 Sally Anne Greene Goodwyn ’58C November 8, 2021 Joy Little Loflin ’58C August 18, 2020 Elizabeth Deppe Barker Montgomery ’58C July 13, 2021
Cornelia Johnson Vick ’63C October 31, 2021 Christine Williams Cherry ’68C June 28, 2021 Georgia Lynn Gates ’68C February 11, 2021 Marie Ourednik Scarlett '70C July 12, 2021 Alice Proctor Witten ’71C December 9, 2021 Carolyn Carlisle Eskridge ’73HS June 29, 2021 Catherine Elizabeth Martin ’74HS ’76C December 17, 2021
MILESTONES Mary Mitchell Richards, daughter of Margaret Matteson Richards ’07
Susan Williams Mason ’05, a daughter January 20, 2021 Sarah Eberle McAnulty ’06, a daughter June 7, 2021
Alex and Olivia Lanier Bales ’12 on their wedding day in Tuscany
MARRIAGES *Paula Hopper ’91C married Glenn Mersereau October 9, 2021 Chrystal Weatherly ’93HS married Jason Haynes West July 18, 2020 Tate Garrison ’95C married Joel Killion November 7, 2021 Sara Frackelton ’01 married Brian Spotswood February 2, 2020 Cameron Moss ’04 married Stephen Daniel October 23, 2021 Alexandra Speros ’06 married Lee White October 9, 2021 Ashley Keen ’09 married Will Helms July 31, 2021 Maggie Liebowitz ’09 married Jamie Moorhouse August 7, 2021 Mollie Bryant ’10 married Chip Phillips July 10, 2021 Gates Killian ’10 married Robert Spilman November 13, 2021 Emily Harmer ’11 married Miles Childers September 17, 2021 *Anderson Stark ’11 married Michael Jensen November 13, 2021 Emma Stradling ’11 married Addison Roe August 27, 2021 Carrie Coleman ’12 married Nick Paxton June 12, 2021 Abby Crawford ’13 married Jamario Yung Savage Williams October 24, 2021
Howard Hamer Driscoll, son of Margaret Cheatham Williams Driscoll ’07
Cynthia Coleman ’14 married Tyler Hucherson August 14, 2021 Claire Stark ’14 married Jon Magee June 26, 2021 Morgan Seidel ’15 married Eduardo Abreu June 16, 2021 *Married in Saint Mary’s Chapel
NEW BABIES
Elena Fanjul Debnam ’06, a son November 30, 2021 Capel Kane Brendel ’07, a son December 2, 2021 Janna Weaver Cyrus ’07, a daughter December 16, 2021 Cathleen Beal Hipp ’07, a daughter December 13, 2021 Culbreth Jones ’07, a son November 20, 2021 Emily Long Melvin ’07, a son September 17, 2021 Margaret Matteson Richards ’07, a daughter December 20, 2021 Meredith Vaughn Savill ’07, a son October 26, 2021
Heather Gibson Harmon ’93HS ’95C, a daughter Margaret Cheatham Williams ’07, a son January 6, 2022 June 6, 2021 Michaela Idhammar Ketpura ’00, a son Crutcher Nash Battin ’08, a daughter November 29, 2021 September 28, 2021 Susan Lawson Morrison ’00, a daughter Elizabeth Mills Grantham ’08, a daughter January 3, 2021 December 22, 2021 Ashlin Hube Spinney ’00, a daughter Greyson Kane Sidebotham ’08, a daughter October 20, 2020 June 16, 2021 Morgan McDonald Williams ’01, a son Perry Holding Bailey ’09, a son July 23, 2021 August 26, 2021 Katie Jones Kindborg ’02, a daughter Sydney Johnson Beasley ’09, a daughter September 26, 2021 November 17, 2021 Courtney Crute Rees ’03, a daughter Elle Fulenwider Engstrom ’09, a son December 8, 2021 August 18, 2021 Mollie Williams Moss Southard ’03, a son Becca Vinson Hamilton ’09, a daughter November 8, 2021 October 22, 2021 Claire Cosgrove Edmundson ’05, a son Susan Heyman Lukens ’10, a daughter May 29, 2021 September 21, 2021 Hannah Small Jones ’05, a daughter Rachel Powell Maloney ’14, a daughter May 30, 2020 October 27, 2021
These milestones were compiled based on information received by the school by January 23, 2022. Every effort is made to include everyone for whom we have official confirmation by press time. If we missed you or your loved one, please send an official announcement to jbrown@sms.edu, or mail to Jeannine Eason Brown '94HS '96C, Saint Mary’s School, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, for inclusion in the summer 2022 magazine.
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CLASS NEWS 1950 CLASS NEWS
COLLEGE
Odd-year classes will be featured in the summer 2022 magazine. Alumnae in these classes will receive information to facilitate the reporting of news to class secretaries or directly to the school.
Betty Ray McCain ’50C Mary Mar Ragland Cox is celebrating being 91 years old! She is healthy, fine, and feels lucky to still be living in her own home. Her four sons are now grown and all happily married. One son married an SMS graduate, and he is now an Anglican minister. Patty Starr Willis is happy to still live at home in Trent Woods. She has two sons. Bill is in Florida and visits regularly, and Rexford lives nearby (also in Trent Woods) and takes great care of her! Patty related her mobility is good. She continues to enjoy Bible study, her beloved family, and her great friends! Betty Ray McCain, age 90, has recently welcomed her second beloved great-grandchild! Wee Blythe is enjoying mightily being a big sister to three-month-old Baby Henry. Betty loves to FaceTime with them every day!
CLASS NEWS POLICIES
1950
It’s all here – the latest and greatest news from alumnae in even-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.
Due to the uncertain nature of certain types of news, Saint Mary’s does not publish news of wedding engagements or pregnancies. We publish news of marriages, births, adoptions or deaths, based on published news reports or direct phone or e-mail contact with the Alumnae Office from the parties or immediate families. Please remember to include Saint Mary’s in your wedding announcement in the newspaper and please send birth announcements to the Alumnae Office for inclusion in the milestones section. Saint Mary’s Class Notes are published for each class once each year. Due to the extended nature of the production schedule for the magazine, class news is meant to be a once-a-year general update of your news for the previous year. We cannot guarantee the exact timeliness of your news, so please keep our advance deadlines in mind when submitting news. Saint Mary’s School reserves the right to edit class news for content, length and timeliness. Photographs may be submitted for consideration for the class news to mvswain@sms.edu or Mary Virginia Swain, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Photos must be high-quality prints or digital .jpeg photo files of at least 300 dpi. Group shots should include Saint Mary’s alumnae (and spouses and children) only and must include a detailed listing of everyone pictured, including full names and class years.
HIGH SCHOOL Adele Hicks Moss moved to Richmond, Virginia, at the end of November to be near her daughter, Torrey Moss Munford ’81C.
1952
COLLEGE Mary Jo Paul Browning ’52C lives in Virginia. “I have moved to The Culpepper, a continuing care community here in the Town of Culpepper. Son William lives nearby in Orange, and daughter Martha lives in Apex. Though I no longer drive, I continue to be active. I see Mary Ann Allen Cowherd and Frances Wright Johnson often.”
1954
COLLEGE Laura Ann Travis Radoff writes from Charlotte. “I was widowed in 2015 but am doing fine. My health is good, except for some mobility problems, and overall, I feel blessed. I moved into a great condo (with wonderful friends) only a few blocks from my house. It was a wonderful relief from having to keep up a big house and yard. All four children and 11 grandchildren are doing well. One grandchild is married. I’m still doting on grandkids—none of whom, unfortunately, live in Charlotte. I started playing mahjong about four years ago and have turned into a mahjong nut—usually play twice a week. If anybody wants to get up a game in Charlotte, let me know. My deepest love to you all.”
1954
HIGH SCHOOL Ann Going Purcell writes from Columbia, South Carolina, with the sad news of her husband’s death on Dec. 26, 2020. Buzz fell and broke multiple bones. “We had a good life together—49 years. We have two children, both of whom are married with young children. We have five grandkids, all active. So, though I am homebound, I enjoy living vicariously through them!” Mott Butler Goff writes from Dunn, “I survived the lockdown! I watched enough tv to put me to sleep! If age has not made me lazy, the lockdown has. No COVID for me or my family! I hope the same for you all. My best wishes to all!”
1956
COLLEGE Martha Brooks Bricio ’54HS ’56C As always, thanks so much to those who responded. I enjoy hearing from you, and when it's time to check in with Saint Mary's, I look forward both to my email and my snail mail! As for the last year and a half of lockdown and restrictions, Barbara Doar Cooper writes, "The COVID world is still with us here in Charlotte, keeping news down to a minimum. However, as usual, my family planned to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas at Sunset Beach. My kids have just returned from the Arctic Circle, enjoying the Northern Lights. I stayed home with the granddogs." A destination having no problem with social distancing! Mary Louise Bizzell Burress writes, "All our news is good so far! John just celebrated 86! Yipes! Unbelievable!
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We have two grandsons at UVA, one in N.Y.C., and one with PGA in Atlanta. Kay D. Burress lives here in Winston with a daughter and son. These are our nearest grandchildren. Walker sons in Richmond and Roanoke. Wishing all of you the best!" But some of our news is mixed: Ann Dorris Garvin writes, "I have good news and bad news. My children, grandchildren, and greats are all doing well. We had a great time at DeBordieu this summer. The sad news is the loss of Jay Robinson. He was in a tragic skiing accident in April, and after a valiant fight for survival, died in June. My niece, Julia O'Brien Robinson, and her children, as well as all of our family, are still grieving over the loss of an extraordinary man." From the Atlanta area, Joan Culbreth Greer reports that she and Jep are still living in Jasper, Georgia. Two of their children are close by, and the oldest son is in Leesburg, Virginia. Also in the Atlanta area is Alice Ann Lancaster Henson. I had emailed her with a question: who was the fifth person in Ms. Morrison's tiny psychology class besides Alice Ann, Ellen Johnson, Patsy Miller Moore and me? Her response: "I haven't the slightest idea!” She then added, "We had about three inches of snow yesterday to try to put us in the mood for the season! Stay healthy...enjoy!" An amusing and upbeat note came from Mott Butler Goff. "The Goffs are still making their way in the world. I survived ‘the lockdown!’ Thank goodness for blue jeans and tee shirts and sweat shirts! TV and ice cream! My church services moved outside! One tank of gas lasted two years! Small towns are the best! Love to all who are still here!" Helen Walker Webb always sends in her news. "As of this date am alive and 'on foot.' Still living at Homestead Hills. Continue to write short stories. Continue to drive - but not on the 'fast roads!' Would enjoy hearing from any of you." Marianna Miller Raugh checked in saying she's fine as far as she knows and has no news. And no news is good news, right? Nevertheless, we have lost several classmates since our last newsletter: Margaret "Peggy" Brinkley, in February of 2021; Ann Ruffin Hines, in June of 2021; and also in June, Carolyn Warlick Lane. Another classmate, Barbara Brown Keller Hobson '55C, died in September of 2020. She was a business student, so is listed in the 1955 Stagecoach as ’55C, but she was really in our class! She and I went through elementary school together in Kinston, and I visited with her when she was in high school in Rocky Mount. The reunion was delightful! I wish more of us could have been there. From our class there were only five: Sue Jett Russler, Mary Louise Bizzell Burress, Glenn Norman Dickens, Nancy Mallon Towe, and me. Smedes Parlor was lovely, with its various tables set up with COVID-conscious, pre-packaged, in-house made lunch items! But the reunion was also for last year's reunioners, so I was having such a great time on Smedes terrace with Anne Harmon Jones McDaniel
’55C and Martha Gay Burns Morton ’55HS that I forgot to show up for our class photo! So, the summer issue of this magazine shows only four in the ’56C pic and all three classes in the other! (Also forgot to remove my photograde glasses!). That's it for now, but should the spirit move any of you to write at any time between now and next fall, write! I'll save it for the next letter. Love and best wishes to all in the coming year! Martha
1958
COLLEGE Barbara Hauser Bryan ’58C Thanks for sharing quickly by snail mail and for answering my you-can-move-and-changecontact-details-but-we're-not-done-yet queries! Margie Reid warmed my heart with "No news is good news!" Just as her Raleigh buddy, finally officially retired, Sue Sandlin-Plaehn was asking ME if I'd heard from Margie! Devoted Dot Ricks Lind reports she is "volunteering as much as I wish...have finally learned to say 'No.’" Louise "Ease" Pennington Bridgforth retired from Monument Radiology Allison Breast Center, now enjoying home with son Bass and wife Karen, plus children, Tanner and Taylor Bridgforth. Emmy McNeill Sconyers always shares genuine Good News, this year studying the Book of Matthew at bsfinternational.org. Harriett Lang Hornthal sends words of hope for everyone's good health along with noting, "Getting out and just being with folks is wonderful." Ginger Vann King and roommate Jean Young Trevorrow reconnected and stay in touch. Ginger's stroke last January left no paralysis. Husband Bill is adjusting to life in a nearby assisted living residence. She also reported attending the funeral for Martha Thomas Wily ’61C, a 30year neighbor and Saint Mary's grad. Millie Fary Coleman penned another NNIGN ("no news is good news") confirmation. "Everyone is healthy and back in school." She and Tom agree that retirement community living remains great, except for the too-soon departures of new friends. Ann Shepherd Engel has updated her "preferred" name from "Shep" to "G'ma," and she's earned it! "Mini Mafia (teaches) us new ways of the world...and new Mini Mafia (six also) introducing us to college: U of Pitt, schools in Texas, Philadelphia, and our neighborhood. More room mothering or last minute science projects!" The "fun" part is nearly everyone together for a lake resort week. Our multi-year search to locate Sallie Rembert Quirk ended this past summer after her illness and death in Mallorca, Spain, one of three places frequented by our artist classmate. Appreciation to Babe Middleton Nobles for sharing that sad news. Kit Tiedeman Mason and son Will welcomed the California contingent to North Carolina in August, celebrating the baby's (#4) first birthday early. Kit was headed West pre-Christmas, followed by working son Will before New Year's.
Speaking of holidays and kin, Penelope Currie, plus 16 others, joined for Thanksgiving at her namesake niece's home. She's "always loved a large extended family." Likewise for Carole Barber Fauth, who planned to join family from several states for Turkey Time at Nag's Head. Matters of the heart (cardiology) delayed her leaving for Key West at her usual time this year. Lou Johnson Johanson mentioned "many good things going on" at school and an enjoyable SMS evening for former staffers with the Frances Vann Club (a fun group of those alumnae who work or have worked at Saint Mary’s). She has seen Annie Gray Calhoun Lane and Jessie Allen Ogburn at the beach or mountains. She and Jessie were in Chapel Hill for a seminar. Based on a paper Lou once wrote, Villanova sophomore grandson Will Kennedy has been giving talks on Pocahontas! Peggy Hamme Youngblood listed losses of husband, "Dr. Bob," her sister, Julia Ann Hamme Taylor ’56C, and brother, Joseph Carr Hamme. Rough times for classmate Boo Baker Love, who lost her husband this year and whose health has been poor, as has that of Kay Baker Floyd who had back surgery. On a happier note, living blocks from each other, Peggy enjoys seeing Rett Weston Padgett ’59C, Octavia Phillips McLeod ’57HS ’59C, and Julia Willcox Buyck ’57C. Thanks to collecting contact details for nearly everyone's younger family members, I found Betty Bundy Webb through her daughter, Mary McCune, living 12 minutes from me. Following Jim's death in summer 2019, Betty moved to assisted living and now memory care in a happy setting at Ranson Ridge in Huntersville. Roomie Lucy Wooten Wofford is enjoying "finally getting out and going on excursions" again after so long inside. "All the family is doing well, and a couple of grands are deciding on colleges." Sharing with Peggy Hamme Youngblood that I'd learned her roommate, Joy Little Loflin, died August 18, 2020, I checked the date that Margaret Crowson Skinner, the other member of their Second Smedes corner room, died, and it was August 17, 2020. The trio roomed together at Chapel Hill their first year until separate sororities pulled them apart. Tears here for that sweet story. Other Belles we'll meet for a heavenly reunion, ones who've flown since our last class letter are Shella Strother Hollowell ’57C (December 10, 2020), Janice Sutton Manassa (December 14, 2020), Sallie Rembert Quirk (June 6, 2021), Deppe Barker Montgomery (July 13, 2021), Charlotte Hunt Pennell (September 28,2021), and Sally Greene Goodwyn (November 8, 2021). Your scribe remains active in civic, church, family, and health justice issues, and still thinks in sonnets. Another reunion in 2023! Let's do more minis before then.
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CLASS NEWS 1960
COLLEGE Blanche Bonner Stevens writes from Greensboro, “We are enjoying being in our own house, doing crossword puzzles and practicing Tai Chi. Looking forward to having lunch with Mary Cameron and Martha Taylor Yeargin again soon.” Florie McLeod Ervin says, “It’s just not the same without Peggy Peques Kinney! She passed away July 31, 2021. She kept our class news current and uplifting. Peggy was so much fun to turn our information in for the class. She is greatly missed.” Florie has 11 grandchildren (ages 4-17), eight girls and three boys.
1962
COLLEGE Mary Larsen Jordan ’62C Cookie Arthur Smith writes, “I sincerely hope more of my old Saint Mary’s pals send in their news this time. Apparently, a majority have gone into the Witness Protection Program. Soon, I will start searching for their faces on milk cartons. In May, my granddaughter, Caylin Hathaway Smith, graduated summa cum laude from Hollins University with a double major in International Something or Other. While at her graduation, I had the great pleasure of meeting Dr. Mary Dana Hinton ’88HS, president of Hollins and a Saint Mary’s alumna. Such a lovely and impressive person. Oddly enough, since I graduated third from the bottom of my class at Saint Mary’s, I actually love to learn. My current enthusiasm is playing African rhythms using a djembe drum. I take group lessons and we even give concerts. It’s just like being in Cold Cuts all over again except nobody is wearing cutoff overalls and madras plaid shirts. And we’re not howling ‘Little Darlin.’ While I was browsing the alumnae profiles recently, I noticed Janie Swain Molster ’78HS and Harriet Adams ’86HS ’88C. I taught them both, Janie in first grade and Harriet in kindergarten. It was gratifying to know of their successes in life and that I had not ruined them academically.” Oh, Cookie! Nancy Vance Ashmore Cooper writes that she is fine and healthy and still enjoying life at Carolina Village in Hendersonville. No COVID around there, thank goodness! She says she has learned a lot this year hearing from long- absent friends, which brings joy and happy memories. I shall never forget traveling with Nancy Vance and Ginny Simmons Shew after graduating from Saint Mary’s. We went to Europe together. We were on Mont Saint-Michel in France. We all wanted to take a shower. It was a hot day and we had been walking all over. In those days (1962) you had to get a key from the desk to turn on the hot water in the shower. So, Ginny, as we called her, and Nancy Vance got on the phone to room service. In their Southern accents speaking French, they asked for the hot water key for four showers. Well, after a bit, here came room service with a
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bottle of water on a tray and four glasses! I have never laughed so hard in my life! Those were the good old days! Lynn Boyce Brennan writes that she has four grandchildren who all graduated from college in May 2021. All of them have jobs! Her grandson, Boyce Purdie, was captain of his soccer team at HampdenSydney! Sounds like a pretty successful bunch to me! Cornelia Hines Pelzer writes that she is having a wonderful time stitching a needlepoint cushion for the Bishop’s chair in St. Anne’s in Conway, South Carolina. She is also quite busy working on the finance and capital campaign for Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston, South Carolina. Cornelia’s son has a home on the Big Island of Hawaii. She and her daughter and family plan to visit there for Christmas. How wonderful! Courtenay Cordes McDowell writes that she and husband Dick have had nothing unusual happen in the past year. Great! They spent four months last fall and winter in North Carolina quarantining on their farm outside of Brevard. They were not seeing many people or going out, as few masks are worn by those who live there. Courtenay also writes that she saw Erwin Parrot Boyd at Bishop Gadsden in Charleston. It had been 50 years since they had seen each other! Marcia Sawyers Griffin writes that her granddaughter, Kruesi Griffin ’22, is graduating from Saint Mary’s this year. Kreusi is a marshal and active in school life. Marcia is so thrilled that her granddaughter has enjoyed being at Saint Mary’s! Ginny Simmons Shew writes that there is no real news. She and husband Al are healthy and still living the dream! They spend half of the year in Asheville and the other half in Safety Harbor, Florida. Sounds wonderful! Vickie McKenzie Armes says, “I want to send a GREAT BIG SHOUT OUT to all the '62 class who ‘came through’ at the last minute during the final days/hours of the 20202021 SMS Annual Fund drive! You know it only takes 80 of us to raise the percentage of givers 1 percent. Knowing this, please be one of the 80 and encourage other SMS friends to join you. Off my soap box to say that our beloved SMS is more than thriving! Lots of new energetic faces have made for a very active Alumnae Leadership Council. Yep, I'm stilling hanging in there and loving every minute, be the meetings virtual or in-person! Also, I have enjoyed my part as co-chair of the Grandparents Committee - corresponding with the grandparents of all the students. Marcia Sawyers Griffin and I both have granddaughters in the same class. Small world, to say the least. Our 60th reunion is in April, so please make every attempt possible to be there and see how beautiful our beloved school is! In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy the holiday season with friends, family, and love ones!” Cummins Beville Sherrill '62C writes, “We are in the process of moving out of our home of 45+ years in Statesville to Pinehurst, where our daughter, Elizabeth Sherrill Druga, lives. As for me, Mary Larsen Jordan, I am enjoying living in
Granite Bay, California, next door to my younger son, Patrick, his wife Stefani, and their adorable daughter, Kailani (4)! She is the love of my life! My older son, Nathan, and his wife Stephanie (yes, another one) and their three sons, Michael (11), Kyle (11), and Thomas (8), live about 25 minutes away in Sacramento. I love having all of them so close. Because of COVID, my only friends are the grocery store clerks. Since I am new to the area, I am being very careful. I really know only a few neighbors over the fence. I really have not gone much of anywhere through the pandemic. Hopefully that will start to change soon. I want to thank those of you who have written or responded to my emails. It is so good to hear from you all. As Cookie said, I hope that more of you will resurface next time around. I cannot believe we have been doing this for almost 60 years! Jeepers! Good Lord! Where has that time gone? Take care everyone and please stay safe! Happy Holidays to all of you. May 2022 bring us good health and peace in our lives! Rememberto wash your hands! This is your nurse speaking! Mary
1962 HIGH SCHOOL and 1964 COLLEGE
Janie Stronach Wood ’62HS ’64C As all of you know, this past year has been, sadly, one with much less socializing and has been more of a challenge communicating with classmates! Since March, Tom and I reopened our Mulberry Hill Inn, outside of Edenton, and we have enjoyed folks who needed a change of scenery! Our son, Thomas, enjoys being a trial attorney with his firm, Godwin and Wood. He and wife Adrian have just moved to a downtown waterfront home, which has a spectacular sunset view! Grandson Thomas is enjoying a second year at Episcopal High School, where he will be joined by his brother, Russell, next year. Naturally, I would love for our granddaughter, Blair, to attend Saint Mary's in three years! Amos (8) has made progress with autism, which is often the subject of Adrian's highly acclaimed social media blog, Tales of an Educated Debutante. Marilyn Stadler Gideon loves returning to their log cabin, where she and Ed lived 27 years ago. Luckily, extra rooms have been added! They love the ducks on the pond and the other wildlife, especially the deer. Not being able to find a suitable house, they decided to build. She says, "At my age, this is crazy! My knees are shot, and I have trouble getting up off the floor! Hopefully, by the time you read this, we will be settled in our new house." Marilyn is not our only classmate in a log home! Kate Smoot Sefcik writes from Asheboro, “Frank and I enjoy having family and friends at our log home in the foothills, where I was born. Family includes six dogs! Perfect place to hike, explore, and enjoy fellowship.” Sadly, our dear classmate, Elizabeth “Ibis” Ponton Manning ’64C, passed away this
SAINT MARY’S REMEMBERS year after a long illness. I was also sad to learn about the death last year of Robert Moss, husband of Marguerite McKee Moss ’62HS. Fortunately, I am in the Hayes Barton Canasta group and keep up with Clare Garden Maddison ’64C, who keeps in touch with other Saint Mary's classmates! She has kept up with Ann Edwards Barefoot ’64C, whose husband, Richard, passed away this fall. On a much better note, I have enjoyed seeing the many Saint Mary's friends who live here in the eastern part of our state: Dickie Robinson Tyler ’56HS ’58C, her sister, Boo Robinson Beasley ’54HS ’56C, Amelia Yancey Bond ’59HS ’61C, and Frances Holton Maffit ’60HS. Sister, Anne Stronach Genter ’53HS ’55C, and her husband, David, made the long trip from Sewickley, Pennsylvania, by automobile in June. Even though we had a wonderful time, they said that their next visit would be by plane! I expect my next news release will be easier without a pandemic to interfere with our social lives! Janie
1964
HIGH SCHOOL Anne Underwood Grant lives in Mills River, North Carolina, near Asheville. “I retired this summer from a 20-year career breeding and showing show-bred Labrador retrievers, and I am returning to writing mysteries and other stories. My son started a real estate photography/videography company, and my daughter is a BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) in Asheville.”
1966
COLLEGE Lesley Wharton Marcello says, “My annual update is that my husband, Bobby, and I made it to this point. COVID alone would have been enough, but in the last six months, he had emergency back and gallbladder surgery on top of his ongoing treatment for multiple myeloma (99.9 percent in remission!) and, in November, cataract surgery. I'm luckier, needing only minor maintenance and enjoying my water classes and other exercises at our wellness center. But we're both still here! Our few trips have been to see the grandchildren in Oklahoma, North Carolina, New Orleans, Gulf Shores, or wherever. We're doing what we can to be a part of our community and church, around doctor appointments and trips. Guess that describes most of us, right?” Jean Muchmore McCleary writes, “I had an exciting summer with visits from two of my classmates. We missed our 55th reunion due to the pandemic, so it was a happy occasion to see them. In August, Alice Tripp Sullivan came to Rhode Island to visit her daughter, who was spending the summer here. We had a very fun time catching up over lunch at the beach. She looks great and is enjoying life with her husband, Dick, in South Carolina. In September, Susan Soper Holland stopped by with her husband, Bo, on their way to Maine. My sister, Joan Muchmore Roach ’65C, happened to be staying with me at the time. Susie and Joan knew each other well when they were both living in Smedes. We all met for a long lunch with our husbands and had a hilarious time.” Sally Borden Worrell reports, “All is well here at the coast. Lots of folks moving here! Son George is president of Wayco Ham Company, which began in 1946. Daughter Lee is a realtor in Morehead City, with kids Nash (14) and Arabella (12) and husband Billy—Snipes Insurance Company and Searock. Tony and I enjoy family, friends, sports, and outdoor gatherings. Love to all of SMS!”
Camille Grice Redding ’55HS ’57C Former Trustee December 6, 1936 - September 11, 2021 Camille Grice Redding ’55HS ’57C of Asheboro, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, September 11, 2021. Camille was born to the late Camille Jennette and Theodore Nelson Grice on December 6, 1936, in Raleigh. She graduated from St. Mary's Junior College in 1957 and received her bachelor's degree in 1959 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She married William Howard Redding, Jr. of Asheboro in 1961. After college, she taught school in Atlanta and Manhasset, New York. Camille was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Asheboro. She was a loving mother and a devoted wife. Camille's civic pursuits included the Historical Book Club of North Carolina, the Junior League of Greensboro, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and she was a longstanding member of the Sorosis Book Club. She served on the board of trustees of Saint Mary's College in Raleigh. Camille was an avid tennis player and participated in the Gate City League. In her later years, she enjoyed spending time at Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, with her children, grandchildren and the “Raleigh girls,” her beloved childhood friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Theodore Nelson Grice, Jr. and his wife, Gretchen. She is survived by her husband and her daughters, Camille Redding Duncan ’84C of Raleigh and Anna Redding Gilbert ’86C and husband, John Neely Gilbert III, of Statesville. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Carter Elizabeth Duncan, Joseph Jelks Duncan, John Neely Gilbert IV, and Anna Emeline Gilbert.
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CLASS NEWS
Saint Mary’s friends and sisters enjoyed a long lunch along with their husbands last summer in Wakefield, Rhode Island, where Jean Muchmore McCleary ’66C lives. Pictured left to right: Joan Muchmore Roach ’65C, who was visiting sister Jean; Susie Soper Holland ’66C, who stopped by on her way to Maine; and Jean Muchmore McCleary ’66C.
1968
COLLEGE Paula Johnson Stewart ’68C I enjoyed a wonderful trip to Saint Mary’s this fall for the scholarship tea for the donors and recipients of scholarships. The campus has never looked prettier, and the girls are so young and cute! I represented our class, along with Claire Duff Dodd. The Class of ’68 was given praises for giving the scholarship, and now the Class of ’78 and ’81 are exploring the idea of giving money to fund scholarships. “Our girl,” Aliyah Jones ’22, is a senior this year! She was part of the entertainment and has such a pretty voice. She also had a lead role in the school play. She is applying to colleges and would love for any of our class to come to her graduation on May. I think our class needs to seriously consider giving another scholarship! I am hoping that Julie Ricciardi will write about the history of scholarships at Saint Mary’s, so you can see how our scholarships have made an impact and how girls have been helped over the years. I received a nice long text from Diane Stockard Wade. “I hope you hear from many this year—we’re all so isolated and it’s good to try and stay in touch as much as possible. No real news on this end—but we have a lot to be grateful for. We weathered the COVID scare and have had our boosters. Our older granddaughter, Katie Guess ’22, is a senior at Saint Mary’s this
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year and having a blast, so unlike last year when school activities were limited due to COVID, although they did attend school in person. Katie was inducted into the National Honor Society at the beginning of this school year. Just recently, she was asked to join the Beacon and she is in the equivalent of the old ‘Cold Cuts’—I can’t remember what it’s called now, maybe The Echo? She is an R.A. on second Smedes and copresident of the Granddaughters Club. Obviously, we are all mighty proud of her! Our other three grandchildren are all amazing young adults too, with our youngest being 17 and our oldest 25. I don’t know how they got to be that old when I certainly don’t feel old enough to claim them! Louis and I celebrated our 52nd anniversary on November 1. I hit the lottery when I said, ‘I do,’ and think now I’ll keep him! Sadly, I’ve seen just a few of our classmates this year, but have kept in touch fairly frequently with Claire Duff Dodd, Duffy Beasley Gibbs, Frances Garris Jilcott, Juliet Smith Barrus, Flake Kellogg, Bagley Waddill Reynolds, Arabella Nash Hubbard, and Cissie Hobgood Wellons. It’s always so special when we can get together, albeit for just a short time! Also, we all wish Cece May Scott a continued successful recovery from her awful car wreck. Louis and I continue to stay busy and always seem to be running up and down the road. I don’t know how long that’s going to last, but we’re going to push hard as long as we can! There’s an old
boater’s saying that we are trying to avoid, ‘When you rest, you rust!’ Two more years is our 55th SMJC reunion—I really hope we can plan something to get together before then! Atlanta girls, are you listening?! Ha! Hugs and cheer to everyone and I pray that you all are well.” Cece May Scott was on her way to St. Barts when I talked to her. Her granddaughter, Lucy Scott Nogas ’25 (technically, Peter’s granddaughter, but Cece does claim her!) is a freshman boarder at Saint Mary’s this year, and Cece has had such a good time going over there and hearing all about her finding her way around. She says she loves it — such a cute bunch of girls! Cece saw Diane Stockard Wade, and also Cheryl Lee Taft, at the Granddaughters Club ceremony. Since she wasn’t a granddaughter, this was her first one. Lucy is in it through her great-grandmother Scott. “Love the ghost of Aldert Smedes. That wasn’t around in our day, was it?” Cece asks. Cheryl Lee Taft and Richard have moved to their house in Pine Knoll Shores to see how they like the winter. They still have their house in Greenville. She writes about how special it was to be in the Chapel again, standing beside her daughter, Gloria Taft Becker ’92HS, and her granddaughter, Chesson Becker ’23, at the Granddaughters Club ceremony. “It was really special with Diane Stockard Wade, Martha Hall Michaels ’67HS, and Cece May Scott and their granddaughters.” I will look forward to seeing Cheryl now that I know she is here. Lynn Abercrombie Starling has a new address in Morehead City and is playing golf in both North Carolina and at her house in Florida. Kathy Baley Atkinson splits her time between Florida and Asheville. Jessica Gillespie Gammon splits her time between Blowing Rock and Raleigh and enjoys golf at both places. Becky Bell Savitz spends May through November in the North Carolina mountains and the rest of the year in Tampa, Florida. She built a new house across the street from her old house, and it is right next to her daughter and her family. If you have not seen her mountain gardens, please go to babasgarden on TikTok or to thepiquinggardner on Instagram to see all that she is doing. She is even selling her mosaics on Etsy! She does beautiful work! All is well with Judy Dunn Woodall and all her family. She is finally retired, and she and Tony spend time between Benson and Holden Beach. She continues to adore her grandsons, Spence (14) and Austin (11). Beth Harris Isenhour’s biggest joy is having her five grandchildren (ages 6 and under) only half an hour away. She gets to babysit often. She and her third floor Holt dorm roommate, Carla Heaton Bailey, who lives in Hillsborough, get together regularly with other third Holt girls, Frances Garris Jilcott, Mary Pearshall Maxwell, and Anne Hoffler Powell. Cathy Swain Crossett also joins them. Frances Garris Jilcott writes, “I feel compelled to write about my dear Saint Mary’s friends who took such good care of me multiple times this summer as I was recuperating
from surgery for a broken heel and riding a knee scooter! Both in Kinston and during my extended stay at the beach, where I rehabbed in the club’s pool, I was grateful for all the classmates and friends from other graduating classes at Saint Mary’s who performed countless acts of kindness and thoughtfulness. Being a part of the Saint Mary’s circle has always been, and continues to be, a blessing in my life!” We can probably all give that an “Amen!” Lenora Kendrick Clontz has started back to the Y (Zumba and yoga) and taking trips. She has also started hiking, so if anyone is hiking easy to moderate trails, please let her know. She would love to plan a trip! She gets to see Leighton Holmes Tesch often. Pat Slater Holscher is still painting, trying to golf, getting vaccinated, and avoiding COVID. She has seen a few classmates: Flake, Duffy, Martha, Sallie, Beth, Cece, and Cantey Tomlinson Tanner ’66HS. All are doing well and the best we can. She sends her love to all. I received this from Duffy Beasley Gibbs, “We are all well. Life seems to be getting back to normal. Thankful to be enjoying good health. Really enjoying the ages of my grandchildren right now (9,7,7,6). I’m hoping we’ll get back to traveling a little this year. Did enjoy running into Saint Mary’s girls this summer along with the regular local crowd…had a great lunch with Diane Stockard Wade, Claire Duff Dodd, and Juliette Smith Barrus. We need an off-year reunion. Atlanta would be so fun (are you listening Atlanta girls?) Love keeping up with many on Facebook. Love to all!” Mary Clark Whittle German writes that she is trying to get new knees and hips so she can come to the next reunion! (She already has had one hip done, yay! Three to go!) I had a lengthy call from Bettie “Flake“ Kellogg. She is full speed ahead and living life to the fullest. She is on the go! She reports she has a new man in her life-- a rescue horse that she purchased! She is in love with him. Her granddaughter named him Bear, and Flake is spending a lot of time with the horse people in Manteo. She and Laura Walter Hearn took their granddaughters to Alaska last summer. She and Laura also went to France for a couple of weeks, and she visits her son and his family in Puerto Rico. She is planning to take her 12-yearold granddaughter to France this summer. She and Slater have already put a down payment at Hayes Barton Place, a retirement community in Raleigh. Please let her know if others have already signed up! The more the merrier! It can be like Saint Mary’s all over again! Susan Davis Virgin writes that Martha Vaughan came to Atlanta and they had lunch with Rebecca Robinson Smith, Cathy Swain Crossett and Jo Crawford Phelps. She and Frank celebrated their 50th anniversary by traveling to Ireland on a golf trip with three other couples. “It was a perfect trip…didn’t even have rain…unheard of in Ireland!” She has seen Molly Richardson Swan and her sister, Nancy Richardson Watson ’68HS, recently. She saw Nancy in Cashiers and
Nancy and Molly at their brother Stewart’s Celebration of Life service. Martha Vaughan writes that now that she is retired, she can play a lot of golf, travel, and visit her two granddaughters in Clemson. She, Kaye Lasater Culp, and I went to spend the weekend in Deltaville, Virginia, with a friend who lived with us in Richmond after college. We have kept up with each other for over 5O years. While there, we went and had lunch with Peabody (Beverly Randolph) in Irvington, Virginia, and watched the DukeCarolina football game. Martha and Kaye were able to play golf while there. Kaye sold her house in Raleigh and has moved to her house in the mountains. She continues to work remotely for Trinity Church on Wall Street in New York City. I am still working at the Presbyterian Church in Morehead City. I am not teaching kindergarten but am the preschool administrator, so I am around precious children every day. COVID has been a challenge but we are surviving! I enjoy “watching” the Carolina basketball and football games with Molly Richardson Swan and Susan Davis Virgin, as we text throughout the games. During football season, University of Georgia is their priority, so I am looking forward to basketball season! I have a new grandson, Graeme William, who was born in Chicago on March 6. That makes a total of four grandchildren for me - a boy and girl for each of my two boys. We all hope to be in Henderson with my parents in their home for Christmas. Haven’t all been together for two Christmases. Needless to say, I am looking forward to it! I do hope you and all your family members are doing well. Hopefully we will all be able to gather for our 55th reunion in 2023, if not before! Best, Paula
1968
HIGH SCHOOL Susan Byars ’68HS ’70C Hope you all are doing well and staying well! We’ve all been through a lot with the pandemic, vaccinations, social distancing, and wearing masks. Hopefully, things will continue to improve for everyone. I certainly do enjoy hearing from you and hearing how you are doing. Sally Lennon Terwey writes that she is still very comfortable at her home in Cedars of Chapel Hill. She continues to do 10-12 hours of volunteer work per week. I continue to enjoy a wonderful retirement with volunteer work, friends, family, and some travel. Hope you all have lovely holidays with those you hold most dear. Here’s to a great 2022 for all of us. Love to you all, Susan
1970
COLLEGE Jane Wood Youngblood '70C Anna Robinson Heroy and roommate Margie Smith Clark were able to get together after not seeing each other in 50 years! They both felt like it had been yesterday. Special time! Mary Stewart Stokes is a grandmother as of September 2020, two days before her birthday. What a gift! Mary Adelaide Horton and Anne Doster have continued to meet for lunch a couple times a year. Adelaide also said she is working hard as ever for a non-profit and other volunteer work. Busy as always! Sara Frances Walters Pisani Borden sent us exciting and heartwarming news regarding her granddaughters, Sara Elizabeth Bell '23 and Mahala Bell '25, attending SMS this year! Through the grapevine, I have news that both girls are very active in everything good at school and are delightful Saint Mary's students. Sara Elizabeth is the star of the volleyball team! Markay Farmer Carter, Lillian Rudolph Gantsoudes, Sara Frances Walters Borden, Olivia Grimes Roberson, Kack Harrison Hardin, Marshal Young Smith, and Stannie Farish Brewer represented the Class of 1970 College at the reunion weekend. Stannie writes, “We combined our 51st with the class of '71, who were celebrating their 50th, and it was so nice to see many of those who came. We were sad not to see more, but it really gave us a chance to catch up with those who were there. I remember when I came to our 5th, 10th, and even the 15th, and I thought how cute it was that those little old ladies were there to celebrate their 50th! And there we were! With those 50-year medals around our necks! Everyone looked great, like we should have been celebrating our 40th! Hope to see more at our 55th!” Thank you, Stannie, for the reunion recap and to all who sent in news! Jane
1970
HIGH SCHOOL Janet Blair writes, “Just a quick update on the three of us! While it has been another ‘unusual’ year, it has been a good one for us. My son, Ben, still lives here in Atlanta and is enjoying his work as a pricing analyst. He is looking forward to international travel opening up more in 2022 and planning some extended trips. My daughter, Blakeney, loves her position as an actuary and recently received another promotion. Even better, she is moving back to Atlanta from Houston next spring. She will be keeping her current position and able to work remotely. I am really looking forward to having both kids here. I am excited to report that I will be officially retired by Thanksgiving 2021. After all these years of several intense and stressful jobs, I am looking forward to relaxing and planning some trips. I adopted a rescue puppy this past spring and some more training is on the agenda for the two of us!” Ann Highsmith writes, “I was so happy
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SAINT MARY’S REMEMBERS Dora Winters Taylor ’43C Former Alumnae Secretary August 14, 1924 - June 11, 2021 Dora Winters Taylor, former alumnae secretary and beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-greatgrandmother, 96, of Trent Woods, NC, died peacefully Friday, June 11, 2021 at her home surrounded by her three sons. Dora was born in Raleigh in 1924 and had fond memories of spending her childhood in the capital city where she attended lower school and was a member of The Church of the Good Shepherd. She moved with her family to Washington, D.C., in 1937 and attended upper school. Dora spent her first two years of college at Saint Mary's College in Raleigh, was dedicated in supporting the school as the Alumnae Secretary after graduation, and in numerous ways throughout her life. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in French in 1945. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Dora was also a patriotic member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. In 1952, she married Jack Taylor at Christ Church in Raleigh and embarked on an adventurous honeymoon to the Canadian and Alaskan wilderness to hunt big game. They soon moved to Trent Woods where she and Jack established their family home, raised three sons, and had a lifetime of continued adventure and happiness. Her love of spending family time outdoors continued, with visits to Atlantic Beach, and playing tennis. She was devoted to her husband, family, friends, community, and country, and lived each day as a Christian, where God was the center of her life. Bible studies were very important as she was involved with multiple groups and hosted many studies in her home. She traveled the world to visit significant Biblical sites. Christian service and charity work were a constant focus in her life. Her greatest desire was for everyone to know God's word. Dora was preceded in death by her husband, John Taylor, Jr; her father, Dr. Rhett Winters; her mother, Elizabeth Knox Winters; her sister, Elsa Winters March; her brother, Rhett Winters, Jr; and her stepson, Zachary Taylor. She is survived by her three sons, Lloyd Taylor (Robin), Edmund Taylor (Katie), and Rhett Taylor (Jill); grandchildren, Caroline, Erin, and Jack Taylor; great-grandchildren, Holly and Reade Jackson, step daughterin-law, Judy Taylor; step grandchildren, Brian Taylor (Missy), John Taylor (Joan), and Emmanuel Sessegnon; step greatgrandchildren, Zack Taylor (Christin), Josh Taylor (Campbell), Max Taylor, Jake Taylor, and Mimi Roberson (Tyler); and step great-great-granddaughter, Kate Wilmoth. A celebration of Dora's life was held Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Garber United Methodist Church in Trent Woods.
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CLASS NEWS to see Peaches Rankin and Carol Redding DuBose this summer! Not only was it great to see them, but we were all in Blowing Rock—my favorite place!” Emily Dockery Carlson writes, “Carl and I moved to Charleston, South Carolina, in 2013, after living in Greensboro for 30plus years. We have restored an old (1830) house and enjoy being here. Our daughter and her husband live in Whispering Pines with our only two grandchildren thus far! Middle son, Carl IV, was married in January to a beautiful and talented girl who lived down the street from us! Small world! He and his wife live in Charleston. Younger son is in Miami/New York. Love to see friends in Charleston so let me know when you are here!”
1972
COLLEGE Ann Elliott Newbern writes, “Sadly, November 13, 2020, my husband, Elton Newbern, died of COVID. Through God's grace and the love and support of my family and friends, I have managed to adapt to this difficult change in my life. I remain in Enfield, on the farm, and travel with my daughter, Katherine, her husband, Chad, and my grandson, Pittman, to baseball, football, and basketball games. Pittman plays on a travel baseball team that has been a joy to support. Elton's grandchildren are in Oxford, playing soccer, and in Annapolis, dancing. Therefore, I have traveled many miles this past year. I still find time to go to the beach and I continue selling real estate. Hard to comprehend that we celebrate our 50th class reunion this spring.” Sue Barham Moore writes, “Don and I are enjoying our eight grandchildren, who range in age from 13 to 2! Don retired from practicing medicine in 2020. After practicing for 40 years, we are just beginning to relax and enjoy our family more. I hope to see lots of our classmates at our 50th class reunion in April of 2022! I hope everyone will mark their calendars and make the effort to be there!” Libbie Bynum Ward says, “Ok, ladies! It is our 50th reunion—how can that be? Let’s rally and have a good, big group!” Libbie is the very proud grandmother of three girls (6,4, and 2), a new grandson, William Henry Ward, born November 8, and another baby on the way! “Maybe one or more will be a Saint Mary’s girl!” says Libbie. “Hope to see lots of you at the school in 2022!” Emily Dockery Carlson writes, “Carl and I moved to Charleston, South Carolina, in 2013, after living in Greensboro for 30-plus years. We have restored an old (1830) house and enjoy being here. Our daughter and her husband live in Whispering Pines with our only two grandchildren thus far! Middle son, Carl IV, was married in January to a beautiful and talented girl who lived down the street from us! Small world! He and his wife live in Charleston. Younger son is in Miami/New York. Love to see friends in Charleston so let me know when you are here!”
1972
HIGH SCHOOL Susan Hundley '72HS Hello fellow classmates! I am always glad to hear from everyone. Please don't forget that we have a very important reunion this Spring. Coco McConnell Killian has had a very busy year. Daughter Gates Killian ’10 was married in Charlotte in her home church to Robert Spilman. Coco also has a new grandson, born in May, Ray Killian IV (RIV). Congratulations! Janet Blair writes from Atlanta. Her son, Ben, also lives in Atlanta and is enjoying his work as a pricing analyst. He is looking forward to international travel opening up in 2022 and is planning some extended trips. Janet’s daughter, Blakeney, loves her position as an actuary and recently received another promotion. “Even better, she is moving back to Atlanta from Houston next spring. She will be keeping her current position and able to work remotely. I am really looking forward to having both kids here. I am excited to report that I will be officially retired as of Thanksgiving 2021. After all these years of several intense and stressful jobs, I am looking forward
to relaxing and planning some trips. I adopted a rescue puppy this past spring and some more training is on the agenda for the two of us!” Ivy Robinson Loftice and husband John have been enjoying their retirement traveling around the country in their deluxe RV. The neighbors think the Rolling Stones are visiting. We always enjoy sitting on my boat, catching up, sipping. I have been a doctor in a pandemic... need I say more! I do enjoy my wonderful granddaughters, Stuart (4) and Bennett (2), at the farm fighting over which horse is theirs. Hope to see you all in the Spring! Susan D. Hundley
1974
COLLEGE Melrose Whitfield Fisher ’72HS ’74C Hello Class of ’74C! Another year goes by, and no one has yet to explain how this happens. It seems like yesterday that we were walking through the front doors of Ragland, our new educational building on campus. What an exciting moment that was for us. Bright, welllighted classrooms with brand new “chalk boards,” new desks, "overhead projectors,” and no squeaking floors like we were accustomed to in Lower Smedes and the Fine Arts building. Yes, Ragland opened its doors in 1972-1973 and now the Forever Campaign includes plans for a new educational building that will be even bigger and more accommodating to the learning needs, facilities, space, and technology today’s young high school girl wants and expects. How exciting! Just like our class, the next generation of girls attending Saint Mary’s will be able to say they were the first to enter the doors of the “NAME” building. All of this to say, there is a lot happening at your alma mater and it’s very exciting. Keep your ears open, read the emails and mailings you receive from our school, and be in the know about the exciting improvements going on at Saint Mary’s. Now to news from the greatest class ever, albeit a little sparse this year. We’re all in that time of life where our kids are having kids, we are entering our retirement years, and hopefully doing some traveling, volunteering, and maybe even starting a second or third career. And, last but not least, a little hellion called COVID-19 took away a lot of our normal day-to-day activities, which probably has a lot to do with less news from our classmates this year. Rachael Holmes reports from beautiful Charlottesville, Virginia, that this past year was one of recovery for her. Rachael experienced a rare cardiac event in July 2021. Unfortunately, Rachael had three spontaneous coronary artery dissections (SCADs) caused by a rare congenital condition called fibromuscular dysplagia (FMD). This is so rare, that even being a pediatric nurse for all these years, Rachael had never heard of this. Neither have I, and I worked in the cardiac catheterization lab for 14 years and thought I had seen and heard of every rare heart condition. Fortunately, Rachael had a great support group of friends and
neighbors, along with much cardiac rehabbing that has brought her to a point where she is improving slowly but surely. She only has one month of rehab left. Good for you, Rachael. Rachael has been able to get together with her UNC housemates after 35 years, which was fun, and she’s looking forward to gathering with her SMC buddies (I’m guessing they are Ellen Henson, Margaret Stevens Mauney, Laura Grimes Smith, and Mebane Ham) soon, after she finishes cardiac rehab. I know that group will make it happen! We are so thankful for your recovery, Rachael, and pray that you will continue to improve each and every day. Reporting in from Jacksonville, North Carolina, is Kathrin Koonce, another loyal classmate that always keeps us informed of what she’s been up to. Thank you, Kathrin. Kathrin is still involved with her love of animals. She travels around North Carolina doing barn and pet sitting and, coming up in May 2022, Kathrin will be helping herd cattle. Kathrin! Good for you! Coastal Therapeutic Riding Program continues to occupy Kathrin’s time and, I know they love having you as a volunteer, Kathrin. Staying down on the coast, Jane Abernathy Hahn writes in from Beaufort, North Carolina. Jane’s son, Andrew, is living in Jane’s hometown of Ayden, North Carolina, which is shocking to Jane, but it seems to work. Her younger son, Brian, lives in Ponte Vedra, Florida, where Jane lived years ago. At the time of this writing (November 2021), Jane and son Andrew were going to visit Brian in Florida to celebrate November birthdays. Jane says that the pandemic is still affecting business, but the tourism in Beaufort is going strong. Great to hear, Jane! Aside from being bitten by a Copperhead in late October, Jane is enjoying life, her gardening, and all that Beaufort has to offer. FYI: Jane hopes none of us ever experience being bitten by a Copperhead. No fun she says. Greyson Gates Kuhn is thoroughly enjoying their two grandchildren. Margaret (6) is in Raleigh and Wheeler (4) is in Richmond, Virginia. “Eric and I braved multiple COVID tests and requirements for travel in September to Sardinia and Corsica, where we hiked for a week, followed by three days in Rome. Lots of dining al fresco and beautiful scenery everywhere we went. It was so wonderful to travel again after endless months of going nowhere.”Emory Rogers Church and husband John are thrilled that they were finally able to celebrate the marriage of their daughter, Betsy Church Bula ’09, to Dan Bula. The newlyweds were actually married in a tiny backyard wedding at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, but finally enjoyed a weekend of celebration with family and friends in October 2021. They kicked off the celebration with a beautiful blessing ceremony in the SMS chapel, and ended the weekend of festivities with a barbeque dinner in SmedesEmory Parlor! Going on down to the end of classmates writing in, we find Gary MacKenzie
Copes (“GiGi”). After 24 years living in Cincinnati, Ohio, and husband Mark retired, they moved back to their old stomping grounds, Richmond, Virginia. Moving back to Richmond has given Gary the opportunity to see her three precious grandsons frequently, along with son Josh and his wife, Mary Catherine. Being back in the South, Gary is closer to sister Hazel MacKenzie Mason ’77C in Newport News, Virginia, and sister Mary MacKenzie Mason ’84C in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Like so many others, Gary’s mother, Betty Gary MacKenzie '52C, is in a memory care home in Smithfield, Virginia, and Gary is now able to visit her every week. I know she loves that, Gary. Now that “GiGi” is back down South, we hope to see more of her at SMC events, etc. As for myself, my big news for this year is the birth of our first grandchild, Mac Dawson Fisher, who was born May 14, 2021, and of course he’s just the best. Our son, Davis, his wife Michalia, and little Mac live in Charlotte which makes frequent visits possible. Yay! Our other son, Rob(bie-lol) is living in D.C. and is in the process of starting a non-profit, Fisher Talent Group. The goal is to have the non-profit up and running by the spring of 2022. It will be established in Swaziland, Africa, where Rob was in Peace Corps. The mission is to scout marginalized soccer talent in the remote areas of Swaziland and expand his scouting network into other rural areas of Africa. This was a need Rob discovered during his time in the Peace Corps, and he wants to go back and try to offer these talented soccer players the opportunity to get seen by soccer teams that would otherwise have never noticed them. Rob plans to retire at the end of 2021 after many, many years in the financial advisory world. PTL! We will see how I adjust to this change, but he deserves to have time to do his “own” thing which will be lots of golf, traveling, and grandparenting. Everyone stay safe and healthy! Sending many hugs and blessings to the greatest class ever. Melrose
1974
HIGH SCHOOL Catherine Blankenship ’74HS ’76C Hello friends! It was great to hear from several of you, and I even had the chance to speak with Gwen Barnes Richie to catch up and laugh like old times, so I will start with her. She and husband Mark live in Raleigh. Daughter Claire (27) is in Ph.D. in English at University of Miami, and Kelly (25) works for a PR firm in N.Y.C. They celebrated by going to Italy when COVID lifted and are often at their house near Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Susan Creech Rankin has been in Charlotte 41 years with four children and now two grandchildren. Her oldest daughter is managing her husband's investment firm, while another is in Connecticut, and their youngest daughter was just married. Her son is in the MBA program at N.C. State. Susan and her husband look forward to traveling more when he retires. Susan became more
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CLASS NEWS moved near sea and sand). She has two married daughters and a two-year-old grandson. She would love to hear from anyone near her to visit in person or by phone. I am happily living in Kure Beach, outside of Wilmington, and will be retired as the ball drops entering into 2022. I have been in health care for 45 years, and it’s time to move on. Don't think I will be bored and look forward to seeing my two married “children” and my two grandchildren so much they get tired of me. Please, everyone, stay safe, peaceful, healthy, and happy, and hang on till we can be together in 2024. We have all turned out pretty well, and everyone has made their way through life with accomplishments they can be proud of. Meanwhile, when you can, send a prayer and a good thought for your classmates and friends who might need to know you are thinking about them.
1976
COLLEGE
Brinn Bittner, daughter of Ila Walker Bittner ’05 and granddaughter of Bess Knotts Walker ’76C, sports a Saint Mary’s t-shirt Ila bought at the reunion in the tradition of “start them young” loving our school!
active with Saint Mary's while her daughter was there until 2011. She has served on the Alumnae Council and currently on the Board of Trustees. She sees Bennett Wellons Waters, Grace Johnson McGoogan, and Jane Johnson Brady. In Raleigh, Mary McGranahan Moss is a partner at the helm of moss+ross, which has grown immensely despite the pandemic. She loves seeing people on social media. She and Bill have four grandchildren: Louisa (6), Henry and Flora (twins, age 2), and Emma (1), who are divided between Raleigh and Baltimore. Their three sons have endured the pandemic well, with jobs and families. One of our classmates, Anne Deluca Lucht, shares that she was treated for and survived breast cancer. Her oldest son is working for a disaster relief consulting firm and her youngest son, who served with the Marines, will be graduating from college in May 2022. She stays busy with travel, friends, and enjoying every day. Anne and many others are looking forward to the 50th reunion. Beverly Stoney
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Johnson is still in Charleston, South Carolina. She and Joe continue in Charleston and Flat Rock, with work projects and staying healthy. Son Lawson plans to be married in 2022 and they are excited. She often thinks of the time at Saint Mary's and the wonderful friendships that we made. Val Tullai Williams probably wins for the most grandchildren--nine! She suggests we all get together and celebrate our 65th (or 66th) birthdays together and perhaps rent a beach house in 2022! She is working part time as a dental hygienist and Eddie is still working and running Time Out in Chapel Hill - 43 years now. They downsized and moved back to Chapel Hill, and her parents are doing well. The getting together idea is a great one, and we need to make it happen! It was great to hear from Lisa Christoph Towarnicky, who has retired from the federal government and has started a second career with a certificate in landscape design. She and her husband are moving to the Outer Banks (sounds like many of us have
Bess Knotts Walker ’76C Laura McSpadden Belle-Isle and husband David still live in Gastonia and are both still working. He is full-time, and she works part-time in physical therapy. Their three boys have given them eight grandchildren so far. Two of the boys and their families live in Florida, and the youngest is in Texas. COVID, back pain, and a torn labrum in Laura’s hip have slowed them down a little this year, but they continue to enjoy traveling and doing photography. They are looking forward to a trip to Jackson, Wyoming, in November and a mission trip to Dubai in December. Laura helps lead a weekly women’s Bible study and enjoyed Anne Graham Lotz’s book, Jesus in Me. Lou White is now living full time in Beaufort, North Carolina. She sold her Raleigh house in June and is loving beach life. Lou joined One Harbor Church in Morehead City and is really enjoying it. She is playing as much pickleball as she can. But that came to a temporary end in October when she had a knee replacement. All went well, and she is looking forward to not hurting when she walks and plays pickleball. Leesa Lybrook Goodson has enjoyed visiting Kate Holmes in Southern Pines. She said she always enjoys talking to classmates Liz Baskerville Goodman, Jane Johnson Brady, and Ellen Stone Pittman. Four grandchildren keep Leesa busy, along with photography, golf, and very little bridge these days. She and her husband have ventured on to two trips in 2021: Alaska and Kenya/Tanzania. Both trips were fantastic, and Leesa encourages all of us to plan on going before we get too old! Leesa didn’t write this in, but I see on Facebook that she and her husband have Camp Goody for a week with their grandchildren. They plan full days of typical camp activities. Only requirement, they have to be potty trained! What a great grandmother! Gayle McConnell Tallardy writes that her niece, Gates Killian ’10, married Robert Spilman on November 13. Gates
SAINT MARY’S REMEMBERS is the daughter of Gayle’s sister, Coco McConnell Killian ’72HS. Gayle said it was a beautiful celebration of the blessed union of two wonderful adults and the expansion of the beautiful families. Shirley Perrin Martin sends her greetings! We can all agree with her thoughts of the past two years being a roller coaster for everyone but hopefully things will soon be getting back to “normal” or settling down into a “new normal” (whatever that means for you and yours). For her family, it will never be the same as they lost their son, Philip Jr., on February 23, 2021, to an accidental drug overdose. Shirley shared that, at 32, he’d suffered from the grips of addiction for over half his life. After several stays in a variety of rehab programs, this demon finally won the battle. Yet, his legacy means so much more than just being part of a tragically growing statistic. He was a wonderful son, brother, and loyal friend to many. He valiantly fought the good fight - many times - to “slay this dragon.” He is finally at peace. She and the family continue to hold their faith close and their fond memories closer. I’m sure I can speak for all the ’76C class, we send you love and prayers for strength, peace, and healing. Shirley’s daughter, Melaney, relocated to Virginia Beach in January with her new job as a coach at Somnium CrossFit. She’s not too far from home, is bonding so well with her new community, and is embracing all that the area has to offer. She even keeps a beach chair and towel in her trunk at all times, just in case! Shirley’s husband, Phil, reignited his interest in real estate as sales and marketing manager for Heritage Homes of the Carolinas in Burlington. He also continues to pedal his threads to his loyal Reynolds Custom Clothier clientele. For now, Shirley says she is juggling life as it comes at her. She sends her best to everyone! Ellen Stone Pittman hopes all is well with each of you! Her daughter, Emily, graduated from Carolina in May of 2020. She started a new job in June of this year in Tempe, Arizona. Ellen is very excited for her but is going to miss her! Trips to Arizona will happen! Ellen’s dad passed away in April of this year. She misses him but is so glad that she was able to retire from her HR manager job with the state three years ago so she could devote time to help take care of him. Ellen went on a girl’s beach trip last month with good friends from way, way back including her best friend, Judy Reynolds Cook ’74HS ’76C. She also keeps in touch with good buddies Tricia Roberts Canady and Leesa Lybrook Goodson (and hopes to see them in the near future!) She also
Douglas Armour Bryant Former Vice Chair of Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees July 8, 1932 – December 27, 2021 Douglas Armour Bryant, former vice chair of the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees, died December 27, 2021. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, while in Skilled Nursing Care at The Cardinal of North Hills. Doug was born on July 8, 1932, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Soon after, the family moved to Roanoke, Virginia. Doug attended and graduated from Fishburne Military Academy, where he was an honored student. He entered the University of Virginia, and then transferred to Hampden Sydney College. He graduated from Hampden Sydney College in 1955. From there, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served from 1956 through 1958. His military career ended with serving at the American Embassy in Paris. In 1958, Doug and his father purchased a 17-room motel in Richmond, Virginia. Doug moved to Richmond and began to learn the motel business. He worked seven days per week from sunrise to sundown. When he wasn’t assisting with room cleaning, he was at the front desk renting rooms. While in Richmond, he met a young genetics researcher named Mary Jane Evans. After a brief courtship, Doug made his best deal and convinced Mary Jane that it was a great idea to marry him. The family business grew and Doug’s brother, William, joined the company. Over the course of the next 30 years, the family would own eight motels and four restaurants. On January 15, 1981, they purchased six Wendy’s restaurants. Doug loved the Wendy’s values that included an emphasis on customer service and giving back to the community. Over the next 25 years, the business grew to 22 restaurants in North and South Carolina. Doug believed in community service and doing whatever he could to improve life for those around him. He served on several local and statewide boards including the two terms on the Vestry at Christ Church, President of the West Raleigh Rotary Club, District Governor of the Rotary Club, served 18 years on the North Carolina Symphony Foundation Board and served five years as Chairman, served on the Board of Trustees at Saint Mary’s School, served on the North Carolina State University Education Foundation, served on the Board of Saint Saviors, served five years on the Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau and was Chairman for fifteen months, and served on the Raleigh Advisory Board for BB&T. Doug is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Jane Evans Bryant, son Richard Armour Bryant (Claire), daughters Robin Bryant Bost ’83HS ’85C and Barbara Palmer Baynes ’88HS ’90C (Jonathan), sister-in-law Cele Bryant, nine grandchildren Will Bost (Taylor), Bryant Bost, Sarah Bost, Catherine Bryant ’12, Patrick Bryant, Elizabeth Bryant ’17, Ben Palmer, Drew Palmer, Lilly Palmer, and one great-grandchild Olivia Bost. He was preceded in death by his father, Alvin Vincent Bryant, his mother, Frances Armour Bryant, his brother, William Owen Bryant, son-in-law Patrick Bryan Palmer, and son-in-law William Stuart Bost. A memorial service was held December 30, 2021, at Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh.
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ALUMNAE BOOK CORNER
House Dressing By Janie Swain Molster ’79HS Janie Swain Molster ’79HS has published her first book of stunning interior designs, House Dressing. Janie kicked off her book tour, Sept. 8, 2021, at Saint Mary’s School, with a lecture in the Chapel and a book signing and reception in Smedes Hall. In House Dressing, acclaimed Southern designer, Janie Molster reveals the secrets behind her unique ability to craft dreamy interiors and shares down-to-earth advice for creating your own beautiful and personal spaces. Through House Dressing, Janie showcases a range of projects while giving a master class in working with color, pattern, and texture to make spaces that are in turn bold, serene, glamorous, and comfortable, but always personal. Learn more at janiemolster.com. House Dressing: Interiors for Colorful Living By Janie Molster Published by Monacelli Press; (September 14th, 2021) 9" x 11.5"; 240 pages $50
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Saint Mary’s School | www.sms.edu
CLASS NEWS enjoyed seeing Margaret Smith Chesson a few times while their girls were both at UNC-Chapel Hill. Go Heels! Ellen is enjoying slowing down, relaxing, and doing some volunteer work. She encourages us to attend the next reunion! (Our 50th!) She values her friendships--girlfriends are the best! Mazie Swindell Smith and husband Dan are enjoying life at Lake Waccamaw. Dan recently retired as the national fire director for the National Association of State Foresters, and she is enjoying his time at home after so many years of traveling to fires. They celebrated his retirement with a cross-country trip at the end of June. Mazie stays busy as the Christian formation director at their church, Grace Episcopal, in Whiteville, and is also as a member of the board of directors of the Episcopal Farmworkers Ministry, based in Dunn. Barksdale Spencer Thompson wrote that there is nothing new with them. Five grandchildren keep them busy, and she loves it! Everyone is still employed and COVID free. No retirement in the near future for Barksdale or Philip. She sends her love to all and hopes all stay safe! Mary Flagg Nimocks Haugh wrote that her family has been very fortunate during these COVID times. She and husband Jim are still in Fayetteville but in Raleigh frequently as both their children and their families (five grandchildren combined) live in Raleigh. With four granddaughters, Mary Flagg is keeping her fingers crossed that several of them will attend Saint Mary's. She sees Anne Mayo Evans frequently, as she is a neighbor, and also sees Lee Broadfoot Hathaway when she is in town to visit family. As for me, Win and I have stayed busy renovating our Atlantic Beach house. It was a crazy time of doing it in stages, so we were never without a place to sleep. My daughter, Ila Walker Bittner ‘05, lives in Morehead City, so I’m on the road frequently to visit and babysit my two grandchildren. My boys are both in Raleigh and doing well. Our next reunion will be our 50th! If you are reading this and haven’t received an email from me about news, I probably don’t have your email! Please send me a message so I can add you to the list, especially when we start communicating about our big 5-0! Enjoy reading all the wonderful things that are happening at SMS. It’s a special place! Like Mary Flagg, I have a granddaughter I hope will be a Saint Mary’s girl, too. Take care and I’ll be back for news in a year! Bess Knotts Walker
1976 HIGH SCHOOL And 1978 COLLEGE
Bebee Bason Lee ’76HS ’78C It is always a joy to hear from Wimberley Burton! Once vaccinated, she headed south (from Maine) to North Carolina and South Carolina this spring. During her travels in Greensboro, she stayed with Donna Sherrill Steele ’78C and had a great visit with Liz Wright James ’78C. While in South Carolina, Wimberley stayed with Martha Murphy ’76HS ’78C, and got in a visit with Carter Ward ’76HS ’78C. She reports Carter doing well, and that Carter's home is gorgeous! Watch out Carter, you may have more visitors. Wim had wonderful visits with Martha and Donna and while in Raleigh She lunched with Elaine Bridger Mebane ’78C, Anna T Webb Wheeless ’76HS ’78C, and Elizabeth Vann McDuffie ’76HS ’78C, with lots of joy and laughter around our college years. I am sorry I was not included with that group, as I am sure it was fun! She was thrilled to see everyone and hopes to make it south every year. She wants me to remind you that they welcome visitors in Maine and sends love to all. Allison Dorr Daniel ’76HS finally made a reunion and it was wonderful to see her. She writes that she had loads of fun at the reunion (I think she was a little surprised) and enjoyed reconnecting with everyone. Allison sends us exciting news as she welcomed her first grandchild in May. Allison lives on the coast (Beaufort, North Carolina, area) and suggests a coastal reunion! I'm up for that - let's try to make that happen! Mary Rogers ’76HS is still living in Columbia, South Carolina, working as a social worker with veterans who suffer from mental illness. Mary's goal is to retire in four years and live permanently in Brevard with her best friend, her rescue dog Bernie, who keeps her sane and happy. We all need a Bernie in our lives. Lauren Sherman Peele ’78C confirms that like everyone else, 2020 and 2021 were indeed a challenge. Lauren and her family stayed close to home through 2020 and were happy to get out more in 2021. Their 2020 family trip did not happen, but she and her family were able to spend time together in Manteo. In May, Lauren went to Kentucky for the wedding of a high school friend's daughter, where she was excited to see friends and family she had not been able to see in 2020. Her husband took his usual fishing trip to Costa Rica in January and
August and, in April, her family vacationed in Key West. She highly recommends it! Lauren's son, Tripp, and his wife, Brittany, have kept up their travels, visiting Belize and the Ozarks, as well as a 10-day trip to Alaska. Son John Gates stays a little closer to home and the beach, where he tries to spend time kayaking. Lauren was able to get in some sub teaching time as Hobgood Academy and Hobgood Charter maintained in-person learning during much of COVID. She keeps busy with church and town volunteer work. Robbie and John Gates are still farming, and Tripp is still with TEKsystems in Raleigh, while Brittany is at Wake Med. The Peele family is happy that the fall of 2021 meant they were able to get back to Carter-Finley and see the Wolfpack play in person! Lauren stays in touch with Rachel Woodruff Carlson ’78C, who is happily retired. Lauren says that Mary Fondren ’78C has built a new vet office in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Betsy Eddins Richards ’76HS ’78C is traveling the country in an RV. I think I have that travel-the-country-in-an-RV on my retirement bucket list too! Emilie Lamb Freeman ’78C writes that life is great in Asheville. Like Wimberley, after getting vaccinated and trying to stay safe, she and her family are now trying to get out more and enjoy things they have missed during COVID. They were able to make a trip Bar Harbor, Maine, in September, and she says it was wonderful. They also made a trip to the beach with family in July and met their daughter and her family in Blowing Rock for a great weekend in April. Emilie and Ron are driving down the mountain to Holly Springs to visit them and their wonderful four-year-old grandson as much as they can. Their son is at Annandale Village in Sewanee, Georgia, and she is grateful to report that he is thriving. Emilie's mother, who is 91, lives close-by and is doing well. Ron still works at Ingles Markets and after spending a lot of time during COVID getting rid of things, Emilie is starting fresh and enjoying life. Beth Kirkland Peters ’78C has big news she is retiring from Greenfield School in Wilson on June 30, 2022, after working there for 38 years (mostly as a math and computer teacher but the last six years as head of school). Beth does not have any plans yet but hopes to spend more time with family, especially her two-yearold granddaughter in Georgia. Nancy Welby Check ’76HS is enjoying semi-retirement. She has retired from teaching in the Academy of Health Science at North Davidson High School, and she is still nursing at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist - Lexington Medical Center. The hospital's OB unit closed in May 2020, so after 40 years practicing in perinatal/neonatal nursing, she is now working in the outpatient/ minor procedures unit. Nancy's husband, Jeff, is retired from teaching and dabbles in real estate. Their daughter, Sydne, is living in Kinston, and they welcomed baby boy number 4 in June 2021. The grandsons keep them busy: Barrett (8), Henry (7), Eli (3) and baby Crosby. Their son,
Joe, is out of the Navy and living and working in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was married in May 2021 at a beautiful venue in Indian Beach. It was a small family wedding, which Nancy says was perfect. Their youngest daughter, Meredith, works in public policy for a professional healthcare providers organization. This position is 100 percent remote and allows her to continue to live in the D.C. area. Nancy would love to see anyone who comes through Lexington and wants to have some great Lexington BBQ. And we have another retirement: Pam Evans '78C has retired after 38 years as a flight attendant for American Airlines. Marsee Edwards Lee ’78C notes not many changes. She is still living in Charleston, South Carolina, and loving life with her three-year-old grandson, who she enjoys babysitting any chance they get. It was great to see ’76HS classmates at our 45th reunion this spring among those attending included Martha Murphy ’76HS ’78C, Blanche Williamson ’76HS, Rosemary Summerlin Crane ’76HS, Debra Rhodes Gladstone ’76HS, Anna T Webb Wheeless ’76HS ’78C, Allison Dorr Daniels ’76HS, Debbie Gupton Van Zijl ’76HS, and, working from memory, I hope I did not leave anyone out! As for me, I am still working with Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina. When not working, I am enjoying time with husband David and our grown children-son Sam, daughter Anna Willard Cross ’05HS, and son Will - their spouses and our fabulous fun grandchildren, twins Sadie and Procter (5) and grandson Rhett (3). Before I close, I want to take this opportunity thank all my dear SMS classmates ’76HS and ’78C who reached out to me sending prayers and notes when my mother died in July of this year. As many of you know, it is so very hard, and knowing I have friends all over the country thinking of me warms my heart. Sincerely, you all mean the world to me. Bebee Bason Lee ’76HS ’78C
1980
COLLEGE Cissy Lofton Elmer '80C Thanks to everyone for sending in your news. It’s nice to know that even after 41 years, we’re still connected through our years at Saint Mary’s. Let’s get right to it. Patricia McLean is still decorating up a storm in Atlanta. She has a nice feature in Southern Home magazine called Collector’s Christmas, with her clients’ home featured on eight pages. Last year, she did the living room in the Atlanta Holiday Home Show House. Tricia’s favorite projects this year were the two nurseries that she designed for classmate Laura Bowen Alby’s new granddaughter, Bowen. Her youngest client and a complete doll. Colleen Smith Turner is still working at Ally in the strategic initiatives department. She spent almost four weeks at Isle of Palms this past summer, which was heavenly (COVID work from home benefit) and is now back in Charlotte and in the office one day a
week. Colleen went to Raleigh and enjoyed the NCSU-Louisville game. Edie Lindsey Eckman reports that during the pandemic she has pivoted from traveling all over the country giving workshops, to doing it entirely virtually - which she loves! You can find Edie at edieeckman. com. Her last big trip was with a wonderful group of Saint Mary’s alums to New York City in March 2020, and she was happy to make that trip just as things were getting scary with the COVID mess. Elizabeth Arrington is thankful to be on the other side of COVID and was happy to finally resume her annual “Kiawahwah Sisterhood” reunion on Kiawah Island in September 2021. The group includes Liz Little Barnes, Alicia Sedwick, Laura Lynch Riedy and Michele Pizer. They reconnected at their 25th high school reunion and have been meeting almost yearly ever since. After not seeing one another for over two years, the Kiawah-wah Sisterhood converged for a full (active!) week together and already have their next reunion on the calendar for 2022. Katie Zevenhuizen Medlin says that life is good! She spent most of the quarantine time at Atlantic Beach playing her new favorite game, pickleball. Her son Grimes (32) got married in August and daughter Cathryn was married in December in Beaufort. The wedding was postponed from April. Carolyn Walser Johnson has had an exciting year. Her son, Earl IV, married Allie Lull from Baltimore, Maryland, September 18, and her daughter, Sydney Johnson Beasley ’09, had a baby girl November 17. Missy Underwood Miller is also in wedding mode. Her daughter Liza Wooten ’10 married Chris DeFago in Blowing Rock in May. Missy says it was a beautiful wedding and Liza and Chris are living in Atlanta. So, Rob is still in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, and stepdaughter Katie has moved to Austin, Texas. All fun places to visit! Missy and Will spent most of the summer in Blowing Rock. Joni Eargle Case is in full baby season. Twins, Harrison and Jennings were born on July 27, Cole was born in August, and another granddaughter was due December 24. Joni has been busy stocking up on diapers and stitching Christmas stockings for the new arrivals. Harrison and Jennings are in Raleigh and Joni has loved visiting and reminiscing about some crazy college days! I wish I could include pictures of all these cute babies - Joni has kept me up to date with some of the cutest pictures you’ve ever seen. On a sad note, Joni’s Dad passed away on October 12, and he will surely be missed. He and Joni were so very close. Olivia Blum Brown and her husband moved to Hillsborough last year to be closer to her siblings and children. Olivia loves being a grandma, a.k.a. “Dibby,” to two precious boys. Jill Turner Kearse has moved to Columbia, South Carolina, and loves her new job with a financial investment firm. She is very happy to be back in Columbia. Her daughter, Rachel, will graduate from Wofford in the spring and is headed toward graduate school. Terry
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SAINT MARY’S REMEMBERS
Peggy Pegues Kinney ’58HS ’60C Longtime Class Secretary 1940-2021
Former Bennettsville, South Carolina, newspaper journalist and copy editor and longtime Saint Mary’s class secretary, Margaret René Pegues (Peggy) Kinney, 81, of Bennettsville died peacefully at her family antebellum home, Magnolia, in the loving arms of her husband of over 57 years, and daughter, Saturday night, July 31, 2021. For 21 months she valiantly struggled with various stages of lung cancer and its associated treatments and complications, all the while demonstrating her true spirit, strength, and grit to family and friends. She was born a daughter of Victor René Pegues and Elisabeth Hamer Pegues on May 27, 1940, in McColl, in the home of her maternal grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Hamer. She spent her childhood at Spring Hill (Pegues Place), the ancestral Colonial land grant Pegues family plantation home in upper Marlboro County. After matriculating at public schools in Cheraw, she attended and was a graduate of Saint Mary’s High School in 1958 and Saint Mary’s Junior College in 1960, both in Raleigh. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Women’s College of the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, NC, in 1962. While in college she served as a summer intern, reporter, and feature writer with The Charlotte Observer. After graduation and moving to Atlanta, GA, with college friends, she was an Associate Editor of “Southern Power and Energy Magazine” of W.R.C. Smith Publishing Co. While in Atlanta she was introduced to her future husband, William Light (Bill) Kinney Jr. of Bennettsville on his 29th birthday, October 26, 1962, by a longstanding mutual family friend, Florie McLeod Ervin of Florence. After an 18-month courtship, they married at Central United Methodist Church in Monroe, NC, where her mother then lived. Upon marriage she moved to Bill’s hometown of Bennettsville, and there she and he have since lived raising their two children, Elisabeth Mayer Kinney McNiel and William Light Kinney III, and doting on three grandchildren. She worked with her husband at Marlboro Publishing Co., Inc. dba Marlboro Herald-Advocate prior to their retirement in 2014. Since 1979 she relished hosting and pampering family and friends at the family summer cottage, -30-, in Pawleys Island.
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In addition to her husband, survivors include her daughter and sonin-law, Elisabeth Mayer Kinney McNiel (Daniel Edward McNiel) of Bennettsville, South Carolina; three grandchildren, Robert Leland McNiel III (Emma Johnson McNiel) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Margaret Jane McNiel of Knoxville, Tennessee, and William Light Kinney McNiel of Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina; 10 ½ month old great-grandson, Robert Leland McNiel IV of Chattanooga; sister, Frances Elisabeth Pegues Burroughs of Conway, South Carolina; nephew, Henry Buck Burroughs III (Julie) of Brandon, Florida; niece, Victoria McNeill Burroughs of North Charleston, South Carolina; great-nephew, Henry Buck (Hank) Burroughs IV, also of Brandon, Florida; and numerous Hamer and Pegues cousins and close friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her son, William Light Kinney III, on July 21, 1989. Locally, she was involved in many activities throughout the years including willingly supporting her husband, children, and grandchildren in their numerous endeavors. She was an active member and leader of First United Methodist Church, member of the Rotary Club of Bennettsville, and former President of Marlborough Historical Society and Junior Charity League of Marlboro County. She was a former Chairperson of the historic Jennings-Brown House Committee, was an active member and former Chairperson of the Marlboro County Historic Preservation Commission and was a member of the Pee Dee Chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a founding member of the exclusive “Thursday Lunch & B Club” and “Bennettsville Lachromaniac Society”. She held numerous statewide positions including being member and past Chairperson of the former South Carolina Mother of the Year Selection Committee, serving as Pee Dee Committee Chairperson of The National Society of The Colonial Dames in The State of South Carolina, being member of The Huguenot Society of South Carolina, and serving as former board member of the South Carolina Museum Foundation and South Carolina Governor’s Mansion Commission. A brief burial service was held August 4, 2021, at Sunset Memorial Park, 1200 West Main Street, for family and close friends, followed by a celebration of life service at First United Methodist Church in Bennettsville.
CLASS NEWS McLennan Whitney is still in Charlotte and enjoying event consulting and catering. Kelly Laughery Frohbose and husband Fred have spent most of their time in Beaufort since Fred has retired from his medical practice. Kelly has begun a new career and has joined the Basnight Garner Real Estate team as a buyer agent. When she’s not looking at real estate, you can find her out on the water, visiting her daughters in Raleigh, or cherishing every minute with her two grandchildren, Mac (3) and Eva (1). Carlisle VanMeter Mayer and her family are all healthy and doing well. She and Mark are celebrating their 38th anniversary with four adult children, one lovely daughter-in-law, and one perfect granddaughter, and she says they are so blessed. Carlisle sent the most wonderful tribute to our classmate, her roommate, Rose Ann Mayo Lee, as she, like all of us, was saddened to learn of her death last March. Carlisle writes, “Rose Ann was the consummate Saint Mary’s girl. She truly embraced all things Saint Mary’s, its rich history, the traditions, the beautiful Chapel. She helped me appreciate Saint Mary’s uniqueness. She was an eager participant in many school activities and clubs. I chuckled looking through my old yearbook, as Rose Ann could be found on practically every page! A natural matchmaker, she could easily secure a date for any Saint Mary’s girl with one of her many Greenville friends. Friends and family were everything to Rose Ann. She loved taking friends home for weekend visits to her beloved Eastern North Carolina. Rose Ann was full of life with a loving, generous heart. She will be missed.” Could not have said it better. Thank you, Carlisle, for the beautiful tribute to our classmate, your friend, and roommate. Danny and I are still in Asheville. Both boys are married. Ben married Maggie Harris in Cashiers in August 2019, and they are enjoying life in Cashiers. Sam married Leldon McClary in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, in February 2020, just before the COVID mess got messy, and they are living in Charlotte. Love those girls so much and life is great for the Elmers. That’s all the news this time. I hope you all enjoy a fabulous year with family and friends. Until next time - Cissy
1980
HIGH SCHOOL Kaky McCabe Bowden ’80HS ’82C Hello, High School Class of 1980! I hope this newsletter finds you well. I know life is busy for us all with children’s weddings, births of grandchildren, caring for our parents, and more. I hope we see the many blessings we have each day. I continue to live in Lynchburg, Virginia., working as a director of religious education for the Catholic Church. I often think back on our times in our beautiful Saint Mary’s Chapel and the joy it gave me. I am an emptynester with daughter Nan in Richmond, son Mac in Charlotte, and son Bob in Charleston. I
recently traveled to Spain to hike the Camino de Santiago with my sister. It was amazing! I talk to Cathy Call Boykin ’80HS ’82C quite a bit. Cathy lives in Raleigh and stays busy seeing her three kids, daughter Callee who graduated from Alabama, sons Parke and Laughton, who both live in Charlotte. Laughton and wife Ellen recently had their second child, Catherine Albee. I also see many of you on Facebook and Instagram. We are quite a unique and awesome group of women by the looks of all that we do! Kate Kittrell Kerns writes, “We are doing great, so happy to be returning to our normal rhythm of life. We are still in Richmond but spend as much time as possible at our river house and look forward to retiring mostly there in the years to come. We are so happy to have our daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband living in Richmond with our "granddog,” Lottie! Our son Sydnor is getting married next year and lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, where we look forward to visiting!” My email address has changed. It is kakybowden@gmail.com. Please send me your information and I will create a SMS 1980HS network for us to keep in touch. I would love to hear from you! Take care and God bless! Kaky McCabe Bowden
1982
COLLEGE Jackie Mitchell writes from Washington, North Carolina, where she works at Mitchell Tractor. Her son, Daniel (25), attended the The Citadel and works at Mitchel Tractor. Her son, Jack (22), attends East Carolina and works at T-Mobile.
1982 HIGH SCHOOL and 1984 COLLEGE
Beth Morris Gobble ’82HS ’84C Hello ’82HS ’84C friends-- it was great to hear from you again! Marion Farrar Dalgleish ’82HS and family enjoy spending time at their tree farm in Caswell County and at their home in Landfall at Wrightsville Beach. Their son is a sophomore at Woodberry Forest School and loves it! They still enjoy traveling and visit Sterling when they can. Lesley Looper ’82HS celebrated her 20-year anniversary at Duke in November 2021. She enjoys her involvement in her local DAR chapter and traveling. She and her boyfriend recently returned from a fun trip to Vermont. Laura Reiley ’82HS ’84C is glad to be living back in Athens, Georgia, where her Dawgs have become #1 in SEC football. She sees her two children often: Meredith (in Charlotte) and Harrison (in Alpharetta, Georgia). She’s excited to have a new daughter-in-law as Harrison married Taylor after dating for six years. Laura sees a move back to North Carolina in the near future. Her job and parents transitioning to a retirement community will take her back to Asheville. Dolly Burton Savery ’82HS lives in Raleigh and would
love to catch up with everybody. Her son is a sophomore at Broughton High School, and her daughter, Hayden Savery ’21, graduated from Saint Mary’sand is a freshman at NCSU. Martha Vinson Stemberger ’84C and her husband, Dario, live in Houston, where they have come to really enjoy the lifestyle and the weather, especially those mild Texas winters! The situation of the past year and half has curtailed their travel quite a bit, but they have made it to South Carolina a few times for family visits. Unfortunately, their kids are in Canada, and restrictions have made it impossible for any of them to visit. That said, they feel blessed in that none of their family have become ill, even her mother in her eighties, and for that they are truly grateful. She wishes everyone blessings! Louise Marlowe Andrews ’82HS ’84C and her husband, John, moved out to his family farm in Midland, about 30 minutes from Charlotte. They built a house there about six years ago and commute into Charlotte daily. Their son, John, works in Greenville, South Carolina, for Lockheed Martin. Their daughter works on the design team at Belk’s but has also turned Louise’s house in Midland into a wedding venue as her side gig; she started during COVID and has done a great job. Louise and family stay busy hosting weddings for strangers about 20 weekends a year! Louise reports having had a wonderful time celebrating with Sally James Lucas ’82HS ’84C and Joe Lucas at the marriage of their son, Haines, to his gorgeous wife, Sally. Ruth Taft Cecil ’84C and Cynthia Gimesh Samick ’82HS ’84C were there as well. Louise says she loves reconnecting with her old SMC classmates of ’82HS and ’84C. Her four years at Saint Mary’s and the people she met there will always hold a special place in her heart! Lauren Bolvig Fowler ’84C is living in Trussville, Alabama, with her husband and is in her 26th year of teaching art in the public school system. They have two amazing children. Sydney Anne Fowler (25) lives in Los Angeles, working for a new start-up, designing collectibles geared towards hype culture and the music industry. Son Michael Alan Fowler (19) is #33 on the LSU baseball team (he is totally loving life and college). Lauren is trying to reconnect with distant family and reaching out to long-lost, but never forgotten, friends.Meredith Casey Bourne ’82HS retired in October 2020 after 34 years in banking.She is thrilled, and says she is living her best life reading, exercising, painting, and spending her summers at Bald Head Island. She keeps pinching herself to make sure it is all real! The packers/movers are coming in 5 days and we are moving out of a two-story home with a basement to a townhouse—2 Chalford Court—in Pinehurst. I dislike the term ‘hoarder’ and do not consider myself one but because of the size of our home and the years here I have managed to ‘save’ quite a few things that will no longer have a place for. If I can give advice to
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CLASS NEWS anyone it would be ‘throw as you go’ and do not let ‘stuff’ pile up, because you might have the room for it. I am paying the price now for saving too much. Ashley Dimmette Cole was thrilled to celebrate her 30th anniversary with husband George in June. Sons Alex and Harrison are well on their way to successful careers in N.Y.C. and Dallas. Transitioning to being an empty-nester was a challenge, but Ashley has kept busy working on beautification and environmental issues as part of the Greenwich, Connecticut, Sustainability Commission. She and George recently renovated their 120-year-old Tudor home and ended up winning the best residential remodel award for 2021 in Connecticut. Ashley has great fun captaining the Greenwich County Club tennis team and maintaining a 4.0 USTA ranking. “I’ll play until I drop!” she says. Virginia White Pou ’84C and family celebrated the marriage of her son, Cameron, (my godchild), and his lovely bride, Blake Broullire, at the Revolution Mill event center in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was a lovely, intimate gathering with so many family and friends. Virginia is still teaching seventh-grade math at E. B. Aycock Middle School and husband Wilson runs his firm, Engineering Source of NC. Virginia and Katherine White Messenger ’84C had a great adventure recently at the beach, where they saw baby loggerhead sea turtles come out of their nests! I have been navigating the mine field of running a business during these COVID times. We have endured the loss of more family members in 2021, but we are continuing to seek out and enjoy the good parts that life also holds for all of us. An attitude of gratitude can take you a long way when you need it the most. I am grateful for all of you! Beth Morris Gobble ’82HS ’84C
1984
HIGH SCHOOL Ellen Zollicoffer Jackson ’84HS Hello, ladies of the Saint Mary’s High School Class of 1984! I hope everyone has survived the pandemic and is starting to get back to life as it used to be. Susan Avent Irvine has started an antiques and art business, SusuBliss, with a friend. She is also still doing events on the side when she can. She had a great girl’s weekend at Holden Beach this summer with Robin Ballard Earp, Chrisie Currence Pierce, Betsy Diedrick McLean, and Mandy Johnson Spears. Copie Wheless Cain writes, “Jim and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary in April. We are still in Raleigh, although we spend a lot of time at Lake Gaston. With both kids out of the house, activities are centered around our two dogs. (We picked up the newest addition to the family in October, so puppy life is busy.) Our SMS alum, Mary Copeland Cain ’13, lives in Park City, Utah, and we enjoy visiting her. Quentin will soon graduate from UNC-Wilmington, and we can’t wait to see what his next adventure
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will be.” Carter Manning Wade says, “After my kiddos left my nest in Tennessee, I decided to relocate. I found a great job in Raleigh and settled there in 2019. I am so glad to be back in one of my favorite places! I've gotten involved with Junior League and Rotary to get involved and meet folks. My son, Will (25), is in school and working in Tennessee. My daughter, Allston (22), spent her first two years of college at Meredith, right down the road from me. She is now in school and working in Tennessee. My kiddos all have pets, so I have grand dogs and a grand cat. I look forward to opportunities to get together with SMS folks. I am so very road tripready! Praying everyone stays well.” Rebecca Rogers Chilton writes that her biggest news is that daughter Ella Craddock ’24 started Saint Mary’s last fall as a 10th-grade day student. Rebecca has enjoyed being back on campus and connecting with the school family more regularly. She says she’s grateful for her health, for her husband, Mark, who is a steady rock in these shifting times, and for her group of Saint Mary’s friends – Annette Stephens, JeanLouise Beard, Maggie Jones Jackson, and Ann Campbell Waller. They Zoomed weekly during the pandemic but have since moved on to monthly get-togethers now that life is getting back to some sort of normal. She hopes her daughter will find the same steadfast friendships at Saint Mary’s that she did. She is currently working as a consultant and financier for renewable energy projects. Betsy HintonHard writes “I am still living in south France and am soon finishing a renovation project with my house and a new Airbnb. My son, Harry, just got his master’s in architecture from UCL in London and now has a real salaried job at an architect design think tank in Berlin! One of my daughters, Claire, has gone back to school to get her degree educator for children and aims to work with disadvantaged children and refugee kids. My youngest is hanging in there with two more years of high school. I’ve been divorced now for a few years and love the freedom. Enjoying a lot of walks in nature and joyful to be with friends and family.” Mary Barnett Hale says her big news is that she and Scott are officially empty-nesters! Being only the third owner of the Grand Western Tour has had its challenges in the last two years. She says planning a cross-country trip for teenagers, “that was life-changing for me in 1981,” is extremely rewarding. She is preparing for the best tour ever, 2022, after having to postpone the last two years. She has enjoyed spending time at Atlantic Beach with Christiana Black Kernodle, Mary Hannah Wyman Jones, and Ann Bikle Bissette during the last six months. She says SMS friends are the best! Robin Ballard Earp says “Nothing too exciting. My youngest is a senior at N.C. State and my oldest is now home and working for my husband, Jeff, at Brunswick Forest. My middle child is back from the Peace Corps due to the pandemic and is
in grad school for public health at Tulane. Jeff and I hope to resume our empty-nest traveling when things get closer to normal.” Muzzy Crute Crumpler has been a therapist for the past 25 years. She is also the mother of twin ninthgrade boys at Broughton High School. They are third generation Broughton students and have lots of SMS friends. Marty Worthy Lewis reports that 2021 has had its ups and downs. “I continue to work in my family real estate business. Our daughter, Emilie, recently celebrated her 2020 graduation from UNC-Chapel Hill, 18 months late, and is a fifth-grade math teacher in Dallas. Our middle child, Hoyt, resumed his college career and our youngest son, Clay, restarted his high school career, at UNC and Broughton respectively, under more normal circumstances. In October, we said goodbye to my mom, Isabel Carter Worthy ’49C, after a long and happy life, of which Saint Mary’s was an important part.” Nonie Aichner McVicker says “John and I will be celebrating 35 years of wedded bliss in March. Hard to believe! Our oldest son, Wills, is married and lives in Jacksonville, Florida. They have a beautiful little girl named Ruthie, who just turned one and is the apple of our eye! We travel to JAX often from Charlotte to visit. We feel lucky to have them relatively close! Our youngest son, Mason, lives here in Charlotte and we get to see him lots! John and I love to travel and do so quite a bit. We are leaving soon for a cruise out of Puerto Rico to celebrate my 55th birthday!” Our youngest daughter, Janie (21), is a junior at the University of Georgia and loves it. Our other daughter, Mary Rinne (23), is living in Raleigh and has her first job with GO Media in Wake Forest. Michael and I are enjoying emptynesting, and I am still making lots of cheese straws. I had lunch with Mary Barnett Hale not too long ago and it was fun catching up. I run into Mary Hannah Wyman Jones and Marty Worthy Lewis around town. I wish the best to you and yours and am hopeful that we will all be able to get together again soon! Ellen
1986
COLLEGE Kathryn Finney White says she and David are empty-nesters. “We moved to 30 acres in Chapel Hill where we built a new house. Marjorie (23) is a nurse at Trident Hospital is Charleston., South Carolina. Grier (20) is a sophomore at N.C. State. My mother, Marjorie Coddington Cannon ’58HS passed away July 13, 2021. Bev Tuller says, “Hey ladies! Well, 2020 was a rough year for me. My father died suddenly of a heart attack in January, then my mother had a stroke and died in July. Their funerals were exactly six months apart. Having lost my only sibling nine years ago to leukemia, it has taken all of my time to sort through papers, estates, life insurance, trusts, probate, and lastly, their belongings. Although they had moved to a retirement community/apartment, there is still just so
much stuff! Sure, I have my sad days, but I try to concentrate on a meme I saw, “Currently unsupervised! Scary, but the possibilities are endless!” I am praying that when this goes to print that masks are permanently in our past and we can have a true reunion soon!” Tracy Singletary Cannon and husband Gary will celebrate 30 years of marriage August 1, 2022. They live in Valdosta, Georgia, and have two adult children, Anne Rankin and Gary Jr. Both children graduated from Ole Miss. Anne Rankin is a doctor of audiology in Atlanta and Gary Jr. lives in Valdosta, Georgia, where he is a project engineer.
1988
COLLEGE Olga McCoy Faison ’88C It was so great to hear from many of you thanks for sharing your news! Caroline Smith Culpepper sends her hello from Hickory, North Carolina, where she is busy with soccer, church volunteer, and PTA work. Caroline also reps Beautycounter, the popular line of cleaner, safer beauty products. She will have an empty nest next year. Parker Gabrielsen Cunningham moved into a new house in Atlanta recently. Her son, Jack, is in 10th grade at Whitefield Academy and plays basketball and lacrosse. Louise is in sixth grade at the Howard School and plays volleyball and basketball. Parker teaches a class of three-year-olds at the preschool affiliated with her church. When she is not cheering for her kids on the sidelines of their games, she is cheering on the Atlanta Braves or the Georgia Bulldogs. She and her family enjoy traveling, especially to the beach at Ponte Vedra, Florida. Elizabeth Vandiver Harris is a preschool teacher in Greenville, South Carolina. She enjoys playing tennis with Arianna Stuckey Harley, who is also in Greenville. Arianna and her husband, Jennings, welcomed their second grandchild recently. Congratulations, Arianna! Lambeth Casey Overman sent a hello to all from her home in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Michelle Beuchler Richards is the assistant principal at Myers Park High School in Charlotte. Major kudos to Michelle, as Myers Park is one of the largest high schools in North Carolina. Her dedication to the more than 3,600 students is incredible. It is fun to see her in action! Harriet Adams is in Atlanta. Harriet opened her company, Aquatic Consultants of Georgia, many years ago and it continues to thrive. Tracye O’Bannon Wheless and Al are doing well in Louisburg. Their son, Reed, is a senior at N. C. State. Kelly Piggott Mortemousque and Pierre had a family wedding this past year. Daughter Emma was married and now lives in Richmond. (It was fun to see the wedding photos, as the bride looked just like her mom!) Their son, Paul, is in real estate and Luc is in a pre-med program. Betsy Manuel Pennington is working on her nursing degree and plans to be in the
pediatrics unit. She and James celebrated their 28th anniversary recently. They are parents to Mary Arden (22) and Katherine (16). Betsy had a fun girl’s weekend in Asheville with Margaret Cheatham Johnson, Katharine Redding Braak, and Lee Manuel Marcus and it felt as if they were right back at Saint Mary’s! Betsy also keeps up with Elizabeth Burnham Gray and is hoping to see more of her as Elizabeth’s youngest is in college in Birmingham. Beth VanDorp Collier sends word from Little Washington, where she and Chris continue their furniture and lighting company, vanCollier (I’m giving a plug - did you see the article, From Hospital to Southern Home, in Garden & Gun?) Beth is so happy to have three new SMS neighbors. Elizabeth Leach Johnson and husband Parker left N.Y.C. and are now directly across the street. Courtenay Bailey is the new executive director of the Arts of the Pamlico and is four houses down. Elizabeth Grine Blount ’85HS ’87C is also down the street, where she and her husband, Bill, have a vacation spot. Melissa Gibson Estes works with Mary Miller as a design assistant at Abode in Charlotte. Bryan and Melissa’s son, Jack, is in 10th-grade at Charlotte Country Day. Recently, Melissa, Liz Fletcher O’Herron, Susan Sommers, Kitty Mattox Bray ’89, Gray McElveen Walker ’87C, and I gathered in Asheville for a weekend. It was so nice to be with old Saint Mary’s friends. Liz and Billy are in Beaufort, South Carolina. Liz stays busy with her decorating business. Susan is the director of KM Innovation and Solutions for a law firm in Atlanta. Look for her on the speaker circuit! Neely Barnwell Dykshorn and architect husband Todd were awarded a Golden Hammer from Historic Richmond for a renovation they did on their 18th century home in the Church Hill area of Richmond, Virginia. I was fortunate enough to visit them when they were asked to participate in Richmond’s Garden tour! Kim Norfleet Collie enjoys seeing many Saint Mary’s friends out and about in Raleigh. Her daughter, Mary Mac Collie ’17, graduated from Chapel Hill last May and Katharine Collie ’19 is a junior at Wake Forest. Kim and Mac’s son, Hugh, is a senior at Woodberry Forest. I am always happy to see Kim during the summer at the beach! Jay and I have an empty nest in Charlotte. Amelia is at UVA, Hannah is at Clemson, and Henry is finishing his ninth-grade year at Eaglebrook in Massachusetts. I try to spend a bit of time every day digging in my garden. I enjoy writing these updates as it is a nice reminder of our special times together more than 30 years ago. I hope we can all be together again soon. Love, Olga
1990
COLLEGE Barbara Bryant Baynes ’88HS ’90C Hello, to the Saint Mary’s Class of ’90C! I hope that you and your family have remained healthy during this crazy pandemic. I always love hearing from you, and I hope you will continue to write me with your news! Wedding bells are ringing! Holly Byrum Camak was busy planning a beautiful wedding celebration for her daughter, Rebecca who was married in December. Katherine Tierney Canady retired from teaching after 23 years and is enjoying some much-earned R & R! She enjoys spending time with her parents and helping at her husband, Chris’s insurance agency. Her daughter, Slade, will graduate from East Carolina in May. Flossie Dossenbach Parks writes that she and husband Tracy enjoy cooking, exercising, and spending time with their grandchildren. Sadly, Flossie lost her mother in August, and I know you all join me in sending our love and condolences to Flossie and her family. Blanche Slade Hancock lives in Pinehurst and works as the alumni relations director and as an academic coach at The O’Neal School. She and George recently celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary and have two sons, Boone (a junior at East Carolina) and Phillip (a junior at The O’Neal School). Pat Gilliam Ivey’s son, Ben, graduated from Virginia Episcopal School in May and is attending East Carolina. Caroline Crumpler lives in Wilmington and enjoys frequent trips to N.Y.C. Heather Moore Thompson writes that she is still enjoying her job as the executive director of the REALTOR Giving Network. Her daughter, May Thompson ’23, is a junior at SMS and daughter Grace Battle Thompson ’18 is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill. All is well with me in Greensboro! We sold our house in August, and JB and I are having fun looking for “our” perfect spot. We both stay busy with work but always enjoy spending time with our family. Ben graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2020 and is working in Washington, D.C. Drew is a junior at N.C. State, and Lilly will graduate from Page High School in June. I hope to see all of you soon and please keep the news coming! XO Barbara
1990
HIGH SCHOOL Stephanie Bishop Williams ’90HS Here is the news from the High School Class of 1990. Elizabeth Aiken Chambers says that her junior, ninth-, and seventh-grade girls are back to “in person” school full-time this year. They’re all happy to be back on the lacrosse field and with their friends. Elizabeth is still busy with her job in real estate, which has not slowed down since the pandemic. She is still in Greenville, South Carolina, but got together in Asheville recently with Lea Ann Boykin Cook, Julie Hamilton Caviness, Lisa Sedlak Mastronardi,
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CLASS NEWS Carrie Kitchen Jones ’92C, and Michelle McLaughlin Cheshire ’92C. Meredith Green Steinbraker also has three high schoolers, a freshman girl, and sophomore and senior boys. Hers, too, are happy to be back in person in school this year and playing sports. She is looking forward to celebrating her 20th anniversary and 50th birthday in Jamaica! Molly Hull Boothe says that she is happily unemployed for the first time in her life! She is staying busy taking care of her beautiful German shepherds and taking up boxing. She even won her first fight this year! She is also excited about a lot of upcoming travel to Singapore, where her husband will be located beginning in 2022. Tisha Carroll Edrington lives in Pinehurst. She keeps in touch with Louise Harris, Kimball Harris Saunders, and Blanche Slade Hancock. Her husband, David, sold his dental practice in December 2019, just before the pandemic hit, so they got a new puppy! Her twin daughters were able to attend in-person school their senior year, and both were accepted to UNC-Wilmington and could not be happier. Being empty-nesters now, Tisha and David have been doing some traveling and home projects. Colby Butler Reiger says that she is still living in Naples, Florida, and is the proud mom of three great kids, Jane (24), Peter (20), and Charlie (13). She still has dreams about her time at Saint Mary's and says that it lives in us forever. As for me, I am still working from home due to the pandemic, but we have been so fortunate in that our now second-grader, Henry, has been in-person in school with the exception of the spring of 2020, when the coronavirus first hit. I turn the big 5-0 like most of the rest of you this year, and we’re planning a big trip to the British Virgin Islands, which will be welcome travel after the last two years. I enjoy keeping up with Melanie Lewis Seamster at the lake, and so many of you on Facebook. I hope to reconnect with more of you through the years. Stephanie Bishop Williams
1992
HIGH SCHOOL Valerie Vincent DeLoach ’92HS It’s been a while since the Class of ’92HS has been represented, so I have jumped back in as secretary after many years! It has been nice reconnecting with friends, and I hope we have a good turnout for our 30th reunion in April. After 16 years in Boone, Lindsay Luxton relocated to the Gulf Coast of Florida, where she was a graphic designer for a scuba dive shop and she got certified as an open water diver. For the past couple of years, she has been lucky enough to be the head of graphics for The Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters, and she enjoys working with talented, compassionate people. She moved to Florida to help her mother and they live a simple, low-key life, traveling when they can. Lindsay has met a few Saint Mary’s sisters throughout the years and always loves sharing stories and memories with them. She says
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that North Carolina will always be home! Bree Parker Patillo is CEO of Patillo Construction in Atlanta. She has two children (15 and 13) and has been married to Cal Abel for 16 years. Jane Singleton Myers started as executive director for TreesCharlotte in May. It’s a nonprofit that works to preserve and grow Charlotte’s iconic urban forest. Although nonprofit work is challenging, she finds it very fulfilling and is enjoying her new role and its mission. Jane and her husband, Jay, celebrate five years of blissful marriage in April. She has embraced being a stepparent and says her kids are so special! Audrey (16) is a junior in high school and Asher (14) is an eighthgrader. I have enjoyed keeping up with her on Facebook! Elizabeth Gillam Hoffmier has been a licensed clinical social worker in private practice for 16 years and she is on the board of Outer Banks Relief Foundation. They are busy making inventions with Fisher (8), and keeping up with teen life with their son, Seay. I absolutely love how she describes what she has been up to over the years. Elizabeth said, “Making art, living seaside, walking our dog, cuddling our kitty twins, and seeing the ever-present need to lean into all the beauty life has to offer are my pastimes.” She sends love to all. Carmaletta Locklear Henson lives in Raleigh with her husband, David, and her two amazing sons, who are 13 and 18 years old. They are both in school at St. David’s, although Caleb is a senior so he will be headed off to college next year. The younger son, Parker, loves playing the guitar and playing basketball. The older, Caleb, spends his time weightlifting and bodybuilding. They are very different but amazing kids and bring lots of laughter to the dinner table. Carma is one of four partners at Henson Fuerst, P.A., where she practices law with her husband, her brotherin-law, and other amazing attorneys. Carma joined Henson Fuerst, P.A. right out of law school in 1999, and has enjoyed representing plaintiffs ever since. She is passionate about her law practice, as she focuses on nursing home abuse and neglect cases - representing people who have been abused or neglected in nursing homes. Carma is active in the national organization, American Association for Justice (AAJ), speaks across the country regarding nursing home litigation and trial work, and is currently on the executive committee of AAJ’s nursing home litigation group. She is also active in the state trial lawyers organization, North Carolina Association of Justice, where she is the vice president of NCAJ’s nursing home litigation group. When Carma and her family are not working or in school, they spend as much time as possible at the beach. They are happiest when they are on the water! Stacy Dunikowski Williams is currently teaching first grade at Smith Magnet Elementary. Her husband is a district chief with Wake County EMS and their three boys (21,18,16) are all doing great! They love traveling yearly to Jamaica. Ashton Lowe Gantz reports that the past year and a half has brought
a lot of change to her family. Abigail, their oldest daughter, graduated from N.C. State and has settled in Raleigh with a wonderful job. Their middle daughter is engaged and graduating from UNC-Charlotte. Their youngest daughter, Sophie, is a high school junior and is beginning to look at colleges. For herself, God has provided the amazing opportunity to return to the classroom at Covenant Classical School. After being out of the classroom for 23 years, this was a huge change, but a welcomed one for Ashton! After graduating from N.C. State, Julie George Pfund moved to Wisconsin for 17 years, where she met her husband. They and their two girls moved to the Nashville area seven years ago and she has been a stay-at-home mom since then. Julie spends her days homeschooling their competitive gymnast fifth-grader and their artsloving eighth-grader. As for me, Valerie Vincent DeLoach, I am owner/broker-in-charge of Why Realty Group, a boutique real estate firm in Wendell, with my husband. Our firm’s motto is “Do Good. Help Others.” I am enjoying my role on the board of directors for the Greater Pleasant Grove Development Corporation and the Wendell Kiwanis Club, as well as my job as a wish-granter with Make-A-Wish Foundation and an active volunteer at the local food pantry. Joe and I have four kids - Will (22) works at Tar River Arms in Wake Forest, Warren (21) is living his best life as a Delta Sig at Appalachian State, Hattie (19) is serving at Cypress Glenn in Greenville, and Crawford (18) is on a full basketball scholarship at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. Crawford just had ACL reconstruction surgery, so we will get another year of watching her play basketball since she has been redshirted. Joe and I have embraced the empty-nest life and bought a motorhome to travel. It’s rare we are home on the weekends lately! I stepped back into this role as secretary recently, so I hope to gather even more news next time around! Can’t wait to reconnect at the class reunion April 2930, 2022! Valerie
1992
COLLEGE Michelle McLaughlin Cheshire ’92C Hello Class of ’92C! I’d love to hear from you - at least I finally made it to North Carolina and got to see a few classmates. I realized a little piece of my heart is still in Raleigh! I met up with Carrie Kitchin Jones, Lisa Sedlak Mastronardi, Julie Hamilton Caviness, Lea Ann Boykin Cook, and Elizabeth Aiken Chambers in Asheville for a little reunion. So much fun to reunite with old friends. It was a treat running into Mary Virginia Swain ’77C on the Saint Mary’s beautiful campus. Elizabeth Paxton Black is looking forward to seeing everyone at our reunion this year! Her older two children, Bratton and Josie Parker ’21 are at N. C. State this year. Her youngest, Hill, is in fourth grade. Weldon Jackson Byrtus writes, “Still going strong at Saint Mary’s School—year 25! Hoping to see tons of classmates this spring
for our 30th reunion. Wow!” Elizabeth Aiken Chambers lives in Greenville, South Carolina, with her husband and three girls, Eliza (16), Caroline (14), and Kate (12). She sells real estate in this crazy market. She says she can’t wait to hopefully see everyone at the reunion. Class of ’92-- Plan to attend our reunion in April! Sending love to each of you! Michelle
1994
COLLEGE Andrea Staunch Green ’94C Margery Knott Clifton lives in Raleigh with her husband, Ben, and their twins, Frank and Walter (6). After surviving virtual kindergarten last year, the boys started first grade at St. Timothy's School in Raleigh and are enjoying it. Margery has recently become a stay-at-home mom after almost 25 years in the legal industry, and she's having so much fun spending more time with the boys and traveling to the North Carolina mountains as often as they can. She has been able to see a few SMC girls in recent months and is looking forward to more visits soon. Sally Howell Donaldson made a big move from Raleigh to Lakeway, Texas, which is outside of Austin. She, husband Sean, and 4-year-old Mary Smith love their new community and have already made lots of friends. They have hosted Sally's mother and aunt, Sean's family, as well as an SMC reunion weekend with Margery Knott Clifton, Robin White Mangum, Ann Green Floyd, and Mary Pat Phillips Radford. Amy Warren Dowdle writes, "It's been a crazy couple of years! My four kids, my mom, and I moved to Ocean Isle Beach to quarantine during COVID. While my oldest, Clayton, missed her senior prom and graduations, we had a blast! Unfortunately, Hurricane Isais hit, and our beach house burned down. We were home in Wake Forest, so we were safe. My parents are rebuilding, and it should be ready by the first of the year. Clayton is a sophomore at Lee's-McRae College and loves it. Baity decided to take a gap year, and will go to Peace in the fall. Walker is in the 10th grade, and playing football, which scares the dickens out of me, but he enjoys it. My baby, Campbell, is in the fifth grade already. Her nickname is Chattie, but I'm not sure where she gets that from. I'm still working for my daddy, and Jeff is still the chef at The Heritage Club. Life is good and we're certainly blessed. I miss seeing everyone, but love watching your kids grow up on Facebook. If anyone is ever in Wake Forest, give me a call. My love to all!" Elizabeth Grant lives in Mills River, which is 30 minutes outside of Asheville. She finished her BSN last summer from UNCC online. She left Mission Hospital for a director of nursing job, and is working at a medication assisted treatment (MAT) facility helping people with opiate addiction. She never thought she'd be doing mental health nursing and is loving it. Robin White Mangum lives in Raleigh with
her husband, Ned, and their boys, Bear (17), Gus (14), and Hugh (10). Robin is the learning coordinator at Marbles Kids' Museum. Her oldest will graduate from Woodbury Forest in the spring. Alison Leith Myers is living in Annapolis, Maryland, with Mitch and their daughter, Genevieve (13). She writes, "These past COVID months we couldn't get home to North Carolina for a year but, thankfully, that changed, and all is well. I'm especially grateful for our local friends, Zoom, telework, exercise, and wine in getting us through. More travel in 2022 includes a yoga retreat in Key West in January. I've been needing it for about two years!" She hopes everyone from SMC is doing well and plans to tour campus with her daughter, who starts high school next year. Stacey Stallard Shaughnessy writes, “Still married to Ryan, have a college freshman who attends NCSU, and a junior at Cary Academy. I work for Nabor Force. I still enjoy traveling, attending NCSU sporting events, and taking a bleacher seat to watch my son play all his seasonal sports. I live in Cary and am anxiously beginning the stress of having to start the college process with my junior again.” Kendy Allen Smith continues to enjoy living in the Pacific Northwest. Her son, Henry (15), is a freshman at Lakeside School in Seattle. Her husband, Bryan, is the director of experimental education in charge of global programs, the outdoor program, and service learning at Lakeside. Kendy loves being a nanny for two little girls. I, Andrea Staunch Green, live in Charlotte. I have a freshman in high school, Caroline (14), and Alex (12) is in the sixth grade. The kids are happy to be in school this year and couldn't get vaccinated fast enough. I've never seen kids eager to get a shot! We went to the Grand Canyon for spring break and took my mother with us. We also spent a lot of time in Atlantic Beach during the summer, much of that time with my twin, Austin Staunch. Her industry on the west coast was decimated during COVID, which gave her time to spend in North Carolina, but she is happily back to work. I've got some creative projects set to unfold, one being an oyster shell chandelier that I handmade and will market for sale for custom orders. I have some sad news to share. Our classmate, Jordan Anne Smith, passed away November 4. You may remember that her mother, Gretchen Fracher Hardage ’65C, worked at Saint Mary's. I remember both fondly and extend my deepest condolences to Jordan’s family and friends. Andrea
1994
HIGH SCHOOL Jeannine Eason Brown ’94HS ’96C writes, “Hello, friends! I am having a blast being back on campus. Serving as the Director of Alumnae Engagement is an honor and a privilege. I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many women and hear great stories. I loved seeing Kitty Watkins Sydnor ’95HS, and Karen Edmundson Dann ’96C during Reunion Weekend back in June. My family is healthy and well. My stepson is about to graduate high school, my daughter is a junior, and my youngest son will be graduating eighth grade. Where has the time gone? You can still find me most mornings before work at Burn Boot Camp. Exercise is what keeps me sane and hopefully keeps me young. The girls on campus call me ‘ma’am’ and that makes me feel so old (LOL). I look forward to reading everyone’s news and don’t forget to reach out to the Alumnae Office to connect.” Margaret Taylor Blair moved back to Virginia Beach in July 2019 after five years living in Southern Spain, where she worked on a military base providing mental health services to U.S. Forces stationed overseas. “We returned just in time for COVID! I continue to work with the Department of the Navy, providing mental health services to active-duty members and their families. Jason and I have two boys, ages 10 and 13, so we spend most weekends at the baseball field, and cheering for the Demon Deacons and Wolfpack!”
1996
COLLEGE Deborah Aycock Everett ’96C Tracy Ivey Batts lives in Zebulon with her husband, Greg, and two children, Owen (10) and Ivey. “It’s hard to believe we graduated 25 years ago from SMC. I know I am not that old. I miss seeing all my classmates but am glad we have Facebook to keep connected. My mom (Gail Ivey) also enjoys hearing about everyone’s kids and how they are doing!” Jeannine Eason Brown is Saint Mary’s new alumnae director! She says, “Hello, friends! I am having a blast being back on campus. Serving as the Director of Alumnae Engagement is an honor and privilege. I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many women and hear great stories. I loved seeing Kitty Watkins Sydnor ’95HS, and Karen Edmundson Dann ’96C during Reunion Weekend back in June. My family is healthy and well. My stepson is about to graduate high school, my daughter is a junior, and my youngest son will be graduating eighth grade. Where has the time gone? You can still find me most mornings before work at Burn Boot Camp. Exercise is what keeps me sane and hopefully keeps me young. The girls on campus call me ‘ma’am’ and that makes me feel so old (LOL). I look forward to reading everyone’s news and don’t forget to reach out to the Alumnae
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CLASS NEWS Office to connect. Shaner Garner Cooke has three beautiful stepdaughters/daughters and all of them have returned to Pensacola, Florida, so they get to see them often! “I work full time as an executive assistant for the CEO of a world-known research institute (IHMC), and I also organize ‘think tank’ meetings, which include everyone from astronauts to Ivy League professors to pro athletes. I have three cats and a grandson! I bet no one else is a grandmother yet. Ha! Shay-Shay is my grandmother name and Sherrod has actually called me that for years. I try to play as much tennis as possible.” Bryson Evans (Nancy Hill) writes, “I am celebrating my one-year anniversary to my amazing wife, Amy. We live near downtown Durham with our four fur babies: Calloway and Karma are 10- and 11-year-old cats. Jax is a 7-year-old beagle, and Carter is a 3-year-old Auskie. My two daughters (24 and 22) live within an hour of us. As a family,
we love to explore local breweries and spend time outdoors, especially hiking, biking, and camping. Deborah Aycock Everett says, “Hey, friends! I am still living in Raleigh, and we have two kids: son Ford is a freshman in college and daughter Eliza is in ninth grade. It is so hard to believe my son is the same age we all were when we came to Saint Mary’s! I am an interior designer and I also stay active volunteering at my daughter’s school and for National Charity League.” Tracy Tranguch McAvoy and husband Matthew McAvoy have a daughter, Finley, who is in first -grade and “lives her life to the fullest.” They moved from uptown Charlotte to the burbs of south Charlotte last year during COVID and they are loving their new lifestyle. Sherrod Sisco Pair resides on Pensacola Beach, Florida, with her two children, Holt (14) and Ann Garland (12). She took a temporary hiatus from acting and recently wrote a screenplay
Alumnae Instagram @saintmarysalumnae
that is housed at the Library of Congress in D.C. She is currently working on rewrites on that piece as well as a sequel. Sherrod obtained her real estate license in August 2020 and recently opened an online real estate content/ lifestyle company called, “Sisco In The City LLC”. Her respective magazine and online channel will be launching in 2022, so stay tuned! She is also an avid tennis player and loves to travel with her yellow lab “Palmer.” She has enjoyed keeping up with her lifelong best friends from Saint Mary’s, and always looks forward to any chance to return to North Carolina to visit them all. Melissa Dew Smith writes, “We have two boys, Henry (17) is a junior at Rocky Mount Academy (RMA) and Owen (15) is a sophomore at RMA.” Melissa and husband Derrick live in Rocky Mount and have two dogs, Molly and Dory. “We love spending time with family and friends and going to the beach and to the lake.” Kari Syrdahl is based in N.Y.C. but works from home, so she spends almost half the year in Norway and wherever else she can. “It’s a good gypsy life!” Julieanne Arnold Thomas reports, “We are going on 19 years living in Wilson. Our twin boys are 15 and enjoying high school this year. I stay busy daily keeping up with them! I’m still the crazy dog lover I’ve always been. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of SMS in some way!” Danielle Leona Boucher Weaver writes, “I am still living and working locally. My husband and I are building a house in Moncure. I coown a property development business, Fusion Development LLC, and one of our projects was just in the Triangle Business Journal. I have two daughters (23 and 18): the oldest is a middle grades STEM teacher in Montana, and the youngest is in nursing school in New Hampshire. I have two ‘bonus kids’ who are in college as well. One daughter (23) is getting her graduate degree in library science and a son getting an engineering degree at Wake Tech. Could not talk any of the kids into private all girls high school. Not a very interesting life, but a fun one!”
1996
HIGH SCHOOL Laura-Burke Davis Kerr ‘96HS ‘98C writes, “John and I are still in Raleigh. I work part time as a speech pathologist for Transitions Life Care. We have two girls, Grace (14) and Ellie (10). Hoping Grace will be coming to SMS in the fall. Can’t believe I have a daughter old enough! It’s so much fun coming back on campus and seeing old and new faces! It really is true that ‘we change but thou art still the same!’ As many things have changed on campus over the years, the traditions, the friendships, the community are still what they were when I was a student!”
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Merriweather Raidle Mulé ’04 and family enjoying a holiday outing.
1998
HIGH SCHOOL Marian Morris Godwin and husband, Matt are thrilled to have two daughters at Saint Mary’s now. Anderson Adams ’25 is a freshman, and Holly Godwin ’22 is in her senior year! Marian is loving being a part of the SMS Parents Association and is co-chairing the Visual and Performing Arts Committee. She also just took on a new professional position, and is now serving as director of individual giving at St. Timothy's School in Raleigh, where her daughter Coble (and future Saint!) is attending.
2000
Katherine Kemp Robbins writes, “We welcomed a beautiful daughter, Lillian, on October 4. Her sister, Sarah Leighton, and brother, Henry, are thrilled and excited to have a new sibling, and we are so in love! I am enjoying working part time as an assistant librarian at Kenan Library, as well as continuing volunteer work.”
2002
Hollan Rudolph Young has gone back to work selling residential real estate in Raleigh with Dogwood Properties. “I have enjoyed every minute of helping friends find the perfect home!” She was looking forward to bringing her
Hunter Jackson Sabol ’04 and son Owen
family to Lighting O’ the Grove at Saint Mary’s in December. Katie Jones Kindborg writes, “My husband, Kris, and I are doing well. We welcomed our first child, a daughter, Alexandra, September 26, 2021. She is the greatest joy of our lives! Kris and I are staying busy with work, our new baby, and our pets - Odie, Lafitte, and Ramy. I hope everyone from our class is doing well and has a happy 2022!”
2004
Katie Whitmore Allred ’04 Hannah Barker lives in Boston and is working at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Britt Carl serves as the director of learning excellence at High Point University. She enjoys connecting with the SMS students who enroll at HPU! Laura Darby lives in Chicago with her husband Sergio and dog, Loki "the Meatball" Ramirez. Laura graduated law school from UIC Law in May 2021 and passed the bar examination in July 2021. She was sworn in as an attorney in November 2021 and intends to practice family and matrimonial law. With gratitude for all the study skills she gained at SMS, Laura says hello to all professors who remember her for her dorky velvet gloves. The past year was a big year for Hunter Jackson Sabol! She and her husband, Brandon, celebrated nine years together on August 11. They also welcomed their first child on April
6, 2021. Hunter had a healthy little boy named Owen Michael Sabol (7 pounds, 4 ounces). The new family is doing well, and Hunter is excited for this new phase in life. Cameron Elizabeth Moss Daniel married her best friend, Stephen Daniel of Elm City, in October 2021. Cameron and Stephen live in Louisburg. In 2021, Cameron also received a promotion and accepted a new position as a senior marketing coordinator at WSP USA, a global engineering firm. Cameron is looking forward to this next season of life and is excited for all it brings! Jennifer Mandeville Schneller recently received a promotion as IT enterprise product manager. She enjoys volunteering at her girls’ school and church. Her girls are six and nine. Merriweather Raidle Mulé lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, Michael, and children, Camille (6) and Gabriel (3). She works as a wealth strategist for CornerCap Wealth Advisors. She received the Certified Financial Planner (TM) certification in 2020 and the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (R) certification in 2021. She enjoys helping families plan and invest for their financial future and providing women going through divorce with financial clarity and knowledge through the process. She aims to help them make the best decisions now that will allow them to live a financially secure life in the future. Outside of the office, she is
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CLASS NEWS with her family playing sports (yes, you read that right), being a dance mom (it was always meant to be), enjoying the beach, or watching the latest Disney movie. Emily Stocks Walker lives in Dallas with her husband, Austin, and their three sons, Stocks (6), Noble (3) and Asher (1). Nia Triantis lives in Cary with her daughters, Wilsie (5) and Daphne (3). She works for Zaloni out of the RTP, as an e-learning content developer. Katie Vaughn just moved but still lives in Raleigh. I, Katie Whitmore Allred, live in Southern Pines with my husband, Ryan, and two sons, Bobby (3) and Henry (1). While we have only called Southern Pines home for two years, we absolutely love living here and look forward to spending a few more years in North Carolina before our next move with the Army. As always, it is great hearing from classmates near and far! Thank you to everyone who submitted news!
2006
Caroline Ward Manning ’06 Morgan Brinkley McKay is married to Spencer McKay, and they have two dogs, Penny and Millie. She is a senior accountant at Coastal Credit Union and enjoys living in Raleigh. Alexandra Speros White was married to Lee White of Nashville, Tennessee, on October 9, 2021, in a very small family-only ceremony in Nashville. “We plan to celebrate with a wedding celebration of a somewhat larger group of
friends and family in Riviera Maya, Mexico, in January 2022. In addition to my work at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as a certified nurse-midwife, I have been supervising the medical center's COVID-19 hotline since its creation in March 2020. What a wild few years.”
2008
Mary Brown Taylor ’08 Lauren Worthy Barker lives in Wilson with her husband, Taylor, and son, Worth (2). She works for Truist as a human resources operations manager. Anna Betts Kirby lives in Wake Forest with her husband, Winston, and is a full-time faculty member at Wake Technical Community College, where she works as an English instructor. She is pursuing her 500 RYT (500 hours for yoga teacher training) as her hobby/ passion. Kallie Blount lives in Wilson and works as the director of travel and sales for Group International Specialty Travel in New York. She is pursuing her passion for travel and building itineraries abroad. Elizabeth Bonner Covington lives in Charlotte with her husband, Alec, and son, Harrison. She works as a PR account manager at Chernoff Newman. Julie Bynum Fraser lives in Jackson, Wyoming, with her husband, Jimmy, and works as a creative partner for a San Francisco-based design company, Brilliant. Hayley Dillon Cain lives in Raleligh with her husband Brad and daugher Millie (1).
Claire Chewning Smith lives in Beaufort, South Carolina, with her husband and their son, Arch. Claire works as a seventh-grade ELA/social studies teacher in Bluffton, South Carolina, at River Ridge Academy. Martha Cox Whitesides and husband Tucker live in Wilmington. She is in school at Duke Divinity for a Master of Arts in Christian practices and will finish in August 2022. Her studies are geared toward church ministry and Christian formation, doing church consulting with ministry architects. She is anticipating a move next summer for Tucker's medical training/residency. Allison Cranfill Haywood lives in Raleigh with her husband, John. They were married on April 3, 2021. She works with her husband at his company, John Haywood Antiques, LLC, which specializes in early southern American furniture. Allison still paints (primarily pet portraits) on the side. Jennifer Currier lives in West Asheville and works as the head of sour and wine production for Wicked Weed Brewing. Katherine Darden lives in Raleigh and is the general manager at So*Ca restaurant. Liz D'Atri Stefani works as the creative marketing manager for a real estate firm in Boston. Heather Dew Rosa lives in Longmont, Colorado, with husband Alex and labradoodle Berta. She works remotely as a water resources engineer for McAdams in Durham. Betsy Douglass lives in Charleston, South Carolina, where she is an artist. Sidney Dawson Dozier
SAINT MARY’S PROUD As part of a legacy of generations of women who have benefitted from a Saint Mary’s experience and gone on to live lives of purpose and intention, Saint Mary’s alumnae stand tall and proud from coast to coast and continent to continent. Here are some ways you can show your pride for your alma mater and inspire others about Saint Mary’s: • Include Saint Mary’s on your resume or whenever you are listing or discussing your education. • Remember to wear that beautiful Saint Mary’s ring. • Get some Saint Mary’s gear at our school store, shop1842, and wear it often. • Send Saint Mary’s your news so we can share it with others. We love to hear about your personal and professional aspirations, achievements, and milestones. • Mentor a Saint Mary’s student through an internship. • Like/follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn • Keep the Alumnae Office apprised of your current contact information. • Attend your Reunion Weekend.
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lives in Raleigh with husband Chris and their two children, daughter Covington (4) and Rush (3). She works for AWH partners. Stephanie Gherini moved from Los Angeles to Nashville, Tennessee, where she just purchased her first home. She left her previous job as tour marketing director at Live Nation HQ to take a new job as head of tour marketing at Wasserman Music, a talent agency that represents clientele such as Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran, Kacey Musgraves, Drake, Coldplay, Dave Matthews, and Kenny Chesney, to name a few. Catherine Early, Ph.D., lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and works as the chair of the biology department and curator of ornithology at the Science Museum of Minnesota. She bought a house this past year and loves her job and getting to know a new city while staying in touch with dear friends from afar like Christina Nasuti Phillips, Jessica O'Shea, and Rebecca Mark ’09. Kiki Sloan Eatman lives in Raleigh with her husband, Jim, and baby girl, Mary Katherine, who was born March 2, 2021. She works as a regional account manager for James Hardie building products. Elizabeth Mills Grantham lives in Raleigh with her husband, Stewart, and works as a program manager on the sales enablement and development team at Red Hat. Loftin Johnson lives in Raleigh, where she works as the director of fitness at the North Hills Club. Mary Reid Larcade lives in Raleigh and works as a licensed professional counselor at the family practice, Larcade Psychiatric Associates, PLLC. She specializes in working with adolescents and young adults with anxiety and depression. Roslyn Ragsdale Manning and her husband, Max, live in Crestwood, Kentucky, with their two daughters, Scarlett (5) and Caroline (4), and their new son, George Eugene Manning, born May 12, 2021. She was accepted recently as a Google for education certified coach, which means she focuses specifically on instructional technology practices. Katie Matthews Darling lives in Charlotte with her husband, Edward. She works as a sales manager for Robinson Media. Catherine Schaefer Maxwell lives in Chicago and works as a senior planner at Nike. Nancy Stewart McLendon Dickson lives in Wilmington with her husband, Michael.They were married in May 2021. She is a pediatric physician assistant at Kidzcare. Mady McLeod lives in Plano, Texas, where she is a physical therapist. Liz Moore is a furniture designer and works for her family's firm, Otto and Moore, Inc. Claire Murray Goolsby lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, Jeremy. They were married in April 2021. She is a speech-language pathologist at Learning Matters, Inc. and at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital. Danielle Musselwhite lives in Raleigh and works for a company headquartered in San Francisco called 15Five. Crutcher Nash Battin lives in Raleigh with husband Mark and new baby girl, Lucy, born in October 2021. She works for SCOUT as a senior program manager. Sarah
Staton Nash lives in Charleston, South Carolina and works as senior sales associate and an ALA lighting specialist for Circa lighting. Beth Walters Nash lives in Raleigh with her husband, John, and son Charlie (1). She works as a marketing communications specialist for Red Hat. Julia Nutt lives in Wilmington and has transitioned from education to the nonprofit world, working at Step-up Wilmington. Cynthia Partrick lives in Charleston, South Carolina, and is a realtor at Keller Williams. Christina Nasuti Phillips lives in Vienna, Virginia., with husband Brian and daughter Amelia Grace, who joined their family in December 2019. Christina works as an attorney at FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). Kim Purcell lives in Washington, D.C., and works in marketing for the Got Milk? campaign. Arden Saunders lives in Crested Butte, Colorado, and is a Pilates instructor. Anna Jane Sewell lives in Raleigh and works as the gallery director at LaMantia Gallery in the Village District. Greyson Kane Sidebotham lives in Raleigh with her husband, John Reid, their son, Reid (2), and their new daughter, Sutton Grace Sidebotham, born June 16, 2021. Jessica Clark Stewart and her husband, Andrew, live in Wake Forest with their two boys, Lyle (3) and Clark (1). She works as a middle school ELA teacher at Franklin Academy. Suneha Sundaram lives in Brunswick, New Jersey, and works as a hospitalist. Mary Brown Taylor lives in Raleigh and works as a client services associate at Spectraforce. She is also godmother to Sidney Dawson Dozier's daughter, Covington. Cameron Robbins Taylor and her husband, Josh, live in Raleigh. Diane Tyndall is living in Europe for the next three to five years, doing similar work through InterVarsity's global branch called IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students.) Sara Walker lives in Raleigh and works for her family business, Walker Auto Parts. She is also godmother to Sidney’s daughter, Covington. Annie Whitmore lives in Charlotte and works as an RN, BSN at Criswell and Criswell Plastic Surgery. Macky Wingo Trotter lives in Raleigh and had a baby girl, Audrey "Audie" Trotter, January 25, 2020. They also have a three-year-old son, Dierks Trotter. She owns and coaches at CrossFit gym (Stillhouse CrossFit in Garner). McCauley James Yates lives in Raleigh with her husband, Drew, and daughter Laine, who was born March 2, 2021.
2010
Emma Powell Pike ’10 Joi Marlowe and her fiancé have bought a home in Maryland. She is still working in clinical research with Merck while finishing up her master’s degree at UNC-Wilmington. Gates Killian married Robert Spilman of Martinsville, Virginia, on November 13 in Charlotte, at her home church, Myers Park Presbyterian Church. She just celebrated five years with IBM and lives
in Charlotte. Racheal Nye obtained her master’s in professional creative writing from the University of Denver and had a baby girl, Sylvie Jane, in June. Olivia James lives in Boston, doing crisis communications and marketing for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in social services. She has also started working towards her master’s from American University and will graduate next year with a degree in strategic communication with a concentration in advocacy and social impact. Louise Orr is the communications director at Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, which is the state’s only accredited wild cat sanctuary. Catherine Doyle Aimone finished her Ph.D. in May and is starting in the leadership development program at BASF. Tory Daly recently adopted a husky puppy! Laura Gulledge Rust obtained her general contractor license over the summer and has launched a residential remodeling business, Gulledge Building Company, LLC. She and her husband, Evan, are the proud new dog parents of a French bulldog named Wanda. Liza Wooten DeFago was married on May 15, 2021, with lots of 2010 Saints in attendance! Ashley Flynn graduated from UNC-Wilmington with her bachelor’s in nursing and is in the process of applying to graduate school to become a nurse practitioner. My husband and I welcomed our son, Bryce, on January 4. At eight days old he was airlifted to Duke for emergency open heart surgery to correct a congenital heart defect. I am happy to report that he is very healthy, and we are loving raising him in Morehead City! Emma Pike
2012
Hailey Hart Borden ’12 Hailey Hart Borden lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Edwin Borden, and golden retriever, Mossy. She works for the U.S. House of Representatives committee on small business and is focused on economic and entrepreneurship policy. She enjoys keeping up with her Saint Mary's friends at weddings and celebratory gatherings and hearing about all the impressive and exciting things the class of 2012 is accomplishing. Marwah Alzer has lived in Athens, Georgia, for the past three years while at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, where she is the president of the student oncological advocates in pharmacy. On the weekends, she works at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta- Scottish Rite in the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Pharmacy. After graduating, she hopes to carry on her career as a pharmacist in oncology at CHOA. When Marwah is not working or studying, she loves to spend time with her friends exploring Atlanta and enjoying the outdoors. Olivia Lanier Bales has resided in New York City since graduating from UNCChapel Hill in 2016. (After six years, she's almost a true New Yorker!) She and her husband, Alexander Bales, were married in Tuscany, Italy,
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CLASS NEWS in September, following their legal nuptials at the Beaufort County courthouse in the summer of 2020. Olivia is a senior brand and marketing copywriter, pursuing her passions of writing and wellness at early-stage start-ups. In her spare time, she can be found running through Central Park with her husband and their Goldendoodle, Mr. Big. Hutter Black and her sister, Suejette Black ’13, own and manage Spenga, a gym and physical fitness center, in Chapel Hill. When Hutter is not teaching or taking one of Spenga's spin, strength, and yoga classes, you can find her cheering on the Tar Heels at sporting events. Margaret Blincow has moved to Winter Park, Florida, and continues her career in nursing, specifically as a neurosurgical nurse. After spending the past year as a travel nurse, she is happy to be settled down in Central Florida. She is enjoying the year-round sunshine! Darby Fallon Clark and her husband, Jack, welcomed a baby boy named Rivers into their family in February. They spent the summer traveling to Nantucket and Santa Rosa Beach with him. Darby continues to love her job at Fallon Benefits Group. In her free time, Darby thrives in creative settings - she loves to arrange flowers, host dinner parties, and spend time with friends. Corinne Rixey Coleman and her husband, McNair Coleman, were married in May of this year in Columbia, South Carolina. Corinne has begun her sixth year working as a buyer’s and seller’s agent in the Charleston, South Carolina, market. When Corinne is not enjoying the beach or pursuing her real estate career, she loves to work out and spend time with her husband and friends all over Charleston! Duncan Weaver Flynn and her husband, Daniel, were married in October 2020 in Raleigh. Duncan is an interior designer at the commercial design firm, Level 5 Designs, which specializes in multi-family design. Duncan and Daniel live in Raleigh and, in their free time, enjoy spending time with family and friends. Bailey Jeutter lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is attending graduate school to become a physician assistant. When Bailey isn’t studying, she enjoys exploring Richmond with her dog, Sadie, and taking trips to Charlottesville. Cate Lyle recently moved to Charleston, South Carolina. She works for U.Group, a small D.C.-based startup, as the manager of talent strategy, building up a sourcing department. When she’s not stalking LinkedIn, you can find her relaxing by the beach on Sullivan’s Island with her fiancé, Mack Keasler, or attending the weekly Smaries Supper Club with Corrine Rixey Coleman and Sarah Scott Worth. Meredith Miller lives in Los Angeles, where she moved this past year. She is a first grade teacher at Village School in the Pacific Palisades.This year, Meredith has been instrumental in updating the first-grade social studies curriculum to be more inclusive and diverse, having students focus on accessibility in parks and playgrounds,
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and designing their own accessible playground feature. In her spare time, Meredith can be found reading at the beach, enjoying Pilates, or exploring L.A. with her friends. Carrie Coleman Paxton continues to run her business as a fulltime wedding photographer, photographing weddings in Virginia, D.C., Maryland, and the Carolinas. She had the chance to be on the other side of the camera this year as she and her husband, Nick, were married in the chapel at Woodberry Forest School in June. Carrie and Nick live in Gordonsville, Virginia, and spend their weekends renovating their early 1900s home. Caroline Pinney recently moved to Austin, Texas, with her dog, Bowie. As she establishes herself as an artist in a new city, she works at ROKA, an Austin-based triathlete gear and eyewear company. When Caroline isn’t working, she can be found swimming at Barton Springs, practicing yoga with a new community, and spending time exploring Austin’s best spots with her friends. Eliza Stoughton lives in Raleigh, where she works for a tech start-up based in New York. When not working, Eliza can be found on the boat in Wrightsville Beach with her mini Bernedoodle, Hattie, or attending a UNC sporting event. Sarah Scott Worth lives in Charleston, South Carolina, where she works for South City Public Relations, a food, lifestyle, and hospitality-focused PR agency. When she's not enjoying the beach or on the boat with her fiancé Paul and a golden retriever named Biscuit, you can find her hanging out with her beloved friends including fellow Saints '12 classmates, Cate Lyle and Corinne Rixey Coleman. Berry Williamson lives in Atlanta, where she works for the Westmoreland Group at Merrill Lynch, working with first- and second-generation wealth creators, typically business-owning families who are going through liquidity events. In her spare time, Berry enjoys taking and teaching Pilates, margaritas with good friends, and exploring the outdoors with her fiancé, Patrick Battey, and their golden retriever, Spud.
2014
Mary Stuart Fountain ’14 Hello, SMS Class of 2014 Saints! What a whirlwind year it has been! I hope you all are well, healthy, and safe. It is always fun to hear from you, and learn about the great things you are doing in your communities. I hope everyone stays safe this winter and continues to bring light to the world! We have some big updates, and welcomed our first Class of 2014 baby! Thank you to everyone who submitted class news. Frances Cayton started her Ph.D. in government at Cornell University. Holden Stanley Clark and her husband, Matthew, moved to Charleston, South Carolina. Holden started a new job at AmWins, a commercial insurance brokerage, and the Clarks bought a house! Holden and Matthew are excited to explore their new city and get a dog in the
next few months! Meg Cooksey is currently in nursing school in Denver to get her BSN. It's an accelerated program, so she will graduate in one year, in May of 2022. After graduation, Meg plans to stay in Denver and find a job at one of the hospitals there. She is leaning towards working on a neuro floor at a veterans’ hospital. Anna Gardner De Santis writes, "My husband, Stellan, and I are currently living in Cary, with the best little dog, Adeline. I have recently quit my big girl W2 job (which was super scary!) and am now full-time managing our rental property portfolio, as well as renovating several townhomes in Raleigh. We planned on returning to my husband's hometown of Lyon, France, for several months during the holidays." Alex Dozier is living in Raleigh and attends UNC-Chapel Hill for her master’s in social work. She hopes to use her degree in social work globally in South Africa after she graduates. Emily Evans writes that she has "hit two years living in Charlotte, and three years working at the same company!" Emily spends lots of time with friends and family in Charlotte and at Wrightsville Beach, including some Saint Marys' friends! Caitlin Garrabrant Gile and her husband, Luke, moved to Dallas in August 2021 and bought a house there. Mary Haley lives in Raleigh and works with her sister as they continue to grow their business, Surcie. They are excited to open a storefront near the Village District soon! Cynthia Coleman Hutcherson writes that, "Surrounded by my Saint Mary's classmates, I got married on August 14, 2021. My husband, Tyler, and I live in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia, and I'm enjoying running into SMS alums through my work in admission at Woodberry Forest School." Katie Nash started a new job in marketing with Grady-White Boats in Greenville. She loves living in Eastern North Carolina! Claire Stark Magee got married on June 25, 2021, at The Graham Mill in Graham, North Carolina. She is also finishing up her last year of graduate school at UNC-Chapel Hill in clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling. We welcomed the first Class of 2014 baby in October! Rachel Powell Maloney and her husband, Connell, welcomed Addison Gray Maloney on October 27, 2021. She was born with a full head of hair! Anuta Pravdina recently got married and moved to L.A. As for me, Mary Stuart Fountain, I am still working for Girls on the Run Greater Charlotte as the program manager, managing all our program participants, families, and sites. I am in the process of applying to graduate school programs to start in August of 2022. I have enjoyed staying active in the Junior League of Charlotte with Emily Evans, serving on various committees at Christ Episcopal Church, becoming a community captain for the new Charlotte Football Club (CFC), and joining the SMS Alumnae Leadership Council with Cynthia Hutcherson. We had fun being
back on campus in October for our meetings. I have also enjoyed recent visits with my sisters, Caroline Fountain '16, who lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Margaret Fountain '18, who is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill, and our one-year old family golden retriever puppy, Edward. Thank you again to everyone who sent in class news. I hope everyone has a safe and a wonderful spring. Remember to keep in touch. As always, proud to be a Saint Mary's Girl! Much love to everyone, Mary Stuart
2018
Erika Reiger ’18 Savannah Johnson moved to Paris to study pastry at Le Cordon Bleu and will be there for the next 18 months. She is super excited to learn more about French baking. Caroline Balderson got into the upper division for the
special education program at East Carolina. Lauren McClaskey is president of the honors system at Virginia Tech. Erika Reiger is a senior at the George Washington University, studying public health, business administration, and Spanish.
2020
Kate Eagles ’20 It has been an exciting year for the Class of 2020! It's hard to believe we are already sophomores in college, because it feels like just yesterday that we were still on campus. Lily Spalding is a student at UNC- Chapel Hill and has joined the women's rugby team. Eleanor Williams and Forbes Weaver are also students at UNCChapel Hill and are a part of the executive board for their sorority, Chi Omega. Eleanor serves as vice president and Forbes serves as the director
of programming. Caroline Dixon has joined Tri Delta at Wake Forest. Pierson Fuller and Lexi Kenyon have both joined Zeta Tau Alpha at Wofford College. Sidney Rivera has joined Alpha Chi Omega at High Point University. Wilder Semans has made an exciting journey overseas and is now attending Universiteit Leiden in The Netherlands. Kate Eagles and Kate Garrison are continuing their journey at Clemson together and have both joined Clemson undergraduate student government, serving on the judicial branch. Kate Garrison has also joined Clemson University Guide Association, where she serves as a tour guide and ambassador for the university.
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Planned Giving in 2022 Generous hearts; thoughtful planning By Brandon Wright Director of Gift Planning
Whether received now or sometime in the future, planned gifts allow alumnae and friends to align their personal financial goals with their desire to make an impact at Saint Mary’s School. The school’s Office of Gift Planning works with alumnae at various stages of their philanthropic journey on gifts such as: • will bequests or beneficiary designations; • gifts through appreciated assets like stock or real estate; • gifts through IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions; or • gifts used to create a life-income stream through vehicles such as a charitable remainder trust. Right now, charities across the nation are urging the Unites States Congress to extend Federal legislation intended to increase charitable giving, which expired on Dec. 31, 2021. The proposed, extended legislation would allow alumnae who itemize for Federal income tax purposes to deduct up to 100 percent of their adjusted gross income in 2022 for cash
contributions to public charities like Saint Mary’s School. For alumnae who take the standard deduction, the legislation would allow a $300 charitable deduction (doubled to $600 for married filing jointly). If extended, alumnae might consider bundling contributions in 2022 that they might normally make over a multi-year period. Doing so could allow for a more substantial Federal income tax charitable deduction. A “bundled” gift can be used to create an endowed fund, name a space in the new STEM academic building or Blanche Robertson Bacon Performing Arts Center, or help eliminate the School’s debt – all priorities in the Saint Mary’s Forever Campaign. Generous hearts, coupled with thoughtful planning, ensure Saint Mary’s will continue to advance opportunities for girls forever. I welcome the chance to speak with you by phone or to meet with you in person to discuss ways you can make an impact at this very special place. You are advised to seek your own legal and tax advice in connection with charitable gift planning matters.
900 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27603–1689
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Raleigh, NC Permit No. 102
Scenes of Saint Mary’s Smedes in Snow January 2022
Photo by Mary Virginia Swain ’77C