Westover Magazine - 2022 - Class Notes Exerpt

Thank you to our Class Secretaries for submitting news to the magazine. Notes published in this magazine were received as of December 1, 2020 Individuals in photographs in the Class Notes section are identified from left to right in captions, unless otherwise stated.

GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOGRAPH SUBMISSIONS:

Please provide the full names of every alumna in a photo (identified from left to right), the date taken (if possible), the location, and the occasion (i.e. graduation, wedding).

Photographs will be published as space and photo quality permit. Please send digital photographs as email attachments to cloyd@ westoverschool.org.

For printing purposes, it is preferable that photographs have a minimum dpi of 300. We also can reproduce photographs submitted as traditional prints on photo quality paper.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing more photographs.

1942

PAT FRANCK SHEFFIELD ’42 psheffld@gmail.com

Mary Waters Anderson died on April 30, 2021. Her son Rick left me a phone message that she had not been well for some time, as I had reported last year. He said she always had a smile on her face, was not in pain, and died peacefully.

Mary Acheson Bundy answered my call. She is “OK,” very busy, and is “doing well,” although not driving. I did not learn more. Nancy Heimbach Claypool’s telephone number has been disconnected.

Harriet Whelpley Conklin left us on September 3, 2021. I had a long conversation about her with her son, Rod Conklin. She would have liked to have been an architect, but chose to be a homemaker instead. She had been mentally sound until she left us at 97, just as her father and mother had been when they died at the same age. He described her own mother and grandmother living in Manhattan at 64th Street and Fifth Avenue, although living very frugally. He had no obituary ready and asked me to send this report to him. Last year, he had been very surprised and amused to hear that we had called her “Butter” over the years.

Elaine Shanley Jocelyn is very talkative! I learned that, as a child, she and her sister went to boarding school in Great Britain in 1937, but had to return to the US because of World War II. Early in life, she became a pilot! She then met her husband, who was a Pan Am pilot. She is now 96 (like me), doing OK, and driving carefully. She still plays the organ. She lives in Buckingham, PA, very close to where I grew up near New Hope, PA.

Sally Piper Noyes says she is OK in terms of health, although she is partially blind and has to use a walker. Her son, Gregory Noyes, lives with her in Cottonwood, AZ.

Unfortunately, Sonia Allen Spalding’s telephone number is apparently no longer in service.

Suzan Phillips and I had a long conversation. Her first husband was in the South Pacific during World War II. I think she said that she met her second husband at a theater. Suzan was in My Fair Lady as an understudy for the role of Eliza. She is no longer singing, had bone cancer 12 years ago, and her legs are not very good, although she has been walking around a pond for seven years. Her daughter takes her out since she had an accident that totaled her car. Her sister is in an institution. We laughed a lot over our respective marriages and agreed to share stories about them.

I am not quite sure I sometimes understood classmates’ stories correctly, but I am sharing them as well as I can. As for myself, I have had several accidents, including a car crash in 2018 that resulted in back troubles that are now finally mild. I recently fell very hard on my butt, resulting in a different source of back pain, and also bad bumps on my little toes, which were entirely my own fault! But from December through March, I served on a committee reading dozens and dozens of plays written by women competing in a contest. We chose three to feature in a staged reading (at a mic, with script at hand), one of which will then get a full production next year. Life goes on, age or not!

Happily, I’m still driving, but my previous car had to be replaced and the truck driver involved in my accident won $110,000 from my insurance.

1946

BEATRICE BRONSON GARVAN ’46, P’72 beagarvan@gmail.com

When you, my classmates of 1946, answer the phone or send an email, so many of the memories of Middlebury in the spring with the bright new green grass and trees viewed through Sallyport, tumble through my mind. I can “see” some of you as you were. As we are follows: Margaret (Peggy) Evans Dennis writes, “We moved last spring into a retirement community in nearby Portola Valley, CA. It has lovely grounds, reasonably good food and charming, interesting people, some of whom have been here for many years. We have lots of family around. Grateful! Good wishes to all.”

Margaret (Peggy) Hamilton Stevens has been a resident of Maplewood Memory Care in Darien, CT for some eight years. I communicated some of our news to her through her caregiver. Anne Corkran Nimick is “fine.” She sounded great on the phone. She is a resident of Beaumont in Bryn Mawr, a retirement com munity where she has company of other Westover-ites, including Barbara Massey Clothier ’51, and our classmate Sue Colket Rakestraw. Nancy conveyed the news that Virginia (Vivi) Hall died (in 2002), and our esteemed class

President, also at Beaumont, Anne Newbold Godfrey, died this past February. Nancy still drives around and heads for Maine in the summer.

So far, I am well. Driving, walking, hoping for better world news. Four daughters have produced nine grands and three greats. I am also comfortable retired at The Hill at Whitemarsh-all good. COVID prohibited my Philadelphia Museum and associated Phila delphia city projects. I am having trouble reigniting the spark.

The following did not respond to email or telephone requests for news: Anne Ellis Raynolds, Adele Hurst Van Metre, Mary Gibson Geer, Roxana Schulke Kauffman.

1952

Class Secretary needed!

“By the grace of God,” Gay Spykman Harter writes, “we are still here, older, slower, but triple-vaccinated and COVIDless so far. Like many of you, our lives have been restricted this year, but freer than in 2020. Creeping neuropathy in my feet has compromised my balance, but I can still take hikes in the woods with a stick. I have had to give up biking in an effort to save my original joints, but have substituted water aerobics in our magnificent pool. Our community continues to take very good care of us, and many

1. Gay Spykman Harter ’52 (left) with members of her family Seth, Charlie, Louise, and Patsy in Vermont

lively new residents have joined us. Fortunately, we are able to dine together. Travel has been restricted to New England and to visits with close family and friends. In late summer 2021, we were able to wend our way through western MA by way of the Norman Rockwell Museum and MASS MoCA (the Massachu setts Museum of Contemporary Art) to a stay in Brattleboro, VT, with Seth and family, and then with Phil and Nancy in VT. We also joined my college roommate, Mary Neuhauser and her husband, Paul, at their retirement community in Exeter, NH, for a wonderful reunion and visited our old friends and First Church in Cambridge.”

“Being able to travel 40 minutes to Bethany, CT, and see Patsy and Louise almost every weekend has been a life-saving relief from COVID restrictions. The beauty of the property in all seasons, the comfort of family, and the deli cious produce of the garden have been a solace. Gradually I have been sorting through and trying to find homes for the varied accu mulations of three to four genera tions that are stored there. Dutch costumes have gone to the Dutch Museum in Pella, IA. A scrapbook of trade cards from the 1880’s is going to the Baker Library at Harvard Business School. My voluminous college notes have gone to the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe. Being a pack rat/ archivist has its rewards.”

“Much of our life has gone on-line, everything from the United Church of Christ General Synod (national meeting) to galas, memorial services, church meetings, the family reunion, and a New Year’s Eve party with all the mixed joy and sadness that entails. I immersed myself in a paper for the Historical Fiction group of the Society for the Future of Higher Education on the book, The 1,000 Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (highly recommended), and am now working on one about The Virginian (Did you know a Denver woman actually wrote the first Western?). I have been taking advantage of the riches offered

by many local institutions. A course on “The Mythic American West in Fact, Fiction, Art and Film” with Yale Alumni College, lectures on the Native American peoples of CT by the Madison (CT) Historical Society, and, for Black History Month, the recordings of a conference on Yale and slavery, and its aftermath, which was held at the Gilder Lehrman Center at Yale. Growing up in greater New Haven in the ’40s and ’50s, I knew nothing of this history. We learned more about the English kings and queens than we did about New Haven.”

“Louise has just gone joyfully back to teaching pottery after a few fits and starts at her two schools. Her dog, Grizzly, has kept her compa ny through long months of winter isolation. Seth is commuting to Boston two days a week this year to teach at Emerson, while Kate continues to work from home. Her organization represents many Afghans who are trying to qualify for special immigrant visas, without much success. Unbelievably our grandchildren are now both teenagers. Ellie continues at Northfield Mount Hermon, where she has added volleyball and basketball to her studies. Charlie has found a very good home as a day student at the Greenwood School in Putney, VT, a boys’ school for kids with educational challenges, and has gone back to in-person Tae Kwon Do. We hope to have visits from both of them in the next few weeks.”

1954

NANCY WATSON KING 54, P 79 nkminniemo29@gmail.com

Mary Maier Walker writes, “Bill and I are still upright and coherent, most of the time. Lucky enough to continue to spend winters in Hilton Head. I had a knee replacement and do not recommend it to anyone, unless they are desperate. I’m spending my life either at the PT or doing PT exercises. And crazy enough

to be thinking about getting a new dog at this ridiculous age. I’ve spent some wonderful times with Ginny Powell Cheston ’55 down here and also see Nancy Schroeder Snyder ’55 in Milwau kee frequently. If I’m lucky. Lane Fryberger Smith will show up at her timeshare in March; that’s always reason for a festive dinner with her and Lane Jr.”

Suzanne Scoble Macklin writes, “Hi to one and all. I am in FL, soon to become a resident. I’m playing bridge, canasta, and golf. We should have a mini reunion here.” (Thanks, Sue. Go make the beds!)

Christine Goodman Hayworth lives permanently in Kiawah Island, SC. Teenie lost her partner, and then Reese Patterson died in Knoxville, where their children Sam, Sabrina, and Christine were “very brave and cared for him until the end.” Then, they all got COVID despite having been vaxxed. She adds, “So I have been picking up the pieces of my life. Hopefully for all of us, 2022 will be better. Also, I managed to become 85, which some of us probably are.” (Thank you, Teenie, some of us are 86, yes!) Teenie concludes: “I wish everyone ‘God Bless.’

In March, Clara Hoover Hendin wrote, “Dear Friends, Greetings from the gimp! One of my equine beasties knocked me across the barn the day after Thanksgiving, and I landed in hospital with a busted thigh bone. I hope to be off the cane in a few weeks; it makes me feel old! I just spent a couple of weeks at my SC place enjoying the sun (in the 80’s two days!) and watching my beautiful Morgans compete. The gelding, Promise, is now eligible for the championships of a local com petition Yay! Grass is greening up here (WV), temps are pleasant (high 40’s), sun is out, and I can’t wait to be fully mobile. Happy Spring, all!”

Wendy Hill Merriman sounds wonderful and was very happy in her usual winter escape to Brook dale Sakonnet Bay, a retirement community, and was scheduled to return to her beloved farm in Tiverton, RI, at the beginning of

April. She reports that her family is fine and that she, after medical challenges in the past, has come out well and smiling. Yay! It was lovely to talk with my old “roomie” and dear friend.

Aldys Chapman Davis had a won derful time taking a class. “I’m making a gemstone bracelet at my favorite Arboretum, Jenkins. Meditation and music to get me in the mood. A far cry from digging in the dirt. No exciting trips except going to the gym on Mondays.”

Anne Richardson Johnson writes, “Hi, all! I think of you all and won der how everyone is getting along now that we are getting so old. It seems to me that by the mid 80s things begin to go a bit south. I have bad arthritis and have a lot of trouble getting around; trying to adjust to a new reality. I’m thankful that my mind is fine, as I seem to be the household man ager, including finances, hiring the help, planning meals and gardens, etc. To keep myself at least somewhat sane, I read three newspapers a day, play bridge, read, and try to exercise. I read a lot of 20th century history, thrill ers like Daniel Silva, and stuff I read long ago. Interesting what a difference age makes. If anyone wants some suggestions, please email me. Loved The Daughters of Yalta.” She adds. “We have sold our place here in Boca Grande and will live in our wonderful house in Blue Hill, where we are putting on an addition. I am the oldest of six, and all but one of us and our daughter, who has the grandchildren have houses there. Our daughters are fine and grandchildren are doing well. Tim and Caroline have good jobs in finance and are working on their CFAs. John graduates from Hobart this spring, and Eliza has some interesting choices for college. I feel quite pessimistic about the state of the world. We were lucky to live when we did. I envy Caroline and her generation, as they have so many choices. The message I got was you had failed if you didn’t have a man by the end of college. So, I drank the Kool-Aid that society was pushing and had three little kids by the time I was 26, and no idea who

2. Florence Lincoln Short ’57 at Elkhorn Ranch in Tucson, AZ

I was or what I was capable of. I have had some great experiences, traveled a lot, and had wonderful friends, but I think I could have done more. Love to all, stay safe.”

Nancy Watson King writes, “I am so grateful to those who provided me with something to write! I am happily ensconced in Old Saybrook, CT, with its won derful offerings and opportuni ties for volunteering. Speaking of which: Anyone want to volunteer to be the class notes reporter? Comes a time... It’s really fun to read/hear respons es (when you get them) from classmates! Truly! Love to you all, especially whoever takes over this meaningful task!”

Anne Chalfant Brown reports, “I’m not a happy camper right now. In Sept. ’21, I fell and broke my hip. It’s healed, but I keep having recurring back pain, so am not back to my previous level of activity. That’s the bad news. The good news is that, also in Sept., a friend who needs a place to stay temporarily moved in. She’s helping me out with lots of stuff. I also have my little Norwich terrier, who gives me lots of love. My stepson and his family, who live close by, have also been helpful. I’m still involved with my church and some other volunteer stuff, so am keeping busy. Almost

every afternoon my little dog and I go to a nearby park for walking and socializing with other dogs and dog owners. It’s our fun for the day.”

We mourn the sudden loss to cancer of Barbara Ringe Ritter. “With virtue and quietness, one may conquer the world” was printed under her picture in our yearbook. I received a lovely letter from her daughter, saying that Barbie always referred to Westo ver as the formative phase of her early years and always with deep fondness. Rest in peace, dear Barbie.

And, as you all must know, we mourn Joy Peterkin Rasin’s passing last year, after years of loyalty and giving to Westover.

1956

From Ann Griswold Campbell: Like many people this strange pandemic year, we have been fairly isolated except for trips to doctors and dentists. Bruce’s daughter Mary has been doing our grocery shopping, etc, and neighbors have been helpful. Being in our own home in a woodsy place near the sea gives us a chance to enjoy birds and animals and get outdoors a bit. We strolled the beautiful gardens on Gloucester’s seaside Boule vard until winter set in.

1957

LAVINIA MEEKS ’57 laviniameeks@gmail.com

Greetings to you all in the Class of 1957, our 65th Reunion year!

Sharon Anderson Smith and husband Alan are well in Indialantic, FL. They had a nice visit from granddaughter Ainslee Langford from Stoneway, TX, and planned to meet Sharon’s daughter, Leslie, who also lives in FL. Alan’s son, Chris, hoped to spend Alan’s 91st birthday with them. They had a nice visit to HI in Oct. ’21, but don’t plan any more big trips.

Barbara Edwards Hicks and Paul were planning to attend grand daughter Mariska Voorham’s graduation from Tulane U. at the end of May, and grandson Toby de Peyster’s graduation from officer training school at Fort Benning, GA.

Dorie Milner Pease attended Alumnae Day to receive the Maria Randall Allen ’42 Award for Volunteer Service. Well deserved! She has been our dedicated Class Agent since ’67. She is also a Stephen minister and a Hospice volunteer. She recently chaired the Essex Meadows (her CCRC) Employee Appreciation Fund, which raised the largest amount to date: $246,000!

Mary Denny Scott Wray is still very happy in her CCRC retirement community with many friends and some family. All chil dren and grandchildren are well. two grands were graduating this spring and a third, a sophomore, is rowing for UC Berkeley. Mary Denny was planning to celebrate a reunion with her school friends from St. Catherine’s in Rich mond in May.

Gretchen Hill Kingsley and Charlie have started to travel again. They went to AK in March to photograph humpback whales herding thousands of herring. Three grandchildren are college

graduates and one is getting married. Gretchen is sorry to miss Reunion.

Alane Gerdau writes that she and Bernardo are well and were enjoying some first signs of spring in the garden of their building. Alane is putting together a scrapbook of her life, mostly for herself, friends and family. “Rather delightful, but slow going.” She tries to walk and exercise daily, and to read and keep in touch with friends and family via computer or telephone.

Sandy Lazo Washington enjoys her wonderful retirement community in Denver, close to some of her children. Her son in Boulder is married to a Croatian infectious disease doctor. Sandy’s oldest daughter has an M.A. in public health and does in-home counseling. One twin daugh ter, with a Ph.D. in Bilingual Education, is assistant principal in a bilingual, multicultural K-12 public school. Her other twin daughter is a bilingual psychia trist in an alcoholic drug rehab center in Taos, NM. Two grands are off to college: one, a cellist in the Denver Youth Symphony, will attend Oberlin. Her only grandson will attend CO-Boulder for their Nordic ski team, four of whom were at the Winter Olympics in China. Sandy enjoys a healthful lifestyle, and various activities, including Hospice work. she is in touch with Birch Hincks Milliken, Mary Denny Scott Wray, and Diana Peabody Bell.

Varick Katzenbach Niles writes that Naples, FL, gets busy with “Spring breakers and vacationers from the North.” She and Tom (Sully) hope to get to Westport, MA, for two months in summer. They see her son, Sam, and his family, and son Nick more often, as he is also in FL.

Florence Lincoln Short spent a few weeks at Elkhorn Ranch in AZ, enjoying the warmth and good food and horseback riding. Her lovely winter in VT is enlivened by her daughter and family there, and she is “Zooming” courses: Einstein’s God, Education for the Ministry, and Frost’s Poems.

Adrienne Leichtle Maxwell writes, “I am living in a won derful retirement community in Richmond, VA. Mary Denny Wray is also here. I am still spending the summer in Seal Harbor, ME and enjoy seeing Diana Wister there. She hosts a wonderful Bible Class.”

Margie Moon Minor writes, “All is well with lance and me. Just celebrated 22 years of marriage. Keeping up with eight children, many grandchildren, and four great-grands. God is very good to us. Love to all.

1959

LAURIE BLAKE SAWYER ’59 laurieblakesawyer@gmail.com

Mimi Anne Sammis writes, “Life is good and I feel incredibly grateful for my children and five grandchildren. I am spending the winters in Marco Island, FL, and I am still happily painting. One of my favorite things to do is to post on Instagram asking people what is a miracle in their lives. The word ‘wonder’ keeps coming up. Love you all.”

Sally Wade Smith writes, “No outstanding news to report from Santa Barbara, except we are so lucky to live here with warm climate (drought withstanding) and good friends. Friends and family have escaped COVID, and now we are hoping to enjoy some traveling. We have two grands graduating in May. Our grand daughter is graduating with a B.S.

in nursing from U. of Portland, and youngest grandson from high school (he has made no determination on attending which one of the universities where he has been accepted). Our daughter has retired from her veterinarian practice. How could I have a child retired? Hoping to take a trip to France after the graduations, if the global situation allows. I am missing Sue Sterling Monjauze even though we were separated by distance. She was my oldest friend, having known her since 6th grade. I am hoping that you all are enjoying life and grateful for all we have been given.”

Nina Truslow McKee sends “Greetings to our ’59 Classmates! Life here in Scarborough, ME, is healthy, happy, and ‘Life Is Good.’ My family are all in ‘fine fiddle.’ My 80-year-old life is full of all that our time in life is and does. Fun! I need to share that Phebe Thorne-Ryan has created a mag nificent memoir and cookbook, The Uplands A Great Camp in the Adirondacks, which I totally recommend! It is a masterpiece. See you for our 65th in 2024 and love to all!”

MC Seymour Garfield reports that “every year has its ups and downs, and for us there have been more ups than expected. I had an extremely successful spinal fusion on L4 and 5, and can now walk and sit without pain for the first time in two years. Michael is slowly healing from a total knee replacement done a few weeks ago. Our oldest grandson was married in Duxbury, MA, in Aug. ’21 in between hurricanes, and Michael was the officiant. The ceremony was beautiful and the sun came out just as the vows were said. Woods Hole remains a place where family gathers during the summer months and we hope that this continues. All the best to all of you. Life goes on and we always try to look for the positive.”

Christie Renchard Huffman writes, “No big changes in my life. Happy to be able to get out and about more. I want to tell you all about Storyworth, given to Keith and me for Christmas ’21. Every

Monday we each get an email with a topic to write about. We respond with something, long or short, and include pictures if appropriate. At the end of a year we will receive everything in a book form. Questions range all over the place. Example: What were your grandparents like? What was your favorite book as a child? You can see examples on the website. The key is to do it every week and not get behind. It has been very thought-provok ing and fun. I have spent a lot of time in the past two years going through letters, photo albums, etc. But the best conversations I have had have been with my six grand children, ages 17 to 26, when they ask about our personal histories. They have all suffered to some extent with the various lockdowns and want to know if we have experienced anything similar in the past. I have also tried hard to keep in close touch with many friends all over the country. I love the telephone!”

Peggy Day Jones writes, “On the personal level, Hugh and I are blessed to be well, as are our families, although my older sister, Louise, passed away just before Christmas. I’ve been involved for four years with a wonderful course run by the Temenos Academy in London, studying the Perennial Philosophy. I’ve had lovely colleagues on the course some of which has needed to be conducted on Zoom and I’m hoping to pursue that study for the rest of my life! On the global scene, we have all been affected by COVID, one way or another. It has forced us to realize we don’t exist as little islands of country or nation, but that we are interconnected on every level. And now, Ukraine. We are learning this lesson of ‘inter-being’ again, as we find ourselves profoundly moved by the suffering and courage of the Ukrainians. Perhaps we will find or learn a deeper compassion and sense of hope through their steadfastness, and truly appreciate how undeserved ly fortunate we are to live as we do, safe and free. Again and again, I think of our motto, ‘Wonder’ it

has been the guiding light of my life, and, I imagine, for many of us... now in our eighties. Love to all, Peggy.”

Phoebe Pier Fairburn writes, “My life has no great changes. I am still very glad to have moved to ME. The surroundings here with beach, rocky coast, and marsh lands produce truly inspired scenes. Winters are a challenge, but not as difficult as writing an English paper for Westover or CT College; at least one can share the cold and wind, the slipping and sliding and canceled plans with friends and neighbors, while work on writing has to be done alone. Nina Truslow McKee and I have many, many good times together. Nina lives right across the driveway! Perhaps one drawback with living here for me is that the Fairburn children are scattered Southern CA, CO, VA, and Boston. Each adore being here in the summer, and James in Boston can up come when the spirit moves him, or in response to some serious need I may have. That is very good. I have thought often of the Westover Reunion John and Klaus were at and of our visits from Adair Halsey Marsh most memorable to say the least. Klaus and Lily Russell Heiliger were at our 60th, which was wonderful considering Lily has since died (Lily and I grew up together and ended up at the same schools and more, so I am still in disbelief that I will not see her again.)

Love, Phoebe.”

Margo Stratford Russell’s husband Hal sent the follow ing: “I will have to compose this response from Margo for the reasons explained below: On Dec. 10, Margo tripped on the stairs at the front door of our FL house in Boca Grande and separated her left shoulder. At the Englewood hospital they reset it, but her left arm and hand had been effective ly paralyzed. We were told that the only doctor in FL capable of treating this kind of peripheral neurology is in Miami. We were also told to expect a long list of treatments in Miami. So, we elected to return to Chicago (in January) and our apartment at the Clare (a retirement home)

Class Notes REUNION HIGHLIGHTS

across the street from North western’s hospital complex. After weeks of painful therapy, she can now bend her left elbow and wig gle her fingers so we are opti mistic. Spring is only weeks away and we will then spend much of our time at our house in MI."

Elizabeth Hartmann Rand writes, “I’m afraid I don’t have much to report except my disgust and fears about worldwide issues. In our limited sphere in AL we are in good shape, considering our age, and grateful for that. No COVID... yet. Our younger son, Paul, and his wife had their first child almost a year ago. Naomi is a joy and we are lucky, this 5th time around, to be within an hour of a grandchild. Also perhaps of inter est, is that Paul, who practices law as a public defender in this deeply red state, is running as a Democrat (natch!) for judge on the circuit court, criminal division in Birmingham! I think that Dinny Miles Smith actually lives in his district and could vote for him, but I have lost her contact info after our 10 years on the lam in Paris. Maybe we’ll be in touch through Westover ’59!”

Elizabeth Folk Tracey reports via her iPhone: “Hi Dear One and All Great Classmates. All is well; reside still on Nantucket and working full-time in Oncology and Palliative Care. Thought I would only stay a year, now it’s been six... looks like I am not leaving! Very involved in island activities: food pantry, mental health, and I now serve as a warden at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church... sing in the choir and reflect on chapel line in the hope of holding the tune! Family is all well, grandchil dren out of college and a few who would like to get in somewhere! I loved Phebe Thorne-Ryan’s book; she is a marvel, that girl. Here’s to my wish that we will once again convene... would be so great! Love to all, Lib”

Wendy Anderson Bianchi writes, “I have been laying low during this whole pandemic and believed I had nothing to report. The only bright light through these months of madness is that (because my son and his family relocated to

The Inaugural Dr. Miriam DeCosta-Willis ’52 Award for Social Justice was posthumously awarded to Dr. Miriam DeCostaWillis ’52.

Greta Atchinson ’02 with Dorie Milner Pease ’57, recipient of the 2022 Maria Randall Allen ’42 Award for Volunteer Service.

Keelin Sweeney ’12, Starr White Snead ’69, and Tom Sweeney P’12 at the dedication of Three Sisters Gate given by Starr in memory of her sisters Muffy White Dwyer ’72 and Candy White Sweeney ’76, P’12.

For more reunion highlights, log into Westover Connect at WESTOVERCONNECT.ORG

Class Notes

Santa Barbara) I have been able to escape to visit with them for a few long weekends, starting with Thanksgiving… they bring me so much joy! I am including a photo of me with my three granddaugh ters. Having lost a few friends recently, including our classmate, Sue Sterling Monjauze, I am defi nitely counting my blessings!”

From Piper Perry Morris: “Thanks to COVID, major climate change impact around the world, and continuing political/partisan politics, these last two years have not been great. But we persevere and carry on.”

“I am still living in Arlington, MA, and still working part-time at Har vard (though still remotely from home) for the alumni/develop ment office, proofing, fact check ing, and editing individual alum reports for each member of the five-year reunion classes (every one of whom receives a printed class report prior to their reunions in late May). Always interesting to read what different generations of Harvard/Radcliffe alums are thinking, doing, achieving.”

“My kids are still doing what they’ve been doing for several years: Sarah still lives in Cam bridge (with her husband, Jeff, and their two daughters, Lillian, 16, and Cece, 12), so I see them often. She is very busy with her highly successful freelance busi ness, working with installation designers as a writer and content developer for museum and corpo rate exhibits. Jeff teaches indus trial design at Wentworth Institute in Boston. Edward and his wife, Susannah, moved with their son Theo, 11, to Hudson, NY, last sum mer, but they both still teach at Syracuse U., commuting several days a week by Amtrak; they also manage their new non-profit, Tool Shed, a platform to confront and adapt to climate change.”

“Fully vaxxed and healthy, we were glad to all be together in Aug. 2021 in Hudson and at Christ mastime here in Arlington. I also enjoyed a near-annual visit last summer (and several prior) with my sisters, Francie Perry Jacober ’65 and Cynthia Perry Colebrook

’68, and their families in beautiful Carbondale, CO, with 180-degree panoramic views from their adobe-style house on a mesa overlooking majestic Mt. Sopris and other more distant mountains, and surrounding green irrigated fields below, forests, and mead ows (often visited by herds of elk and deer). I will return there this summer for a week or two in late August.”

“And last but not least, a former but important beau of mine in the 1980s and early 90’s has reap peared in my life and, to the sur prise of both of us, we are joyfully reconnecting and marveling at our late-life, renewed romance.”

Laurie Blake Sawyer and her Westover Class of ’59 corre sponding secretary, John, made it through the not-so-fun year with the help of evening visits with nearby son Parker and his wife, Lori. Parker’s eldest, Sabrina, finished a semester in Seoul and graduates from Lewis and Clark this spring. Parker’s second daughter, Cella, is a sophomore at Skidmore, and son Johnny is finishing his junior year here in Honolulu. Ava, daughter Jessica’s eldest, is a volleyball-playing sophomore at Amherst. Son Oliver (he rows) and daughter Charlotte (volleyball libero), are at home in Topanga, CA. Daugh ter Holly is finding that love is lovelier the second time around with her new husband, her two youngsters, Lucca and Stella, and Adam’s sons Max and Jack. Holly and Adam are busy with their business on the Oceanside, CA Pier. Our immediate family, dogs Kiki and Pi’o, love us to pieces, and kitties Blackie and Lulu occasion ally acknowledge our presence (usually at dinner time). Fondest aloha to all.

1960

PRISCILLA WHITE GIVAN ’60 pwgivan@gmail.com

Leezee Scott Porter moved from Washington, DC, to Portland, OR, at the beginning of COVID and

now lives near her daughter and grandchildren. She is living in a cozy cottage with nice neighbors who are friendly and helpful. March was the month she turned 80 and she is excited about that! She has enjoyed our monthly class Zoom meetings and consid ers Tonia Lapham Wheeler’s suc cessful leadership effort to bring female Afghan judges to VT the most interesting thing to come out of the Zoom meetings. Many of us contributed to this effort.

Lawrie Perry Diack-Wilson greets us with “Hola, Hola!” Law rie is a traveling mom, grand mother, and aunt. She travels to Mexico, OR, Martha’s Vineyard, and WI. Lawrie lives in Boulder, CO, with her corgi, Rosie.

Jody Johnson Olson shared the news that they have two greatgrand baby boys and another arriving in April. She really enjoys watching them discover the newness and excitement of life. She feels so blessed to be able to enjoy them all.

Jan Bicknell Sargent recently celebrated her 80th birthday and feels happy to have reached this milestone with mind and body intact. Friends are increasingly important and she has really enjoyed our monthly Zoom calls. Jan is headed to Mexico for a stay at her favorite health spa. Heavy workouts will be “off the table,” but she will work on her mind with medita tion and brain exercises.

Tonia Lapham Wheeler reports that last year was just one to endure. Even though she feels blessed with a strong neigh borhood “pod” and very little friction in VT about masks and vaccinations, there was an ongoing anxious overlay. She and her husband did go to visit her daughter and family in Bristol, UK (easiest travel ever, because there was no one in the airports or on the plane) and she did biweekly granny-nanny visits to help out with on-line learning for her CT grands. The whole family 14 strong gathered in VT in the summer. Zoom was certainly central to her survival

and she has enjoyed our monthly class Zoom meetings. Tonia has been involved in helping Afghan woman judges, who have stayed with her over the years, to reset tle in VT. Westover classmates and friends have helped out financially with this effort. Tonia wrote this note from Seville, where she and her husband were enjoying the sun, walking, and wonderful meals while living a peaceful pace.

Meanwhile, all is well in the Givan household. At the beginning of the pandemic, my daughter, Amy, and I purchased a 28-ft. Winnebago RV. This was just lucky timing! We really enjoyed many road trips and felt very safe traveling in the RV. We have visited many national parks in the West and will continue to explore interesting places this summer. Meanwhile, I am playing lots of golf with friends in my commu nity. All is well with my son and his family on the East Coast, and we travel back for visits as often as we can.

Our class Zoom calls have really been a bonding experience for those of us who participate. What a wonderful bunch of classmates we have! Love to you all...

From Babs Mallery, “Throughout our 62 years of Westover Reunion visits at School, I always experi enced it as my neighborhood in my teens: spending time in my “hood” with my school friends as we gathered, full of memories.

“Because our 60th Reunion was to be experienced at home, I couldn’t imagine not having the whole usual school experience. Instead, thanks to Westover Zoom meetings, we’ve had wonderful monthly visits. It’s been so fun, with our senses of humor, and we’ve been so awed by the vari ous gifts each of us brings to the visits. We don’t wait 5 or 10 years to get back in touch.

“At this age, it’s been a welcome time with School friends. And at this time of pandemic, I'm grateful for my lake house in the summer and the lake art group friends meeting weekly yearround on Zoom, too.”

1961

ANN SKELLY ’61 skipper4488@hotmail.com

Once again, my friends, an amazing response from you all. Here goes:

Merry Medina Murray is glad to report that she survived all of her doctors’ appointments during the past year. Of course, they always find something at our age, so she has a new left knee to go along with her four-year-old “new” hip. And there are new hearing aids, which please her family who don’t think her hearing loss is amusing. And her new hand doc tor is about to analyze the arthri tis in her tennis hand… hopefully without suggesting she needs a new hand. So, she and Bob have decided to forego a hiking trip in favor of a Chesapeake cruise. Why push things?

Yay for Joan Atwood Kunzel mann, who is selling her NY apartment and moving to live in FL full-time. Sky Wilson Field is also in FL Hobe Sound for half the year. Her main goal is to keep organizing papers and things so her children don’t have to. Something I know I should be doing! She has lots of support from family and friends as she deals with her husband’s Parkin son’s. It’s a cruel disease. Susan Russell Watson’s husband also has Parkinson’s. Our love goes out to both of you.

Barbie Durham Tafaro and husband Hank still love living in Casey Key, FL, with kids in NJ and HI. They sold their NC house in April ’21and had a family reunion in Palmetto Bluff in Aug. ’21. Guess it’s the time for downsizing and warmer climes for the Class of ’61. Alice Clement Needham loved catching up with classmates over Zoom during the COVID months and is definitely enjoying having things get back to normal.

Though she lost her place as #1 responder, Mimi Jackson Price hasn’t lost her joie de vivre. Life

is great… no snow! She misses the kids and grands, but thanks Aura and the internet. She has seven grands ranging from 21 to 2… Harvard to daycare. She still loves her life in the South many friends, sand in her toes, and dancing in her heart! You go, Mimi! Marcia Haight Erickson is enjoying short walks with her husband, church work, visits from sons and grandchildren, and looking forward to a reunion of adult cousins in Williamsburg. She is also finding joy and calm in watching a resident wren rebuild her nest on the front porch. Marcia sent me a sketch she had made of last year’s nest. Quite the artist! Lucky wren.

Joie Holverstott Atman is two years into a transformative healing journey. In March 2020, just as COVID was pronounced a pandemic, Joie’s wife Jan was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor and life changed. Jan, a can-do-anything, creative individual, has met this new life in which she needs to receive care with grace and humor. For Joie, all the scary moments, fears, and frustrations have also brought profound gifts of beauty, love, and cherishing the moment in a way she never could have imagined. They are blessed to live in a very peaceful place in the Sierra Neva da foothills, and Joie has been able to not work for now (visit her website at wholelifetherapies. com) and focus 100% on Jan’s care, grateful for the privilege of being with her in the Now.

Ellen Thayer Vahan has one grandchild, a sophomore at UC Irvine (school mascot is the anteater from B.C. Comics and the yell is “Zot, Zot!”), and a granddaughter, a sophomore in high school, who is living with her (the high school’s most famous alum is Norma Jeane Baker, aka Marilyn Monroe. Ah, Southern California!). Brave lady you are, Ellen, to take on a teenager. Katie Cavanagh Maslow is hoping everyone has managed well during the pandemic. She and husband Harvey have a nice con do with big windows that look out from the 14th floor, which made

staying in during quarantine easi er. It’s still nice to seem like we’re getting to the end of that now.

As Linda Williams Cox Heins scrolled through last year’s photos, she realized that, because of COVID, it had been a very uneventful year. Lots of photos of dogs looking adorable while sleeping, going to the park, and playing in the snow. She and Bob didn’t even travel at Christmas to see children and their hordes of grandchildren. But… she also realized that it was a beautiful year, with a slower pace and time to really look at things and appre ciate them. They’ll be moving in a few months, so for sure there will be more adventures to write about next year. Marry Peck Burr is feeling very fortunate and hugely refreshed after a two-week escape to a lovely beach just south of Sarasota, FL her first venture “out” since March 2020.

During COVID confinement, playing lots of online BBO bridge saved Kerry Noble. She also got chickens and a new puppy! Bet she was also very active in local politics. It’s a Kerry thing.

9. Polly Hayward Griffith ’63 and Lolly MacMurray-Cooper ’63, England, Oct 2021

10. Enid Fraser Robinson ’63 & family

11. Lee Gardner Shult ’63 & family

12. Lyn Bremer Chivvis ’63 with her family on Christmas Eve 2021, l-r Devon, Chris, Usha, Art, Uma, Dana, Sumona, Kiran, Lyn

And, for the very first time, I heard from Nancy Ferguson! After teaching elementary school and working in the museum field, she has retired to CT where she grew up grateful for the house and grounds. She teaches a method of conversational speech to people who read aloud in public, and she is active in church and supporting conservative government. Finally, she has tak en the plunge and signed up for much-needed “Geek Squad” help. Great to hear from you, Nancy.

I will quote directly from our class inspiration, Sandy Dodd Wilkinson: “I had another cata clysmic fall last July. No broken bones, but right leg refused to walk. Daughter Nancy came from Boston to Charlotte to care for me. I then developed shingles, which took out my leg again, so she stayed until this past January. I’m working with a wonderful PT and should be back to normal soon, i.e. driving. I’m still painting, working on commissions, and

selling, so that keeps me busy (visit her website at sandywilkin son.com). Hello to everyone.”

Thank heavens for daughters!

Having missed their last two winters in NM, Sherry Melum Whitney and husband Dave loaded up the car last Dec. 21st in VT and took off. They arrived on Christmas Eve 2,200 miles in 4-1/2 days. But they made it in time for Christmas with one of their sons and a granddaughter. Once the weather got too warm around the end of April, they were planning to take a few weeks to drive back to VT, sightseeing along new routes.

I, Skipper Skelly, am hanging in there. I’ve torn two ham strings which I don’t recom mend so walking is difficult, but gardening on my knees is coming up any day now as soon as the mud dries up a bit.

A final WestoverConnect plug from Sherry Melum Whitney: If you haven’t signed up yet, you

may be missing something fun: Reconnecting with roommates and classmates in general. We were all together for 3-4 years 60 years ago. Lots has happened to each of us since then.

1962

From Sandra Ray Holland: Still living in Nantucket, Md. Feel blessed to be here. Sending well wishes to all my classmates! xox, Sandi

1963

NANCY REEDER EL BOUHALI 63 nancyb@cyburban.com

ADELAIDE MACMURRAYCOOPER ’63 adelaidemacmurraycooper@ gmail.com

Our Class entry this year begins with sad news of the death of Susan Lynde DuVal Phipps of cancer on December 7, 2021, in Falls Church, VA. After graduating from Westover, Lyn attended Georgetown U., The American School in Switzerland, and Le Cordon Bleu. “She was a passionate gardener, animal lover, and avid tennis fan. Many will remember her as a vendor at the McLean Farmers Market, where she sold jams, chutneys, baked goods, and her flowers for 33 years.”

I called Lyn a number of years ago and, in the low “grown-up” voice I remember from Westover, she told me about cooking the jams and baking the breads she sold, but she never mentioned Le Cordon Bleu. She told me about her love of gardening and animals, and especially about her beloved daughter, Cristina. Classmates remember Lyn as a kind person whose laughter had a crackle, who had a funny sense of humor that crept out often when you least expected it. Our Class sends Cristina our deepest sympathy on the loss of her wonderful mother with twinkling eyes and a friendly smile.

Rosie Aguilar: Rosie has man aged to stay well in Mexico City. She has promised a photo of her three sons: Jorge, her eldest, who moved to San Antonio in Nov. 2021 with his wife Ana Paula, and sons Santiago and Alejandro; Ernesto, who lives in Yucatan; and youngest son Mauricio, who lives in Miami.

Lyn Bremer Chivvis: The Chivvis family made it through the 2020–2021 COVID Quarantine. On June 26, 2021, the day before his 50th birthday, Lyn’s son Christo pher completed a Triathlon (swim two miles, cycle 112 miles, then run a marathon). He came in 2nd! It took him 12 hours and 32 min utes. And he still works his “day” job at Carnegie Endowment.

For Christmas 2021, Lyn’s whole family gathered in New Canaan for almost a week. Lyn sent a beautiful Christmas Eve photo of Devon, Chris, Usha (8), Beech er (aka Art), Uma (12), Dana, Sumona, Kiran (6), and [forever young] Lyn.

Meg Butler Miles: In May 2021, Meg shared her experiences with the lockdown “like not being able to go to church or concerts or meetings. Elwood and I have little family left, so we have found ways to reach out to friends in a safe way. The last few months we have been going on ‘senior’ hikes in our mountains and have enjoyed viewing waterfalls and watching movies with a couple of friends once or twice a week.”

Meg highly recommends The Durrells of Corfu, based on the trilogy by Gerald Durrell. Meg is getting used to driving a Chevy Volt, an electric car that has a gas backup. “Elwood is trying to use solar panels on the roof to power more of our home. I am the most untechnical person in the world, so I’m being dragged slowly into this century.”

Meg and Elwood celebrated New Year 2022 in a seriously Southern way “with black-eyed peas and collard greens, which Elwood always likes to prepare in traditional Southern style.”

Meg Dobbin Greeley: Meg sent me a (requested) report on our CO classmates when the fires

were raging. “Colorado fires are tragic, for sure, but as far as I know, not directly affecting any 63ers Beth Markham Nicholson lives in Boulder, but the fires are well east of her; Weezie Bailey Connor and Cinny Maer Crockett are in Denver, Polly Turner Tackett is in Grand Junction, and I am in Evergreen.” Thank you, Meg, for the update.

Glenny Dunbar: Glenny wrote that she had just downloaded Porter Fox’s new book, The Last Winter, onto her iPad “a fine writer, and yes, brave… and he’s cute and has a precious daughter.” Fox is the son of Robin Reath Graves.

Martha Ferguson Buller: Martha had successful back surgery in Sept. 2020, which requires a long recovery time made more diffi cult by trying to stay well during the COVID era. “Bill stays pretty close by and has learned to cook, as well as be my nursemaid and chauffeur. And he yells at me if he thinks I’m overdoing!”

Enid Fraser Robinson: In April 2021, Enid wrote “we’re totally part of the ‘vax-in’ group and enjoying a bit of limited freedom here in London, despite ever emerging variants from India, South Africa, and homegrown Kent.”

“Elder son Fraser has moved the family to Dorset. So, sadly, we see less of them now. The long year of being in the city with home schooling and ‘stay-at-home’ gov ernment regulations meant the gang got serious cabin fever. So, off to Dorset! A lovely big house with pool and tennis court, plus new schools seem to have been just what the doctor ordered.”

“Fraser continues as CEO of Beacon, a major player in global shipping, while Alex, in addition to being a mother of three, also manages her online furniture design business. Xander, Eliza, and Raef settled happily into their new schools, and now Xander and Eliza are even dipping their toes into occasional boarding!”

“Lauder is closeted away safely in a canyon in Los Angeles, running his company, Dragonfly, from

home. Dragonfly has gone from strength to strength, adding aerial hologram photography to the repertoire. Tava, waiting for the media industry to resume post-pandemic, embarked upon obtaining a California real estate license. The days of red-carpet premiers are a distant memory!

Lochlan reluctantly stares into a tiny screen, trying to absorb some element of education. Now school has opened up, where Lochlan continues to excel and is now a member of a winning soccer team.”

“George and I are grateful to be at home with plenty of room and a lovely garden to stroll in. After rupturing his Achilles tendon on Christmas Day 2020 (power walk!), he has just (April 2021) ditched the boot and crutches, and is now embroiled in physio. So, life goes on and we, as a nation, mourn the loss of the Duke of Edinburgh.”

“Here in Blighty, George and I continue to enjoy London, but are spending more and more time at our little bolt-hole in Portugal, loving the climate, the people, and the relaxed way of life.”

Lee Gardner Shult: Lee sent a wonderful family photo: Ashley (on the left) is 41, and Jessica (on the right) is 46. All are well, in school, and living in San Francisco and Sacramento.

Polly Hayward Griffith: In May 2021, Polly wrote that England is beginning to emerge from a lockdown that began during the previous winter. In April 2021, they embarked on one excursion to the West of England near the Welsh border to watch Nina run a marathon. “To follow COVID rules, there were many fewer runners than usual (less than 300) and we spectators were carefully spaced out along the course, which was circular. Standing in one place, we could see Nina pass seven times. Very satisfactory. As I remember my time at Westover, Lyn Bremer Chivvis and I were never good enough athletes to be invited to the special Athletic Teams dinner, so we had to become cheerleaders for the seniors in order to earn a place.

My daughter, on the other hand, can run 26 miles in 2 hours, 36 minutes. Where did those genes come from?!?”

Unlike previous years (when Pol ly’s always interesting Christmas letter was written at Halloween or Bonfire Night), this year Polly’s letter marked the official time to practice Christmas music on the guitar! Yes indeed.

Polly has been taking classes at the York Adult Learning Programme, where there are four grades. “As there is no exam to measure progress, the system is very relaxed, allowing us to choose at what level we want to learn. I have been in Year 3 now for three years and don’t expect ever to advance to Year 4, though I much enjoy the tiny steps I do make messing around in Year 3. The last class before Christmas is a combi nation of Years 3 and 4, during which the latter demonstrates how the music should sound, and the former plays in the background gaining inspiration for the New Year. ‘Hang on a minute,’ I hear you protest. ‘Doesn’t that mean that Year 3 grows ever bigger till there is no more room?’ Indeed, while a few do actually move up and many drop out, Year 3 is the biggest class with 15 students. We have all known each other for so long now that we have a good time.”

“2021 was yet another year of upset, uncertainty and a deep-seated anxiety that the world is not happy. Since August, Jon is back to playing chess in person, while my French and guitar classes meet together face-to-face rather than on Zoom. The streets of York are full of people going about their business, traffic is heavy, and the buses are full; York also has an infection rate higher than other areas of England, perhaps in part because it is a tourist attraction and gets a lot of visitors.”

“COVID precautions allowed for Christmas 2020 a nice time with Roger and Rebecca that sadly couldn’t include Nina and Tim stuck in London but then

13.

The Last Winter and Northland, written by Porter Cox, son of Robin Reath Graves ’63

14. Porter Cox, son of Robin Reath Graves ’63, with his daughter Grey, Summer 2021

15.

Lolly MacMurray-Cooper ’63 with her family, Christmas 2021

16. Julie Slocum Dahlgren ’63 in Frank Church Wilderness, Idaho, 2021

17.

Beth Markham Nicholson ’63 with (back) Naomi, Noelle, Ginny, Savannah; (front) Brett, Liam, Melina, Beth, Phil, Aug 2021

18. Belinda Winslow ’63 and grandchildren, Chile, Dec 2021

locked down again from 26 December till March 2021. Grad ually, however, lockdown eased to the point where it was possible not only to go outside, but even to consider travel.”

“Our first foray into the world was in July: 10 days in Iceland, where health matters have been managed so well that the vaccinated have no restrictions at all. We followed the one main highway of about 850 miles that circumnavigates the main area of Iceland, after renting a small VW camper at the airport. We saw icebergs floating in a bay leaving bits of themselves on the beach to shine in the sun like hunks of diamonds, and a solar-powered vending machine (crisps/potato chips and drinks) in a shelter just by the side of a road with a picnic table nearby. We saw the midnight sun disappear under the horizon about 11:30 pm, only to pop up again 10 minutes later; and we saw many, many horses (very special to Icelandic people), and waterfalls everywhere. We luxuriated in hot springs and had a chat with some puffins feeding their young on the other side of the fence that bordered the path we were on.”

“Where there is soil and no other cultivation, the land is covered in wild lupine, a carpet of blue, useful apparently in preventing erosion. We stood on a hill and looked back at a range of moun tains with five glaciers coming down from them. We enjoyed the England-Denmark World Cup football match in a sports bar surrounded by local people kindly willing to support England for our sake. All the time we were there, no one wore masks or worried about being too close together;

it was a shock to come back to England and find the infection still raging.”

“By September, we had our boost ers so we ventured out again, this time to Greece. We decided to head for the mountains in the northwest, especially as a num ber of friends had recommended the Meteora near the town of Kalambuka. These are a sudden explosion of rocks, up to 600 feet high, the more dramatic because the land around them is a rolling, rather boring, agricultural plain. Starting in the 12th-13th centu ries, religious hermits hid them selves in the caves and on top of these rocks, and this gradually developed into the establishment of monasteries perched hun dreds of feet in the air, traditional ly accessible by being hoisted up in a basket. In the 1920’s, steps were carved into the different rocks so reaching the top became generally more possible, but still a challenge as at least two of them have more than 200 steps. While, in their heyday, there were about 20 separate monasteries and convents attracting the wealth of noble patrons, the number is now reduced to six, primarily supported by tourism, with a few monks and nuns still in residence. But they haven’t lost their power to inspire awe. To stand at the bottom of a sheer cliff soaring 600 feet above you and notice a little bit of ornate roof peeking over the top is to wonder how it ever got there.”

“We are thankful to have remained well, as has our extended family. Tentatively, given the experience of last year, we look forward to Christmas, plan ning and hoping that everyone will be able to gather here in York. A family birthday party for my sister Julie and me (60 and

Class Notes

75) planned for 2020 in Portugal is still pending: fingers crossed for 2022.”

Lolly MacMurray-Cooper: In Oct. 2021, Lolly wrote that she and David were newly home after a month in England. “After nearly two years of no travel, we were out of practice, but we had two purposes: to visit a number of dear friends and family who had been long neglected, and to welcome our first great-grand daughter, Felicity! Her mom, Hannah, is David’s granddaughter, married to a delightful Brit, Alex. She managed to finish her Ph.D. in Psychology at the U. of London just two weeks before the arrival of Felicity in June 2021.”

“One of the real joys of the month was getting together with Polly Hayward Griffith and her husband Jon in their beautiful adopted city, York. It was so much fun to catch up with Polly, and to find that all the things we liked to share (good books, silly jokes, curiosity about the world) still connect us strongly, and that the things that used to make us giggle still do!”

“The city of York is gorgeous: full of history and architecturally fas cinating. Polly said it was a very congenial place to raise her two kids. David and I spent a happy afternoon exploring the magnif icent Minster, and lying on our backs on the stone floor, trying to photograph the stunning roof!”

“My son Alex, wife Naomi and Maxwell, 15, Gavin, 13, and Emily, 10 have moved back to Denver, their home base before a threeyear sojourn in London. They loved it there, although COVID forced them to stay an extra year.”

“Son James, wife Sara and Gabe, 13, Russ, 11, and Colette, 7 live in Mountain Lakes, NJ, a friendly and athletic town that suits them well.”

“Feb. 2022 I sit at my desk in NH, looking out at 20 miles of view and several layers of mountains. In March 2020, David and I had just moved to Brookhaven, a CCRC in Lexington, MA we had not even unpacked when Laurence, David’s immunologist

son, called and ‘strongly advised’ us to make tracks for NH, since he knew that COVID was about to sweep the country and would be particularly dangerous for older people. So, on March 14 we drove to the house in Eaton, NH, which until then had mostly served as the center for family get-togethers in the summer, and at Christmas.”

“We were greeted, on arrival, by a pair of bluebirds who had taken early possession of one of our nesting boxes. It felt like a good omen. For the next year, we lived like country folk, only venturing occasionally to town for necessities, heavily masked. In a strange way, we ‘saw’ more of our families and friends than usual. Zoom enabled us not only to visit with our sons and families, but to play chess, explore the British Museum, make photo projects, and read The Hobbit. We became adept at virtual visits to friends, usually around cocktail time.”

“The past two years have felt in some ways to be suspended life, and it’s very easy to dwell on its terrible toll. But it did have its brighter sides, such as: Zoom What would we have done without it? We took fitness classes, kept up with our book clubs, and ‘attended’ excellent lectures, operas, and concerts from around the world. Slowing down Naps, or two hours on the sofa with a good book, no longer made us feel guilty. Observing nature The tree outside my window must be a well-known rest stop on the migration flyway. Warblers abounded, and a stunning indigo bunting stopped by. On the scary side, we found a huge brown bear sitting hap pily on our deck, scarfing down birdseed and suet. Cooking We became addicted to the New York Times cooking app, and created many new and delicious recipes. Writing Through Tufts’ classes, I discovered the delights and challenges of writing memoirs about important happenings and people in my own life. And using a variety of sources in my ‘family archive,’ I’ve been working on chapters devoted to particularly interesting ancestors.

My poetry group, after 10 years, still inspires me as we write and share together once a month.”

“By the beginning of 2021, we started to spend short chunks of time at Brookhaven, trading rural peace for urban sizzle. We began to appreciate the extraordinary group of people who live there, and the thriving cultural life. We finally felt comfortable visiting Alex and his family, now back in Denver, and James and his family in Mountain Lakes. In September 2021, we made what felt like a bold move: a month-long trip to the UK, primarily to meet Felicity, our new great-granddaughter in London. She is aptly named!”

“A March 2022 update: David and I are in London, visiting our adorable GGD Felicity! Enid Fraser Robinson reached out and we met for a delightful lunch. The setting was stunning (the Hurl ingham Club), the salad beyond delicious, but best of all was the discovery that even at this stage of life, old acquaintance can blossom into new and happy friendship! We’ll certainly get together again when David and I are in the vicinity.”

Beth Markham Nicholson: In Sept. 2021, Beth wrote about the fires raging in CO: “The last week in Boulder has been apocalyptic. The barometric pressure slid really low and then came the ferocious winds of 80-100 mph. It seems the biggest fire started with a downed power line, but it took off like a rocket, feeding on all the dry grass from our moist spring-grass that is now tinder dry due of a total lack of moisture. The devastation wrought by this

fire is hard to grasp almost 1,000 homes and structures lost. Some friends still have their homes as the fire jumped around them, but now they have to cope with smoke damage. It is a huge tragedy. What makes it especially scary is knowing how this could happen to anyone’s home in this area with that combination of gale force winds and dryness.”

“On the positive side, after this monster fire, we had a very welcome snowstorm with about 10 inches of snow to quiet the embers and take the burn smells out of the air. It was great to see the skiers out in the park enjoying the snow and sunny weather today. The best part of winter is still to come.”

In March 2022, Beth wrote that “after years on the list for a retirement community called ‘The Academy’ here in Boulder, several factors came together and we have decided to go for it. This means downsizing yet again, selling our home, and being ready to move by maybe next March.

17

Gasp! I know this is the right thing, even if I am equally sure that we are way too young for such a move! Doesn’t everybody feel that way?”

Beth sent some great photos to accompany her news: “Some of us from the barn went down to Wellington, FL, to see some very high-level dressage. It was such a fun adventure at every level: beautiful horses and riders, some shopping, visiting a baby horse my trainer had bought, enjoying wonderful meals that we hadn’t cooked, and just watching humanity in all its varied forms. We are social animals after all.”

I hope these photos are printed in the Magazine: Beth’s daughter Noelle models a Stetson hat, which would be the envy of the country music community. She lives in Boulder and Beth is counting on her good eye and judgment skills to help decide what should stay and what should go.

I hope the photo of Beth and Phil and daughter Ginny at dinner at the wonderful “Bird and Jim” in Estes Park will be in the Maga zine as well, as the trio walking around Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. “It will be a long time before the snow melts up here!”

Margaret McClave Snowden: Margaret has had a busy year spent dealing with the epidemic, “trying to help my son and his wife deal with little Linus, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 18 months, and growing trees to cope with my climate change anxieties.”

Gaylen Morgan: Gaylen respond ed to Porter Fox’s book The Last Winter and his move to the country. “Porter is a very fine writer, and a brave one, too. This subject is so difficult and beauti fully described. It’s a frightening reality we all have to face. You [Robin Reath Graves] must be so proud of him.”

Robin Reath Graves: Robin sent a wonderful photo of her son, Por ter, with his daughter, Grey, 3, on his shoulders. Porter’s book, The Last Winter, was published in late 2021, and he “finished writing this

book while housed in a 40-foot camper in the woods in Catskills. They left Brooklyn due to COVID, and with his wife and 18-monthold daughter, managed to make a life, buy a nearby house (that was a wreck), work on it, and have all of us for a wonderful Christmas 2021.”

Julie Slocum Dahlgren: Julie sent “pictures of a few things I did this year.” Julie and her daughter Tess continued working on bottle schools in Guatemala. She went bonefish and tarpon fishing in Cuba (so much fun), and spent time in Frank Church Wilder ness in ID.

Belinda Winslow: In October 2021, Belinda wrote that Chile had finally opened its borders (in August) so she was able to return to DC after two years and incred ibly strict restrictions and lock downs. Fortunately, her beloved kids and grands are all okay.

Belinda lost a sister to cancer in April 2021, but her service was in September so she could attend. Her bother Terry is facing health challenges, which is hard to watch.

“I return to Chile Nov. 3, 2021, but I am planning on readjusting my life and spending more time in the US. My darling children have said that they would rather have a happy mother far away than an unhappy one nearby. I have spent 53 years trying to adapt, but realize I belong here. Now

that my kids are grown and that, thanks to Whatsapp, we can talk for free daily, I think it’s

1969

GAYLE GARIVALTIS-JAMES ’69 gajjames8850@verizon.net

Our class continues to connect with scheduled Zoom calls. We’ve had 13 calls since we started in July 2020 and have averaged 11 people per call. It has been such great fun to reconnect, see and hear about our lives, professions, retirement, travels, families, what’s happening at Westover from our board members-extraordinaire (Starr White Snead and Kim Hoagland), etc. We leave the calls with big smiles, energized and so happy to touch base with classmates, many of whom we’ve not seen in decades! (Although each call is filled with wonderful reports on the happenings in our lives, Andy Sedlmayr recently modeled for our viewing pleasure the various Halloween hats and headpieces she’s amassed over the years… What a hoot!). We plan to continue these calls in 2022, and will rotate call times, hoping to entice those on both coasts to join us. Our February call touched upon “religious/faith” influences and

experiences at Westover, singing hymns, trying out for Glee Club (and the crushing disappointment of not making it), how well our Westover education prepared us for the future, the search for a new Head of School, etc. It is always educational and good to hear the various comments and viewpoints.

Jane Belcher Phinney writes, “Still living on the hill in the Green Mountains of VT. I am hoping to join the newly organized local school board as we try to keep our small Ripton School from being closed in a consolidation effort. It’s been a long haul and one of the first in the state. Younger son Brian and family live at the Andover School and older son John and family are in Bris bane, Australia. Brian coaches, teaches, and does admissions work at the Belmont Hill School outside of Boston. John is the CEO of a well-established brew ery in Brisbane, which is trying to recover from the floods.”

Barbara Fearey West wrote in late March, “My two-year-old granddaughter and her parents are with us for a month-long visit here in FL. What joy! We are counting the days until a COVID vaccine is approved for her age group and we can be together more frequently. Otherwise, we continue to limit our indoor activ ities, but are grateful to be in a location with so many year-round

outside options, including yearround lap swimming and bike riding. I hope to see everyone on future Zoom calls.”

Rhu Melum McBee writes, “The past year, if one doesn’t count my husband’s broken clavicle, pneumonia, and chemotherapy, has been the story of two very different young people taking on challenging academic experi ences. In the fall, Burrett and I sponsored and housed a young man from the Bronx while he enrolled at Plymouth State. Lots of fun, rugby, and wondering if he’s writing a paper... or playing a game?? (I feel empathy for millions of modern parents :-).) A few weeks after the PSU fall term ended, I found myself thinking about Westover as we watched a young NH friend try snow boarding in our backyard and laugh each time she fell. So, I ran inside, grabbed a postcard from Candy Rundin off the fridge and bodaciously said to the neophyte snowboarder’s Mom: ‘You might be interested in this school for your daughter.’ Two months and 10 days of nail-biting later, the young friend called with a shaky, excited voice to tell me that she’d been accepted and awarded a

fabulous scholarship! The new member of Westover Class of 2026 wrote: ‘Thank you so much for telling my mom about Westo ver, this is a dream come true!’ I wish to thank everyone who has ever contributed to Westover’s financial aid fund: you all have made dreams come true!”

Cris Stevens Polk writes, “No longer looking through a grey cotton ball, I am so grateful for the success of my cataract surgery! During this past year, a bright spot has been our Westover Zoom calls. (Thank you so much for bringing many of us together again!) It’s a delight and an encouragement and a very meaningful way to support each other. I’ve also enjoyed meeting (virtually or in person) with my two book groups and have pulled neighbors together for weekly snowshoe jaunts on trails we blazed on our hilly 45 acres in the forest. It’s a great way to get exercise safely with friends, and I am so grateful for my good health and energy. Bob and I did manage to get back East for a nephew’s wedding in CT that brought all my Stevens family together for the first time since ’18. We also visit ed two times with our two oldest

sons and their families in OR. Our oldest son is still living and work ing in New Orleans, fabricating metal creations… most recently a beautiful stainless-steel circular stairway for a famous movie actor who has a part-time home there. He is now working on a set for a movie based on one of Anne Rice’s books (another New Orleans celebrity). Everyone is trying to manage this new land scape we are living in these days. I long for the time we can live our lives more normally. My hope and sustenance come from my family and my Lord Jesus.”

Penny Scholle Farfan writes, “I visited Toni Walker Hamner in Vero Beach in early February. She is such a great host, and so knowledgeable about art. Happy family news my son Daniel is getting married June 29 at Camp Lane on the Siuslaw River in Southwestern OR.”

Linsley Pietsch writes, “I enjoy the connectivity shared across the miles via Zoom, as it is a reminder of how we all have survived and thrived through life’s ups and downs and are a great encouragement to one another, even with fellow alumnae who I wasn’t close to during the Westover experience.

We all share such a unique time in history and though the last two years have put a constraint on ‘catching-up’ time, with Gayle Garivaltis-James’s creativity and commitment, a platform to grow in community as elder alumnae, has proven a Godsend!”

Gayle Garivaltis-James writes, “Allen and I were fortunate to be away for two glorious months, escaping the bitter cold weather in MD. During our drive up and down the East Coast, we visited friends in St. Mary’s, GA, with my college roommate in Buckhead,

GA, and friends in Pensacola, FL. We were in Fort Myers, FL, for February, but, unfortunately, didn’t get a chance to see my Floridian classmates. Somehow the weeks flew by with family and friends’ visits, and I regret not being able to organize a mini-re union for all those in FL while we were there. (Next year, I hope!) Allen and I recently visited my sister, Sandy Garivaltis Ervin ’71, in her new home in the charming town of Bennington, VT. Glorious time with family in between snow events! I continue to enjoy my phone conversations and emails with classmates and cherish all our Zoom calls. I look forward to in-person meetings with my book club, golf, and am thankful for all the ways we stay connected and socially gather. Please stay safe, healthy, and upbeat!”

1970

Class Secretary Needed!

Anie Conant Schlafly: Married 45 years for Joe Schlafly, four kids, all married, and eight grandchil dren. Still live in St. Louis and would love to see anyone coming to our city.

1971

LISA STOCKWELL lisabstockwell@gmail.com

In spite of missing our 50th Reunion last year and only being able to gather by Zoom, the Class of ’71 seems to be staying con nected and in mostly good health. Not bad for a bunch of rebels hitting our 70th year!

19. Alumnae gathered at the home of Elsie Walker ’65

20. Elsie Walker ’65, Meg Thayer '81, and Martha Bacon Martin ’65 generously hosted an alumnae gathering in Washington, DC this spring

I had such nice notes from classmates and want to include them as written, rather than paraphrase.

Suzanne Hooker Ainslie: “Our 24-year-old daughter, Serena, is working at EY as a consultant in Environmental, Social, and

Class Notes

Governance in San Francisco. She both loves her job and loves the city. I am still working at Sotheby’s International Realty as a broker and am pretty busy these days. Our market here in Palm Beach has gone crazy, with prices doubling or sometimes much more in just the last two years. I also am on the Board of The Town of Palm Beach United Way and very involved with this great organization. Michael, my husband, became Professor Ains lie this semester and is teaching a class to undergraduate students at Vanderbilt U. called ‘Managing in Adversity.’ We are headed this week to the Galapagos for a week with kids and grandkids; then in July to Iceland with Serena. So exciting to be able to travel again.” Beryl Brown: “Scott and I were in the stratosphere for a month and counting this winter. He contracted COVID and really went ‘down for the count.’ After a fortnight (now, that’s British for you) of languishing, he reluctantly went to the emergency room (at our one-and-only hospital) and was put on an oxygen inhalant and drip. The doctors didn’t know whether the pneumonia on his lungs was viral or infectious, so the antibiotic drip it was, regard less. When the word ‘intubation’ came up, I totally freaked. Thank God, Scott was/is robust enough to remain on the oxygen and drip. Finally, he was discharged with a slew of medications. Now home, he’s slowly regaining his normal breathing pattern and strength. Fatigue can be a COVID symptom, so he’s sleeping a good deal, too. One day at a time, but we’re incredibly grateful to be where we are now. I got COVID shortly after he did. I felt super lousy, but on the Monday morning, trucks full of movers appeared bright and early to help pack, truck, and unload most of our stuff (that’s how I felt about my life at that point) to the temporary digs we have while we’re doing major renovations to our house. All of it was horrible. Again, we’re grateful. The move is done, we’re living in a sea of boxes, and construction starts on Monday. Meanwhile, our daughter Hannah

has just started her thesis as part of her Clinical Psychology PhD in Baltimore. She has so little ‘down’ time, but we’re so excited she’s coming home for a week at Easter. She’s bringing her Australian Shepherd, Sopris, who is in training to become a therapy dog.”

Debbie Edmonson Drake: “We have just celebrated our 45th anniversary in Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands, where we honeymooned. We have had such a wonderful adventure, as we have lived in 11 different places, including San Francisco, NYC, CT, Lawrence on Long Island, and 2 stints in London which I loved! We’ve now lived in Carefree, AZ, since 2008. We are here in the West, as three of our adult children are on the West Coast and one is in AK. We continue to go back to Lawrence, NY, for the summer, which we have done every year. I am still painting and enjoy pickle ball and golf. I loved our Zoom meeting and look forward to the next one.”

Anne Lloyd duPont: “I hope all of you are healthy and happy. A brief update on my world. I am still living in Kansas City. Both my children have recently moved back from NYC and Dallas after many years away. Alexis is an artist/architect and Leo is a musician/lawyer. I fluctuate in and out of retirement. I have been a restoration artist/stonemason for the past 26 years, working for a company that focuses on historical buildings, memorials, fountains, sculpture, and grave markers. I also co-owned an art gallery and framing business for five years in KC. The last few years have been challenging and also glorious. On the challenging end... politics, a pandemic, and somewhere in between I lost my partner and found myself dealing with breast cancer. I have come out of it, hopefully perhaps a bet ter person. My challenges are no more and no less than many of us have been negotiating over these past few years. On the glorious side of things, both children are now married to amazing partners, and my daughter had a little boy on March 6. So, I guess I’m an

1970 Belatedly celebrating their 50th Reunion

1972 Celebrates their 50th Reunion

Keelin

Tom

White

official grandma. I am still making art and looking forward to the next chapter.”

Martha Dailey Iacovelli: “My family is ready to get back to nor mal life. I have to be very careful because of my parents’ age. I am lucky enough to still have both parents who live at home and have been happily married for 70 years. Dad is very sharp at 98. Mom is fairly good at 94. They are so sweet and so in love. I cook for them every night and take care of them daily when we are not in Cape Cod visiting our three granddaughters and kids who live in MA. Our son lives in LA near us and helps with Mom and Dad, along with my brothers, if we are gone. I love biking and walking with my husband, who still practices real estate. I love gardening, feeding birds, and painting in my spare time. We have a fun life in the South on a farm and on Cape Cod. Hilary Higgins Parker and I make sure to see each other when we are both in Chatham. All is good. I am very grateful. Hello to all of my classmates. Lots of prayers for Ukraine. So sad and scary.”

Susan Hicks Jernigan: “Counting our blessings in the Baja. Our family is all well, all vaxxed, most boosted too, and we all had and have recovered from ‘The Vid’… and we are very grateful. Just had our son, his wife, and their four daughters visit for a week. Have to say that Steve and I were in bed, asleep, by 8:30 the evening they left! I think that’s a first. We all had a great time. Marnie, our 29-year-old daughter and seven friends and bridesmaids are coming down for her bachelor ette party here in April, with her wedding at VanDusen Gardens in Vancouver in May. So glad we can have a wedding at capacity. We traveled by train through Switzerland last summer and, proud to say, I managed with just carry-on. Heading to Singapore in late May. Nevis was last month. Life is treating us well and we do not take that for granted.”

Elizabeth McCabe Keith: “Doug and I are doing a north/south routine to enjoy grandchildren. We are legal residents of Houston,

TX, and summer residents of Portsmouth, NH. Our bifurcated move was a challenge; hard to say adieu to Lafayette, LA.”

Ann Bickford Keller: “My husband and I are enjoying our new life in Wilmington, NC, after making the big downsizing move from Buffalo, NY, four years ago, and it’s been an active time with hurricanes, pandemics, our first gorgeous granddaughter arriving last fall, etc. We feel so grateful every day for where we have been and what is to come. As with all of us, the 70th birthday next year is shocking! But how lucky we are. I only wish we would have been able to share it with those dear friends and classmates that we have lost.”

Hilary Higgins Parker: “All is good with us… for the most part. Though we have escaped COVID’s clutches, 2021 was not kind. We have lost several loved ones, both family and friends, along the way this past year, though not to COVID, which of course brings one’s own mortality to the fore front. Our lesson learned from these losses is to savor each and every day and to leave no meaningful message left unsaid. Tom and I just celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary (March 19) and have much to be thankful for. Our son and daughter-in-law are thriving, and Tom and I love living near them and watching them live a full and happy life together. Warren’s record label, WarHen Records, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, and with the music industry back in the swing and on tours, the music merchandising firm Warren works for (Red Star) is running at full capacity. Katie is a rising star at VMDO, the architecture firm where she is employed as their in-house LEED certified interior design department chair. When she’s not designing schools, she’s redesigning their house! They completed their third renova tion this past summer. We are still dividing our year between Charlottesville, VA, and Chatham, MA, where my yearly summer reunion with Martha Dailey

Iacovelli is one of the great high lights. Fifty years of friendship, a gift from Westover.”

Mary Rohde: “I am still living in ME moved up to Dixfield to be closer to my son and his family in Rangeley. I adore my three grandsons love playing with them. Still doing hospital nursing. Now at a small, 25-bed, criti cal-access hospital in Norway, ME. I think of everyone at Westo ver often. I send my love to all.”

Jane Watson Stetson: “My family and I have all escaped COVID the last few years. My heart goes out to our 8-year-old grandson, who has had to experience this! Heidi Swan and I are undertaking an epic bike trip with my brother to the Dolomites in June. Bill has been appointed Chair of the PACA board at the Kennedy Center and I am working as National Finance Chair for Peter Welch, who is running for US Senate. All of our daughters are doing well and they, and our grandson Finn, are our greatest source of joy.

Sarah Carleton Wechsler: “My daily routine includes a lot of reading and working out. And quite a bit of cooking, which I’m enjoying more than I did when my children were younger. I enjoy being a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer and am finishing up my second case. My husband John will retire next year. Daughter Emily is a sec ond-year medical student in NH and our son Daniel is an analyst at a factoring company in Dallas. Have a lot of travel planned for this year, including a COVID-de layed Rick Steves trip to Italy.”

Francene Young: “After 10 years as Vicar at St. Luke the Evangelist Episcopal Church in Houston, it was time to move on. St. Luke is located two blocks from Jack Yates High School, the alma mater of George Floyd. Needless to say, we had some pretty emo tional days. I left St. Luke in April last year and accepted the posi tion of Dean of Administration for the Iona School for Ministry in the Diocese of Texas. The Iona School trains deacons and bi-vocational priests to serve unpaid in small churches that can no longer

21. Deirdre Sullivan ’76 and Beth Lubrano Dwyer ’76 on campus planning ways to keep their classmates engaged with Westover

afford to pay their clergy. It is the ministry school I graduated from in ’11. The dean position is part-time, so I am slowly learning how to ‘retire.’ I guess this is semi-retirement? Since I no longer have my own parish, I fill in for clergy (aka Supply) in churches in and around the Houston area when they need a break or need to be away. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Piney Woods School with Jane Watson Stetson. In my free time, I love going to the theatre, especially musicals! My husband, Ken Jones, is an accountant at the U. of Houston in the Research Division. We have no children, so I enjoy spoiling my niece and nephews. Hoping for an end to COVID and no new variants, as we look forward to traveling again. I am especially looking forward to our class 70th big birthday party, regardless where it is held.”

Me (Lisa Stockwell): “While I didn’t receive notes from every one this year, I was happy to also hear from Tanya Kazanjian, Liddy Schneidman Lindsay, Tammis Rehill Lazarus, Audrey Smith Abbott, Susan Clark, Nancy Reighley Cavanaugh, Karen Kjorlien Phillips, and Julia Bassett Aronson. Along with those noted above, we’ve had some spirited email conversations

to stay connected. Since many/ most of us won’t be able to attend Reunion at Westover this spring, we’re hoping to put together some kind of retreat in 2023 to celebrate our 70th birthdays collectively. (For those who haven’t been part of our ongoing email threads, please email me at lisabstock well@gmail.com or text me at 707-490-9853 and I can fill you in, if you’re interested.)

My own life has been full this past year as I moved to Sacramento, CA, in Jan. 2021 to get out of a fire zone and move closer to my daughter Miranda, who is a NICU nurse here. My timing was per fect, since she became pregnant with her second child the month after I moved to town. The down side was moving away from my other two grandkids, as well as the friends I’d made in Sonoma County over 20 years. Happily, by chance, I landed in a wonderful neighborhood that has made me feel connected right away. And work continues to be busy and challenging, so I’m spending a lot of time at home, a mid-century modern house with an interior garden and walls of glass that let the outdoors in. Sacramento was considered a cow town when I was growing up in SF, but it’s been growing rapidly with a vibrant, young population. (It’s the capital of the state, but its urban goal is to be the ‘Farm to Fork’ capital of the country. There’s no shortage of great restaurants!)

Living right near the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers, I’m enjoying frequent bike rides along the levees. The area is recreation- and exercise-focused, so I was able to quickly find tennis partners and fellow dog walkers. Natalie, my youngest, who was finishing her master’s degree at Sacramento State U. when I moved here, is planning to teach English in Spain next year. She’s finishing a difficult year as a school counselor in a middle school in Marin County, with no mentors to support her. Over 75% of her students’ parents are Spanish-speaking, so she figures it can’t hurt to improve her language skills (developed as a child when we lived in Mexico,

but lost over time). Of course, I encouraged her to take a break, since it gives me an excuse to travel to Europe to see her. Travel has been limited this past year, but I’ve managed two trips to see my parents now 95 and still doing well in Boulder, as well as two trips to Palm Springs. Not enough to satisfy my wanderlust, but not bad given the pandemic.

I’m feeling blessed to have maintained my health and not lost anyone I love to this horrible disease. But I’ve lost others this past year to other causes, the inevitable result of growing older.

I know I speak for the whole class in mourning our dear classmate, Shelley Sagar Payer. So, in ending, I want to honor her by quoting a bit of Maya Angelou’s poem, “When Great Trees Fall”:

And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms… Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.

1977

ANNE SPENCER HOLM ’77 aholm_us@yahoo.com

Katherine Kennedy Hines: KK’s eldest daughter, Ali, was getting married this spring on Cumber land Island, GA. The couple were to spend their honeymoon in Slovenia and Italy. KK’s daughter Louisa lives in Atlanta, where she bought a home in the suburb of Marietta. KK enjoys traveling with family, volunteering, practicing yoga, paddle boarding, and play ing with her pups.

Christina Coleman Owen: Tina is an independent Personal Safety Specialist for Damsel in Defense, where she teaches women how to keep themselves safe in an unpredictable world with safety training and non-lethal personal protection products. Tina’s husband retired at the end of last year after nearly 30 years with Lord Corporation. They spend

as much time as they can with her son Drew, daughter-in-law Katelyn, and 3-year-old grandson Kade, who live only two hours away. They also enjoy visits from their daughter Allison, who lives in L.A. Tina and her husband are very much looking forward to celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in HI in Feb. 2023.

Lori Puccio Zingarelli: Pooch says that life is quiet in AR. She enjoys the beauty of the moun tain scenery and exploring state parks. She is still recovering from knee surgery (meniscus), so her walks are slow.

Laurie Yelding: After being in business over 65 years, Laurie’s family printing business was sold to GHP Media, in East Haven, CT. Laurie enjoys working for them as a sales representative. Last December, Laurie and husband David were thrilled to become first-time grandparents to Drew David Brinckerhoff.

Elizabeth Gilbert: Beth’s daugh ter Kate was set to graduate from Bates this spring. Beth’s ice cream shop will open for its 33rd season this year. She plays a lot of paddle tennis now and regrets that she never, never tried it at Westover. She shares many lunches and adventures with Amy Tauchert, who lives nearby and who gives her a lot of great, creative advice for Izzy’s. She is also in constant contact with Mary Duncan, as they experi enced becoming empty-nesters and watching their daughters turn into young women. Beth is thankful for her Westover friends and was looking forward to our 45th Reunion.

Maren Mannella: Maren lives in St. Augustine, FL, with her husband, two dogs, two cats and two wild but friendly pea cocks. “The peacocks have really come to be a part of our everyday lives,” she said. “If we do not come out of the house to greet them, they will go from window to window, like peeping toms, until they find us. It’s hilar ious. We have two grandchildren. Grady is 1 year, 5 months, and a ball of fun. Kennedy is just three weeks old. She is precious.

I’m still working. Wish I were retired, but not quite there yet. I am blessed though. I work from home five days a week.”

Juana Castanheira: After living in CA for 39 years, Juana has moved to FL. She is focusing on starting her healing practice back up. Juana lives with her brother and her dog, Tino, a Black Mouth Cur.

Susan Wright: Susan works at Ann Wright Representatives, a talent agency that belongs to her mother. She divides her time between NYC and Sharon, CT. Her family spent the last three years caring for their father until he passed peacefully last July in Sharon. Susan’s two sons are flourishing. Nick lives nearby and Alex has moved to Philly to do music bookings. Last year, Susan spent her first Christmas away from the Northeast with Lori Carroll in Tucson. Susan writes, “I just celebrated two years of sobriety and am happy as heck about that.”

Helene Keo-Marjolin: Helene’s son Nicolas is loving his job at Penguin in comic book sales. Her daughter Matti graduated last year from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA with Honors. Helene is in her 10th year as a nurse and is looking forward to retirement in several years.

Rosa Gatling Williams: Rosa works as a physician assistant in surgical subspecialties at UH in Newark, NJ, and one day a week for a dedicated local internist at the Jersey Shore. Rosa enjoys being a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, where she participated in a community service project that made 40 pillowcase dresses for girls in Africa and Haiti. Rosa’s daughter, Brittney Williams ’06, is in her fifth and final year as a surgical resident at the U. of North Caroli na at Chapel Hill and will be doing a two-year fellowship in Cardio thoracic Surgery so she can prac tice as a global surgeon. Rosa writes, “By my next note, I hope to be discussing wedding plans for her… however, no pressure… but I do adore Nick lol (I know Brittney will be reading this).” Rosa’s niece,

Christine Clayton ’11, works as a production assistant for televi sion and movies in CA. Christine is also a certified yoga master. Rosa loved working on our 45th Reunion “with amazing Beth Gilbert and the lovely, daaaarling Laurie Yelding, who are my sisters… again!”

Rosa says that she is still pulling herself out of the pain of losing our dear classmate Mary Jane Mitchell Hemmings. “What a blow to her lovely family and to our class. Still in shock. Look for update in separate publishing about a proper way to honor her for years to come. Thank God for all my classmates who supplied lots of love and support for me and each other. MJ brought us closer to see what is really important in life.” Rosa added, “Girls weekend in PR with Cynthia Bellamy ’78 and Leslye Betz Rucker ’79 in June, brunch with Helene Keo-Marjolin, and a trip to see Juana Castanheira in FL in July are all therapeutic and priceless. Looking to our 50th and the beautiful memories we will all make, which will be folded in between now and then.”

Anne Spencer Holm: “Bill and I are still living and working in NYC. Our son Bill is a regional envi ronmental manager at Amazon, and our daughter Sarah is an associate at Clifford Chance. We are delighted to announce that Bill will marry Katelyn Tsukada this August in Ticonderoga.”

Kate Bedell Weitzel: Kate teaches 8th grade special education and is ecstatic to have her students back in the classroom. All family members are healthy and busy at the moment. “Spencer is working with a company that makes fullscale holograms, and still acting and editing. Check him out on Halloweeners on YouTube! Drew is working as a substitute teacher while his right hand recovers from a nasty break. At least he had some fun snowboarding before landing on it! We had Drew with us for a month, and spent as much time as possible snuggling with our grand-dogger, Aeyla.”

Lori Carroll: Lori resides in AZ in a house that she has lived in for the past 17 years with one dog and three cats. Lori works for a local geologist. Her Mom passed away this spring at the age of 96. Lori recently purchased a van. “I’ve been wanting one for years and I’m going to customize it for overnight adventures, vending drums and baskets at farmers markets, and attending reggae festivals!”

1978

SHOTSIE BISSELL WILSON Shotsiew@yahoo.com

Thank you to my classmates for staying connected, joining Zoom calls, sending emails and posting on Facebook. Although we aren’t together in person, I know many of you have constantly checked in with each other and that’s what keeps this class mighty strong! So here is what you have been up to:

Sara Rogers and Brooks are still in Weston, CT. They are grateful that their world of exhibits, events, and video production has begun to pick-up after the severe COVID drought. While they keep a close eye on the pandemic stats, and the heartbreaking violence in Europe, Sara says they have hope. Sara hopes all of the Westover “girls” those she knows, and those she does not are well and happy. She sees so much courage, hard work, love, and resilience in this community; it is inspiring, and she is proud to be counted among them.

“Can’t believe I’m 61 and very thankful I am still able to walk five miles at a 13-minute p/m pace” says Davina Tucker Dickinson. Walking keeps Davina sane and definitely helps with her stress level (she highly recommends it). Davina had just been skiing in UT, and while she was quite anxious about the trip, having had a five-year hiatus, she and the slopes still have a connection. Davina also reports: “Not sure where 2020 and 2021

REUNION HIGHLIGHTS

1977 Celebrating their 45th Reunion

The 2022 Westover Award was presented to Brenda Mallory ’75. Brenda was unable to attend Reunion Weekend in person and sent a recorded acceptance speech.

Susanne Charbonneau Carpenter ’93 and Kim Hoagland ’69.

For more reunion highlights, log into Westover Connect at WESTOVERCONNECT.ORG

went again very thankful that my family have thus far avoided COVID and my heart goes out to all those that lost loved ones. I’ve just had a 29-year anniversary with my company and, as I look back on my time here, it’s been quite the journey. My husband is back in Bermuda and, whilst happy enough to be here, he craves peace and quiet (some thing to do with how his stroke affected his brain), so I’m in the process of renovating an old barn on my property, turning it into a studio. My son Tyler graduated from UMaine in Dec. 2021 with a Marketing degree and he’s active ly searching for a job in CT/MA/ NY so that he and his girlfriend of 4-1/2 years can be together. She has a job in New Haven working for Parents’ Foundation for Transitional Living, so Tyler is hoping to find something within CT. My daughter Ashley turns 21 in two weeks. It’s been one hell of a medical rollercoaster ride, but that pales in comparison to the incredible fighting spirit she has, and her beautiful smile that brings such joy to all of those who come into contact with her. So, all in all, life is treating me well, and I hope the same with you all looking forward to another Zoom call at some point in 2022!” We’ll make that Zoom call happen, Davina.

Carla Skinner Malstrom has this to share: “Hi Dear Classmates! It has been fun connecting with some of you via Facebook, Zoom, and the occasional phone call. I hope we will stay in touch through these channels, if not actually able to gather often in person. I was recalled (early) from my voluntary leave of absence from American Airlines last year. We have several new destinations, which I have been fortunate enough to see since returning to the sky last November. India is an amazing place to see! I have checked the Taj Mahal off of my list of places to see! I loved Tel Aviv as well, but will hope to go back soon in order to visit some of the many holy sites. (While I was in Tel Aviv, Ronit Ben-Josef was very much in my thoughts. Has anyone

kept in touch with her?) Possible routes for me this summer are Doha and Athens. One definite regular route will be JFK-Lon don-JFK. Just before returning to work, I made a quick trip to New England to visit family and to see a production of The 39 Steps One of the lead actors was Grace Experience, the talented daughter of Victoria Blewer and Chris Bohjalian. As luck would have it, I attended the same performance as Victoria and Chris! What a treat to see them. Most of my off time is spent at the barn, riding and caring for my horses. Horses were my passion as a young girl but due to life circumstances, I ended up putting this activity aside for over 40 years. I truly did not realize that when the oppor tunity came up for me to jump back into the horse world that I would still be just as passionate about horses now as I was then. I feel so fortunate to be reliving the wonderful parts of my childhood, and leaving the not-so-wonderful parts firmly in the past where they belong. I highly recommend finding your passion and making it a regular part of your life! Blessings to all, Carla.”

Christine Gamble Brooks had a lovely visit with Nina Sperry Cobb and Nina’s husband John in Sedona for an early breakfast. Christine loves touching base with Shotsie Bissell Wilson, Davina Tucker Dickinson, and Nina, and following other classmates on Facebook and Instagram. Christine’s mother’s service was in October in New Canaan, CT, and Lauren Caldwell ’76 and Katie Aubrey Lethbridge ’74 were there, as well as Chris tine’s sister, Daphne Gamble MacNaughton ’74. A great family reunion and a week in NYC. Susu Cook Scott looks forward to hearing everyone’s news. Her best news is that, after a badly broken leg years ago, she actually went skiing for the first time in ages. Yes, she was careful only blue runs but it was great to be out there with husband Simon and daughters Sheila, 16, and Rosie, 13.

Lynn Sheldon writes, “It’s just two of us at home again now, after quite a while of having our boys unexpectedly back in resi dence during the pandemic. That was a fun, if challenging, exercise in negotiating life anew with adult children as housemates, a silver lining to have such a chunk of time together as a more mature family group. Oldest is now in Phoenix, having accepted an engineering job with a satellite telecom company, Iridium. We are so grateful he was able to find a job in his field at this strange point in the world economy. Youngest is up in Burlington, back at school to continue his degree, hopefully getting an associate’s degree in STEM, and then go on for a bachelor’s, eventually land ing in some form of medical engi neering. His plans have always been more fluid than his broth er’s, but he is happy in his life at the moment. In fact, they both are, which I suppose is every parent’s wish. My partner Dan contin ues his career, happy with the problem-solving involved in the various uses of northern forests (in Ontario, New Brunswick, and northern New England). Some times it gets fun and exciting: He was just involved in a conserva tion land transfer that preserved the last privately held (and tiny) piece of the Appalachian Trail up in ME. I continue to work along in art (mostly abstract drawings and more representational collages) and music (I started learning to play ukulele more formally at the start of the pandemic), now learning to produce my own songs, singing the harmonies and melodies, playing a few different ukulele parts, adding in nature sounds and household ‘percussion’ instruments (tin cans, shakers full of rice, etc.). I send them off to my musical uncle, who is encouraging, but not an entirely objective critic. Both activities are fun escapes that keep my mind occupied with cre ativity while the world continues it’s crazy careening through wars, famine, refugee crises, sickness, and disarray enough to make a body depressed. I find hope through reading about the many

good things people are doing all over the world and by trying to contribute to positive change in any way I can here in my commu nity. Mostly small things, but as Jane Goodall said, ‘drops make up an ocean.’ The world has never changed but through people who have been trying to live their best, most generous, compassionate, courageous lives.”

Life has been crazy-busy lately for Teddy Burr Zeleznik, with all of the diplomatic couriers scrambling around Europe, trying to keep up with all the officials traveling to emergency summits to deal with the Ukrainian crisis, NATO summits, etc. War in the 21st century is surreal, sad, and traumatic for the millions directly affected, whom she now sees in hotels, on the road traveling west, in Germany. Anyway, apart from work, Teddy said that her life is good, since vacation is coming up, spring is coming, days are getting longer, and weather warmer. What more can you ask for, apart from peace, serenity and good health? Stay well, keep smiling, keep soldiering on!

Debbie James Case and her husband Lester are well. When she sent in her news, it was tax season again. Debbie was extremely busy this year because two people retired, and no one was hired to replace them. Hang in there, Debbie!

Lori Bellini Cannistra had lunch with Karen Hall ’79 in Kenne bunkport in Nov. ’21when they were visiting ME and discovered that “she followed me to a research lab in Boston after I left, and that we just missed each other at UConn medical/dental school. It was great to get togeth er and catch up after so many years.” Andrea Manzi Frank and husband Steve joined Lori and Tony on Block Island for a couple of days last summer. The four of them try to get together several times a year. Lori was planning on cutting back her work hours at the end of April, as she plans for full retirement from Cardiology practice at the end of September. Lori and Tony were planning to go to CA in May for their daughter’s

master’s degree graduation and then head for vacation to HI. Aloha!

Life is defiantly on the upswing for Nina Sperry Cobb. After two long years avoiding COVID, she and her husband are starting to get out and about again. Nina tutors second graders, trying to get these kids up to grade level reading after two years of going to school on Zoom. She also mentors a 12-year-old girl. Nina loves being around these young kids and seeing the world through their innocent eyes. With her three kids now officially living their grown-up lives, these little ones are so rewarding to be with. Nina went to Sedona last fall and got to see Christine Gamble Brooks, which was a huge treat. She loves hearing what every one is doing.

Clare Westerfield Evans has been through quite the ordeal, with an infection in her foot that kept her out of commission for two months and ended up requiring surgery. It did give her a chance to catch up on lots of movies and spend quality time with her four cats and a canary! As we all know nowadays, we don’t heal as quickly as we used to, and Clare certainly can attest to that. Clare is still a teacher’s aide and loves it. Daughter Katie is a manager in retail and son Taylor travels constantly all around the country for Booster Fuel. Katie and Tyler live together and are only 20 minutes away, so Clare sees them often. Clare became a great aunt in March. Husband Jim left his job at the U. of Berkeley after 11 years and now works much closer to home, still with animals. Some fun events are on the horizon for Clare include seeing Elton John and the Harry Potter play. Clare’s parents are doing well at ages 91 and 92, and Putney says hi.

Carrie Swan Buccowich says, “If anyone wants to visit Milwaukee, we are here; just north of the city, close to the lake. I’ve been in the health sector since we arrived, deep in it all. We hope to make it back to the East Coast

soon, to settle that is. Until then, enjoying the snow and the cold, windy weather.”

Claudia Rawal Morris has been living in Rockport, MA, since the beginning of 2020. They love living there a smaller town, especially in the winter, with a very active community and a beautiful place to live. Claudia is still painting and has started taking lessons at a local pottery studio. Any chance to get com pletely covered in paint or clay is a good day! Their daughter lives about an hour away and they just adopted two kittens to complete “our clowder of three part-Siamese, polydactyl, totally spoiled felines.”

As for me, Shotsie Bissell Wilson, we are in a whirlwind these days as we prepare for our move to CO at the end of May. Selling one house, building another, and finding a rental in the meantime on top of handling a new set of customers and huge territory has me working lots of long hours. But as I have always said, “Westover girls weeble but we don’t fall down,” so I just keep my head up and “Weeble On!” We are excited about our impending move (especially since General Mills hires a crew to pack up everything and move us) and will settle in Colorado Springs. This has also allowed us to finally purge, purge, and purge all the “stuff” we have accumulated after 23 years here. Our new home will have a beautiful view of Pike’s Peak, and we are looking forward to exploring all the great things CO has to offer. I may even have to strap on a pair of skis again and enjoy some of the slopes. Stay tuned the “Shotsie Show” is headed west!

1980

VICTORIA BUCKNALL SILSBY ’80 vnsilsby@gmail.com

SANDRA NICHOLS NASH ’80 sandy@cliffjump.com

First off, I can’t believe that I just turned 60! Where does the time go?

I spend nine months of the year living off the grid, on a windswept, surf-pounded, white sand beach, on the remote East Cape of Baja California, Mexico, with my fabulous husband. We spend our time surfing, SUP foiling, prone foiling, wing foiling, kite foiling, kite surfing, and occasionally napping.

When the sand gets too hot, we head to our summer home, in Hood River, OR. Hood River boasts some of the biggest winds on the planet, with days commonly gusting up to 58 mph! So obviously we thrive on wind sports there as well.

Other than focusing on “flying high,” I started a small business that addresses face sun protec tion for water athletes. I do all of the design, marketing, and sew ing myself. Check it out at the website https://solshaka.com

23. Classmates Meg Thayer ’81 and Amanda Thacher Soares ’81 together in Washington, D.C., March 2022

1981

SONJA LINDGREN ’81 sblindgren@msn.com

Heidi Luquer drove from VT to ME to see Mary Clark Price for a half day in June 2021, an affirm ing reminder that what you love about old friends remains the same. Closer by, she sees Anne Downey, a bonus to having moved within VT, from Hartland to Norwich, just eight miles away from each other. She continues to deepen her work in bio-mag netics as a treatment for Lyme and auto-immune diseases and says that, with COVID in our midst, there could not be a more

22. Cynthia Brown ’80 flying high

serendipitous time to be treating pathogen-related illnesses. And… wait for it… “Yup, seems like it was time to give marriage a try. Bill Bates and I married in a tiny wedding in Hartland, VT, last August.” Congratulations, Heidi! Vermont is home as well for Ana Hauser Burtnett, who continues to think herself quite hardy. Ana is now semi-retired from med icine, as the pandemic helped with that. She works for the VT Health Department as an on-call Medical Reserve Corps person, and spends the remaining time working at her local food pantry, writing, riding her mountain bike, and when spring actu ally comes attending to the ever-expanding flower and vege table garden. Her son Gus is now on his second tour as a Marine, and his parents are so proud and (at the same time) insanely petri fied. Gus supervises 40 men; his is based at Camp LeJeune. Ana hopes that everyone has thrived in some area of their life during these past couple of years.

Maggie Bakewell Eldredge has had a busy year. She changed careers, going from Manager of Operations at the Old Lyme Country Club to Head of Payroll and Human Resources for the Town of Old Saybrook Board of Education. “Very exciting career move.” She has started painting again, not having painted since Westover. Maggie’s daughter is a senior at Fairfield U., majoring in English with three minors, has made the dean’s list every semester, and will be continuing on for her master’s at Fairfield. Maggie was looking forward to the warmer weather so that she can go kayaking and play pickleball. Her husband Doug, as well as all four of her rescue dogs, are doing well.

Fremah Ward Alberer says that, unfortunately, her news is not good. Her husband died at the end of January after many months of declining health. It has been a very difficult transition for her, and she is still learning how to live without him. “Our house seems so empty

now.” She plans to sell the house and move to be closer to very good friends.

Meg McClellan has weathered the pandemic, like most people, by adapting and appreciating, though not always in the best proportion. She has learned all kinds of teacher tech, which has been fun. Her family is “all good!” Helen Espitallier says it feels as though we are finally waking up from a prolonged hiberna tion. She hopes that everyone is doing well.

Virginia Jewiss writes that she and her partner Geo had moved to Washington, DC, right before the pandemic and were grateful to have a wonderful, cosmopol itan city to explore and a gra cious home with room for both of them to work on Zoom. She finds it a real treat to spend time with Meg Thayer, and to be part of the DC Westover Book Group, along with Mandy Roberts. After 15 years at Yale, Ginny was ready for a change. In January she began a new adventure at Johns Hopkins U., where she continues to teach and is the associate director of the Alexander Grass Humanities Institute. Her latest film project, The Hand of God, directed by Paolo Sorrentino, was nominated for an Oscar, and her latest book translation was just published by Penguin Classics: a new version of Dan te’s Vita Nuova (New Life). Bruce Coffin generously worked with Ginny on the English versions of the 31 poems included in Dante’s extraordinary love story. “I couldn’t have done it without him. Westover keeps on giving...”

Mandy Roberts continues her service as a data scientist with the Department of Commerce in Washington, DC. COVID has played havoc with the numbers, ushering in new ways of doing business. Her home is the center of all where she maintains steady employment, a yoga practice, and, for nourishment, a weekly box of healthy green vegetables. Mandy is feeding her mind with novels via the Westover alumnae book club and seeing Ginny Jewiss, Meg

Thayer, Meg’s cousin Elsie Walk er ’65, Martha Bacon Martin ’65, Jo Mailliard Fleming ’77, Amy Shepard Knight ’67, Ann Mul grew Goldsmith ’65, and Gussie Off Moravec ’68 every month!

Laurian Pratt Fasano is teaching two Zumba classes a week and volunteering with the Rock Steady Boxing program for people with Parkinson’s Disease; in other words, staying active in retirement. Both of her kids have graduated from college, so that is great milestone. Laurian and her husband have moved to a home on the Wye River and are enjoying water sports when the weather allows. She hopes to see everyone in person again soon.

Jeanne Anderson Christie had an exciting 2021. She left her position as general manag er for an eco-resort due to family needs and COVID-related separation from her family. She went through a rough time with unexplained pain in her back and abdomen. After some scary nerve damage with the possi bility of paralysis, she was diag nosed with a benign tumor in her spinal column. She reports that she is still wonky, but she is quickly mending in time for Samuel’s graduation from Rollins and the busy season with her rentals and studios. Jacob is happily working at a French restaurant and Cate, Jeanne’s adopted niece, is a school counselor in NC. Jeanne sees her three beautiful grandbabies quite regularly. She hopes that everyone is well and that our world calms down so that we might all enjoy our lives.

Amanda Thacher Soares continues her three-days-aweek, masked commute from RI to Boston, where she works in development at Boston U. She enjoys her work travel, especial ly when it coincides with seeing dear friends. She and Meg Thayer enjoyed a fun breakfast chat in Washington, DC, in March. Amanda and her husband Rafael are officially empty-nesters. She is finding it harder than expected to say goodbye to her youngest,

who lives 20 minutes away in Providence. Amanda’s daughter moved to Laguna Beach, CA, during the pandemic. Changes everywhere! She is always thinking about her next, best chapter and eager for that to happen. She is still treading on thin ice… and dancing most days.

Linda Cook Maloney still lives in Dayton, OH, and works in the family business with her brother. “Our business celebrates 30 years this year! Working with my first my dad and now my brother has been wonderful.” Linda’s daughter Lauren, 24, lives in Cape Coral, FL, and works in the administration end of senior liv ing. She loves the residents and the weather, and Linda enjoys visiting. Her regular everyother-year cruise with friends got sidelined by the pandemic, but Linda was able to cruise from Seattle to AK last fall with Lauren and says it was truly a trip to remember. She is looking forward to warmer weather and finishing some decorating proj ects at home. Linda is still a tad salty about missing out on the 40th Reunion at Westover last year, but she hopes it will make the next one all the sweeter. She sends love to all.

Feeling a bit salty myself, I am writing this from a tiny cottage on the Chesapeake, where I’m taking a few days of R&R. Travel still thrills. I discovered the wonders of MT in the summer of 2021 and will enjoy a trip to Ireland in July, pandemic permit ting. When ensconced at home, I hike, knit, and meditate to stay sane, while continuing to work in my busy psychotherapy practice.

1982

LEE

Here’s a little news from the Class of 1982!

Holly Gyde Costaregni shares, “Mark and I are empty-nesters this year. Our son Jack is a

freshman at Tulane U. and our daughter just joined Portsmouth Abbey as a junior, so we had them both fly the coop the same year. We miss them, but they are both so happy; we decided to be as well, and are enjoying our time alone together again. Along with the empty nest and two tuitions, I started working full-time again for a retained search company in L.A., as an executive recruiter. This last year I have been fortunate enough to see a number of Westover lovelies: Adela Pierson and I see each other in Miami often, and Amy Franklin McCoog still comes down once per year for a reunion with Adela and me. Last fall, Lisa Tagney Whitney ’83, Natalie Callender Bagley ’83, Alison Chase Moore, and Adela and I met in RI for the weekend. Amy was supposed to join us but she got hit by the nasty COVID. It’s always amazing to me when I see or talk to my Westover friends how connected and loved I feel by them, regardless of the time that has gone by. Doren Margold Dolan and I chatted on the phone recently after many years… love my Westover girls! And Wests are still the best!”

Amy Franklin McCoog reports that “last February, while taking a walk at Port St Lucie, FL, I saw Christina Sieminski Trammell starting to play tennis with friends. I hollered to her, and she ran over. We gave each other a hug and exchanged quick hellos before heading back to our routines. She looks fabulous and even for a minute, seeing her was great!”

“We continue our vacation to Bel Harbour, FL. Each year Holly Gyde Costaregni and Adela Pierson join me by the pool for lunch and catching up. We have been doing this for 10-plus years. Of course, we talk nonstop. It fills my heart/soul.”

“I was grateful to be able to visit with Emily Church in Brookline, MA, last spring for a power walk and lunch. It’s amazing how we Westover girls can go years without seeing each other and still be so close. It’s very

comforting. Of course, Facebook and Instagram help keep us all informed of birthdays and families. Reading that everyone doing well is great! Seeing everyone at Reunion would be even better! Love my Westover Family! Go West?”

Adela Pierson writes that she spends a lot of time working as an architect. Her daughter Karina is 33 now, but no kids yet. She adds, “I see Holly Gyde Costaregni all the time and Amy Franklin McCoog comes to Miami at least once a year. I hope to make it a Westover group event where we all stay a weekend in a Miami Beach hotel… This past September Alison Chase Moore, Lisa Tagney Whit ney ’83, Nat Callender Bagley ’83, Holly, and I spent the weekend in RI… had not seen Nat and Lisa in almost 40 years!

Vanessa Spang reports: “My husband and I still live in San Francisco. I am painting as much as I can and have a studio space at home where I work on my oil pastels. I also share a studio in the city with five other wonderful artists where I do my oil painting. My eldest son graduates from U. of California Berkeley with a degree in Environmental Conservation the same weekend as our Reunion, so I will sadly miss seeing all of you, and will be cheering him on instead. My younger son Alexander started at U. of California at Santa Barbara in the fall of 2020 but after a year of online classes, COVID restrictions and pandemic fallout, he realized he needed to do a gap year to recover. I have seen a lot of Weezie Webber Fallon this past fall and spring, as she has helped me sort out my uncle’s house in Deerfield, MA. He was the founding curator of Historic Deerfield and a huge collector. His house was stuffed full of documents and objects and Weezie has been helping me go through and sort all of them. It has been absolutely wonderful spending so much time with her. Hard to believe I’ve known her for 52 years! I hope you all have a fabulous Reunion. I am sorry to miss it, but hopefully I’ll be

REUNION HIGHLIGHTS

1982 Celebrating their 40th Reunion

Image Caption

Image Caption

For more reunion highlights, log into Westover Connect at WESTOVERCONNECT.ORG

Amanda Williams Dube ’84, Emily Webber Brown ’84, and Hillary Huggins Fehsenfeld ’84

it

Class Notes

there for the 45th. I really cannot believe that we are celebrating our 40th Reunion. That really makes me feel old!”

As for myself, Lee Hammett Peterson, life is very exciting. I continue to work at the Hankin Library and spend my days off with my daughter and her new baby, Sarah. I provide childcare one day a week and it’s exhaust ing, and yet so much fun!

I chat with Carolyn Scott peri odically, and she is preparing to move into the low-carbonfootprint house she and husband Rod have been building. She’s in good spirits and excited for it to be finally finished.

I know Joanie Wetmore Yahn has been organizing the Reunion dinner... hopefully by the time this is published we will have all seen each other and reconnect ed. My hopes are for the Class of ’82 to remain strong and close! And if anyone has a desire to assist in the class secretary job, please let me know!

1983

NATALIE CALLENDER BAGLEY ’83 Natalie.bagley@hotmail.com

and her boyfriend moving back to the Denver area this summer. Her kids Leigh and Jack are doing well.

Natalie Callender Bagley’s twins graduated college during the pandemic in 2020. Nick works in Global Supply Chain Management for Stanley Black & Decker and Maddie is finishing her MBA and working in man agement. Natalie loves having them close by and also seeing Westover friends whenever she can. Lisa Tagney Whitney and Natalie celebrated Wendy Bigio’s birthday together in Bos ton in Aug. 2021, and also got together with three members from the Class of 1982 Holly Gyde Costaregni, Alison Chase Moore, and Adela Pierson in RI in Sept. 2021. Love our Westover connections!

Next year is our 40th Reunion hope to see as many of you as possible. Please send me any updates at Natalie.bagley@hotmail.com.

1984

LUCY LINCOLN FROST ’84, P ’15 Lucylincolnfrost@gmail.com

A few updates from our classmates:

of

of the Class of 1983 Wendy Bigio Fryer, Natalie Callender Bagley, and Lisa Tagney Whitney

Ginny Cheston Spencer ’84 relaxing while visitng Andrea Combes ’84

summer of

Summit Anzalone

of the Class of

(NAME), Liz Wahlers Connors, and Patty White Schoenhuber

August

Lucy Frost’84

Rhody

Combes

Velde

Wendy Bigio has big news in her life her son is getting married in July and Wendy is also engaged to be married herself. Congratulations, Wendy! Lisa Tagney Whitney’s business is going strong (two of her prints were on the cover of Cape Cod Home magazine). She enjoys life in Marion, MA, as an empty-nest er with husband George, while both kids are in college. Daugh ter Ellie is a junior studying Art History at Rollins C. in FL and son George is a senior studying Business and playing lacrosse at Ohio Wesleyan. Jan Baker enjoys life in Denver, CO, and sees Wendy as well as Priscilla Newton Scobie ’84 (who just had a grandson!). Jan is looking forward to her daughter Leigh

The Class of 1984 is better and more passionate than ever! For this Class Notes submis sion, these awesome women responded to one question: “Do you have a particular passion for something? A cause? A hobby? An ideal? Something else? Thanks for sharing a little bit about what gets you jazzed and why!”

Marj Summit Anzalone: “I volunteer as a court appoint ment special advocate (CASA) for foster children and their parents. It breaks my heart that this is a system which is so divided along racial lines. It’s nice to use my (exceptionally loud) voice to make good things happen for kids and moms who might otherwise be forgotten or left behind.”

Mary-Helen Velde Black: “I have a passion for civic engagement and have participated in commu nity planning and development projects in my Boston neighbor hood for 25 years. During the pandemic, I developed a passion for gardening.”

Jennifer Eveland: “In keeping with the current trend, I had a big rethink during the pandemic and decided to make a career shift. I spent last year earning English language teaching cre dentials and am happy to report that I’m just now starting a new job! I’m actually pretty nervous about facing my first class. Fingers crossed I don’t puke on the kids.”

Andrea Combes: “Defining one passion, cause, hobby, or ideal is impossible for me, but what I know now more than ever before is that the joy I feel when with my friends, especially friend ships that extend for decades (yikes!), is fuel for my soul. These relationships provide me with more happiness and well-being than just about anything else that I have accomplished or wished for (family excluded). So, I am grateful every day for the beau tiful, accomplished, and brilliant women who I met oh-so-many years ago at Westover.”

Emily Webber Brown: “I’m all about Emily 2.0 with all my babes out of the house. Enjoying my work where I still do research, albeit a bit differently, and I get to talk with Marj Summit Anzalone just about daily. At Wells Fargo, Marj and I are becoming known as ‘Marmily’ cracks me up! I’ve also been able to spend time with Amanda Williams Dube and Hillary Huggins Fehsenfeld when H is trekking north from FL. With a return to the office now real, Amanda and I share a small apartment in Charlotte; we have way-too-much fun on ‘school’ nights! Recently she got me all dolled up at the Bobbi Brown counter, which took me to a new level of style. Inspired by this, I boldly put purple color in my hair, which I’ve been wanting to do since Jennifer Turner

made it cool in 1983-ish. The other thing I’m jazzed about is that after living apart for the first two years of marriage, my Cana dian puddin’ Jeff moved to the US, and we are settling in in the northwest corner of SC. In short, my blessings of health, happi ness, and family are not lost on me. I’m genuinely loving life!”

Amanda Williams Dube: “The gathering of friends and family is top of my passion list!”

Patty White Schoenhuber: “I have been swimming (dunk ing) in the river at least once a month since November. This would not be a big deal except that I live in VT, and I detest cold water. However, this practice is both exhilarating and ground ing. It is teaching me how to be resilient. During a time of such unrest in our world, it provides a moment of hope and joy and for that I am grateful.”

Liz Wahlers Connors: “Right now, my center and my focus is my family. If I had to pick a pas sion, though, it would be my job teaching my little nuggets. It is rewarding and fun, and I love it!”

Katie Murray: “Writing our stories! I love the online work I am doing with students and clients, encouraging, inspiring, cajoling and cheering as they do the deep and life-changing work of writing their memoirs. It is great to see my hunch that writing to heal works be borne out again and again by their responses. So... that’s my passion these days. The other one is being a grandma ! I love hanging out with my fiance’s toddler twins here in Denver, where we are spending the winter to be with them. I’ve also very recently rediscovered the joy of racquet sports, so if anyone is traveling through ME this summer and wants to play tennis or pickle-ball or racquetball, let me know!”

Carol Davidson Cragoe: “Ballroom dancing! I’m a late-comer to the party, but I absolutely love it.”

Alex Hutchinson Kline: “In my old age, I’ve decided I love fishing, and I particularly enjoy doing that when in Martha’s Vineyard or down in FL.”

Ginny Cheston Spencer: “Not sure it’s a passion, probably… more along the lines of an ideal… but I’ve tried to be more gracious and appreciative lately. I think it probably began with the installa tion of the previous presidential administration, but the desire seems to have persisted. I find myself being more appreciative of the support and humor of my friends, and the same for my family at least some of them! I appreciate that I can get out and run every day, and that I’m lucky enough to travel, read, and express my thoughts. And while at times it’s incredibly difficult, I’ve been trying to address adversity whether it be in differing political views, at work, or just with everyday frustra tions with grace. Not sure it always works, but I figure that it’s worth the try.”

Hillary Huggins Fehsenfeld: “I’ve decided to leave corporate life, be a substitute teacher in our district, and get more involved with our town council. My free time, which is limited as we still have a teenager at home, is spent cooking (so many reci pes… so little time!), gardening, home projects, and playing with different art/jewelry supplies I found during COVID. Oh, and fol lowing Marj Summit Anzalone on TikTok. Feeling blessed to have reconnected with WO friends this past year and can’t wait to see more of you at the next reunion! Ranelda Joseph, Neaka Osborn, Irene Kocka Winters, Pris Newton Scobie, Mica Pierce Williams, etc.... please try to make it in 2024… 40 years!”

Kirsten Jeppesen: “My passion is in the great outdoors, adven turing, exploring, and learning. No adventure is too small. Exploring my local area… moun tains, woods, rivers, lakes, dirt roads, trails, etc. on foot, bicycle, boat, and ski.”

Hilary Rice: “As I’ve started to emerge from the cocoon of government, and self-imposed isolation, blearily wiping my eyes and yawning, I am more often than not anxious to get right back into the security of that envelope! I am appalled by the horrors of today, but to stay sane I keep from deep-diving too much. I truly take it one day at a time. I think that’s all we can do. I have zero news, but wanted to wave to all of you Wonderful Westover Women! Happy Spring! Love, Hope, and Peace!”

As for me (Lucy Frost), working our little farm has inspired a new love for cooking: baking, pickling, saucing, etc. Always a bit of a juggle in our tiny house kitchen! I’ve also developed an addiction to beachcombing.

I’ve always liked it, but now it’s an illness. Bottom line is that I seem to be reveling in things I can do in solitude. That said, when I have the rare opportunity to visit with Westover women, I truly feel whole.

And in other classmate news: Mary-Helen Velde Black shares that she “can’t recall the last family update, so I’ll share a few highlights. Our son Luke is at Emmanuel C. in Boston and loves it. We celebrated my father Karl Velde’s 90th birthday with a big family party at the Harvard Club of Boston in October, and in summer ’21 my mom, Jane Doolittle Velde, moved to Mor gantown, WV, and now lives five minutes from my sister’s home. I visit every few months, and it’s so nice to get to see both my sis ter and my mom! Jen Eveland is “just hoping everyone and their families have weathered the past couple of years okay. Sending big hugs all around!”

Emily Webber Brown says, “My Westover friends still are and will forever be my touchstone, my family of choice, and closest friends eva’!” Patty White Schoenhuber shares that “it has been a huge gift to reconnect with so many dear Westover friends this year.” Katie Murray

Class Notes

encourages everyone to visit catharinehmurray.com to see more about what she’s up to.

Carol Davidson Cragoe reports: “We are moving! We’ve bought an old granite farmhouse on the magical island of Sark in the Channel Islands no cars, no streetlights, accessible only by boat from Guernsey (as in potato peel pie) with just horse carts, tractors and bicycles for trans port on the island, lots of wildlife and wildflowers, great views, and dark skies. For sanity, we are also keeping a flat in London and will be living between the two. Please come and visit if you are this side of the Pond. Exciting times ahead!”

Alex Hutchinson Kline shares that “it’s been a long two years with the pandemic. The silver lining for Dickie and me was being able to have our children home with us 24/7. Because of everyone’s being on Zoom for college and work, we were also able to spend more time on Martha’s Vineyard. Kiddos are now back in person at their respective colleges, and my eldest is still working remotely. Dickie is able to go into the office as well as work virtually!”

Ginny Cheston Spencer “just got back from another fantastic trip to Botswana and South Africa with Westover alumna (my mum) Lois Powell Cheston ’55. Great way to celebrate her 85th birthday! Kirsten Jeppesen reports that she is “a wellness coach and massage therapist. I work with folks to help them create healthy lifestyles, based on their own preferences, pas sions, and curiosity, that they are excited to live into.”

Until next time… aloha!

it comforting to reflect on any good things that have come from bad times. For our class, COVID brought us closer than we have been in years since graduation. From Zoom cocktail hours, to lively group texts that always have a way of making us smile when we need it most, to fortunate visits we have been able to steal with our WO sisters as the pandemic wanes, to end less sharing of Wordle puzzles, lost dog capers, kid adventures, holiday photos, and life in gener al I have been very grateful for the moments we have shared these past two-and-a-half years.

This marks the year that the last of us will turn 50, but we all still feel like “New Girls” entering the Quad (despite some of us having children at Westover now, and even college graduates, graduate students, and adult children living independently). One of the ladies who has successfully raised two amazing women is Shonda Murray Link. Shonda has been making her rounds cross-country and visiting WO women as she goes. Yesenia Huerta Lara wrote that one of her most memorable moments last year was when Shonda and her mother Nellie visited her in San Diego for five days to celebrate Shonda’s 50th, giving Yesenia’s daughter, Savanah, a chance to meet her dear friend. This reunion was very special because the last time Shonda saw Savanah in KS 15 years ago, Savanah was a newborn. I also got to share the gift of time with Shonda in TX when she and her entire family husband Russ and daughters Brooke and Bryel, came for a San Antonio visit. Brooke and Bryel are two beautiful and kind women, and we can’t wait to visit everyone in MT one of these days.

in 14 countries remotely. As soon as UK lockdowns ended, she rushed as fast as she could to the US. She first visited with her sister, Debby Jones ’88, then surprised Alice Roche for her 50th. Sarah hopes to be done with her graduate research by the end of this year. Alice and family are doing great in San Francisco. Alice, who has a successful jewelry business, began painting in 2018 and then started making some prints with pencil, pen, and watercolors during quarantine if you have not seen her amazing work, follow her on Instagram @aliceroche_art.

Alice seems to be a popular lady to visit, because Tracy James also stole some precious time with her when safety permitted. Tracy just celebrated her second anniversary with her husband, Robin Sylvan. Two years ago, at the very start of the pandem ic, they were on a trip to New Zealand when they were married on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. We weren’t sure they were going to make it back to the States, but they eventually made it back safely. Tracy continues to live in San Francisco and work as a balance and resilience coach at the company she founded, Living Elemental Co.

Diana Jones Greenberg and family are doing well. Her four beautiful girls Devyn, Taryn, Logan, and Quin are thriving at school and at life. Di’s husband Eric is also doing well, but they sadly lost his father earlier this year. On a happier note, Di’s amazing father turned 81 last year, and both of her parents are healthy and happy mom is as stunning as ever.

Jennifer Geoghan and Johnna MacArthur were able to meet up in NYC earlier this year and spent the day catching up and talking about everything except Wordle. Neither of them looks like they have aged one bit since graduation. Jen’s daughter Lola (Westover Class of ’18) was graduating in May from Loyola U. in MD. She will be attending Scripps for a post-baccalaureate year and applying to medical school. Her other daughter, Fiona, is attending law school at Rutgers and “living at home with the most awesome mom and dad in the world,” who can’t wait to be empty-nesters again.

MARRA

As we enter the second year of the pandemic that changed life as we all knew it, I always find

Congratulations to Sarah Jones Garcia, who was appointed an advisor to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s cabinet office on COVID-related health research. She also started a company training executives and teams on mental health for the work place and trained 1,000 people

Jennifer Brent and Jennifer Baron Brandt spent their 50th birthdays together in Taos, NM. I swear you could hear the laughter from the photos! Jenn Brent’s daughter, Amelia, is a first-year student at Westover. After a rough COVID start for all the girls (quarantine was a necessary evil, but oh-so-hard to be isolated your first week away from home), Jenn reports that she is loving Westover and having some of the same amazing experiences we all did. Jen Brandt is celebrating her 4th anniversary to her husband, a Deerfield graduate. Both of her sons are in college a second year at Northeastern and a first year at USC. She and her hus band split their time between Brooklyn and Phoenicia, NY.

Jillian Evans-Beauchamp Franciscovich and family are doing great. Ethan is a first year at U. of VT, and Aislyn and Wynne are crushing 11th and 8th grade respectively. The family was able to grab some time on the slopes of Canada this past winter. Jill and Dan continue to teach and must be doing something right, because they both look like they are students themselves.

As for me, Bryan and I are down to two kids left in the house. Our daughters are all doing well in school and sports and life in general. Sydney graduated from RIT in May with a triple major: Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology. Maddie is finishing her third year at LSU. She made the SEC Championships in swimming this year, and we got to watch her compete at U. of Tennessee in Knoxville. Avery is a first year at Tulane she has had quite the year between COVID quarantine, hurricanes, and tornados. She is majoring in Chemical Engineering and plans on following mom’s footsteps

in medicine. Britton is a junior in high school and plays beach volleyball but, for nearly all ath letes in the Class of ’23, COVID has made recruiting nearly impossible for kids who aren’t the best of the best… 6th year seniors make available spots slim! Our youngest, Emerson, is a sophomore in high school and continues to run cross-country and do track and field. Bryan and I both retired from clinical med icine in 2021, but we continue to work in the healthcare industry.

I am so looking forward to seeing all of you again in 2025, and will continue to cherish all the moments we have shared together these past 32 years.

1991

ELIZABETH KOSTOJOHN ’91 e.kostojohn@gmail.com

Thank you so much to everyone in the Class of ’91 who wrote to me. I hope that people’s lives are closer to normal in the wake of the pandemic. I’m looking forward to the next time that we can have a reunion in person.

Allie Conway Marks moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL, in Aug. 2021. Allie says that if anyone finds themselves in the area, let her know and she would love to see everyone. Sue Millspaugh McLeran wrote in for the first time, which is great! Sue said, “Some of you Class of ’91 folks may not remember me, as I was only at Westover our sophomore year, but I have fond memories of that year that I was there.” Sue currently lives in Bethlehem, CT, in the house that she grew up in (her parents have moved out). She is married and has two boys one about to go into high school (not sure where yet) and one going into sixth grade at their local Montessori school. Sue tells us that she keeps busy driving her kids around (ugh!) and help ing to manage her family’s hard ware store. This is not something that she ever imagined doing,

but she says that it keeps her on her toes as she learns new things and uses lots of the skills that she picked up along the way in her various careers as a school librarian, IT person, and middle school science teacher.

A few years back, Sue had a fun few months filling in at their local elementary school for the school librarian, and reconnect ing a bit with Michelle Kubiska Tscheppe, who works there. That experience taught Sue that she definitely prefers working with middle school and high school students than with the little ones!

Sue would love to hear from any one who wants to reconnect.

Kris Fullerton Stephens tells us that she was officially divorced in May 2021 (by the grace of God, says Kris!). Kris bought a house in Cockeysville, MD, and moved there in July 2021. Kris says that Jen Asteris ’92 came to visit Kris’s new place last August, and then they traveled together to Tampa, FL. They went both to visit Kris’s eldest son, Isaiah, at college, and to have a girls’ trip as well. Kris says that she’s so blessed to have many Westover friends. Kris turns 50 in June, and she’s so happy for how great she feels. She continues to have a health coaching business and a CBD advocate business, both of which she loves. Kris’s eldest son is 20, a sophomore at U. of Tampa, and a talented pho tographer. Her middle son is 15 and a freshman in high school. Her youngest is 8 and in first grade. Kris sends her love to all. Vanessa Subotic Milewski and her family still live in Alexandria, VA. She still enjoys teaching Spanish, and she hopes to see some of the Class of ’91 in 2022.

Helena Riesenfeld D’Arcy said that all is well in Sweden. However, with her oldest child being in the Air Force, Helena and her family are very aware of the war being fought not very far from Sweden, and threatening to get closer still. Helena was diagnosed in April 2021 with cancer in the esophagus. She spent large parts of last year with fairly tough chemother

a major

operation, which all seems to have been successful, at least so far. (I’m so sorry for all that you have endured, Helena.) She says that she is immensely grateful for having survived, but she has also learned to take nothing for granted, and to appreciate all the little things. Helena says that her constant invitation still stands: If in Sweden, do let her know!

Katherine Sredl, PhD attended our zoom 30th Reunion in May 2021 from Zagreb, and she was so glad to see you all! Back in Chicago for the fall, Katherine spent a beautiful Thanksgiving 2021 with Maria Petrone and her family. Katherine is still at Loyola, and she still teach es marketing and research gender. Katherine had a recent publication on gender, stigma, and corporate social responsi bility social media campaigns, focusing on #LikeAGirl and user-generated content about periods. She says that she may look at menopause and the double stigma of menopause and aging. Katherine is also doing work on gender, sex, and the healthcare industry, and gender and images of disaster (Sonja Osborne’s AP Art History is still coming through for her). Katherine tells us that she has a boring, middle-aged life and that she’s very grateful for that. She also creates Google slides after each of her dates, which sounds totally hilarious. Kath erine sends much love, joy, and health to all of you!

Kyla Reynolds P’an and her family have pushed a two-year expat assignment to Portugal to an indefinite one. They went from renting to owning, sold their US residence, and are only looking forward. Her kids, now 16 and 13, attend an interna tional school in Sintra, and Kyla continues her role as Managing Editor of World Moms Network. She counts on hearing from Westover pals planning a visit to Portugal. Kyla says it’s a pretty magical place.

I still live in Arlington, MA, with my husband and 14-year-old son. I can’t quite believe that

he’ll be starting high school this fall. I’m hoping that his high school experience is wonderful, but I can’t help thinking about how different it will be from our experience at Westover. Thank you again, Class of ’91, for writing in! I’m wishing all of you health and happiness in 2022.

1994

ZOWIE (JOHANNA) COX 94 johannacatherinecox @gmail.com

From Zowie (Johanna) Cox: “I have started several new adven tures! I am still in IT and have moved into a leadership role where I am helping my team begin their careers in technolo gy. I have also begun graduate school at the U. of Missouri Kansas City and am working on my MBA, along with a Graduate Certificate of Business Analytics.”

Stacy Tattar writes that life’s been good with all its ups and downs. She is taking a break from nursing and is currently serving as the Walk Chair for the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation, a local nonprofit that holds an annual walk each year to raise funds for research. She completed the half-mara thon distance in Oct. 2021 and loved her experience so much that she joined the organization. She is wishing our class and the Westover community much health and happiness.

Alicia Lyttle has permanently moved from Jamaica to GA and has started getting into real estate, following in Kate Witry’s footsteps! Her digital agency was awarded a gold placement in the 2021 Dotcomm awards, honoring excellence in web cre ativity and digital communica tion. In 2020 she won Platinum in the Ava Digital Awards, and in 2019 she won both Platinum and Gold in the MarCom awards.

Tori Campbell writes about her darling daughter, Colette “Coco” Campbell, born 4/25/2020. They

2002 Celebrating

20th Reunion

Tatiana Fonseca DaSilva ’07,

Alumnae

Young Alumna

Captain

moved to Martha’s Vineyard to help her parents and to get help with Coco during COVID. She is currently teaching English Language Arts and Film to kids in Martha’s Vineyard schools. In February she had the honor of co-curating a film series at MoMA, with her own shortfilm work featured. Her Bronx students were also featured among some of the films, which included works by filmmakers Lynne Sacks, Ken Jacobs and Alain Berliner. “It felt pretty momentous, given we had a big crowd in a live screening the first in a while due to COVID.”

2000

SUSAN BROOMHEAD

TAYLOR ’00

Sbroomhead@gmail.com

NICOLE SIELLER

WARNEK ’00 Nicole.sieller@gmail.com

Lynda Erbs Farquharson says hi to everyone from her home in New Preston, CT, where she lives with husband Adam and son William (born 9/15/20). Lynda recently took over as the Director of Sales and Marketing at her dad’s company, Advanced Micro Controls Inc. It’s been a major shift of gears, but also a huge growth opportunity, and she loves raising William in CT. In their free time, Adam and Lynda volunteer with H.O.R.S.E., a rescue facility for horses that works on rehabilitation and training with a goal of adoption.

Vicki Viera welcomed son James Leonard Viera on 12/1/21! He’s happy and healthy, and they’re hoping to make a trip to CT this summer to visit folks. (Let’s plan a mini reunion!)

Talaria Haast Andemicael has also landed back in CT! She’s living in North Haven, CT, and invites everyone to a party at her house. (How about when Vicki and James come to visit this summer!?!)

Rhiannon Rhodes and husband Mark, having previously eloped in 2020, held a wedding celebra tion with family and friends in Oct. 2021! Amelia Sutton, Katie Aldrich, Maura Tansley, and Elizabeth Fitzgerald Walker traveled to Cape Coral, FL, to be there for the big day. Per Rhi annon: “A real highlight was the toast given by Amelia and Katie: a revival of their legendary per formance of the Introduction to The Canterbury Tales, in rap form. Yeah, that’s right, my wedding included rapped Chaucer. Next level Westovering!”

Crystal Pemberton Howe has exciting news! After years of hard work, G.O. B.I.G. (Great Opportunities and Boundless Innovations for Girls) was recommended for state board approval. G.O. B.I.G. will be the first all-girls STEM charter school in NC and will launch in 2023 in West Charlotte, NC, with 300 scholars in grades K-2. Their mission is to provide an immersive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education for girls, fostering their academic achievement, entrepreneurial mindset, character develop ment, and social responsibility,

ultimately empowering them to excel in college and the world beyond. Their weighted lottery will target girls from communi ties that have been educationally and economically disadvantaged.

Crystal designed the school, hoping to blend the educa tional rigor that she received at Westover with the joy and culturally responsive pedagogy that she has tried to infuse into her classrooms everyday as an educator for the past 20 years.

Crystal is excited to be the pro posed school leader for G.O. B.I.G. and is currently enrolled in a doctoral program for Educational Leadership at Northcentral U., scheduled to graduate in fall 2022. On the home front, Crystal and her wife are serving as foster parents to two beautiful children (ages 2 and 3) who have brought tremendous joy to their lives each day.

Maura (Mo) Tansley joined forces with a good friend to open a law firm in Jan. 2021, Tans ley|Halloran. It’s been a whirlwind first year but very rewarding! In Jan. 2022 they welcomed a third attorney, and they’re looking to steadily grow in the future. Mo is now handling murder cases, and she was recently accepted into a mentorship program to take appointed federal cases. She took a break this April to head to Scotland to relax and explore.

Lille Thompson Craig moved out of Long Island in Dec. 2019 and into “a very small house on a very small piece of land,”

just outside of Ithaca, NY. At the time of the move, it was just her husband Ian, son Owain and dogs Jefe and Zoe. But much to the dogs’ skepticism and their big brother’s joy, Lille and Ian welcomed twins Colin and Laughlin in Apr. 2021. Lille left the education field to work at a geospatial intelligence start-up and is having a blast so far.

Jacqueline Jacques James recently caught up with Izu Emeagwali ’01 (for coffee) and Amma Osei ’01 (for sangrias) in NYC, the first time seeing them since COVID. Jacky says her family is doing well and the boys are now 10, 7, and 3.

Elizabeth Fitzgerald Walker and husband Matthew were overjoyed to welcome their son Elliott Fitzgerald Walker, born 3/11/22.

Kate Walker says hi and happy 40th birthday to those of us hitting the milestone this year.

In Feb. 2021 Kate developed unexplained vertigo, which turned out to be a benign acoustic neuroma on the vestibular nerve in her right ear. After spending many months dizzy 24/7 (and stumbling around as if she’d had a few too many...) she had brain surgery on 6/3/21. The good news is they were able to remove 100% of the tumor! The long-term side effects include complete hearing loss in her right ear and some balance disturbance as

the Class of 2000: Ameliaranne Sutton, Katie Aldrich, Rhiannon Rhodes, Maura Tansley, Elizabeth Fitzgerald Walker

her brain rewires. Through all of this, Kate continues to direct the Dance Conservatory at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas. She’s not teaching as much movement right now, but she is teaching some dance and lots of theory classes. On the family front, Declan is 12 now and in 7th grade. Brian and Kate are prepping for parenting a teenager and “hoping Declan is a nicer human than either of us were as adolescents!” Still, Kate is fully aware that “karma is a bitch,” and as a high school teacher and a mom she’s ready to get back what she gave on an epic scale!

Jacqueline Talbot writes that she still hasn’t fulfilled her year book prediction, and instead she spent the past two years being other people. In Germany or the US, she’s played an animal, a witch, a murderous voice, a royal courtesan, a mistress, an attempted assassin of a Presi dent, Simone de Beauvoir, and the last woman on Earth. She also became a mermaid, and a music video will soon come out in which she plays Rachael from Blade Runner. The most meaningful part of her life lately has been caring for her cat, Pim (named after Otto Frank), who was diagnosed with heart failure and kidney disease. Pim’s defied

the odds for two months and is a dream cat. Jacqueline is celebrating her Uncle Trygve, one of the last Norwegians alive to have fought in D-Day, who turned 100 this year, and her grandfather, Ernest, a WWII veteran who served in Belgium and who, at 98, survived COVID twice, and at the time of writing in her news had experienced it a third time. Jacqueline also asked to honor Katie Barr, her Uncle Jack, and dear dog Moo Shu, all lost this past year.

As for me (Nikki Sieller Warnek), it’s been a good year with lots to be grateful for. Our family’s CrossFit business is back in full swing after the trials of COVID. We’ve spent a lot of time hiking and biking with Carver, 8, and Sage, 6, who are growing fast. And our small town of Phoenix ville, PA, has taken off, with lots of restaurants and breweries

moving in, making it a fun eve ning destination. (Visitors wel come anytime!) One of the best parts of 2021 was how many times I got to see Sarah Schipul Swift and her family. The Swifts still live in Brooklyn, NY, where Cleo, 5, is in kindergarten and June, 2, will start preschool in the fall. They adopted a dog, Paloma, this winter. Our families have met up for everything from hiking to visiting the Statue of Liberty to celebrating 40th birth days to going to the ballet. Sarah was excited to meet Lynda Erbs Farquharson’s adorable son William this past year.

In Memoriam of Kathryn (Katie) Barr 2/5/1982–6/27/2021

Thank you to everyone who sent in notes and memories in honor of Katie:

Lille Thompson Craig ’00 & family

Jacqueline Talbot ’00 acting at Sturbridge Village

Jacqueline Jacques James ’00 & Amma Osei ’01

Sarah Schipul Swift ’00 & Nikki Sieller Warnek ’00 and families at the Statue of Liberty

Class Notes

REUNION HIGHLIGHTS

“Katie was my roommate junior year, her first year at Westover. She was unlike most anyone else I’d encountered or will encounter; always outspoken, always with an opinion, and always looking to brighten up life. Despite the fact that in those pre-camera phone days, most of us put little to no effort into our morning routine, Katie would set her alarm for pre-dawn every day to get up and begin groom ing. This included blow-drying her hair using the outlet next to my head. I’m not sure what was wrong with the other outlets in the room, or whether she thought the average room mate could sleep through such cacophonous torture, but this persisted on a daily basis. How else could she maintain her infa mous blow-drying muscle?! Ask around: the girl was toned. (This was also a known fact, given her proclivity for walking around in the nude. Again, this was in a time where most of us were awkward and shy and ashamed of our teen selves. Not Katie! She was bold and confident in all ways.) I’ll also always remember that whenever she’d come into our room to find me listening to music (shout out to late ’90s grunge), she’d start yelling at me to turn off the ‘hate music’ and put on something happier. (‘Hate music,’ to Katie, was anything that wasn’t bubble gum pop or, her favorite, ‘Me and Mrs. Jones,’ played on top volume.) Katie never had much of a filter, but if anything, it was just another sign of how openly and freely she expressed herself and lived her life. You always knew where you stood with Katie, but due to her desire to always find the happy, it was usually in a good place.”

— Rhiannon Rhodes

“I think of KB often. I thought that she was really cool and very funny. She always had great hair and smelled liked Bvlgari Pour Femme. I remember her carrying Carol and Tony Santos’ little girl around campus a lot. You could tell even then that she was going to be a great mom. My heartfelt

condolences to Ty and those beautiful children.”

— Elizabeth Fitzgerald Walker

“I remember her smile and warmth.”

— Talaria Haast Andemicael

“My two favorite memories of Katie are:

1) watching her flip her hair in Shamus’s class. I was so envious of that volume; she told me it was because her head was cone-shaped, but really she just had stunning hair.

2) I remember click-click-click ing on her door and then just walking into her room (I don’t remember whether she told me to come in or if I just did). She was naked and blow-drying her hair. I apologized, and she said it was no problem and just to stay. We talked while she blow-dried her hair. (The one thing she was wearing was perfume by Jean Paul Gartier, the pink kind.) Katie is the only person I personally know who has died of COVID and what a tragedy. I pray for her, her partner, her children and her family. She should be here with them, and since she can’t be in the same way, I hope she is like she was in life: happy, wild, and free. Love you, Katie.”

— Jacqueline Talbot

2001

COURTNEY YADOUGA MCDONNELL ’01 Cmyadouga@gmail.com

RACHEL STOCK LESHER ’01 rachelElesher@gmail.com

Amy Hollaman: Amy Hollaman excitedly accepted a new role in sunny Miami. She is now the Director of Guest Experience at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Of course, she will miss her focus on Halloween-themed events, but you can catch her on the Disney Plus show, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, in episode 5 of Season 2. Amy says to call her anytime you’re

2007 Celebrating their 15th Reunion

Susanne Charbonneau Carpenter ’93, President of the Alumnae Association, presented the 2020 Distinguished Young Alumna Award to Alyssa Siefert Jarvi ’05.

Evelyn Mervine Gauntlett ’02 was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Evelyn was unable to attend in person and sent a recorded acceptance of the honor.

For more reunion highlights, log into Westover Connect at WESTOVERCONNECT.ORG

Class Notes

in Miami and want to see one of the most prestigious gardens in the world.

Katie Perkins Marko: “Rachel Stock Lesher’s relocation to Savannah has been simply wonderful! We have enjoyed getting our children together a few times already. Speaking of children, we welcomed a new little lady into our family: Johnnie Eloise Marko made her debut in Sept. ’21. We are delighted to add another little lady to our crew and are all absolutely head-over-heels in love with her. Sending lots of love to all of my Westover friends.”

2003 KARIMAH GOTTSCHALCK ’03 Kag123biz@gmail.com

DANIELLE STEWART KNOPE ’03 Danielle.s.knope@gmail.com

Amanda Newberg Thomas and her husband Michael are thrilled to welcome the newest addition to their family, their first child, William David Thomas! Will was born on 2/18/22 at 11:43 am, weighing 7 lbs. 13 oz. For a surprise baby shower, Amanda was joined by Elizabeth Kveton and Sarah Welinsky Hoffman in person and Lindsay Bell, Lauren Brady East, Sarah Bronko Williams, Karimah Gottschalck, Emily Pomeroy Schneider, Danielle Stewart Knope, and Jessica Haggerty virtually.

Sarah Welinsky Hoffman, who had lots of fun at the shower, also welcomed a newborn her second child, Andrew Thomas Hoffman, last April.

Angelique Carvalho is all smiles! She quit her career in hospitality management to start working in tech, working remotely as an analyst for a startup in TX. She bought her first home, and she is newly engaged to her partner.

She frequently chit-chats with Shanell Littlejohn Lavery ’02, who’s doing very well. While visiting New Orleans for the first time this spring, Angelique planned to connect with Vicki Viera ’00.

Colette Opsahl Fennessy is enjoying her job at Collins Aerospace, where she leads a research team focused on developing additive manufacturing technology (also known as 3D printing) for aerospace parts. She recently received her 7th patent in this technology.

I, Karimah Gottschalck, am grateful to have survived the pandemic in NYC. A year ago, I started consulting for a start-up as a side-hustle; this month, we closed our seed investment round and I have been named their Chief Brand Officer. I look forward to sharing more exciting news once details can be made public next Alumnae issue!

Jin Lee was accepted into the Class of 2022 Presidential

Program. For the 7th year running, the program has selected 60 scholars from a varied network of leaders to initiate meaningful change across the world by learning about leadership from the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

2006

ANN CASCELLA ’06 ajcascella@gmail.com

MELISSA ARSENIE ’06 melarsenie@gmail.com

ALISA FORNEY ’06 forney.alis@gmail.com

From Brianna Stefka: “I was married April 16, 2021, to Timothy Richter at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, FL, after canceling twice throughout 2020 thanks, COVID! We had an intimate ceremony surrounded by close family and friends including fellow alum Amy Pompea Cestra ’05. I am now living in Charlotte, NC, and working in finance.”

2007

LAUREN BORKOWSKI SORDELET ’07 borkowski.lauren@gmail.com

JACQUELINE SIEFERT CUSHING ’07 jacqueline.siefert@gmail.com

Mary Cutrali traveled to NYC to celebrate the IPO of HashiCorp on the NASDAQ index. Alongside her

colleagues, she had the honor to ring the opening bell on 12/9/21. Afterwards, she enjoyed a congratulatory lunch with Lauren Borkowski Sordelet.

Tatiana Fonseca DaSilva welcomed her second baby boy, Mateo Agostinho DaSilva, on 3/7/22.

2008

CYRENE ELIZABETH

FOLTZ ’08 Cyrene.elizabeth.foltz@gmail.com

REBECCA BERNBACH GRAVES ’08 rebeccabernbach@gmail.com

YAISHNA SANTCHURN ’08 ysantchurn@gmail.com

Capt. Genevieve Zasada Anonsen mission qualified in the F-16 on 6/4/21. She graduated from F-16 training at Holloman Air Force Base in NM and is currently stationed in Washington, DC.

41. Colette Opsahl Fennessy ’03 was recently awarded her seventh patent at Collins Aerospace 42. Mary Cutrali ’07 celebrating the IPO of HashiCorp on the NASDAQ index

Cousins Julia Pape ’23 and Alexandra Pape ’12. Alexandra is the coach of the Ethel Walker JV Squash team

Passages

WEDDINGS

Heidi Luquer ’81 to Bill Bates August 2021

Cynthia Preston ’97 to Jay Cogswell June 2021

Kelly Marages ’99 to Chris Hanrahan February 2020

Greta Atchinson ’02 to Jay Campbell November 2021

Ashley Curtis ’06 to Brett Cahill October 2021

Brianna Stefka ’06 to Timothy Richter April 2021

Dayna Hine ’07 to Rocky Merchant October 2021

Kendall Mulligan ’08 to Erica Morgan December 2021

Hannah Hartmann ’10 to Andrew McClaskey May 2022

Sarah Boyadjian ’12 to Matthew Pavia June 2022

Emily Jackson ’12 to Heston Anderson June 2022

Cailee Tallon ’14 to Dave Fiume September 18, 2021

BIRTHS

Lillian Thompson Craig ’00 Colin Tyler Craig and Laughlin Jack Craig April 2021

Vicki Viera ’00 James Leonard Viera December 2021

Elizabeth Fitzgerald Walker ’00 Elliott Fitzgerald Walker March 2022

Katie Perkins Marko ’01 Johnnie Eloise Marko Sept. 2021

Aimee Gough ’02 Luke Theodore Allen-Gough September 2021 Sarah Welinsky Hoffman ’03 Andrew Thomas Hoffman April 2021

Amanda Newberg Thomas ’03 William David Thomas February 2022 Sarah Poulin Carpentieri ’04 Lorenzo Angelo Carpentieri June 2021

Alyssa Siefert Jarvi ’05 Arthur Donald Jarvi February 2022

Abigail Calhoun Sherman ’05 Beatrix Greene Sherman February 2022

Jacqueline Siefert Cushing ’07 Alexandru Jacques Mosteanu III December 2021

Tatiana Fonseca DaSilva ’07 Mateo Agostinho DaSilva March 2022

Vanessa Li Hofacker ’07

Phineas Mark Hofacker November 2021

Alexandra Fonseca ’08 Francis Joshua Fonseca Guindon March 2022

Chelsea Dostaler Joyce ’08 Calliope Vita Joyce May 2022

FACULTY

Katherine Brink Director of Admission Cameron Brink Malchoff March 2022

Shamair Todman Director of Academic Services Amaradi April 2022

Meghan Buchanan Director of the Dance Program Evelyn "Evie" Mae Sutherland June 2022

DEATHS

Mary Harris Clark ’38 May 21, 2021

Allison Garver Caesar ’39 July 8, 2021

Josephine Grace Henry ’39, P’68

January 6, 2022

Ann Tomlinson Reed ’40, P’65 December 14, 2020

Carol Agar Harris ’41 August 7, 2021

Jane Foote Kruse ’41, P’69 May 23, 2020

Sonia Allen Spalding ’42, P’72

September 21, 2021

Nancy Heimbach Claypool ’42, P’64, ’70 August 23, 2021

Rebecca Hays Harrick ’43 April 15, 2021

Elizabeth Huidekoper Clark ’44 December 12, 2021

Helen Minton Farley ’44 June 9, 2022

Yvonne Perry Segerstrom ’44 October 18, 2019

Justine Harwood Laquer ’45 August 17, 2021

Mary Wilshire Mead ’45 December 27, 2020

Cintra Morgan Badenhausen ’45 March 7, 2021

Anne Newbold Godfrey ’46 February 24, 2022

Anna Ewing Bull ’47 October 25, 2019

Cornelia Gibson Nelson ’48 November 4, 2021

Louise Hoover Neuhoff ’48 November 18, 2021

5

Passages

Patricia Richardson

Jamison ’48 February 6, 2022

Suzanne Spencer Garvin ’48 August 27, 2021

Elizabeth Stettinius Young ’48 August 3, 2020

Hedda Windisch von Goeben ’48 October 8, 2021

Stephanie Stunzi Zuellig ’48 November 1, 2021

Lois Boots Berry ’49 April 21, 2022

Pamela Jayne Miller ’49 July 22, 2021

Joan Peterkin Foxwell ’49 September 24, 2021

Lorna MacLean Terhune ’50 January 27, 2021

Suzan Beard Bryant ’51, P’77

August 19, 2021

Virginia Faesy ’51 February 3, 2021

Miriam DeCosta-Willis ’52 January 7, 2021

Jean Ackerman Robinson ’53 January 19, 2021

Mary Gipson Barkley ’53 May 27, 2021

Elisabeth Stylianidou Papathanassiou ’53 January 20, 2022

Josephine Kane Wood ’53 September 16, 2021

Marcia McCuaig Geer ’53, GP’21 November 30, 2020

Joy Peterkin Rasin ’54 April 22, 2021

Suzan Beard Bryant ’51, P’77 August 19, 2021

Sherry Fisher Huber ’55 June 4, 2022

Marie Louise Sibley Scudder ’55 January 3, 2022

Mary-Arthur Doolittle Beebe ’58

January 29, 2021

Susan Sterling Monjauze ’59

June 13, 2021

Judith Swanson Redway ’59 March 19, 2021

Abigail Mason Browne ’61 May 21, 2021

Sharon Greene Ogden ’64 August 5, 2021

F. Kimberly Sartorius Mel ’66

August 16, 2021

Sandra Hay ’67 April 3, 2022

Deborah Brewster ’68 August 26, 2021

Shelley Sagar Payer ’71 November 15, 2021

Antonia Palfrey ’72 January 15, 2022

Mary Jane Mitchell

Hemmings ’77

December 29, 2021

Kathryn Barr ’00

June 27, 2021

Lindsay Cunningham ’10 June 4, 2021

1. Stacy Tattar ’94 and her hus band Norm Boulanger at their wedding in 2021

2. Andrew Thomas Hoffman, son of Sarah Welinsky Hoffman ’03

3. William David Thomas, son of Amanda Newberg Thomas ’03

4. Arthur Donald Jarvi, son of Alyssa Siefert Jarvi ’05

5. Mateo Agostinho DaSilva, son of Tatiana Fonseca DaSilva ’07

6. Brianna Stefka ’06 and Timothy Richter at their April 16, 2021 wedding

7. Alexandru Jacques Mosteanu III, son of Jacqueline Siefert Cushing ’07

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