OA-Spring 2023

Victoria “Vicky” Vallecillo sent an update, “Took my grandkids to Europe and had a great time. Went to Paris, Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid.” She adds, “if you can come to Puerto Rico I have a guest room where you can stay. It would be a lot of fun.” We agree that a class cruise to Alaska is still a hope— perhaps a plan for group travel? Mary “Peg” Smith Bodt and Jack have moved back to Richmond at the request of older son John to be more active with our grandkids and have more family time. “We’re making the transition from winter in Phoenix, Arizona but we do miss our life and friends, especially Barbara “Barb” Roguski Mandal and Niall. Also, it’s easier to see Mike (in NYC) and Katie (teacher in Madrid) if we’re on the east coast. I wish good health, peace, love and happiness to you all!” Karen Skinner Lafkas has a great history of Woods commitment travel and service. “One of the fun times these past years is being on the Board of Trustees with wonderful and dedicated people and, especially, with Barbara “Newt” Martin Fossum and Kathryn “Kathie” Martin ’63 . As I drive home, I really laugh out loud thinking of the weekend with them. They are such a blessing in my life.” Elizabeth McGinnis Strodtman wrote “I have to keep reminding myself that the Lord is in charge. He took my very ill husband away last February but gave me a new grandson Jude in April. My sons are in town and helpful but busy. The oldest grandchild is a freshman at IU in international studies. Next is a high school senior checking out colleges and playing lacrosse. The four-year-old is a performer, singing “Let it Be” at the top of her lungs.” Grandchildren offer all kinds of hopes and faith in the future of the planet. So often they offer us the best news of the day. Grannykate’s Swiss Miss Lily makes it a perfect day when she FaceTimes adventures and reels of skiing, gymnastics, math skills, cookie baking and learning to play the marimba. (Her dad didn’t know but the marimba was my middle school musical instrument choice, before oboes and piano) The six hours ahead is midafternoon for her, waaaaay too early for me. She, her family, my Krider & Satchwill clan and my local sons have more than been enthusiastic about Tom Christiana, a retired IBMer who worked on the production and development of the IBM Selectric typewriter! I uncovered a historic Times Roman script element when I sold my house and moved to enjoy Lake Norman sunsets with him in December. What a treasure. Catherine Cunningham writes, “We are moving to Portland, Oregon. Life for us here has changed a lot — friends dying, moving, divorcing… The “moving” included Roz’s daughter and family moving to Portland last June. We can be ready for a new adventure! We are moving to a retirement community called Willamette View. Seems like a smart thing to do. Turns out downsizing and getting ready to move are quite time-consuming. Who knew we had so much stuff! It’s been a crazy six months. “ Final note from me: Can I hear a universal chorus of “Agree. Amen. Alleluia“ from y’all as I remember the harmonies of the Madrigals, the dining room raucous fight songs and a sentimental rendition of the Ring Song? I 100% agree with the last lines of Cunns’ email. It seems to me it applies to all of us. “We are experiencing excitement and sadness and exhaustion in equal measure. So that’s our news.”

time with Juliet in February of 2023. Of course, it’s not new, but there are those weekly family dinners Gay hosts for the Scherrer clan that have been going on for years. Marie Manganaro Ragan had a very special 80th Birthday celebration, hosted by her three daughters. We know it was special because Margaret Ann Mathews O’Neill and Patrick were in attendance. Marie is doing very well and is off to spend February in Florida. Carol Thyen Haas is still living in Jasper, Indiana and doing well. She has three grown children, and six grandchildren, and loves the idea of soon becoming a great-grandma. She shared the sad news that her husband of fifty-six years died of a heart attack in August 2022. Gretchen Stipher Cain and Jim are taking care of their son’s two little boys now. She requests prayers since their mother has cancer. Jim has made a great recovery from recent heart surgery. This recovery prompted a tennis game resulting in a fall, twelve stitches and a black eye. Before their oldest grandson left for university in England, there was a British-themed party. Gretchen and Jim went as King Charles and Camilla! Katharine Yang is living in a retirement center in New York, not far from her son Wellington. She related in a phone call that she is happy and healthy, settled in her own lovely apartment there and that it is a nice neighborhood for walks. She keeps busy with organized activities and watching her favorite TV programs. Marco and I had a glorious year: January in Arizona, visiting close friends and hiking in the White Tank Mountains; 16 days in Jordan and Egypt, fulfilling my dream of walking the Al Siq to the al Khazneh of Petra, Jordan; and five weeks in France, celebrating my 80th in Paris! We spent 17 days in September in Indianapolis attending the International Violin Competition. Let us hold each other in prayer and be thankful for our beloved Woods for bringing us together. ’65 Katherine “Kate” Krider Satchwill 612 Mallard Head Ln Mooresville, NC 28117-8900 (704) 517-3756 kkskatherine@hotmail.com “Anytime ‘65ers get a chance to be together, they do. In 2022 14 of us could and did. We were just about the only ones in the Guest House which is a good thing because we would have kept anyone not already in the living room awake. We’re a good class of laughers who enjoy each other.” Nancy Hurrle Emmett “Our 57th Reunion last May was definitely a highlight of 2022. Wish more could’ve been there, Barbara “Barb” Roguski Mandal added. Elizabeth “Betty” Borders McAndrews noted when she sent me her news, “It was great seeing many more friends at this last May Reunion. I also made it back to The Woods for Thanksgiving at my sister’s and was in Chicago in October for a niece’s wedding, which was beautiful. Barbara “Barb” Thier Morris commented in her post-reunion note: “The changes on campus are beautiful. It was such a pleasure seeing the newly renovated bathrooms in Le Fer and the addition of new living suites on campus. Fond memories were shared throughout the weekend with many laughs and good times!” Elizabeth McGinnis Strodtman ’s Onyx news response said, “Met a recent grad from SMWC at my

church and have to admit, if the other guys are like him, I’m glad we went coed.” She opened with a smile, I’m guessing, as she continued, “I still think our ring looks silly on their big hands.” And speaking of the ring, I love the booklet filled with photos, stories and historical traditions. Worth making an extra contribution to The Woods. Nancy Hurrle Emmett said, “The thought has crossed my mind to donate my Woods ring, which was donated to me, sooner than later, knowing how much the price has increased for students. ” Barbara “Barb” Roguski Mandal added in her update: “I filled out the form and told my son where to send my Woods Ring once I don’t need it anymore. I encourage everyone to look into the possibility of donating her ring to a junior who can’t afford a new one. What use is it as an ash in our urn?” Barbara “Barb” Fox Vanek always offers thoughtful updates. “Life is good, though in slower motion than before Covid and as I am embarking on my 80th year! Mary “Demps” Dempsey Garvey and I keep up with each other, and she and I had a great lunch with Mary Barrett in the fall. We didn’t reminisce all that much and thoroughly enjoyed sharing our present lives and discussing current issues from shared and different perspectives. One of the true gifts of this time in life is long-time friends with whom you can pick right up where you left off. Catherine “Cunns” Cunningham was in town after Thanksgiving, so we had several good visits too. We Chicagoans ‘65 miss Mary Susan “Susie” Piszczek McPartlin ’s annual luncheon, but I also had a long phone talk with her. We’re still a vibrant, interesting and interested group of women.” Mary Susan “Susie” Piszczek McPartlin added her own email update to Barb’s news. “Larry and I haven’t traveled since the pandemic. However, daughter Kelly and I traveled to Hilton Head for eight days. We saw the sun only two of those days. So much for beach time! I am enjoying having daughter Katie, her husband and grandsons Alex, 10, and Sam, 7, living just 40 minutes away. I continue to serve in various ministries at church. “ Martha “Marti” Sullivan O’Neill called me just before I started writing up notes she shared some great stories of trips she enjoyed with a senior group— one to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and another to New Orleans, Louisiana. Different folks but all fun. “I’m revving up for another longer trip in 2024, “ she added. “Send more news and post photos,” said I. Marti regularly talks with Elizabeth “Liz” Benstent Tuttle and Mary Helen Walker Clayton . Liz and Rick have moved into a senior community, and Marti said, “Liz is loving it! Because Rick’s in a wheelchair, the accessibility is especially great for him.” Health challenges continue for Mary Helen’s son and her husband. Mary Helen’s husband struggles with serious infection in his foot, and her son has experienced some problems due to a relapse of his difficulties. Nancy Stander Kes posted, I ended up doing social work with the Navajo and Apache Indians in St. Michael’s, Arizona. It was there that I realized that I wanted to be a teacher. I taught at the Finneytown schools and accepted a teaching job in Bermuda! I finally met my future husband, we married, and three months later, he was sent to Vietnam. I have three grown children and five grown granddaughters! I live with my best friend at Mapleknoll in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mary “Bobbie” Barrett writes, “Hi Kate. Sitting at the gate at O’Hare, waiting with some family to depart to India, for my nephew’s wedding reception. So good to be traveling for such a happy occasion! We’ll have a chance to see Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal, then onto Abu Dhabi and Dubai! First big trip in a couple of years to get me back in the groove. “

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