2012 Class Notes

DI MARSTON WOOD and JUDITH (MISTY) TURINO GIEDONSE write:

Upon the passing of our dear classmate and friend, SUE FRESH ANDERSON, ANNE (ANZIE) ENZWORTH WHITNEY, who has been a Class Agent for some time, stepped up to offer her service to our class. She will assist MISTY as Co-Head Class Agent in the completion of the 2011-12 Annual Fund campaign as well as through June 30th, 2013 and our 55th Reunion. Anzie bring so many years of fund raising experience to the job, and she and Misty are teamed up once again having served together as President and Vice President of our class in the eighties. We thank them both . . .

MARY RINTOUL QUILLING

Mary passed away on 3/6/12 in Indianapolis, Ind. An outstanding scholar and academic, she graduated with honors from MHC in 1958 and went on to earn her teaching certification from Harvard Univ. Mary acquired post secondary degrees at the Univ. of Wisconsin/Madison (MS in ’65 and PhD in ’73 in statistical analysis). A committed educator, she began her career in education as an elementary school teacher and later taught at the Univ. of Mass. Mary was an accomplished professional who spent much of her career working in the private sector, evaluating school systems across the nation to ensure delivery of the highest quality of education to children and young adults. She was a champion for the preservation of the environment and the natural world, loving to spend time at her summer home on Lake Tahkodah in Cable WI. Mary was actively involved in many organizations in Northern WI., including the Cable-Namekagon Historical Museum and the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. She was instrumental in the creation and development of the Tahkodah Lake District. Mary was a caring and committed mother and grandmother. She is survived by her son, Bruce Quilling; daughter- in-law, Jennifer; and 3 grandchildren. A celebration of life service is planned for the summer of 2012.

SUZANNE (SUE) FRESH ANDERSON

Sue passed away 4/28/12 after a long illness. After graduating with a B.A in English Literature, Sue went to work for J. Walter Thompson advertising agency in NY, advancing to copy writer. She continued to work as a writer and Editor, and most recently as a consultant to the Greater Newark Conservancy where she was a grant writer for 10 yrs.

Sue maintained close ties to Mt. Holyoke, serving the Class of 1958 for over 30 years as: Class Agent, Head Class Agent, Nom. Comm. Chair, Vice-Pres., Reunion Gift Caller, etc. She was also very active in the MH Club of Northern NJ and worked on the Major Gifts Northern NJ Comm. Her committee developed a fund-raising activity which involved sales of mints to alumnae across the US for over 20 yrs.

In addition to her enormous contributions to MHC, Sue served as Pres. of the Connection for Women and Chn. (formerly the Summit YWCA), and served 3 terms on the Session, governing body for the Central Presbyterian Church. She was also chair of Membership Commission at the church for 5 yrs. and developed Take Ten a social activity following each Sunday service. Sue was a very active, outgoing, positive woman with many friends with whom she shared her numerous interests – including gardening and growing plants.

Those of us who attended the Mini Reunion On Campus in Sept. 2011, will never forget her determination, spunk and positive outlook. She was determined to participate in her meetings, and we thank Jack for making sure she could attend. Sue is survived by her son, James, daughter, Caroline. and husband, Jack (Amherst ’55), who can be reached at 18 Harvey Dr., Summit, NJ 07901-1217.

MARILYN MacLAURYMETZ

Can’t believe I’m this old! Old enough to have my first grandchild graduating from college the end of May. I have my airline tickets all in order to fly to Minneapolis to attend the graduation ceremony at St.Olaf in Northfield, MN over Memorial Day weekend.

SALLY THOMAS

Sally is happily ensconced in Cambridge,MA and Harvard’s Institute for Learning in Retirement program – classes, concerts, plays, and lectures: fabulous. That and having my six grandchildren within an hour guarantees a good life, enhanced by an annual trip and some social life on the side…

Her son is a cook at Whole Foods in Portland Maine and her younger daughter is a consultant in the areas of womens’ rights, workplace issues and empowerment which takes her to Europe and Africa. My older daughter is a national security expert, housed at the JFK School of Government at Harvard, where she teaches, writes and consults. Her husband made an unsuccessful bid for the US Senate before Elizabeth Warren dropped in the race, but is serving in the third term as a State Representative. My triplet granddaughters are sophomores in the Wayland MA High School; their younger sister is in fifth grade in Wayland. I have two grandsons who now live in Groton MA, having moved from VA last fall. The older is enrolled at Lawrence Academy and the younger at the Fenn School. I look forward to a trip to Croatia in May with two Mount Holyoke women, one of whom is SUE SCHULLER VOCK.

LINDA TAFT LITTON

I cant remember when I last contributed to our class notes. I am staring full face at my 75th birthday which is truly alarming. I am still packing my days with i-dont-know-what. Had a wonderful trip to Croatia — my very first cruise — last fall. I seem to always be on my way to somewhere since all the offspring are in the midwest. At home I continue to share my expansive old house by donating gourmet dinners for fundraising auctions for local arts and nonprofits (in June it will actually include B&B for eight), and housing visiting musicians as part of the chamber music series where I serve on the board. Great way to meet interesting talented people and listen to them rehearse. I am shortly attending my 50th med school reunion where I will receive an award for “excellence in Anesthesiology”. (I think they just want my money).

I continue to be able to golf and bicycle when the weather is appropriate. I wanted to get to the V-8 reunion this spring, but unfortunately it didn’t work out

PATRICIA FEISER WISMER

Pat died on 1/9/12. “Wiz” as she was called by friends and those close to her will be remembered by all as a denizen of Lab Theater, a worker on stage settings, designer of artistic programs for dance performances, and, most notably, for our Junior Show! Laura Moretti, a surrogate daughter, who accompanied Pat to recent reunions, provided much of the following information. She was married to Lawrence Wisner for 43 years before his passing in 2004 at the age of 92. After receiving her BA in English from MHC, Pat went on to study speech, journalism, cinema and theater arts. She began teaching English, Drama and Photography at York City Schools in PA and then Chico (CA) Sr. H.S. until her retirement in ’96. Pat was a writer of musicals, chn’s plays and novels, as well as set and lighting designer for numerous plays at the various educational institutions to where she worked and studied. She received numerous prizes and awards for her outstanding contributions to education, including the Chico Unified SD Mentor Teacher from 1983-1993, and Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World.

JUDITH ST. LAWRENCE EMERSON

writes that Brenden Hedges, “a cherished young friend” is editing footage of PATRICIA FEISER WISMER and Chico’s faculty, creating a script entitled TIL THE NIGHT CLOSES IN with the cooperation also of Pat’s friends and her dialysis team as “a warm tribute to her ongoing courage throughout these challenging times.”

Pat especially loved cats and other animals and devoted her retirement to supporting the work of both The Chico Cat Coalition andThe Animals Voice (of Chico). Judith closes with: “I will remember her always and have photographs surrounding me that salute the efforts we made together to leave no plant ignored, and no splash of the ocean unattended.”

Condolences can be sent online at www.afforablemortuary.net.

SANDY KLAMKIN SCHOCKET

I am completing my 10th year as a docent at the Toledo Museum of Art. I have learned an amazing amount about art and there is always something new to keep my mind sharp. MEG CLAYTOR and I get together periodically and JUDY SWEETKIND LEVEY always meets me when I am in NY.

At the end of May I am going to my husband’s class’s 55th reunion at Yale. They invite widows for a very low fee. Having grown up 20 miles from there, I have always loved Yale and I am eager to see the new buildings. I went to their 50th when Emanuel Ax played just for their class. I get a Yale ’57 name tag and when I go into stores, people who have no concept that Yale was not always co-ed ask me how I enjoy coming back. I tell them it’s great without having to study or take exams.

MARTHA SYKES MURRAY

JANE HOOVER POLLEY, GINGER PISER PITMAN and I have been attending the N.Y. Philharmonic Rush Hour Concerts for 26 years. Martha writes, “What fun to get together over music and dinner.”

Posted January 10, 2012

CHARLOTTE (CHAR) BARTON SORNBORGER

Char’sholiday letter describes a year of juggling work, care-taking, visiting with family, travels etc. She spends hours working with the local land Trust and many hours.in the field for the terrapin research – her 23rd summer. Char helps and spends time with grandchildren, friends “in need” and her 103 yr.old mom. – whom she describes as listening“…to all kinds of books on CD’s, still does crossword puzzles and takes a lively interest in all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and (even) one great-great-grandchild.” Char’s children. and their families are spread from CA and Colo.to CA, pursuing interesting careers and interests. She and Marty took a Blount Small Ships cruise to the Bahamas last year and highly recommend it as a way to travel. In between al of this, Char finds some time for watercolor painting.

RUTH GERARD POLEY

would have liked to join us at our September Mini on-campus Reunion but was in Hawaii “finishing up our 50th anniversary celebration (after our kids came here and threw a “great” party for us). She’s kept busy with many projects particularly “a real jewish deli in town” at her temple. “They tell me it’s good for me and keeps me young; I think it’s just keeping me exhausted.”

PAT GORDON JOHNSON

After surviving 17 years of undiagnosed “Lyme”type disease and 5 years of antibiotic treatment that SLOWLY brought me back from the brink of the grave, Ed and I have still much to be thankful for: three fine daughters, five grandchildren, many adventure travels, years of interesting work, for Ed and the usual ‘support’ work for Pat. Florida has been “home” since 1963 with a ‘break’ in France in the military, and now we continue to enjoy the home-away from home we have inherited in R.I from Ed’s Mother.

CAROLINE (BUMPO) BUMP MARSH

writes that she is in good shape (two years past the kidney cancer “do”, almost ready to be done with PET scans) with just the more usual aging stuff to deal with. She and John spent summer and fall months cleaning out accumulated “stuff” preparing for the sale of Easy Run Farm, the family stronghold for the past 45 years. ” The sale proceeded quickly, and “despite undeniable twinges of regret that it is not a current part of our lives”, they’re relieved at not having the management responsibility for their operation and are now looking forward to more travel this year.

The Marshes are enjoying their membership in the Neyers Wine Club having joined after celebrating an April birthday with a personal wine tasting at the vineyard in St Helena, CA. Another special week-end occurred during the summer in Indiana – the first official Marsh family reunion . It was attended by 40 relatives and spouses – with promises to do it again soon. Both she and John continue to be involved in birding and conservation activities and enjoying family who live only 2 hours away – including Stella (6) and Sam (4).

ANN (THOMPS) THOMPSON

I am finding my 75th birthday to be a time of positive change and new beginnings. I thoroughly enjoyed the dinner I shared with a small group of friends and family on January first. Not only am I planning a move back to Washington DC within the next 6 months, but I am delighted that my 48 yr. old daughter, Alison, who has never been married, is now planning her wedding on March 30th. Lots of excitement and happiness around that celebration.

Not a day goes by that I don’t thank my old firm, Lisa Vandenburgh, Ltd., for the continuation of some work post-retirement, and one of the reasons I am moving back to DC is to be able to continue my affiliation with that interior design firm for a few more years. Lisa is a good friend, since we have worked together for 30 years, and my life is enriched by my working one week out of the month with the old team. Once I move back to DC, I will be able to continue that work without having to drive back and forth from my present condo in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Another much anticipated event will be spending several weeks next summer helping my daughter, Debbie, move from the small city of Coburg to the large city of Munich. My son-in-law, Heinrich, was installed as the Lutheran Bishop of Munich last November and after some renovations to the Bishop’s apartment, the whole family will be moving into a lovely city home. An added plus is the huge English Garden (bigger than Central Park in NYC), which is right across the street. During the past 6 months, all three of my German grandsons (16, 17 and 19) have spent time in DC and so I have relished the way we could be together more than usual.

I have been continuing my work with stained glass and at the moment I am creating a 6-panel project of an abstract design for one of Lisa’s interior design clients. My life is in a good place and I am ever grateful for all that I am still able to do. Pains and forgetful moments are on the increase, and that is just part of the journey

CAROLYN JACOBUS FOWLER

Carolyn’s holiday letter shares news of enjoying many happy occasions and celebrations over this past year, hiking, canoeing, and some outstanding trips. “We are fortunate to continue to enjoy good health which has made it possible to visit three more of our national parks on Road Scholar hiking trips- Big Bend, Texas in February . . ., Yosemite in June . . . and in November Death Valley. . . An October trip to New

Mexico started in Santa Fe, included time at Georgia O’Keefe’s Ghost Ranch, exploring ancient pueblo ruins . . . and ended in Taos where we encountered early snow on the trail at the higher elevations.” They’ve been impacted by 2 major storms this year, Irene in August and the wet

Halloween snowstorm in October – but all’s well