class notes

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1959

Carolyn Brown Straker
Momstraker@aol.com

Joey Haufler Rosenthal is justifiably proud of her son, who is the set designer for the Broadway play August: Osage County, which opened recently to rave reviews. Joey sent photos from the gathering held at the Norwich Inn and Spa several months ago (reported in the last Scope).

Maryann Bruno McCrea will post the photos on our class Web site when she returns from a two-week holiday in Tucson, AZ. Maryann also spent four days in Las Vegas with three gal friends last November. They took in lots of shows and saved their money by not gambling. “This winter was hectic,” says Maryann, with “lots of little trips, family affairs, and parties—and lots of orthopedic problems.” She says the trip to Arizona was doctor-ordered.

Florida resident Marlene Nicholas writes, “Living on Sanibel Island full-time is fun, but spending Christmas in Pennsylvania with my family in the cold and snow was a treat this year.” Tucky traveled to Spain, Morroco, and Portugal in 2007. She loved the Spanish wines.

Anne-Marie Philippe DeTourbet has “so many fond and fun memories from my one year at Skidmore,” she says. She and her family had a visit from Benjamin Bradley, son of Judy Clapp Bromley. Anne-Marie’s son Olivier, 46, had not seen Benjamin since they were exchange students at each other’s homes in l976. A visit to Portugal topped off the year, and Anne-Marie is now trying to convince husband Francis to attend our 50th reunion.

Gloria Craugh Carroll, also at Skidmore for just a year (she lived in Thompson house and roomed with Patricia Patock Havard), loved our mini-reunion luncheon last year. (Nancy Rae Scully and I are planning another one for this spring!) Gloria had a note from Gretchen Geib Gorman with a promise to try to head east this year.

Sheila DeNadal Salvo is in Florida until May, when she comes north to their new condo on the water in Fall River, MA. Sheila loves the condo and the joys of a smaller living space. Lots of children and grandchildren, an important job at Skidmore (she is our class Friends of the Presidents Society chair and serves on the national FOP committee), and playing golf keep Sheila busy.

Nancy Marsh is retired but still works three-quarters-time as an occupational therapist. She is working with elders as they and their families make difficult decisions concerning needed changes in lifestyles. Nancy is also a candidate for the priesthood in the Episcopal church. She writes, “Time beyond study and work is spent visiting my three children and their families, as well as enjoying the beauty of the Northwest. Doing what I love is retirement!”

Martie Hubbard Harrigan went west to visit Ginny Diefendorf Preston in Mill Valley, CA; they spent two wonderful days at Lake Tahoe. Marty says, “The beauty there is awesome, and we had so much fun laughing, catching up, walking, shopping, and eating. We wish we lived closer!”

Also enjoying retirement but keeping very busy is JoEllen Steinfeld Snowman. She does some teaching supervision, plays bridge, and has a jewelry and boutique business. She mostly loves visiting with her children and grandchildren.

Mary Heep van Riper and husband Dick attended his 50th Dartmouth reunion and saw Bev Jones Blades and Kaye Taylor Patterson there. When Mary wrote, she was about to leave for her 10th trip to New Zealand; kids and grandkids keep them returning. Mary also has a daughter studying at the Columbia School of Social Work and a son who owns a restaurant near Boulder, CO. Dick is in the process of phasing out his 50-year-old business.

Roe Schainman Halper had a two-week trip to Prague and Budapest. She also wrote of a surprise party given for her 70th birthday. While husband Chuck is retired, Roe is working more than ever. September brought 22 private students to her studio, and her artwork will be included in a documentary film titled Years in the Making, about artists 70 and older who are still creating. On a sad note, Roe’s mother died at the age of 98, and she had to renovate and sell the house.

Edie Oberfeld Levitt, who spent two years at Skidmore and then transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, met me for lunch and a Broadway matinee recently. Edie lost her husband this past year after a long struggle with cancer. While she maintains her roots in Westchester, where her daughters and grandchildren live, she has bought an apartment in the city and divides her time between the two places.

Norm and I went to India for two weeks in December. We flew business class and I had a suitcase full of necessities, including malaria pills. We did get sick, and I am glad to be home, but I am so glad I went. I will never forget the praying and cremations at dawn on the Ganges River, the crowds and traffic, and the cows, monkeys, and goats all along the “sidewalks” where people sold their produce, clothes, etc.—wow! Back home, I am enjoying my first grandchild, Chloe, who is 6 months old.

Don’t forget to let Evie Shippee, Bev Payne, or me know if you want to be involved in the planning of our 50th reunion—or even if you simply have some suggestions for the weekend.