1949 Class Notes for 2018

In the year when many of us turned ninety, we have set a record. Forty percent of our 30 remaining members responded. How wonderful to hear from so many.

The first e-mail came from Cristina Muniz Lizzo, residing in Huntington, NY, near two of her seven children, a citizen of two great countries she loves. Children and grandchildren accompany her on yearly visits to her native Dominican Republic. After losing her husband Nicholas (CUA ’49), she has lived alone and healthy, enjoying the garden she and Nicholas developed. Nearby daughters make this possible. She sends love and regards to her Trinity sisters and hints she might attend Reunion in 2019.

A caller from the past was Sister Jean Murray, now retired at her motherhouse in Sinsinawa, WI, which is where her order was founded. Our other religious, Sister Beth McCormick, sent a two-page note which I would love to include in full. On some days she thinks a mistake has been made on her reaching 90. She is grateful to just “be,” after years of endless “doing,” enjoying quiet walks to the Hudson River nearby. She and her order think, contemplate and discern about a new future for religious life.

Another phone call from E. Patricia Herron was so welcome, as a couple of years have passed without her usual reply. Pat is thriving in an assisted living facility. She almost has a second home near the vineyard she had sold, but which is still called hers by the new owners. She misses the stimulation of the law, but is doing well in her new situation.

Mary Harvey Walker is “still going strong.” 2017 was a good year for her family, with the addition of three more great-grandchildren. When she last spoke to Pauline Downey Conway, she was alive and relatively well. Mary Quinn Scolio lost her dear husband A.J. two years ago, but continues to live comfortably in Erin, PA, near three of her seven grandchildren, three of her children, and a sister. She has lots of help should an emergency arise. She enjoys a bridge club, book club, and her tablet (!), though she considers herself “electronically challenged.”

The third Mary to reply was my best friend, Mary Welch Porter. Still in the same house and with daughter and son nearby, I hear from her often as she has been most kind to my granddaughter, Erin, who recently moved to the Denver area. She THINKS about moving to smaller quarters, but remains content where she is for the time being. She gives thanks for Sister Columba’s parting gift: “Do the duty nearest you which you know to be your duty.”

Faithful Marita Rover Frank and Bill are still doing well in Delaware, managing in their home with daughter Susan nearby should help be needed. Bill will be 93 and feels his age, but Marita is in good health so far. Like many, she sends love to all the 49’ers and looks forward to Reunion. Which brings to mind Joan Dunn Williams, another (like me) planning for Reunion. She still lives in Florida and goes to nearby Eckerd College every day, where the Academy for Senior Professionals makes her life busy and fulfilling. She keeps her hand in with theater, recently directing a seven-member reading. She hopes to see Esther Hurley Tecklenberg in Charleston, SC, on St. Patrick’s Day when Joan will be there for a grandson’s wedding.

So good to receive a last-minute e-mail from Cornelia Keller Hudson. She and Fred moved to a condominium in Alexandria, VA, in 2004. Fred lived until 2014. Her family is scattered from DC to California, so Texas has been chosen for celebration of her 90th. She is now known as GG (great grandmother), but the times of her life are marked by various names: Cornelia, Corny, Corn, Connie, then back to Corny, andonce again, Cornelia.

I worried when I had not heard from Mildred Carey Hubler, as she has traditionally been my first responder. Sure enough, Milly has had a fall which set her back. So, no more trips across the “pond,” although she will still be able to fly to visit children in Tampa, Norfolk and San Francisco. She reports that her friend Eleanor Montville Schaeferdied last year.

Loss is a part of all of our lives these days. An e-mail from Agnes Hohman Doth’s kind son Tony, who lives in Hawaii, reports she now lives in home care with his brother Peter in Kentucky. Tony knows she would like to offer well wishes to those who remember her, and he promised to let her know I wrote.

On the day I planned to submit this letter, an e-mail arrived from another thoughtful son, Frank X. McGarey, with news of his mother, Alice Traynor McGarey. She is still in her independent apartment at Southern Pines, NC, but has 24-hour care. “Her spirit is still strong,” he commented. It always was, say I.

I am blessed many times over with 12 family members (sons, daughters, sons-and-daughter-in law, grands and a great) living no more than 15 minutes away. They look after me as I remain in my little house, host holiday meals, and welcome the rest of the family to town as they descend on us in May for the 500-Mile Race weekend. Thirty attend the race! Life is indeed very good.

Best wishes to all,

Ellen Healey