1956 Class Notes for 2018

Dear Red Class of 1956,

Hope this missive finds you well and happy. Mary Farrell Jackson has lived in various places, such as South Africa, Brazil, and the Far East, but has been settled in SC since 1983 and plans to spend the rest of her days there. She has numerous family members in town and says, “I try to keep active each day. There are many blessings in my life for which I am grateful.” That could be said of most of us, if not all.

Kathleen Lawrence Prochaska sent pictures of her wedding 60 years ago and the celebration of same. She commented, “Sometimes I can’t believe we are still here. She sends love and prayers to all. Peggy Shirley Corlew is excited that their new church, erected to replace the one that burned down seven years ago, will be dedicated in June. She works two mornings a week tutoring a reading and math group. Health could be better – “those hours in the smoker playing bridge were not helpful,” she comments.

Laurie Eveleth Stackpole now lives in a retirement community on the Patuxent River, in a one story cottage with many amenities, including a sunroom with a Patuxent view. Julie Whelan Considine walks three to four miles a day, so she is in good shape from all that exercise. Her book club is reading “A Gentleman in Moscow,” which she recommends. Notre Dame University’s presence in South Bend brings many visitors, which she enjoys. Mary Ann Wright Rasmussen writes from AZ that she and Tom are reasonably well and have two great grandchildren. Nancy Thibodeau Brockenbrough has lived in Pittsburgh for 61 years, and her four children have stayed close even though all but one live out of state. She and her husband take bike rides and she does craft in the winter and gardens in the summer.

Mary Jane Ryan Malone is still president of our class. Bet you never envisioned such a lengthy tenure when you were elected in 1956, MJ! She keeps in touch with several classmates, including your scribe. She makes trips to Mattapoisett, MA, and the Berkshires each year, and five of her six children live in the area. Marie Flanagan O’Horasaid to say she’s fine when I spoke with her recently. She is thrilled about being a great-grandmother and is still the wonderful, funny person she was as a student. I also spoke with Lois O’Connor Vaughan. She and Jimmy had a wonderful trip to Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary last year. Their entire family of 31 was present, staying in three villas, as Lois and Jimmy decided that this was the place that meant the most to them. They are expecting a great-grandchild at the end of September, about which they are extremely happy. Lois had been in touch with Joan Messineo Beck who had a bad fall, but is thankfully on the mend.

I was disappointed at the small response to my letter, but please feel free to write or call me whenever; always happy to hear from any of you. As for me, most days I’m upright and dressed; at 83, what more can you ask?

Love to all in Trinity,

Peggy Collins Morgan
Class Scribe