Life after college
Jerry Siegel and Jennifer are still living in York, Pennsylvania. They have become great-grandparents and continue to volunteer at the Belmont Theatre and are active with the York Junior Chamber of Commerce. Recently, Jerry had fun using ideas from the York College Literature of Terror course to present a program called “The Road to Karloff’s Frankenstein.” He talked about Mary Shelley’s novel, the legend of the golem, and the famous 1931 horror film. Their travels this year didn’t include any exotic places, but they were able to add some interesting side trips. In Orlando, they enjoyed the Titanic exhibit, and closer to home in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, they found the Flight 93 National Memorial very moving.
Barbara “Barb” Persion Carroll has relocated from the East Coast to the West Coast. “It was great seeing everyone at our 60th Reunion. That trip from South Carolina to Maryland included my grandson’s high school graduation and my granddaughter’s college graduation. I have not done much traveling since then. My three daughters and their spouses are doing very well, happy in their marriages and careers. My youngest, Beth, and her husband moved to the West Coast about 15 years ago and settled in Portland, Oregon in 2018. Three years ago, they bought a successful vegan grocery store that had been in business for 20 years. In June, I moved out there to live with them and help Beth at the store. So, I’m employed once again. This time, I’m preparing and cooking deli items and baking vegan goodies. My salary being the most delicious chocolate-covered marshmallows imaginable. It’s fun, and I’m having a blast exploring all Oregon has to offer and reuniting with my youngest child. I’m realizing I will never be fully retired and that’s OK.”
When Pris Ord was teaching at Villanova University 51 years ago, a colleague told her about a children’s literature organization that was forming and asked if she was interested in joining. She was, and she did. They were unable to attend the first conference of the Children’s Literature Association (ChLA) in 1973 because of the gas crisis, but they attended the next one in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1974. Without planning to do so, Pris attended each one after that, including the 25th in Paris, until COVID-19 intervened in 2020. Over the years, she served on the board, chaired committees, gave papers, and raised funds. In 2013, she received the association’s Outstanding Service Award and was accorded honorary life membership. In May 2024, at the conference in Madison, Wisconsin, Pris received the Anne Devereaux Jordan Award, ChLA’s lifetime achievement award, named for one of the association’s founders. The award itself is a framed citation, and the matting depicts illustrations from one of the recipient’s favorite children’s books. Hers has scenes of Ratty, Mole, and Toad by Ernest Shepherd from Kenneth Grahame’s “The Wind in the Willows.”
Howard “Howie” Davidov and Maureen always send fun updates. They went to Bermuda, where they originally honeymooned, to celebrate their 54th wedding anniversary. Howie says, “We enjoy cruising and have been to many of the Caribbean islands as well as to a number of countries ‘across the pond.’ Our real joy is being with our son, daughter-in-law, and three beautiful granddaughters. I still play the piano and enjoy giving tours at the Jewish Museum of Maryland.”
Jill Fredholm Porter and Ken moved from Manchester, New Hampshire, to a continuing care retirement community, The Huntington at Nashua, in Nashua, New Hampshire. Ken was accepted in the nursing care community, and Jill has an apartment in the independent living community, not far from his suite. All of Ken’s needs are taken care of. Jill visits him and sometimes he joins her for dinner. She found bridge players there and is now playing bridge again. “I continue to keep the Chandler House girls connected with our weekly Zoom call,” Jill says. “I’m still swimming, practicing yoga, and staying as active as possible.”
Janet Walker Gray says all is well in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, and she is still fortunate to spend the winter in Florida. “My condo is still standing (thank heaven) after all the storms. The family is fine, and grandchildren are growing into young adults. It all reminds me that I am getting older, but the good thing is my kids have not committed me yet nor have they taken away my driver’s license.”
Rebecca “Becky” Wright did check in briefly. She and her golfing buddies had a wonderful trip to the Solheim Cup, and Team USA won the cup! I have to say that Becky is one of the finest volunteers at Homewood Retirement in Frederick, Maryland, as well as St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in her hometown of Libertytown, Maryland.
Barbara “Barb” McCatharn Fultz is still in touch with Marian Emery Ward. Barbara now resides in Keene, New Hampshire. She has three children and 11 grandkids that keep her busy. Sadly, she has lost her husband and a son. Her busy life and church activities bring forth a message to all that God is good.
Barbara Moon Bensten called to report in from Nepean, Ontario. On a sad note, she has lost her dear husband, Ramon, to Parkinson’s disease. Living close to their son in an assisted living community has kept her active. She might, however, win a prize for too many falls, lots of body replacements, and an incredible positive spirit. Barbara had been out of high school for three years before receiving the senatorial scholarship that led to WMC. That accounts for her mature attitude not only in college but her life in general. One of her fondest travel adventures, not too long ago, was a trip to her home in Oakland, Maryland. She was blessed with many family reunions and precious time with an older sister.
Mara Dilson Walter ’65 keeps us connected to Charlie Walter. Charlie served in Vietnam and was exposed to Agent Orange. In Mara’s words, Charlie has remained the same for several years. He is content, pain-free, well-fed, and blessedly unaware of his current state. Don and I visit Charlie as often as possible. He was in our wedding and gives us a smile when we recall his tricks from the wedding day.
William “Bill” MacDonald and Joan Humphrey MacDonald ’66 live in beautiful northern New Mexico less than a half mile from the entrance to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, a mini Grand Canyon. They both work at the visitors center, welcoming visitors from all over the world. They built a house next to their son and his family, and their daughter’s family lives about 10 minutes away. “We are so blessed to have all of our family (13 in all) so close together! The latest addition is our 1½-year-old adorable great-grandson.” Bill had a couple of difficult years physically but is doing quite well now. “We celebrated our 59th wedding anniversary this past August and are so thankful for so many years together. We are both still very active and enjoying life!”
Ruth Verdone Neumann and Jim are staying active in Camarillo, California. They are blessed to have their family in state and some close by. Jim has slowed down a little with a Parkinson’s diagnosis. This busy family of four children, 15 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter bring them joy. They also are involved in three Bible study classes at their Lutheran church. Since our last column, they enjoyed a full transit tour of the Panama Canal. Not too long ago, their son, Dave, who is a history professor at Cal Poly State University, brought Ruth back to the East Coast for a grand “roots” tour. They visited her homes, churches, and schools, but Western Maryland College was the highlight. From the Eastern Shore to West Virginia, he better understands Ruth’s history.
Denise “Dee” Dehne Shaplow and Jay have moved closer to their daughter. It was quite a change of scenery. From the beautiful area of Naples, Florida, to those extraordinary Rocky Mountains in Colorado, they have adjusted. Their activities include the Boulder Unitarian Congregation, Boulder Newcomers, and several trips. They took a cruise from Switzerland to the North Pole and, just a little closer to home, The Walmart Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Eric Buckner and his partner, Shelley Mazer, have been living in Dana Point, California, for the past five years. They love the weather and being a few miles from Eric’s daughter’s family. His oldest grandson, Jordan Denes ’27, is in his sophomore year at McDaniel College and is on the lacrosse team. Jacob, the younger, is a high school senior and doing his college shopping. Eric and Shelley are happy and in good health, no complaints!
Ray Wockley is reporting from Bethany Dunes, Bethany Beach, Delaware. “Marilyn Hahnefeld Wockley ’65 and I celebrated our 58th wedding anniversary this past September and closed our beach home (The Arch) for the 41st time in Bethany Dunes. The Arch has been a haven to visit with family and friends to enjoy blue crabs by the bushel and lobsters by the pound. It is amazing how good one feels when enjoying sun, sand, and surf. I spend my extra time with our local Ocean View VFW 7234, where we built a 9 Flags Memorial Patio with our section dedicated to the four WMC ROTC graduates who died in Vietnam, and the Lord Baltimore Lions Club. In the summer, all visitors are welcome, but you might just have to sleep on the porch.”
Elizabeth (Trinka) McGibbeny Cueman, M.Ed. ’84 writes: “Ned Cueman ’62 and I are still camped out in our home of 51 years in Pinch Valley outside Westminster, Maryland. We have enjoyed seeing our neighborhood grow from four families to 23, with what seems like the generation of young families and their children. I’m active at Ascension Church in Westminster. Ned and I continue to enjoy the family summer home at the Jersey Shore. Daughters Caroline and Jennifer, who live in Florida with their families, join us there every summer, and we join them in Florida during the winter. Our granddaughter, Kaitlyn Parkins ’09, is married and living in Fort Collins, Colorado. Our grandson, Reid, is a mechanical engineering major at Auburn University in Alabama. Ned, the Mason/Dixon Circuit Rider, is planning on fully retiring from his practice soon. All in all, it’s a wonderful thing to be able to meet the challenges that come our way and still enjoy our lives together with our family and dear friends.”
Marsha Hoover Silverman and Steve remain active and have had some lovely travel adventures. A week spent in Berlin, Germany, was the highlight of their Danube River cruise. On the other hand, the trip to Israel and Jordan, planned well in advance, was disrupted due to the Israel-Hamas war. They were on planes more hours than in each country and did not see one thing on the itinerary. They have lived in their neighborhood for 53 years in Worcester, Massachusetts. In Marsha’s words, “I enjoy the yard work and even the snow blowing. My activities haven’t changed: outdoor tennis April through October and pickleball in the winter, monthly book discussions and reading year-round, and spending time with friends. We still visit our daughter in San Francisco and son in Berlin yearly and, now that they realize we are getting old, they each visit often.”
Howard “Howie” Wagner has always had a smile on his face. His mixture of good news and not-so-good news reminds us all that time goes by quickly and we need to enjoy every moment. Most recently, after 42 years, the sale of the family business has been welcomed. Sadly, dear Joan is living with dementia. To all he says, “We live and move on doing the best we can, keep smiling.”
Marian Emery Ward remains very active in her Bridgeton Baptist Church in Nova Scotia. However, that 130-year-old church recently burned to the ground, and the congregation is now making use of community facilities. Marian continues to provide music wherever they are, and is active in efforts to build a new structure. Those services are available on YouTube. Marian’s daughter and her husband planted a very large garden in her yard, which Marian thinks is a way for them to check in on her frequently. Her oldest grandchild is an archaeologist in Idaho. Her family is scattered about but connects on Zoom every week.
Robert “Bob” Kleine and Judy still reside in East Lansing, Michigan. They have 10 grandchildren and three nieces and nephews who keep them busy. One of their grandsons, Schroeder, is a college basketball player, whose team has played McDaniel. Each summer those lucky grandkids get to Crystal Mountain Resort in Northern Michigan. One of their most delightful trips was a cruise from Boston to Montreal. That trip brought the joy of visiting their granddaughter at McGill University. Their Maryland connection is their daughter Amy and family who live in Catonsville, Maryland. That visit leads them to the Boatyard Bar & Grill in Annapolis, Maryland, for the “world’s best crabcake sandwich.” Bob keeps busy doing economic consulting and serving two nonprofit organizations.
Jackson “Jack” Day and Fran are enjoying their 11th year at the Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville, Maryland. “We made a special trip to Niagara Falls to celebrate the big eclipse occurring on our wedding anniversary, and Niagara Falls was said to be a good place to see it. It turned out to be cloudy that day, but the sky did get dark, and in the park where we watched the festivities, the staff played the Beatles’ ‘Here Comes the Sun’ at the end.” Trips have been to visit grandchildren in New Jersey and North Carolina to finalize and review the papers of his missionary parents. Those papers will be in the United Methodist Archives and History Center at Drew University.
Over the years, I have said, “George Kemmerer reports in from beautiful Santa Rosa, California.” How true it is. Don and I were blessed to visit George and Jeanette several years ago. On a sad note, Jeanette has passed. George tries to stay busy and continue with his life after 57 years of marriage. Don and I can vouch for the joy he gets from the herd of deer that roam close to his deck, looking for those apples. He also stays very active in Rotary Club and church.
For you golfers out there, Bill Sitter says, “Still haven’t sold my clubs on eBay but thoughts of shooting my age are a bit dim.” He and Maureen Filbey Sitter ’62 are doing well in Garden Ridge, Texas. They have both had a few health scares but are fine. Bill is a mentor to 26 Christian business owners and has been involved in C12 for 11 years.
Susan Rushton Batson has bragging rights considering her family’s three generations of WMC/McDaniel grads. Susan has been a widow for 20 years but still maintains the house she and her husband bought 45 years ago. Despite having three joint replacements, she still enjoys gardening. She belongs to the American Association of University Women as well as the Howard County (Maryland) Historical Society and works on the Howard County decorator showhouse. Her son, Alex Batson ’93, works in the computer network security field. Granddaughters Marcella and Lyndsay Batson ’19 are doing well. Lyndsay has worked as a clerk for a patent attorney in Ellicott City, Maryland, for the past two years.
Griffith “Moonie” Harrison and his wife are still enjoying living in Southern Maryland in a house they built in 2010 near the Chesapeake Bay in Plum Point. Fortunately, they both are in good health with various aches but no major issues. He says, “I feel much younger than 83, but when I get out of a chair my knees tell me otherwise!” He retired from Verizon in 2008 and intended to continue working in the data networking business but got too busy doing other things. Now he has a big garden where he grows vegetables, flowers, and 20 tobacco plants to put on the local fair each year. He was the grand champion this year. In March 2024, they had a patriotic grave marking for his third great-grandfather, Robert Harrison, who was born in 1745 and died in 1820. He signed the Oath of Allegiance in 1778 and was a member of a Calvert County (Maryland) militia group. The event was conducted by the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution in their Revolutionary War uniforms. “It was quite a show! We discovered the graveyard in 2007 through my wife’s genealogy studies. Our family cleared it of brambles, weeds, etc. and put a fence around it. Check it out on Harrison Family Graveyard, Huntington, Maryland.” They are blessed with four sons, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
I love Joyce Brown Layman’s quote: “The older I get, the older ‘old’ is! I am grateful to live at a large retirement community in Baltimore County. I have all I could ask for here and friends my age who have interesting life stories and share a lot in common. Pretty healthy so far, which is a real plus. My daughters and grandchildren are all over 20, and I love following their lives.”
James “Jim” Brooke is a faithful contributor. He stays extremely busy with volunteer work and might retire from a few of those almost full-time jobs in Rockford, Illinois.
Robert “Bob” Manthey writes, “Nancy and I continue to enjoy our settled life in Frederick, Maryland, now for almost 37 years. Our daughter lives close by, and she keeps an eye on us, now fulfilling the mother role. We share many activities with her family, especially our first great-grandson. Our daughter and her husband, both public school teachers, will retire in June 2025. They have big plans to move north shortly thereafter, and that includes us. We will see! Rather than lament the problems that aging brings, we are grateful for each day, each other, and make the most of it.”
Edna Bent Price and Downey Price ’62 are both retired from their work at Conroe Woodlands Eye Clinic in Conroe/Woodlands, Texas. Downey was an ophthalmologist and Edna was in administrative roles. They continue their mission work with Benevolent Missions International that they founded over 50 years ago. The ophthalmic medical/surgical teams work in Belize twice a year and in Fiji twice a year. Edna and Downey plan to make their final mission trip in January 2025 to Belize, where they have built a clinic and surgery center. Having worked there since 1985, they are glad that the mission work will continue with their support from home, building teams and acquiring essential equipment and medical supplies. They love time with their three sons and their families, including five granddaughters (ages 19 to 25) and a 5-year-old grandson. They make an annual visit to the western and eastern shores of Maryland where they have several relatives. This past fall, they included a stop to visit Western Maryland College, which was truly a highlight of their year and trip. They enjoyed a lunch at Baugher’s and loved walking “our original campus” and seeing all the new. “Felt the memories! Walked under the Arch, of course!”
Wayne Whitmore and Claudia Claire Fetrow Whitmore have a charming home in Huntsville, Alabama. “We are getting longer in the tooth but, thankfully, we still have all of ours and are blessed to do the things we want to do: gardening, genealogy, quilting, scrapbooking, traveling, and volunteer work. We had a wonderful visit with Janice Mooney Hobart and Don Hobart ’62 on their trip through the South. Claire did the ‘McKays Road Trip’ with her daughter, Chris, and 14-year-old granddaughter, Raven, and they were interviewed by Nashville’s Channel 5 and ended up on YouTube. Look for the ladies in turquoise. We did our annual week at the Chautauqua Institution, went west to visit cousins in Nebraska, and met up with Lloyd Musselman ’60 and Nancy in Oklahoma City on the way home.”
Virginia “Ginger” Rummery Ward, M.L.A. ’80 was blessed to have Marianthy Pappadopoulou Koucos as a roommate and vice versa. Ginger writes, “Though Joe and I were not there this summer, I am happy to report that our older son, Alex; his wife, Morey; and their 13-year-old daughter, Caroline, were able to meet up with Marianthy and three generations of her family while traveling in Greece. The threat of fire was very real as it came to their neighborhood, but thankfully, the Koucos home survived. It was a joyful time of reconnecting multi-generationally.” Ginger is the proud owner of a new hip. She and Joe enjoy their life at Homewood in Frederick, Maryland.
Roy Terry and Helen Holmes Terry ’64 still reside in Naples, Florida, and are now both retired as Roy gave up his school board position after 13 years. They spend their time babysitting their great-granddaughter, eating out, taking an occasional trip, and working with their church. Their son, Roy, and his wife just built a horse barn on 13 acres in Naples, and they have 26 horses on the property.
Ronald “Ron” Cronise and Judy love their life in New Hope, Pennsylvania. “Judy and I continue to be in good health with four kids and seven grandkids. Things now move a little more slowly for us, and we stay a little closer to home. I’m sorry to report that there are no new around-the-world trips to tell you about, nor any exotic dinners overlooking the Mediterranean. Now, ‘travel’ means hop in the car and drive to one of our favorite getaways, usually someplace between Maine and the Carolinas.” They are both active in their Presbyterian church. Ron has been invited to join the Vanguard Steering Community. This is a small group of Vanguard clients that serve as a “sounding board” for Vanguard Management.
Judy Reinhart Lantz and Richard Yobst are doing fine in Wheaton, Maryland. One of their fun trips was spending a week at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. They met 120 people from 27 states.
Betty Jacobus Blackburn keeps us laughing in her artistic way. She rightfully states that it is no surprise we are getting older each day, more pills, physical therapy, and the list goes on. Her two falls remind her to walk not run! She still drives but did run out of gas on an eight-lane highway. She loves her nickname from WMC (“BJ”) but her grandkids call her “Bee Bee.”
Rich Klitzberg and Judy Callahan Klitzberg continue to spend eight months in Boca Raton, Florida, and four months in Princeton, New Jersey. Each September, they journey to a resort in Rockland, Maine, for lobster, sailing, and art. Rich and his son, Jamie, manage a specialty loan fund that has had only one down month in its 12 years. Jamie is a good golfer, and his 8-year-old son, Ben, is already playing local tournaments. Ben describes his grandpa’s golf skills: “He stinks!” Ouch. Finally, while down in Florida, Rich lunches with Howie Wagner, Ozzie Stewart ’61, Rich Eigen ’66, Stan Makover ’65, and Gary Fass ’68, all former McDaniel basketballers.
Dave Sutton’s next phase has been yet another adventure for him. Dave had 20 glorious years of living in China. His decision to return to the U.S. was complicated and confusing. To his rescue came the California Veterans Administration. He is now a resident at Yountville Veterans Home in California’s Napa Valley.
On a sad note, we have lost Peggy Reynolds. Her daughter, Laura Money, responded to me with this news and a small-world story as well. She and Anne Warman, daughter of John Warman, who we lost in 2017, and Janet Pricer Warman ’62, have been friends since elementary school. Laura is a physical therapist who graduated from the University of Maryland and had Don “Doc” Hobart ’62 for anatomy.
Carolyn Emmel Sharkey, wife of Stan Sharkey ’62, has passed. Her family, and all who knew her, know she leaves behind a legacy of love and joy.
The Class of 1963 Endowed Scholarship, which we established at our 25th Reunion, is well thought of in the Financial Aid Office. Representing our class at the annual Scholarship Luncheon brings joy every year. Conversation with the recipients enlightens one and instills pride that we are lending a hand to this generation. Please consider a contribution.
Don Hobart ’62 and I, Janice Mooney Hobart, are still on that “see-the-world” kick. Most recently, we were blessed to visit Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Having our daughters Kim and Dona along with us kept us from falling over ruins, ordering the wrong food, and boarding the wrong plane. For us, Thailand has been on the bucket list since our Army days in Hawaii. From north to south, it was beautiful. Cambodia’s tragic history can now boast kind, genuine, forgiving people. The ruins, Angkor Wat especially, were beyond expectations. Vietnam, Hanoi, and Hoi An brought us mixed/complex emotions. Don had trained shotgunners in Hawaii and just missed being sent over. Schoolchildren everywhere were delightful and asked us to listen to their English. Please give me a yodel when you are in Westminster, Maryland. Our Alumni Engagement Office has been beyond helpful. What a privilege to work with them. The other Janice — Janice Hartlieb — is a treasure. Thank you, classmates, for sharing your memories. It is an honor to write this column.
Janice Mooney Hobart1963 Class Reporterjanicehobart@gmail.com
