St. Catherine's Class of 1977

Sadly, I have to write that our friend and classmate, Julie Wellman Maddox passed away. She had been fighting breast cancer for over a decade and apparently succumbed to it last Wednesday, August 5th.

She was beautiful soul. We met at St. Catherines as spunky boarders in 1973 , packed in a four girl room together. She was a 30 year old - 14 year old wrapped into one. So sophisticated, thick blonde hair that she threw back when she laughed. She was a Florida girl, Lakeland, and the baby in her family of much older siblings. She knew things that most of us did not. Resorts, designer clothes, fancy drinks. She knew all of Joni Mitchells songs and sang beautifully. She was our front woman when we wanted to appear older, like signing us in for a party room at the Executive Motel on Broad. She could throw on her confident adult like indignation in an argument when on the phone with an adult and always win. Julie loved being social, especially after school hanging a wall at Doc White’s on Grove with all of us. We had some time together in Sat. Detention Hall since we liked going over early to see St. Chris boys there and always got caught.. She showed me how enjoy the finer things as a 9th grader, like a fashion show at Miller and Rhodes Tea Room on Saturdays. We took the bus there and wore our fancy clothes, so that we could order a Tom Collins. She could make a trumpet sound with her mouth and taught me how. We could make people nervous at parties making a police siren sound. She was FUNNY. She would emphatically grab your arm to tell you a story, always starting with the wide eyed face expression.

After graduation , we all went our separate ways. Julie went to Mount Vernon College and joined her sister Susie Wellman becoming a Washingtonian after graduation. I was delighted that she was here in 1981 when I arrived in DC. Once again she was our glamorous friend.....we were in efficiency’s apartments or group houses and Julie had her own townhouse at Foxhall Village. She moved back to Florida after a few years and it wasn’t long before we started hearing about this Randy guy. He was all it took to keep her in Florida and soon they married and she became Mrs. Maddox. Julie made time to visit her sister Susie over the years and I was able to see her when she did. She had three gorgeous girls, MaryEllen, Caroline and Jeanette and was so proud of them. All blonde beauties like herself.

Julie was wonderful about coming to St. C reunions. She made sure to come, fitting us in between tournaments from three different tennis leagues that she was in. I was in Florida in April of 2019 when I saw her last. She mentioned her battle but waved it off as she introduced me to her daughters who were home for Easter. She looked fantastic, the picture of health. The day was for them as Caroline was pregnant with the first grand child and they were on the way to a girls spa day. We chatted in August about her excitement to become a grand mother later in the fall. She was to be called Juju and on October 11th, 2019, her JuJuness became real with the birth of Callum Donald Swanson! She was over the moon! My last contact with her was in April this past spring. She responded to my text asking for her news for the St. C newsletter. She said that all that she had was that she had found a dog groomer for her Maltese in the height of the corona virus shut down and was thrilled. Before I got the news today, I was thinking I would call her about catching up when we take Wren down to school at the end of the month. The idea that I can not is truly heartbreaking. Such a light, sweet soul gone forever. Goodbye dear Julie. You were a sparkle in our lives and a treasure of a friend.

The theme of our 1977’s notes this magazine : Grand Babies! Betsy Silver Burton writes, “I had my second grandson August 7th - William Prater Burton Jr. Who happens to live a mile from me! I am still downsizing people and designing. We split our weeks between Lynchburg and Mathews.” Kate Halsey was quick to say “ I had my 3rd grandson recently ! James, Charlie and George keeping me busy;)” Cindy Keatley Taylor bubbles “I have two grandchildren and another on the way in December!! Life is good!! My niece Mollie Taylor ‘06 is engaged and getting married in the spring.” Buffy Woods Anderson wrote, “I lost my dad in July at 94 years of age. But I have the most adorable 10 month old grandson, Silas Knox Anderson, who brings me such joy!!!!! Buffy is one big walking smile! “We love spending time on the water and taking trips on our Azimut yacht. I’m so lucky to live at the beach and have my boys living here too! When I’m not with everyone, I do water aerobics everyday- just love being with a bunch of ladies from all different backgrounds, encouraging each other to be the best we can be. There’s a lady in the class who is 93!!!”. Julie Wellman Maddox is thrilled with the birth of grandson Callum Donald Swanson in October! Her daughter (then Mom to be) ,Caroline, was in Orlando in August for a mammoth shower, as that is what first born grand children get! Molly Chichester Welch is having a wonderful life! “I am still working full time as a nurse in the NICU at Mary Washington Hospital. Jim and I traveled last month to Italy with my daughter and her husband and it was incredible. We especially enjoyed the Amalfi coast! I have 2 grandsons, ages 8 and 4. They are my loves. I still have my dogs, of course. I’m ready to retire and spend more time doing animal rescue, lol. “. She is still dog loving Molly! Amy Moyler McCarthy reports, “John and I are loving living in Williamsburg. Time has flown and so have the kids...They have dispersed across the country. CC lives in Sun Valley Idaho and after years of marketing and event planning she’s switched careers and is following her passion to become an elementary school teacher. John lives a few hours away in Jackson Hole Wyoming. He’s been there since 2010, is a brewer with the Snake River Brewery and loves all that the Teton Mountain range and rivers offer from fishing to skiing. Walker married his college sweetheart, Katy Woods ( Va Beach) and they live in Charlotte with Maddie, their yellow lab. We love Katy and our expanding family. Thus, when ever time permits John and I travel to be with them.”
Last news letter I wrote about Lynda Richardson’s wild experiences in Greenland and Iceland. She is still is working as Art Director at Virginia Wildlife magazine, taking pictures and writing.She lives a wildlife herself! She went went fishing for her birthday with hubby Mike, and has plans to do more in December in Key West. Her next adventure includes going on a horseback trip to Outer Mongolia for the Golden Eagle Festival! From Bucci Reynolds Zeugner I heard, “We just returned from a great trip to England looking at Palladianism in Southern England. Fun to learn some history while looking at some beautiful buildings from 17th and 18th century. Puts our US history in perspective and nice to get an arms length from daily breaking news here!”. What Bucci didn’t mention in her news, until prompted by Carter Stringfellow Johann was that she kindly arranged a magical, 60th birthday concert for several St. Catherine’s classmates! She added “It was a party I had bought at a Richmond Symphony fund raiser. It was held at a home in Richmond full of interesting artwork, delicious tasting menu of wine and food, David Fisk the executive director of the symphony and a violinist played a little music for us. Because the space was limited to 24, I invited all the Richmond classmates I could find or close by addresses. I cannot find the list and hate to leave anyone off!” Bucci, our class treasure! Such a mensch. Carter says, “I have also recently visited with Jacqueline Spong who has been living on a boat in Spain, doing business in Europe. She has quite the life!! “. Of herself Carter giggles, “Who would have predicted that I would be working at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church!”. And loving it I might add. Mary Bolling Smith says “ I had nice lunch at new cute cafe at St. Stephens recently with Sarah Martin Herguner . She was great! “ Sarah comes up later in other news - it seems that she’s our own Kevin Bacon! Phyllis Moore Razeeq checked in,
“This school year marks the 50th Anniversary of integration at St.
Catherine's School. I engaged in an interview - via phone - with Upper School American History students as part of their lesson in taking oral histories to put in our school archives. Faculty member Jeff Turner lead this project. I truly hope that I helped our school as we honor our history and my small 70s part in it at St. Catherine's!” Phyllis lives in Virginia Beach and has 6 grandchildren. Number 7 arrives in December! Lissa Van Noppen graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from North Carolina Central University in June! Huge accomplishment and she will no doubt be snapped up in no time. Margaret Molster Bush won “Best Actress” from the
New Hampshire Theatre Alliance ! She writes “Marvin and I are living in Arlington ,VA . I am still acting and recently won an award for Best Actress from the for my performance of Daisy in Driving Miss Daisy .
Olivia Hayes Immerman has been a frequent flyer! She shares
“What a year! My sweet husband celebrated my 60th by hosting 10 individual dinners across the country with family and friends. So fun! I’ve enjoyed several trips throughout the year with the pinnacle being a 5 week cross country drive Bill and I made visiting national parks along the way. Just spectacular! The highlight of our trip was in Los Angeles where we were present for the birth of our first grandchild - a beautiful little girl, Ava Rose. We’ll really be racking up those west coast miles now! Every day is a blessing and I strive to enjoy every one of them to the fullest as my 8 year struggle with cancer continues. I am so grateful to the wonderful oncology team at Johns Hopkins and to family and friends who unfailingly lift me up and give me the strength to survive. “ Happy Martin wrote “I bought an apartment in January ( in Winston Salem) and sold my house out in the country in June. I love not having to deal with yard work etc. Simplifying seems to work nicely for me these days. This summer I traveled to Buenos Aires, Berlin and Copenhagen.” Dean and I just missed Happy by a day in Copenhagen! We went on a six day bike tour of the Denmark countryside and then spent time in Copenhagen. Ladies, eBikes Rock! We also were in Sweden for a week ending in Stockholm. We scootered around it was a blast! I did cross paths with Bev Bryan Vernon this summer! She is still the animated, life loving person she was in high school! Got a text from her and we had coffee together when she was driving from Massachusetts on her way to Richmond. She was going to attend her niece’s wedding, Campbell Gentile. She writes, “I spent many hours at Oak Lane. While in Richmond, I dropped off a photo album for the St. Catherine’s archives and missed seeing Sarah Martin Herguner but received a wonderful note in appreciation. While in Richmond, I stayed with Nancy Jennings Gray and had a good chat with Anne Taylor Atwill and Betsy Daly Gunter. We shared our memories about Kim Smithers Wright and felt fortunate to have her friendship . Then, after the wedding and back in Hingham, I had a surprise visit from Nancy Hill Goodall. We were able to sail and have time to share memories of her Dad.” Our class has suffered many losses this year. Sadly, our classmate Kimberly Smithers Wright died peacefully on July 12, 2019, at Retreat Hospital in Richmond. We are all so shocked and saddened. Our deepest condolences go out to her husband of 34 years, Gibson Myers Wright; her three children, Gibson Sinclair, Elizabeth Preston and Dillon Tucker. There was nothing that Kim couldn’t do. She had so many talents and was such a great friend to so many. Her early departure from this life is truly heartbreaking for family and friends. She was taken way too early and had so much still to give. More can be found about Kim’s wonderful life on earth via this link https://www.blileyfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Kimberly-Smithers-Wright/_/1852222
Many of our classmates suffered the loss of parents. Ginny Munoz lost her father, Anthony J., M.D., of Farmville, who died on August 14, 2019, in Richmond, Va. Nancy Hill Goodall ‘s father William Maury Hill of Richmond, died on July 10, 2019. Leezie Paul Ott lost her mother, Elizabeth “Betsy” Parker Paul , 85, who passed away on June 24, 2019, after an extended illness. As mentioned earlier, Buffy Wood Anderson’s father died at the age of 95 in July. Our hearts go out to each one of them. The loss of a parent is so hard. Your correspondent is excited but exhausted about the NEW Bone Jour I’ve been building out! My 4000 square feet of puppy love is happening! Can’t wait to add on Doggie Day Care - we move in and start November 1st! Please send me your news! [email protected]

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www.blileyfuneralhomes.com

Sadly, we have lost a dear classmate, Kim Smithers Wright. Information about her memorial is below. If you would like to her honor her life, Kim asked that you make a donation to St. Catherine’s School or The Little Sisters of the poor.

Kimberly Wright Obituary, Read Kimberly Wright 's obituary/death notice, funeral and memorial service information. View images and share memories/condolences for Kimberly Wright from .

Party Through the Decades

St. Catherine's 125th Party was a huge success ! Awed by the amount of preparation that went into every detail! From the 70's decor in the dining room, the unbelievable food , the 10 member band that played everything , to the super cool tent on the Green. If you missed it - you really did miss something special!

Want to see more people than we usually do during our own class reunions?
Attend the celebration of St. Catherine's 125th Anniversary - party on the Green - April 16th - all decades have their own party tent/room......

We did it! More than 1200 students, faculty and staff joined together on the Green in celebration of our 125th! More photos and video to come!

We are at the Azalea Festival Today and Sunday. For those of you who have been waiting for spring/summer, here is your show! It looks like a tidal wave of shell and coral tunics, beach wear etc. hit Bethesda! I'm watching for the beach balls to start dropping from the ceiling. We are hanging with them though - have our beach themed things as well. Drop the kids at Fun Land and come into the boutique to see us.

Just so very sorry to hear about Tyler and Ray Paul's loss of their son Buck. I'm copying Judy Hawthorne's note about ways to contact the family:

It is with deep sadness that I write to let you know of the death of Buck Paul, St. Christopher's '05, son of Tyler Bird Paul '77 and brother of Margaret Paul '07.

A celebration of Buck's life will be held on Thursday, May 24 at 11 a.m. at St. James's Church, 1205 West Franklin Street in Richmond. The service will be followed by a reception at the Commonwealth Club, 401 West Franklin Street.

The family will also be receiving visitors from 5-8:00 p.m. today (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday) evening. Their neighbors at #16 and #21 Rio Vista Lane have kindly offered their driveways for visitor parking.

Your words of condolence would always be welcome should you wish to write:

Mr. & Mrs. Ray M. Paul, Jr.
20 Rio Vista Lane
Richmond, VA 23226

Miss Margaret Paul
2809 Hydrangea Place
Wilmington, NC 28403

I know you join me in keeping the Paul family in your thoughts and prayers at this terribly sad time. If you would like to ask how you might be of help, please direct your inquiries to me at [email protected], or call me at 804.514.9207.

Judy

Hi-

Me - AGAIN.......Need some exciting news from you for the bulletin. Got a great response last time to only have the powers that be axe me down to 500 words. So, after sending in the last batch of the wonderful prose that you all sent in....they were edited down to cryptic mush. Sorry.

This time, send me some 2011 highlights in a condensed version - even in the style of our Quair Senior Dot Dots. And, do it quick!!!! By this Friday!!!! PLEASE.

Thanks,

Becky