Class of 1970
Class of 1970 bursary total as at August, 2024 | $73,516
Our Class News this year is dedicated to our classmate Kathy Weekes Southee ’70.
“Kathy (nee Florence Kathleen Weekes), age 72 years, of Ottawa Ontario, died on September 12th, 2023, at home surrounded by her family.” Kathy was diagnosed after our 50th reunion last year with pancreatic cancer. The news came as a surprise, and in her own inimitable optimistic style, Kathy embraced the cancer prognosis with hope and humour.
Philippa (Pip) Samworth intentionally embraced physical challenges hiking to the top of Gibraltar and Montserrat, kayaking in Antigua, jet skiing in St. Martin and hitting the moguls in Tremblant on double black diamonds. Pip embraces the name Stoneager and says, “Rock on Class of ’70”. Sadly, Pip lost her mum last October at 99 whom she describes as “resilient to the end.” Sally Flatt Brown marked her 50th wedding anniversary with Colin in 2024 and revels in family activities. 54 years later adventures with fellow HC boarders Averill Ambrose and Beth Hillary McEwen continue!
Shelagh Tippet Fagyas has discovered hiking and hiked the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland, and the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee during incredible fall colours. Her new sport is pickleball, but the big news is a new grandson, Hugo, born in March 2024. Shelagh’s granddaughter will be entering Grade 7 at Havergal, continuing a 75-year family tradition. Leslie Jennings’ son Billy proposed to fiancée Laura and will be married on the Victoria Day weekend. Her travel bug took Leslie to Ireland. She came back with Covid and, after recovering, took a cruise through Glacier Alley, around Cape Horn. According to sailor lore, she is now permitted to wear a hoop earring in her left ear.
Jill Bennett has been busy building an environmentally conscious house and did much of the interior herself. Her B.C. playground is an entertainment paradise for her granddaughter who now has a sister. Laurel Vanderburgh had hip surgery and is recovering well but not fast enough. She was on the table at 8:00am and out the door with a walker at 10:30am. In her words, “unbelievable.” Sybil Patterson Reburn had a wonderful time with Carolyn St. Pierre and Ninkey Dalton-Eglee at the Taylor Statten camp’s 100th year anniversary where many memories were shared. She cherishes times with grandchildren, Jack and Zoe.
Beth Hillary McEwen had the thrill of a lifetime last year with Sally Flatt Brown seeing polar bears and going dog sledding in Churchill Manitoba. Averill, Sally and Beth were together to celebrate husband John’s 75th birthday. Ginnie Welsman and husband Neil love to travel and took a 2-month major trip to New Zealand traveling from the North to the South Island. She continues to practice yoga and enjoys walks with their 3-legged dog Teri – a rescue who can run like the wind. Nancy Hall Stewart enjoyed spending January in Collingwood and awaits with eagerness the approaching golf season. She is busy connecting with 8 grandchildren. On a sadder note, Nancy shared that she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. In her words, “It’s a journey.” We wish you a full recovery, Nancy.
Debbie Scott enjoyed 3 months with her husband Munroe in Bradenton, Florida – a first. Travels took them to an Umbrian Villa with friends and the village of Corsiglia in Cinque Terra. Her new hobbies include rug hooking, and there are now…6 grandchildren! Carolyn Pirrie St. Pierre enjoyed a month in Calpe Spain and was able to join Susan Rutherford ’75 and husband for lunch in a beautiful restaurant by Mar Menor in Santiago de la Ribera.
Debbie Todd (Toddy) Merritt and husband Tom undertook a BIG move to Cincinnati, Ohio after 40 years to be closer to their daughter and family after divesting their “Foot Solutions” business. Ironically, on a visit to see sister Julie in Toronto, Debbie broke her ankle, but not before enjoying tea with former HC roomie Margie Ryrie Pacini. Margie Ryrie Pacini welcomed a new grandchild, baby Isaac, last August. She continues to work virtually part-time for North York General Hospital which allows her to be home with husband Peter, who is challenged with COPD, but cancer-free, and remains engaged in life. Her new go-to for holiday dinners is Farm Boy – amazing! She expressed that it was an honour to attend Mrs. Samworth’s funeral at St. George’s Chapel along with classmates Debbie Todd Merritt, Pip Samworth, Averill Ambrose and Laurel Vanderburgh.
Leigh Anne Stevenson is still loving her work with museums here and abroad. And a bit shocking and very blessed to say she is getting married. Taking nothing for granted…love, family, health, and friendship. Ros Morley wrote that it was wonderful to be back in Toronto last year, seeing so many classmates at her reunion and breathing some calm Canadian air instead of the angst-filled air at home in Brooklyn! She’s been going regularly to Halifax this year where her sister Jane Morley Cobden (class of ’65) lives. After their parents were gone, Jane became the keeper of our family photos and found a hilarious one taken on Ros’s first day of kindergarten! She’s still working and feels so privileged to have had a job that lets her see so much of the world.
Carol Rubin was in the throes of deep grief and depression when responses were first solicited and could not respond to an update. In December she lost the home she built on the forested acreage between 4 lakes on the Sunshine Coast. She had no idea how hard it would hit her. All the stages of grief followed, including a fear that is pitiless. They are all sometimes double back. The property is sold, and she is finally able to see a tiny light ahead, as in, a new adventure. Still on shaky ground from time to time. It is a beautiful sanctuary that the new owners already love.
Debbie Scott and husband, Munroe
Carolyn Pirrie St. Pierre and Susan Rutherford ’75
Debbie Todd (Toddy) Merritt and Margie Ryrie Pacini enjoying tea.
Nancy Hall Stewart
Ginnie Welsman’s trip to New Zealand
Philippa (Pip) Samworth and family
Sally Flatt Brown and husband, Colin
Shelagh Tippet Fagyas
Leslie Jennings
Jill Bennett’s environmentally conscious house
Laurel Vanderburgh’s hip x ray
Sybil Patterson Reburn’s grandchildren, Jack and Zoe.
Beth Hillary McEwen and Sally Flatt Brown Dog Sledding
Ginnie Welsman’s dog, Teri
Nancy Hall Stewart
Margie Ryrie Pacini’s grandchild, Isaac
Class of 1971
Class of 1971 bursary total as at August, 2024 | $87,356
What brings us joy? Retired as General Director/CEO of Calgary Opera, Heather Kitchen teaches post-grad distance courses for the University of Connecticut and is very proud of her grandson who’s studying nuclear engineering. Judy Langmuir finds satisfaction working part-time in her trauma therapy practice. Her English Springer Spaniel, Glendon Athletic Club membership and golf keep her moving. Nancy Wright Bark delights in her grandchildren – very close two-year-old cousins.
Jan Redfern Beddoe experienced a dream come true holidaying in the sun with all 19 family members. She caught up in Florida with Wendy Phillips Barrett and Kathie Pickup Hughes. Kathie’s four grandkids are a constant source of joy and laughter: also, playing bridge, pickleball, walking, biking and swimming. A travel highlight was a motor trip to Quebec City and Tadoussac. Anne Menzel Larson travelled to Palm Springs for the Paribas tennis tournament, Yellowknife with her daughter, and a six-week RV trip to Yukon and Alaska.
Patricia King-Edwards is living more in the moment and cherishing each day. She had a brush with early-stage breast cancer, but is back in action, walking more and volunteering on the board of a small private academy. While “downsizing” is the order of the day for Beth Hilton Ward, she is off to the Serengeti to fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing flocks of flamingos in flight, then back to enjoy their new cabin in Algonquin and hiking, in hopes of walking one of the Camino trails next year. Mimi Andresen Gray spends summers at her family cottage in Georgian Bay and winters at home in North Beach, MD, where last spring she greeted Susan Burland, still a practicing psychologist/psychoanalyst in Chicago, and Susan Robinson Bell. Having moved their son and his family up from Georgia to Picton, and with their daughter and family in Toronto, Susan Robinson Bell says the six adults are busy keeping one step ahead of the full-on high energy and high volume of four grandkids and three dogs!
Laurie Hayhurst Cruess continues to work alongside her ophthalmologist husband and is pleased to have all four of their kids now living on this continent! She’s making up for lost time by seeing the eight grandchildren as much as possible. Pam Smith Poole has grandchildren here and in Australia. She’s often out supporting the two Canadian grandsons who play for the London Junior Knights and granddaughter who is into Cheer. The whole family enjoyed a seven-week reunion at the cottage last summer. Anne Gibson writes that Pierre, a.k.a., the Money Pit, continues to endear himself to everyone he encounters on the mean streets of Toronto. The Terrible-Two toy poodle keeps her on her sore toes and is a constant infuriating and challenging joy.
Long ago signed out of Facebook and Instagram, Lyn Howes Labenski has time to run, train at her son’s facility, and read long fiction. Big news on the progeny front is the arrival of a first grandchild, courtesy of their eldest of four kids. Debbie Morris enjoys the perfect career as a Belleville real estate agent and drives back to Nova Scotia as much as possible to visit her daughter, who recently purchased a home there. Anne Fraser Anderson lives on a lake in Redditt (population of 25 in the winter and 250 in the summer!), just north of Kenora. She spends time kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, singing, playing flute, painting, and volunteering. With children all over the map, there are many places to visit, and family gatherings at the cottage at Grand Bend.
Juggling time in Toronto, Bala, and Costa Rica, Lally West Hood’s life is a flurry of three adult children, six grandkids, two grand dogs, one long-suffering spouse of 50 years, and an adventurous dachshund who occupies any remaining hours. Margie Cowan Shannon has two grandkids in the UK and two in Australia. Life in Oxford continues as normal, and she encourages visitors! Grandkids aside, Elizabeth White is super enjoying volunteer work in the Magnetawan community and beyond, and Judy Betteridge Haust relishes her volunteer positions that foster communication and knowledge sharing: Acoustic Neuroma, Sunnybrook Cardiac Support and, of course, Havergal Old Girls!
Class of 1972
Class of 1972 bursary total as at August, 2024 | $76,992
Kathy Anderson has travelled extensively to compensate for the lost opportunities during Covid. Travels in 2023 included 6 weeks in Europe and taking “The Canadian” train trip to Vancouver where she visited Maxe Fisher, Judy Fletcher and Jennifer Powell. Nancy Goodwin Berry is still living in Nimpo Lake where she is involved with the local community association. Her son, Scott, was promoted to Captain in the Armed Forces. Her daughter, Adelle, is a secondary school teacher in Victoria, BC. Nancy and Andre had an absolutely wonderful vacation touring Alaska. In December, they went skiing at Whistler.
Harriet Peckham Binkley and her husband Greg have gone to California for two stints of babysitting since their grandson was born. This way they can visit with their son Andrew and his family in Laguna Beach, and their daughter Clarissa in Berkeley. Susan Lloyd Dougall is blessed to be able to report that her family are all thriving and healthy. The family keeps on growing, our first son Anthony and his wife Rachel are expecting their 4th child. They will soon have 12 grandchildren. She is very busy and a happy Granny/chauffeur! Maxe Fisher travelled home to Aotearoa (New Zealand) in her home city of Wellington with new tramps and new campgrounds. She also took her first surfing lessons.
Elizabeth Smythe Brinton is happily retired in Idaho, taking lots of trips to Arizona to visit family. Theo Koffler marked her 70th birthday, with a trip with her sons to the Central Highlands of Mexico, where they witnessed the breathtaking arrival of the monarch butterflies after their long migration from Guelph. She was still busy with the dissolution of Mindfulness Without Borders. Theo publishes a monthly blog, complemented by mindful living tips, inspirational quotes, and meditations. Louise Park MacMillan is the proud grandmother to 5 little girls, 4 and under. For 35 plus years she was a Director of the US Havergal College Educational Foundation. It has been a wonderful way to stay in touch with the school and meet Old Girls.
Sharon Margison is pursuing her passion for literary writing. She started working on a novel last August and submitted an opinion piece to CBC’s 2024 non-fiction competition. Judy Fletcher Ray is still enjoying family practice part-time. Her grandsons, Noah (1) and Dawson (3.5) provide incredible joy. Martin and Judy love their weekends skiing, biking and canoeing in Whistler. Their son, Mikey, is an ICU nurse and a pro skateboarder who just placed 4th in the Canadian nationals. Lauren is an artist and a photographer.
Heather Hayes Sherk came out of retirement and is teaching Sunday School at Saint John’s Church, Muskoka in the summer. They sold their Michigan home of 20 years, and are no longer snowbirds, but permanent residents of Naples, FL – a gated golfing community primarily for people over 60 (like summer camp for seniors!) Nancy Alexander Stewart is still wrestling with retiring/re-inventing from her corporate learning consulting practice. She’s enjoying watercolour, journaling, travel, memoir-writing, pickleball, yoga and Zumba. Mostly loving time with her 4 children and 2 grandchildren. Márta Ecsedi’s new venture is Climate Action Richmond Hill which is trying to get residents to take action towards reducing their CO2 emissions.
Class of 1973
Class of 1973 bursary total as at August, 2024 | $13,848
Our 50th reunion was beyond fabulous! From the luncheon Wednesday (6 of us) to cocktails in the Hall (14 of us) to our wild “intimate” dinner Saturday night at Francobollo (18 of us plus 6 on Zoom), every moment was priceless. The noise level of our excited chatter and laughter at dinner continued to rise, making it impossible to hear the gals on Zoom, so Lolly decided to give them some privacy by putting her laptop on the washroom vanity located just outside our private dining room. Just as we were leaving, a nice man showed up to tell us he had enjoyed meeting our classmates in the washroom! He had apparently gone in and, just before the moment of truth, heard female voices, only to turn around and find four shocked women staring at him! They all had a good laugh. Only the Class of ’73 could party like this! We all thank Lolly Gillen profusely for her untiring efforts in organizing our reunion, especially in a week where she lost her father. Her attention to every detail, including retrospective placemats were impeccable. Thank you, Lolly, for everything you do!
And now, our abbreviated news: Joan Armstrong White and Dan welcomed a third grandson, Everett. Lorraine Baker settled in Picton two years ago but still dashes often to Ottawa. Liz Belshaw Jenkins and Bill travelled to Edmonton, Stowe, and Mont Tremblant
and will celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary in Nashville. Bev Davies-Fraser and Jim welcomed grandson Barritt, and Bev was guest judge at the National Beagle Club of America in Houston, Texas – a great honour! Janet Davies continues to love the beauty and peace of living in PEI.
Susan Jones Escoffery still teaches college ESL but plans to go part-time. She recently returned from a trip to Hawaii with a cruise to Vancouver. Janet Frost spent three weeks in Zurich with her daughter’s family, who returned to Switzerland after two years at UBC. She and Brian miss the grandchildren! Marny Gibson is busy caring for her aging parents who are in two separate long-term care facilities in Toronto. Lolly Gillen was inducted into the Canadian Squash Hall of Fame and re-elected as Secretary General of the Federation Panamericana de Squash! Sadly, she lost both parents this year. Pam Baker Glassoff, in the Bay Area, California, is senior manager at 211 Alameda County, providing emergency housing and access to community resources.
Yvonne Istl Lenz teaches Pilates aboard a yacht in the Caribbean with partner Stephen as lecturer. In November they’ll sail from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. She’ll be at Camp Tanamakoon’s 100th Anniversary. Judy Lamb missed her 50th on a trip to South America and Antarctica and spent the winter in Grand Cayman with visits from grandchildren. Mairy Lloyd married Sasha, a Nubian spiritual healer, last summer in Luxor, Egypt. Now a resident, she’s trading her NS farm for a cabin near Annapolis Royal and buying a half-acre on the Nile! Sally Moffat Taylor and Dave are returning to their French River home from their 8th winter in Fernie, BC, where they enjoy skiing and time with family.
Anne Palmer is loving life in Panama, renting a party house with a pool close to the beach in Playa Coronado.” Mi casa es su casa” if you need a fun place to stay! Lynn Plummer Morse and Paul enjoyed a Seine River Cruise in October and time this winter in Florida. They have one grandson and will welcome another grandchild in August! Carroll Nicholls Baker’s new hobby, in addition to golfing and ‘Meema’ duties, is keeping an eye on Mairy Lloyd via social media! Susan Rankin had a journal article published in Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine, was appointed General Secretary of Facial Therapy Specialists International, and treats patients part-time in a Vancouver clinic.
Liz Scott enjoys the easy life in Collingwood where she plays pickleball and golf and works as a healthcare recruiter. Judy Southam McMillan and Bill have three adult children at home and look forward to more travel time to see their oldest two and five grandchildren in Kelowna, BC, and Brisbane, Australia. Sally Southey and Ben split their lives between Ottawa and Blue Sea, enjoying their grandson, learning Spanish, and travelling to Mexico and Costa Rica to practice! Shelagh Speers and Greg did a Florida-Canada road trip in their Tesla last summer, spent Thanksgiving exploring NS, and sang in two UK cathedrals in December. Susan Sutton and Lewis finished a major reno on their 1860 farmhouse and are heading to Spain and Portugal in September. They have four grandsons. Julie Todd McMeekin has a new granddaughter, Charlotte Juliana, and a new home in Burgundy, France, where they’ll spend six months per year. Monna Whicher wrote movingly from Wiarton of her recollections on being a Havergal boarder. Willmot Woods is expecting her 9th grandchild in July, a girl, and her son Matt is engaged! She took a cruise from Venice to Istanbul and has another from England to Lisbon this year.
Class of 1974
Class of 1974 bursary total as at August, 2024 | $149,015
Gil O’Reilly is working on the history of children’s bookstores in Canada, as well as
other writing projects. Last year, Gil travelled to Scotland and southern France, the latter for an ambitious hiking trip. She broke a small bone in her hand while taking a day off from hiking (lesson: don’t trip in city parks) but saw interesting places and enjoyed fabulous food. Alwyn Robertson took a solo trip to Ireland in 2023 for the first time and fell in love with the people and history. Booked for a trip to Scotland this September, but back in time for the reunion. Helped to move Mum into a nearby retirement home, and she is starting to settle in. Volunteering at Trinity College to help archive the drawings of Brian Gable, who retired as The Globe’s political cartoonist last fall. Off to Bermuda at the end of March for a short holiday with Mum.
Alanna Palmer writes that retirement agrees with her and sends greetings from the City of Stately Elms: Fredericton, New Brunswick, where she volunteers at the local hospital and serves on various community boards. She lives with Jerry, a Boston Terrier, and frequently drives to the Montreal area where her horse Jax lives under the care of her niece. Her sons and daughters-in-law are all in Calgary so she’s using many Aeropoints a year and has saved some for a trip back to Toronto for the big 50th celebrations! Alannah Campbell-Kearns welcomed her first grandchild into the fold on Canada Day and spent a happy summer together up north. At work, she was commissioned to interview forty of Canada’s oldest war veterans who shared their memories of serving in WW2 and offered lessons for living a good life. “The Last Salute” grew into a multimedia affair with a book, a video, audio memoirs, and a stunning photo exhibit. One veteran leaned in and whispered, “Small acts of kindness – done every day, wherever we live – build community and foster peace.” This is something she learned at Havergal, from Catherine Steele. Fifty years ago. Anne Marie Sumner shares her website as an architect is: www.annemariesumner.arq.br.
Cathy Robinson Clark is thoroughly enjoying her new grandson, Theo (2). He lives in London, Ontario with Michael and Elanna. Theo’s got a great vocabulary, is very vocal but not quite talking yet. They’re looking forward to hearing all his opinions! Cathy and husband Peter spent the month of January in Dunedin, Florida where they enjoyed a few evenings with Vivian Blechingberg Sichel and her husband, Steve. Kelly Scott and Mark moved from Burlington to Collingwood in July 2023 and continue to settle in and explore all their new options as residents instead of super long time visitors. Madeline married her longtime love on September 1st in Stirling, Ontario and honeymooned in Greece for 2 glorious weeks. Their granddaughter Olivia is sixteen in October and is counting down the days to getting her G1! Alannah and her family continue to thrive in Nova Scotia and are planning a summer holiday in Alberta. Kelly and Mark will visit with them in August for a few weeks and Kelly will travel in April for a quick visit. She is looking forward to her 50th. After nearly four years of navigating her husband’s heart-breaking struggle with Long Covid,
Tanis Hargrave and her husband are working towards finding a “new equilibrium.” They’ve decided to sell their boat, ANURA, and plan to sail her from Montenegro to Southampton this summer/autumn, taking their time to make it as stress-free as possible despite potential challenges. As Stephen’s caregiver, it’s been difficult to leave his side, but with support from friends and family, Tanis has been able to enjoy an annual holiday. Last year, she rode across the Jordanian desert, and this September, she’ll be riding in the Transylvanian hills of Romania with a wonderful group of friends. Liz Saunders McManus has had a very uneventful year – thank god, she writes! Holding firmly onto wood, she hasn’t broken anything this year. Her grandchildren (4 between ages 4 and 20) are growing like weeds, her kids are all good and the cottage is back on the ground (thank goodness) where she gets to live for 5 months of the year.
Class of 1975
Class of 1975 bursary total as at August, 2024 | $38,675
Clela Errington performs monthly at The Tranzac Club in Toronto and is currently working on a new album scheduled for Fall 2024 release. Her daughter also performs and is studying to become a singing teacher. Anne Daniher Kirkpatrick continues as a buyer/manager at The Sign of the Skier and is expecting her first grandchild in June.
Anne Livingston Murray works part time supporting families with children with disabilities or assisting with plasma donations, and spends time with her three grandsons, vacationing at the cottage and tobogganing. Margaret Payne Cunningham Is closing her communications business. She continues her community volunteer commitments, yoga, golf, travelling and enjoying nature walks. A grandson was born in 2022, and her daughter got married in 2023. Her stepdaughter and partner rescue dogs.
Megan Honsberger Turtle still works in private practice. As an empty nester, she enjoys spending time with her two grandsons, ages 10 and 6. Margot Daly Baker and her husband continue to explore the world and had a fun family trip to Curacao. She and Wendy MacDonald Kaifosh hosted a friend they met while travelling in England 46 years ago! Kathy Fremes was honoured at the 2023 Royal Agriculture Winter Fair, and just launched an Equine Assisted Learning program at her Country Hill Farm. Jennifer Stutz Flexton became a grandparent in April 2023. She spends time vacationing in Florida, Bermuda and taking mother/daughter trips. When home, days are filled with gardening, the polo club and Labradors. Barbara Gray and her husband are retired, and now frequently visit their sons. They ski in winter and hike and bike in summer. She volunteers at the Grey Roots Museum as an Historical Interpreter and is sponsoring a Syrian refugee family.
Judy Floras Rance retired from her law firm after 40 years. She enjoys travelling with
her husband, spending time at the cottage, and being with her daughter and two grandchildren. Susan Rutherford is still working as an ophthalmologist and travelling to Europe with her 97-year-old Mom. Erica Benson is very excited about our absolutely shocking 50th! Patricia Farias Barlow lives in a mountain town in Mexico, is busy volunteering to rescue and neuter street dogs and manages her art gallery. She has two grandchildren. Anne Cooper works in her own business in Sudbury and is the Lending Program Manager at Rise, a charity that supports entrepreneurs with mental health and/or addiction challenges. She is grandmother to two with a third expected in August.
Edwina Dick Stoate travels, spends time with family in the United States and Sweden, volunteers with Havergal in the Archives and with Hot Docs (Toronto’s documentary film organization), does daily dog walks in the ravines and drinks copious cups of tea with friends. Elaine Haworth Tanton is happily retired and enjoys watersports with her husband. She can be found at her home base of Calgary, in Bonaire in winter, and British Columbia in summer. Gwyn Grant is retired but doing “sometime” work as an IT consultant. She plays bridge, takes art classes, runs her puppy on rally and agility courses, and volunteers with the UConn Extension Office and CT Master Gardeners Association. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our 50th Reunion Weekend, September 25-27, 2025!
Class of 1976
Class of 1976 bursary total as at August, 2024 | $60,449
This year’s updates reminded us of the old proverb – ‘a rolling stone gathers no moss’ – as it’s clear that we’re living our best lives by filling our time with lots of travel, family and fun.
When not spending time with her new granddaughter, Debbie Winspear Allan is working on her bucket list with trips to Japan & Barcelona (she dusted off her high school Spanish skills for this one). Barb Simpson is also a new grandmother and loves being close to him, having recently moved to Vancouver Island. Judy Mitchell Carlton spent 5 weeks exploring Australia. While Kathy Van De Mark loves her home on Keats Island, she spent time last year in the English countryside, London, Provence, Morocco and Muskoka.
Lisa Nash reports that she’s living her dream in the south of France. With a one-year visa in hand, she moved there to immerse herself in that culture. She’s hoping to renew her visa, as there’s so much yet to see. Lisa Kimball & her wife are very busy on the home front, as they bought a 150-acre farm in New Jersey, which includes a growing residential community, guest rooms, wooded hiking trails, kayaks, sustainable agriculture, and is committed to Christian hospitality. While Leslie Omstead set sail for Spain, Anne Maier Schattmann spent 6 weeks in New Zealand & Australia. Dorothy Tuer still splits her time between Argentina and Toronto. She’s writing fiction and is about to finish a book on art and memory.
After 35 years in NYC, Mary Rusz and Wolfy (her trusty sidekick), have moved home to Toronto. She’s immersing herself in her art and will head to Venice this fall to gather more inspiration by finding more subjects to paint. Gillian Luczka Amara travelled to Switzerland & England with her husband and two sons and enjoyed exploring both countries together, along with the bratwurst, beer & hiking. Last fall, several of us came together as an Old Girls’ Choir for Mrs. Muir’s Celebration of Life. What a wonderful experience it was, and what a joyful sound we produced after all these years. Christine Lautenschlaeger Acconcia continues to sing with the Old Girls’ choir as it’s now invited to sing at many major school events. To any past choir members interested in participating, let us know and we’ll get you on that email list. Christine says she’s leading a slower paced life but plays tennis, gardens and volunteers at Sunnybrook Hospital when she’s not travelling to NY or Seattle to see her grands.
Jeannie McLeod sings in a pop choir, when she’s not golfing, hiking or spending time with her 3 grandbabies. Speaking of amazing choirs, Hilary Meredith has hit another major milestone with her Lions Gate Chorus singing group – having been crowned the 2024 Champions in an international competition last fall. Look them up on YouTube, and you’ll see why. Anne Ratcliffe Charette attended a Havergal Alumni reunion in Ottawa this fall with Sally Hawks and Liz Thackray Pigott. Deb Reid continues with her pot scaping and is very much looking forward to her daughter’s wedding this summer. And Debra Wells Fletcher is in her element as Baba to 3 grandbabies – two who have just moved back to Ontario from down east, with another on the way this summer. Roll on ladies and enjoy every minute.
Class of 1977
Class of 1977 bursary total as at August, 2024 | $21,076
Last June, after four years of Boarding, Gillian Carpenter’s daughter Jackie graduated with the Havergal Class of 2023 and is now studying Environmental Engineering at the University of Toronto. She and Jackie left the following day for their annual trip to Paris – a highlight of the trip being a visit to the Font-de-Gaume caves at Les Eyzies in the Dordogne, Southern France – the last caves with polychrome drawings (200+ drawings from 25,000 years ago) currently open to the public. Many thanks to Kate Crokam and the Old Girls Association for the photo area set-up in the gym. Kate graciously took the attached photo from the Graduation that includes Jackie’s 12 year old brother Freddy who sadly won’t be able to attend Havergal. Elizabeth Van de Mark Gallagher has been painting! Her daughter Katherine created a website, elizabethvgallagher.com, and she hopes you all check it out!
Nancy Drope runs a small wellness business teaching yoga, reading adult and child astrology charts while luxuriating in her Nana role of 5 grandchildren with the 6th coming in August 2024; all under 4! Tennis helps the focus and lastly, she and Ella, her golden retriever, play in agility classes. A blessed life! Nan Laine Dunlop is happily running a resort on Lake Huron in Spanish, ON for 5 months and travelling for the rest. Lots of kids and grandkids to visit and enjoy! Cathy Eplett turned 65! ‘YIKES how did that happen?’ she writes. She continues to love her busy practice of Ophthalmology in Toronto, performing surgery at The Herzig Eye Institute. It’s been exceptionally thrilling to be one of the first few Ophthalmologists in Canada to be using the new unbelievably amazing intraocular implant (inserted at the time of cataract extraction) called a Light Adjusting Lens – by far the greatest advancement in her 33 years of private practice. The power of the lens can be fine-tuned after surgery with the lens IN the eye, and she’s never seen such perfect visual results with patients enjoying fabulous vision without glasses or visual disturbances! Nothing in the world is better for her than restoring people’s sight! It’s life altering surgery! She continues her cosmetic injecting practice (Botox and Filler) which is fun and satisfying. She’s a Great Aunt! Her eldest nephew, Richard Walker, and his wife Melissa, both physicians (such a special bond for them to share) have a son Arthur! Cathy’s sister Susan Eplett ’79 is now a grandmother! Cathy and her husband Peter Roy continue to enjoy entertaining, traveling and their gorgeous furry Birman babies (Wolfie and Skye).
Sandy Thomas retired last September as Senior Counsel with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and is currently preparing to teach a summer course at OISE. Her son Cameron graduates from the University of Ottawa with a degree in political science and starts a master’s program at U of O in June. She’s off to Cuba soon!
Class of 1978
Class of 1978 bursary total as at August, 2024 | $70,713
Jane Manchee had a February visit with Connie Heimbecker in Kelowna. Jane lives in Oregon with her husband Joe, and sent pictures, including of 3 generations of her family, who all travelled to Scotland for an Elliott family clan gathering. Jane then hiked Hadrian’s wall and visited relatives in southern England with her sister, Susie Manchee (Class of ’71). Jane summers in Muskoka when possible. Susan Reid, Kathryn Caldwell and I saw Ann Sisley at her mother’s funeral last month, and we had the pleasure of meeting Ann’s fiancé – they were married the following week and live in Atlanta. Julia Stanley Weaver has been volunteering with HOGA for years and is now helping with the Chronicle. She had a great trip to Ireland with her family seeing where her mother’s family grew up and then she and her husband helped to move their son to Calgary.
Devon Codesmith “left the classroom” almost 4 years ago, and she and her husband are planning a second cycling trip to Italy this summer, and enjoying their cottage on the Sunshine Coast. Susan Smithyes Benson is busy with her real estate business in Muskoka and is now serving on the Board of the Muskoka Lakes Association. Son Samuel was married to Natalia this summer at the family cottage! Brenda Morrow Barry and her husband David are off to Portugal this May for further hiking travels and are enjoying family, golf and cottaging. Susan Reid, Jenny Goad and Eden Oliver enjoyed singing with the Old Girls Choir at Mrs. Muir’s memorial service last year. Please send in your news!! It is wonderful to hear from you. Warmest wishes, Tatiana Jaciw Kowryga and Eden Oliver.
Class of 1979
Class of 1979 bursary total as at August, 2024 | $45,693
Marlie MacLean Ferenzi is living in England. Katie Aird Porter is settling into country life after a year. Lots to get involved with. Pottery, weaving, fused glass! Great walking on the trails behind the house. She loves having visitors! Jane Ross is still enjoying working and making time for the precious moments life offers. Really looking forward to spending time with all of you this fall. Barb Callander is still living in the Kawarthas and enjoying more flexible work schedules (aka semi-retirement). She’s doing Board and community work including a second term on the Havergal Board. Spare time is spent on wildlife photography raising funds for the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Rivers Reid is happily living in the countryside with her dog!
Jane Southey moved from Yonge and Eglinton, after 30 years, to Avenue and Lawrence to a lovely quiet dead-end street. Both her sons, Turner and Bubba, are now married. She has been travelling for the last 5 months: Scotland, Turks and Caicos, South Carolina and Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia) for the month of April. Very busy times! Caroline Fischer, still living in the UK in her 30th year, working in Sustainable Finance and welcomes anyone travelling that way to let her know. She is still playing tennis, bad golf, big walks and lots of travel to France to visit daughter Alexandra as she wraps up her gap year. Kate Weldon Baldwin is still working in the toy business but plans on winding down and is excited to spend more time with their first grandbaby who is soon to be here! Also enjoying lots of time on the tennis court and working at their farm, which seems to be popular with extended family for weddings!
Susan Eplett loves being ‘Gammy’ to her first grandchild, especially going for long walks and playing the piano with him on her lap. Still volunteering full-time as President of the Muskoka Lakes Association, trying to protect the lakes from over-development. Mary Ross is slowing down her psychology practice; welcomed a new dog into her home – a fabulous girl named Bug; is going on a walking tour of Scotland; is volunteering at the Vancouver aquarium and just generally trying to live a slower, calmer life – things are good! Lesley Waterfield MacMillan is settled in and part of the community in Harrison Hot Springs and nearby Chilliwack, after being in British Columbia for almost 4 years. She’s enjoying her now four grandchildren by her stepchildren. Lesley is very involved at St. Thomas Chilliwack (including singing in the small choir) and leads the LGBTQ+ outreach. Lesley and her husband, Malcolm, are travelling and recently returned from Japan. She is looking forward to her class reunion this fall. 79 is sublime!
Judith Crompton Chadwick is Living the dream with Holden. Learning how to be grandparents! Luisa Di Lorenzo and Joe embarked on their annual medical mission to Kenya in September, where their team treated over 800 patients and performed more than 120 surgeries. In March, she and Joe had the delightful opportunity to visit Mexico City and reconnect with ’79 classmate Allyson Mestre and her lovely family! Luisa continues her role on the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and participates in various other committees within the Academy. Her commitment to Physician Wellness persists, with lectures at her alma mater, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and the privilege of delivering the Phillip Hessburg lecture for the Henry Ford Department of Ophthalmology Alumni Day. She is looking forward to her class reunion!
