Class News 1950s

...More class news: 40s , 60s , 70s/80s , 90s , 2000s

Fall/Winter 2009

'50
Class Reporter - Betty Borenstein Scher, 1190 W. Northern Parkway, #225, Baltimore, MD 21210, (443) 449-5934, bbscher@comcast.net. Not too much news this time. First of all, Homecoming was nice, but a bit lonely as far as seeing classmates and alums in classes near ours. Class of 1949 "celebrated" their 60^th, but no one was there to represent them. Next year will be our 60^th, and I am really hoping some of us can manage to get back for some kind of celebration. I know some of us can still travel alone and others can travel with an "assist." A reunion letter soon will coming to each of you. As to news, Anna Clair Junkin and I got together for lunch and really had a great time. I am happy to report that Anna hasn't looked this good for at least a year with problems of aging and osteoporosis, but she had some surgery and is doing great! Back in July, she and I had lunch with (Ella) Ruth Whitmore, but I think Ruth returned to IN to get away from Baltimore's miserable summers. But for this lunch, I called and left a message, but so far no response - she must still be in IN. Janey Shutts Pinkerton and I keep in touch via e-mail, and she seems to have received a clean bill of health. Plus, she writes she and Pinky are "...plugging right along...attend community, church, and social affairs...play bridge, knit for 'great grands,' read my Kindle, and do house work and cook. Pink likes to read, and we watch sports on TV." Jo McDavid Hubbard and I talk by phone occasionally and all seems to be doing okay at her "ole Kentucky home" with her and Stan. However, she is not certain she will be coming to our 60^th because she really cannot travel alone anymore. (We can work on that one!!) From Ginger Groseclose David, via the e-mail correspondence I enjoy on a regular basis with her husband Don, comes the "news" that Ginger "continues to do well, though her sight continues to diminish...we both love every day in these mountains (Georgia)...older daughter and her husband have started construction of their new home on a hillside only a mile and a half from us." That will be great, I know! Also had one of my unique phone conversations with Lolita Beidelman, talking of multiple topics. Lolita has not made any more plans about moving to New Zealand and living on a niece's large sheep ranch there. I called Marion Bee but had to leave a message...so far, no response, so I only can trust all is well there with her flowers and pets. As for me, Betty Borenstein Scher, I continue my activities. My special love is my continued work at the Medical Archives cataloging each issue of the Alumni magazine. To anyone reading these notes, please realize that none of us can hold the proverbial candle to those earlier graduates. I have "met" so many of them through the magazine pages, outstanding women whose names have never entered nursing history books and are not even recognized by people of today. The family is fine, so I will not bore you with repetitions of that news. Those of you not in these notes, remember the holiday season is approaching so send me your news. Thanks.

'52
Alice M. Tyler, 81, died of leukemia at Haven Hospital in Gainesville, GA on October 2, 2009. She spent her entire working life as a registered nurse until she retired from the VA hospital of Gainesville in 1990. In retirement, she dedicated most of her time to environmental causes. She was a founding member of Friends of Morningside (now friends of Nature Parks), an active member of the Alachua Audobon Society, and a supporter of a variety of other environmental organizations.

'54
Yvonne Metoxen Brockman is currently retired and enjoys travel, family and art classes. She volunteers and is a board member for a pet therapy group, PALS FOR LIFE, and of American Technion Society. Remembers the old fashioned, bedside nursing and the back rubs. Endrea Gail Brunner was recently widowed. Her son and grandkids live nearby. She is retired from Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. Her interests include her animals, bridge, books, choir and the Women's Club. Her JH memories include the first time 'in charge' at night on OB. Mary Louise Brister Burns worked in hospital administration before working for her husband's dentist office. Now retired, she enjoys needlework, reading, and traveling with her husband. They travel quite a bit and their favorite places include the safaris of Africa and Antarctica. Class memories: the tunnel under Broadway, morning nourishment with cookies, milk and coffee, Miss Courtney, Miss Patterson, and so many of the other instructors who had patience to teach and prepare us for a career in nursing. Helen Peters Finney is still working at Linens and Lingerie-going on 26 years. She lives in Baltimore, and enjoys working out at Curves. Class memories include night duty on Osler 2, walking through the long tunnel at night (spooky!), and wonderful, lasting friends. Emily Storey Foster is retired and spends her time rug hooking, playing Mahjong, and singing in the choir. She received her BS from JHU and her MEd from Boston University. She is widowed and currently lives in MA. Maxine Garvin Fritz is currently retired and lives in Keymar, MD. She received her MS from University of MD in 1962. She enjoys playing the organ, horse-back riding, doing church work, and traveling to various countries including Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Spain, Israel, and most recently China. Maxine belongs to the Red Hat Society - "Purple Passionettes." Class memories include bandage class, and various experiences in the program and with classmates. Lois Seymour Hessler received a certificate to practice P.H. in NY and has been a visiting nurse in Syracuse, NY for 27 years. She enjoys reading. Mary Eleanor Fitzhugh Hitselberger started her career at JHH; then to Henry Ford Hospital and Providence Hospital in MI. Now they live in Fond du Lac, WI. Jim retired as a dermatologist but didn't like retirement so has been doing "Locum Tenens." They are now in VA where he is at the VA hospital. It's wonderful for her - everything furnished and free to do what she desires each day. Each week brings something new to do and explore. She does her research projects, travels with her sisters, and travels with Jim. Virginia F. Roach Hochstein worked at NIH for four years, and now works per diem in Occupational Health. Activities include gardening, and driving for Bethesda Help to deliver food and/or to take patients to doctor appointments. For years, Virginia volunteered for International Executive Service Corp. to help companies bring their product up to FDA standards. She has traveled extensively with her husband. Virginia's class memories include going to the cottage on the bay, going through the tunnel, and witnessing an autopsy. Barbara Ann Johnson Law is retired and volunteers for American Red Cross and California Highway Patrol. She remembers the basement annex at the Hampton House and the cottage on The Severn. Mary Louise Sidwell Poole has been married to her husband for 55 years. For 23 years she was the director of College Health Service in DE and for three years was the Nurse Director of a Community Health Service which provides health care for individuals without health insurance. Currently she volunteers at a facility for 63 residents with special needs, and does mostly computer and phone work. Genealogy has been a hobby of hers for years. Class memories include dosage and solution course, the tunnel, sunbathing on the roof of the Hampton house, the Turtle Derby, deep appreciation for instructors and their knowledge, the statue of Christ, and the thrill of graduation day with all family there. Sally A. Sample served three terms on the Joint Commission of Health Board of Directors in the newly created Nurse-at-Large position. She was acknowledged by the American Academy of Nursing as a Living Legend and honored by Johns Hopkins University with a Distinguished Alumna Award. She is an international hiker, plays golf, and participates in the performing arts activities at her retirement community. Class memories: "The Villains of Virus Villa." named in the first year when everyone on the floor had "the virus;" Miss Courtney supervising her first shot!; a patient's husband who waited for her outside the gate to give her a small bouquet of flowers for her caring for his wife who died. Mary Dee Darby Shearer still volunteers as a nurse. She enjoys reading, music, and crafts. Mary remembers friends and cooking at Hopkins. Janet Cummings Snyder enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, reading, knitting, crewel work, and her granddogs. There are plans to move to a retirement community with her husband in the near future. From JHH, she remembers the 6^th floor group, trips to the house on the Severn River, and friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Hopkins was a wonderful experience for her as a young girl from a small NH town. It opened the world for her. Janice Tice Wing, retired since '96, had a great career in OR nursing and as a nurse educator. She enjoys gardening and being a mother and grandmother. She remembers having many great times with classmates at Hopkins.

'59
Congratulations on celebrating your 50^th Reunion from JH. Thirty-one members of the class returned to Hopkins and had a great time renewing friendships. Mary Rex Warfield gave a wonderful presentation of the life of a Class of '59 student. Special congratulations to Trudy Jones Hodges on receiving the JHU Distinguished Alumna Award. A grand time was had by all.