Class of ’55 Fall 2017 Notes

Janet Bishop Butler

116 Oakhurst Road

Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107

(207) 799-1550

JanetBume@aol.com

 

As of this writing, summer is finally here, thank goodness. We had enough of the “white stuff” this past year, but by the time you receive your next copy of the alumni magazine, there might be that “white stuff” once again for those living in the colder states.

I received a very nice email from Nancy Cameron DeWilde, who lives in an independent retirement apartment in Sun City Center, FL. She says she is one of a very few still athletically active persons in her 250-apartment complex. Nancy is president of the Sun City 50-member coed volleyball team, of which she has been a member for 16 years. She plays pickle ball, helped start the Mac Apple Club 11 years ago, is a ham radio operator, and volunteers in hospice and information center. That is just amazing and I highly congratulate you, Nancy, for your very busy life. Nancy comes to Mane in August when she can be with her family. Her oldest daughter will retire from General Electric, where she has been an engineer, and her second daughter is back at the university, where she is learning a new career as an occupational therapist. Her oldest grandson graduated from Rochester University this year and his brother is two years behind at Lehigh University. Nancy’s oldest granddaughter is a schoolteacher in Massachusetts. What an amazing and good life you live with all of your activities and your wonderful family to support you.

After learning that Bill Mannheim ’56 had suffered a heart attack, I got in touch with President Marion, and she indicated that Bill is doing well now after a two-day hospital stay. Marion said that they are now experiencing a very normal household routine. So glad to hear that Bill is doing well. Marion recently celebrated her 85th birthday with a dinner party at an area German restaurant. Willie’s turn for his 85th birthday is in December, and Marian says, “Now you can see that I married a younger man!”

Gundua Woodman, Don Woodman’s wife, called to advise me that Don passed away suddenly on July 5, 2017. Don had called me from his home in Newfield, NY, just six weeks prior to his death, and we had a nice conversation. He had a very varied life having been a college professor at Ithaca College, was involved in TV and sports, and worked in sales at the Hartford Courant. Don had been retired and made desk-top computers for a hobby, giving these computers away to people who were in need of one and who couldn’t afford to buy one. Gundua, please accept our deep condolences to you and your family.

Muriel Verrill Gade made her yearly trip to Maine and enjoyed visiting family members, high school friends, and the ’55er group that gets together at a restaurant in Freeport each year. She always is involved in many projects around her property while in Maine. Muriel says the time she spends in Maine goes by too quickly. She always gets her fix of lobster, fried clams, and of course an Italian sandwich from Amato’s before returning to California. Muriel said that Liz Pierce Cross has a new address. It is 2100 Indian Creek Blvd. E Unit A 222, Vero Beach, FL 32966.

I have a request for each classmate, and it is that I would love to hear from you. Would you please give me some information to include in my next column concerning you and your happenings? Also, it would be great to hear what your most memorable moment was in your four years at the University of Maine. Thank you so much.