Memoirs

CLASS MEMOIRS

Thanks to all who contributed Memoirs. They ranged from solemn to sassy and from prosaic to poetic. As introduction, I excerpt from Memoirs to illustrate the range of three types of themes: people’s LIVES, poetic FORMS, and personal PHILOSOPHIES. Then I list all eighty-odd Memoirs in full, alphabetized by the surname the authors had while at Lamar.

Ed Winckler, Class Poet

THEMES

LIVES Together, your Memoirs cover the whole past half century.

LAMAR Some Memoirs recall Lamar itself.

Fondly: Sally Neuhaus remembers Crisp mornings, those long stairs, the smell of gym class, wonderful friends. Marilyn Morris Holstead appreciates How lucky we were and what wonderful teachers.... Linnie Mower Garner intones that Singing solos satisfied my soul – gave me international operatic career. Thanks, Lamar.

Critically: Desperate, fled conservative 1950s Texas to New Orleans, Vienna, East Africa. (Marsha Keith Manatt Schuchard)

FAMILY Many Memoirs celebrate spouses, children, and grandchildren.

On spouses, at least one couple are both classmates who both contributed Memoirs saluting each other (Jeannette McCollum Sims and Kent Sims). Some classmates rejoice at exceptional marriages (e.g., Carolyn Hoeflich Allen, Logan Graham Adams, Monroe Luther). Others mourn the loss of beloved spouses (e.g., Connie Biaggini Guittard, Julie Shaw Hodges, Sally Walston Doehring). Two women classmates married men with the same name: Martha Smith Smith and Beth Allen Allen.

On family, Martha is most mysterious: My family grew from two to seven in five minutes. (Perhaps Reunionites in Houston can persuade her to explain this.) Many family reports are structured through numbers, for example: Twice married, three children, four grandchildren... (Roberta Williams Terrell) Louise Wright Robertson summarizes her whole life in one series: Five states, four grandkids, three careers, two children with one magnificent love!

On grandchildren, the greatest number reported is sixteen (Julie Shaw Hodges). Two classmates report fourteen (Jean Hancock Erb and Ann Rendleman Mather).

CAREER Some Memoirs focus on career.

Amusingly succinct: Enamored by Clay, gone to pot. (Marilyn Mott Cameron) Enthusiastically longer: Greatest third love, three-part profession: Design, teach, write! .... (Barry Moore) Still more diverse: Ballet, Rice graduate, flight attendant, wife, mother, sports information director, writer, historian (Nancy Thornall Burch) Still more adventurous: Combat pilot, diplomat, businessman.... (Serge Chernay) An even wider ranging life: war– Austin– WestU– Elvis– enlightenment– law– twins– AlAnon– divorce– renewal– grandchildren– serenity. (David Redford)

One Memoir uses simple repetition to elegant effect: Great kids, great wife, great career, great life. Grateful. (Bob Eikel) Some Memoirs are downright exuberant in language, for example: Owned gallery, mycophagized, scribbled, snookered, hobbled 2003 Boston with Ann, my wife. (Richard Ferguson) Another classmate combined words and symbols: Philosophy + Comparative Literature + Ecology Food Co-op = Gay Bookstore. (Ed Hermance)

Among formal devices, the former Bonnie Bryan uses most alliteration: Busy but blissful; bounteous blessings’ beneficiary. Beth Allen Allen is not far behind: Cookbook creator.... Compassionate, credible, capricious, convivial, considerate, confidant.... A few Memoirs use rhyme effectively. With a hint of humor: Cats and kids, dogs and drama. Now they’re gone, life is calma. (Lucy Snyder Hanley) With a note of nostalgia: Planes to brains to pains embraced, slogging paths I once had raced. (Richard Harris)

Metaphors structure some Memoirs – for example, seasons (Jean Hancock Erb), journeys (Jean Fambrough Moritz), or rides (John Phillips). One delightful Memoir is a shoe-in for most entertainingly imaginative: Old Main Trotters - Capezios - Pointy-toed spikes - Comfortable pumps - Nikes - Easy Spirits. (Margaret Mills Eldridge) A more solemn shift to sheer poetry is autumn rains / old furrowed earth / new fruit. (John Thorngren)

Many classmates invoke religion. Many consider themselves blessed (e.g., Linda Leyendecker Norton, Monroe Luther, Pat Rankin Harrington, Maxine Walker Ballard). Some attribute their blessings directly to God (e.g., Marcille Nerger Magness, Ann Rendleman Mather). Some feel themselves saved from suffering by Grace (e.g. Sandra Stone Johns). Some regret that they had not come to religion earlier (e.g., Stephanie Bender Legett). Some extend blessings to classmates (e.g., William Floyd). Some report having carried their religion abroad (Patrick “Pat” Cate, Elaine Osborn Steitz).

Some classmates summarize their lives in short maxims. Satisfied and pastoral: Lila Springer has remained Always a country girl. Kathleen Kelley Bowen regards her life as having been Lunch under the trees. More deliberately optimistic: Pat Dayvault Luther is Looking at the sunnyside! For Sheila Johnson Harrison, My big glass is never half empty. Still more optimistic: For me, pigs do fly! (Judy Holke Nicklos) Carole Stevens Mattingly reflects on People I love, places I’ve been – a satisfying life found within.

Looking to the future, Beverly Bratton Varnado advises us to Bloom where you’re planted! Maxine Walker Ballard urges us to Read, volunteer, travel! Bob Wright asks More ahead? Virginia Secor Shabaik exclaims Seen and done a lot but need another lifetime to finish! Suzy Rhodes Henney Casey concludes Been there. Loved that! What’s next? Living well is the best revenge!

Cookbook creator in Manhattan. Compassionate, credible, capricious, convivial, considerate, confidant. Proudly Texan. (Elva Elizabeth “Beth” Allen Allen)

Enjoying Houston after living 23 years overseas in 5 different countries. (Barbara Beardmore Adams)

Had I known the Lord in 1958, I could have shined. (Stephanie Bender Leggett)

Many adventures and experiences, wonderful second marriage. Now widowed, terrific family. (Connie Biaggini Guittard)

Family, faith, friends, humor; teaching leader, mentor, administrator. Bloom where you’re planted! (Beverly Bratton Varnado)

Junior year my family moved, but my heart was with Lamar ‘58. (Pat Breidenstein Looper)

UTexas-BBA-3years-TriDelta- married-children-close friends-various boards-fundraising-traveling (Aubyn Byers Howe)

God has revealed His kindness in Iran, Egypt, and the States (Patrick “Pat” Cate)

Combat pilot, diplomat, businessman. Survived it all by the grace of God! (Serge Chernay)

Rice; Chuck Berry, 4 sons; international 13, Atlanta 25. (Leslie Cummings Berry)

Family: wife, two sons, four grandsons. Business: life insurance. Interests: Charity, ranching. (Gus Comiskey Jr.)

Fond memories, happy present; loving family, great friends. Looking at the sunnyside! (Helen “Pat” Dayvault Luther)

Longhorn graduate. Teacher 3yrs, wife 46yrs. Mother of three, grandmother of four. (Acia Elliott Cagle)

Around the world I do roam, but nothing rivals home sweet home! (Sally Euwer Lavine)

It’s been a delightful journey – full of unexpected twists and turns. (Jean Fambrough Moritz)

Owned gallery, mycophagized, scribbled, snookered, hobbled 2003 Boston with Ann, my wife. (Richard Ferguson)

Learned some, taught some; worked hard, played hard; fortunate in love. (George Fisk)

Miracle meeting, 45 year marriage, two daughters. Still jumping hurdles, reaching goals. (Logan Graham Adams)

Medical technology; personnel, caregiving. Finally, FUN: traveling the 48 with my son! (Lois “Lollie” Guthrie Layton)

Spring teacher, autumn pastor; six children, fourteen grandchildren; life’s love, summer’s gift. (Jean Hancock Erb)

Came east, married the best, taught with zest. Six grandkids, can’t rest. (Sandra Hancock Martin)

Planes to brains to pains embraced, slogging paths I once had raced. (Richard Harris)

gutsy Libra artist draftsman; beloved wife, mother loved; drew, painted, won life. (Marsha Harris Solomon)

As my children would say about me and my life, “At the very least it was never dull.” (Carol Henderson)

Philosophy + Comparative Literature + Ecology Food Co-op = Gay Bookstore. (Ed Hermance)

Algebra: saw Johnny, dated, married, three children. Happy ever after. (Carolyn Hoeflich Allen)

Came from Pershing, knew only a few until senior year, then loved Lamar. (Lynne Austin Hunzicker)

New Braunfels, three sons, Spanish teacher. Bed&breakfast 21 years – come visit! (Margy Kuebler Waldrip)

Blessed with happy family. Received nursing degree at age 63. Content with life. (Linda Leyendecker Norton) <6>

Blessed with a beautiful wife who is even prettier on the inside. (Monroe Luther)

Desperate, fled conservative 1950s Texas to New Orleans, Vienna, East Africa. (Marsha Keith Manatt Schuchard)

Moved a lot, Texas my home state. Many friends, very happy. (Barbara Mangum Monroe)

Love learning (RiceBA, StanfordMA). Husband, sons2, grandkids2. Languages, living abroad, photography, baseball. (Mary Kay Manning Smith)

People I love, places I’ve been – a satisfying life found within. (Carole Stevens Mattingly)

California, great family, meaningful work. Enjoy reflecting with my “prom” date, Kent. (Jeanette McCollum Sims)

Prepared many tax returns, hiked many trails. Still doing both, only slower. (Doug McCulley)

Taught, traveled; love, family, friends. Enjoy California life, Texas always home. (Donna Mills Nelson)

Old Main Trotters - Capezios - Pointy-toed spikes - Comfortable pumps - Nikes - Easy Spirits. (Margaret Mills Eldridge)

Greatest third love, three-part profession: Design, teach, write! One fine daughter. (Barry Moore)

Universities, teaching, writing, family, friends, travel – a good fifty years. (Larry Moore)

How lucky we were and what wonderful teachers – Buchanan, Hollingsworth, Pleasants, Duggan.... (Marilyn Morris Holstead)

Singing solos satisfied my soul – gave me international operatic career. Thanks, Lamar. (Linnie Mower Garner)

Blessed by God: Forty-seven years of happiness with husband and family. (Marcille Nerger Magness)

Crisp mornings, those long stairs, the smell of gym class, wonderful friends. (Sally Neuhaus)

Walter and I served the Lord around the world for 42 years. (Elaine Osborn Steitz)

Husband, Bill; son, Rick; teacher; grandma. Retirement in Waco: watercolorist, volunteer, traveller. (Judy Polinski Franklin)

French taught, Roger caught; sons in bands, tennis fan. Life is grand. (Eleanor Powers Beebe)

Many blessings: Faith, family, friends, happy life. Loving husband, children, six grandchildren. (Patricia Anne “Pat” Rankin Harrington)

war–Austin–WestU–Elvis–enlightenment–law–twins–AlAnon–divorce–renewal–grandchildren–serenity. (David Redford)

Blessed by God: Wonderful husband, five great children and spouses, fourteen grandchildren. (Ann Rendleman Mather)

Been there. Loved that! What’s next? Living well is the best revenge! (Suzy Rhodes Henney Casey) <*>

Seen and done a lot but need another lifetime to finish! (Virginia Secor Shabaik)

Got married, had five children, was widowed, now have sixteen grandchildren. (Julie Shaw Hodges)

Life is what happens while you are making other plans. (Diane Slocum Somner)

Cats and kids, dogs and drama. Now they’re gone, life is calma. (Lucy Snyder Hanley)

Saved by Grace: wonderful family, overcame pain, have everything I need! (Sandra Stone Johnson)

Ballet, Rice graduate, flight attendant, wife, mother, sports information director, writer, historian. (Nancy Thornall Burch)

High school/college history teacher, retired in Denver, enjoying granddaughter. Life’s good. (Margerie Trulan Clark)

Blessed with loving family and friends, joyful country living. Read, volunteer, travel! (Maxine Walker Ballard)

Married 1959, lost Sweeney 2000. Three children, six grandchildren. Life moves on! (Sally Walston Doehring)

Twice married, three children, four grandchildren. Happy, healthy, and wiser. (Roberta Williams Terrell)

Volunteer, teacher, leader, singer. Wife, mother, grandmother. Life of joy and love. (Jo Ann Winfrey Dunn)

Five states, four grandkids, three careers, two children with one magnificent love! (Louise Wright Robertson)

Challenge, opportunity, a modicum of success. Achievement results in contentment. More ahead? (Bob Wright)