Page 37 - Spring 2024

Class News, continued...

above the best in the world.” daily news written about our have mentioned in previous After hibernating for four
Clara Niles Whitney writes, band, the Rock Renaissance. news that Gerry devoted most years to avoid COVID, which
“Betty passed away peace- The article explains that four of his time to his work but is was not successful, I “ got
fully March 3. She had been of Houlton’s local musicians now easing up. Well deserved! out” and did some traveling
in ill health during the past started the band back in 1971 Our classmate Jane McPhear- over Thanksgiving to visit my
year. Details of her family and and are still playing gigs. You son has passed away at daughter, Katie, in Brooklyn
service are included in this no- might remember me telling the age of 78. Jane taught for a few days. Took in the
tice: https://laryfuneralhome. you this in previous news! primarily first grade at schools “Lion King,” and “Some Like It
com/tribute/details/1576/ (One of our members lives at in Littleton and Monticello Hot,” which were both great
Elizabeth-Beless/obituary. Madigan Estates in the long- while living in Houlton. Her shows. Over Christmas, I went
html#tribute-start. term care unit and we must obituary mentions that she to Toronto to visit with my
sign him out in order to play. other daughter, Peggy, and
Betty, our class salutatori- Me, with open heart surgery will be remembered for her had a wonderful time. My
an, graduated from Gordon a few years ago and being love of the outdoors, her son, Ryan and daughter, Eliza
College in 1965 and was a the oldest member at 81 – it family, and children whose drove from their home in Ken-
member of Phi Beta Kap- is hard to believe I am still lives she impacted through- tucky to be with us as well.
pa. She and I were college drumming! Our bass player, out her teaching career. She
roommates. She married Ray Tim, also recently had open enjoyed time spent with the I was invited out to Gary
Beless in 1965. Ray’s address heart surgery and is doing family and friends, fishing and Alison Bossie’s home on
is: 61 Thayer Parkway, Apt. 35, well. We all show up to the gardening, cooking, walking Nickerson Lake for my birth-
Dover-Foxcroft ME 04426.” gigs with everyone carrying the beach, hiking, camping, day this past February to a
luncheon. Also in attendance
and climbing Katahdin. Jane
In conclusion, I pass on the nitro caps in their pocket, just introduced many of our chil- was Mary Peabody. We had
message of Mary Beatham in case! dren to her love of the out- a wonderful time catching up
Ayer in response to the death Gary mentions that someday doors and the mountain, as on the latest news.
notices: “Hang in there.” he is hoping he might be in she took groups there almost On March 6th, Nancy Bell
PS Frank and I will share the the area when we are playing every summer. Jane spent a passed away. She leaves
HHS glasses on Monday when so he can give a listen. It was lot of time in her retirement behind her sister, Irene, and
the eclipse comes through good to hear from him. As at the Matagamon Wilderness brother Larry, whom you
Brooklyn at 90%. Thank you you know, Gary is a retired campground, living on the might remember. For years,
for them! schoolteacher. He and his wife river, her favorite place to be. Nancy was a librarian here in
spend time in Florida during She would travel to Florida, Houlton high school, the local
Class of 1962 the winter months. One of Washington DC, Rhode Island, town library, and for some
Dave McGillicuddy Gary’s pastime activities is and her favorite cross-country years, the Library of Congress.
8 Green Street, Apt. 2 painting landscapes. I have trip to British Columbia, and You might also remember
Houlton, ME 04730 seen some of his work and he often to Campobello Island, Nancy was incredibly involved
davemcgillicuddy@gmail.com is incredibly talented. He has New Brunswick, Canada. in vocal music and teaching,
lived in the Washburn area for Our condolences to classmate and she played both piano
Mary Donald Peabody many years now. John Gildart and brother, and Organ. For many years,
3 Ridgeway Court I have also learned that Michael, for the loss of their she played the organ in places
Houlton, ME 04730 Gerry and Becky Miller have sister, Donna Mae. For thirty of worship, including church
mdpeabody5@gmail.com taken three months, January years, Donna Mae taught at of the Good Shepherd, the
February, and March, to spend Houlton Junior-Senior high Episcopal church here in
Dave McGillicuddy’s News: some time visiting with their school and had a positive im- Houlton. In her years residing
I received a Christmas card son, Michael, and his family in pact on many of her students. here in Houlton she was also
from Gary Cole. In his re- Nashville. They will also spend Upon her retirement, Donna the primary caregiver to her
marks, he mentions the article some time in Florida before retired to Tucson, Arizona. parents before their passing.
that appeared in the Bangor returning. Over the years, I

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