July 2026 

  On the morning of Monday, June 29^th we lost Steph Smith after an unexpected and short illness.   See the In Memoriam page. Steph’s obituary, information about her July 13 funeral, and some of classmate's immediate reflections are posted. Steph was our treasurer but she also eagerly took up many other roles. Steph was always helpful and reliable for all class leadership needs and class activities.  As we go on this summer, although saddened by Steph's sudden loss and the loss of many classmates who have recently deceased, we continue to be in touch in uplifting ways. 

Nancy Welker, Mary Ann Weiss, Jane Bragg, Nancy White, Elli Rogan and our class Scribes Paula Bruice, Jenni DeWolf, and Diane Rapp are all leading efforts to inform us and help us stay in touch. Recent posts by Diane, Paula, and Jenni in the Alum Magazine are anything but dull. Our scribes write beautifully. Nancy White keeps us up to date about upcoming class events - always writing class letters and navigating the tech of their distribution so that as many of us as are interested in staying engaged can do so.

Many of us continue to make good use of the Mount Holyoke Class of ‘63 website!  Member Chat is active. Please take a look and join the conversations already posted. At any time, you are also welcome to begin a whole new post.  

Alternative Living Discussion

On June 18th, Nancy Welker held and led a lively Zoom discussion about where and how we are living now. Twenty classmates attended including several who had not attended previously. There is definitely a desire to continue these discussions; and there is interest in including other issues of common interest as we continue actively managing life in our 80’s. Another zoom discussion is planned for October.   Email Nancy Welker about your interest and any suggestions you have. 

Mini-reunion, September 15th to the 18th 2026

Boothbay, Maine

In the meantime, preparing for our September mini-reunion is going well. Nancy White and Jane Bragg are leading us as we come very close to our mini-reunion in Boothbay, ME on Sept 15^th – 18^th. We are looking forward to being together this fall. Lodging will be at Fisherman’s Inn in Boothbay, ME where the nightly room rates vary from $283 - $382. We will make our own reservations.  Transportation information via Boston and Portland is available in detail from Karel.  Jane has arranged visits and tours of the Coastal Main Botanical Gardens and the Frances Perkins Homestead a newly designated National Monument. Nancy White writes, “we will have ample time for visiting and exploring Boothbay Harbor, a picturesque town on the coast of Maine, with historic buildings, boutiques, crafts shops, art galleries, and waterfront cafes along its walkable streets.”  Evening meals together on Tuesday at the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn and on Wednesday and Thursday at separate venues are planned. 

   Frances Perkins Homestead Trustee Maria Mossaides MHC ’73 will lead a class Zoom on September 9^th, 3:30 ET; a zoom invitation will be sent to all class members. 

    We are asking $100 fee for 1) Botanical Gardens admission, docent led tour, box lunch, 2) a Group donation to Gardens and Frances Perkins Homestead , 3) a Welcome Reception.

      If Ports of Italy offers us a prix fixe menu, that expense will be added to the fee.

Sally Nunneley has recommended books to read about Frances Perkins prior to our mini. All three books are availablein paperback.

The Roosevelt I Knew by Frances Perkins

The Woman Behind the New Deal: 
The Life of Frances Perkins, FDR'S Secretary of Labor and His Moral Conscience

by Kirstin Downey

Becoming Madam Secretary [a novel]

by Stephanie Dray

Jane Bragg and Elli Rogan, Co-Head Class Agents, report that with the generous help of all of our class agents, at in the end of calendar year our class has raised $227,718 for the Mount Holyoke Annual Fund. Our 110 donors from a possible 221 solicitable classmates contributed to our 50% participation goal. We also won $4500 in March4MHC Challenge awards. Thank you both and all our class agents very much for your dedication to this project in this years. Our devotion to Mount Holyoke remains very strong. 

In the fall discussion and planning in earnest our 65th Reunion! in May 2028 will begin. We are seeking input about how to program and plan events, in cooperation with AA planning. Please send your input to me or any other class leader or officer, or leave ideas on Member Chat. 

 Karel Koenig, class president