Class Notes

Jun 29
17 min read

Updated: Jul 14

Class of 1954

We are sad to report the death of Jeffrey Davidson '54 passed away after a long illness on October 14, 2025.

Jeffrey R. Davidson, class of '54, died in New York on October 14, 2025 after a long illness. He had spent most of his adult life living in Italy.

After teaching at the Overseas School of Rome he went on to a career first as a journalist, then as a supervisor of foreign versions of American films, mainly for Sony Pictures. Over four decades, he was responsible for overseeing the quality of hundreds of movies dubbed into many European languages. He was a fluent speaker of French, German, Italian and Spanish. He is survived by his wife Linda, sons Justin and Christopher, and by two grandchildren, Milo and Sarah. He vividly remembered his time at Friends and often talked about his teachers and classmates; and Jeff's language and drama-related skills were honed and grounded in experiences at Friends. A gathering to celebrate Jeff's life is being planned for the Fall.

In The Man Who Came to Dinner, Friends, 1954.

Class of 1956

As reported by Gretchen Walther Dumler '56

Reunion may have been the best ever. I was so glad so many of us made it this year: Sue & Bob Saidenberg, Eddie Carroll and his swell wife Rachel whom we love, and Julie Wharton all the way from FL! Breakfast first: an impressive buffet set us up for a fabulous Seminar - which sounds dull but was inspiring and moving. Lunch, in the garden, on a perfect spring day - I mean, how lucky can you get -was the best ever. The day ends with a meeting, which had very little silent about it. Interesting remarks, and not a few tears!! Then, off to the Bar, natch! This is always a noisy lot of fun, with some good draft beer to celebrate a splendid day Please come join us, next year!

Cheers!

Gretty

Class of 1958

Roger Rosenblatt '58’s article “My Wife Is 85. She Takes My Breath Away”featured in the New York Times last month, is a touching tribute to his wife Virginia Rosenblatt '58. The story can be read here.

Class of 1960

As reported by Catherine Munnell Smith '60

Bronwen Cunningham '60 reports:

Bob and I are now fully ensconced (winters only) in Shellpoint, a retirement home in Ft Myers, Fl. Summer is spent in Marion, MA which is delightful, sunny and right on the water of Sippican Harbor. All's well and every year brings new challenges but we persevere. Sorry that so many of you did not attend the reunion last year. We were only 5 but shared some good memories and laughs. We still have three grandchildren in college (UC Berkeley, Duke and UMass Amherst) one just graduated from Rensselaer and now two in the working world. As I spent my free time in NJ, they study in Rome, Hong Kong and Ghana.

That’s the news here. Come visit either north or south.

Best

Bron (aka Bonnie)

C. MacNeil Mitchell '60 reports:

Greetings to fellow survivors! The view from one's 83rd (and counting) birthday (84th in September) looks a little different from that within one's grade school years. Many of my recollections of Friends School life have faded, with the result that those which still remain — for one reason or another — have been most vividly ingrained. Here are five Friends school memories that have chosen to linger in my memory — not necessarily the most objectively important, but somehow the most resilient ones.

The cafeteria fare at the end of the year. My favorite food (hot dogs and hamburgers) for a few wonderful days replacing all the healthy food groups on the steam table.
Dr. Gerhard Luft spouting Latin sentences in a multicolor coruscation of saliva backlit by the afternoon sun pouring through the large classroom windows. Another reason to sit in the back row. (P.S His system of making colored word cards was extraordinarily successful in boosting my Latin vocabulary recall.)
Tiny Nordstrom giving us his mnemonic for the sine function: "The sine (sign) is "op hy" (up high). Unfortunately, it didn't help me. I attribute many of my trig miscalculations to misremembering his mnemonic as the sine being "hy op," which would have been my preferred way of saying it.
Tiny also gave us that astoundingly bad -- and therefore highly rememberable — mnemonic for remembering the order of the planets from the sun: My Vest Eats My Jupiter S-U-N (Saturn-Uranus-Neptune). Not to leave out Pluto, (which was then classified as a planet) Tiny's booming voice lowered to a squeak and added: "... and little Pluto." This memory enhancing trick was so laughingly feeble that it may be the last thing I will remember when my world finally grows dark.
Lying down on the cushioned Meeting Room benches for "quiet time" while one of the lower school teachers (Mrs. Rice?) read "The Secret Garden." Recalling now the musty smell of those maroon bench cushions, like the smell of Proust's "petit gateau," reawakens a flood of my half-forgotten school memories.
Dancing school lessons in the cafeteria. This was a well-intentioned but inherently idealistic effort by an outside teacher (Mr. Baum?) to implant social graces in some of us incorrigibles.

Honorable mention: Major Bella, the boys' gym teacher. "Bella" can translate in Western languages to either "beautiful" or "war." When I think of the good Major, I can think only of "war." He was big on settling juvenile disputes with boxing gloves and letting the parties "duke it out. Whenever one of us was down and screaming with pain and spouting blood after a painful accident on his watch, his "one size fits all" medical advice to the injured boy was: "Just rub your head, that's where it registers."

If anyone else in Class of '60 has similarly vivid memories of Friends, please send them in while the rest of us can still appreciate them.

Class of 1962

We are sad to report the death of Jill Nareff Blauner '62 who passed away on April 6, 2026. We are holding her family in the Light.

Class of 1964

As reported by Barbara Carey '64

The members of the class of 1964 are turning 79 and 80 this year, and suffering the slings and arrows that time inflicts at such a turning point. Our bodies and those of many of those we love are – despite the fact that most of us probably think of ourselves as we were in 1966 or so (60 years ago!) – kind of wearing out! (I’m not going to detail these here.) Nonetheless, there are things to be delighted with. Jonathan Cerf sends a beautiful flower photo. Grandchildren provide joy. Jono Nareff has even produced a great-grandchild! Individual updates follow.

Robert Rostand '64 writes:

Susan and I have been to New Mexico for grandson Ben’s high school graduation in Los Alamos. VERY different from ours. But he’s very happy and looking forward to college in the fall. We bit the bullet and are going on a two-week cruise around the British Isles. In Edinburgh we hope to see my friend Keith and wife, with whom we stayed years ago. He and I went to Woodstock together and have managed to stay in touch. We end up in Bergen, Norway, and fly home from Copenhagen. Cooking, gardening and the piano have kept me sane through this terrible political fiasco we have found ourselves in.

Jill Ross Stewart '64 writes:

We’ve been blessed and busy this spring with a grandson who will be a freshman at Georgetown, 2 granddaughters, one a sophomore at Clemson, the other a senior at Hamilton, and 2 other grandsons still in high school.

Jonathan Cerf '64 wishes us well and offers a gorgeous photo:

Jonathan Nareff '64 reports:

News for me over the last several months. I have become a Great Grandfather. Everleigh is such a joy to visit and play with. It is amazing how much she grows up in just a couple of weeks between visits.

The sad news is that my sister Jill '62 (wife of John Blauner '63) passed away in the beginning of April. She had been dealing with cancer for many years.

Susie Localio '64 writes:

Twin Bill and middle brother Russell came from the east and I came down from the north and descended on much younger brother Dave in San Gabriel, CA, to celebrate Bill and my 80th three weeks early. I do not think all four of us had been together since our mom’s death in 2003. We ate and took walks and visited Huntington gardens and took walks. Not a long visit but very good. So far I have not fallen apart and can still hike although I have given up backpacking not wanting to lug an overnight pack anywhere. Still long day hikes are lovely especially when flowers are in bloom. Daniel and I are beginning to eat from our garden which is satisfying. For those of you with 9-12 year old granddaughters, I recommend checking out Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell. I sat next to a nine year old on the flight back from California who said it was one of her favorite books. I heartily agreed having read it several times. The news is too sad. Reading kid books is lovely.

Tina Hehmeyer Rosso '64 writes:

Our son has a new baby, Niccolo, who joined his three year old sister in January and, as soon as he had his shots at two weeks, came down with his parents and sister to Florida to stay with us for six weeks. And coming up in three days our (much older) grandson Douglas is getting married. Then in October a granddaughter is getting married. We like both soon-to- be family members very much. Douglas and his fiancée live a mile from us in Chicago, two blocks from our daughter and her family. Two other granddaughters live nearby and I am recruiting a grandson who is working in NY to return and join the family enclave in Lincoln Park.

I have been enjoying Gayle Feldman’s book about Random House, learning about the exciting life lead by Jonathan Cerf’s parents and enjoying the background on a lot of books and authors read long ago. Dr. Seuss is experiencing a resurgence in our household.

Alan Goldberg '64 reports:

Still very much enjoying retirement, even restarting my violin after 60 years.

Sadly, no children or, therefore, grandchildren, but my wife and I have a wonderful life on the West Side and Fire Island. After a lifetime writing and producing non-fiction television for public-tv and the networks, I helped revive a humor magazine, the American Bystander, 35 years after its one and only issue. It’s now over 30 issues in. I also continue to run an Amnesty International group in New York focusing exclusively on prisoners of conscience. And my wife, Karen, and I have been traveling more, using Home Exchange which just brought us to Paris for the month.

Lovely to hear what fellow '64’s are doing, and, happily, I’m still very close to Barbara and Jon Prude.

Louise Walsh '64 writes:

We’re still on Capitol Hill , but spending about 4 months yearly outside USA. Charlie and I celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary in Paris. Hope to make it 40, if the creek don’t rise. If any of you in NYC area would like to meet sometime in September ideally (we return to Europe October 6), that would be loverly. Despite various ailments, I feel so grateful to reach 79 when parents didn’t get past 54, and brother Hank left us at 46.

I leave you with my love and my favorite one-sentence religious joke: “A religious conference for skeptics held a special session for dyslexics: ‘Is there a dog?’”

Valentine Hertz Kass '64 writes:

A recent highlight was spending a weekend in Atlanta. My husband, Dennis Lee Mitchell, was there to speak at the opening of his new exhibit at the Pryor Fine Arts gallery. But an added treat for me was to spend a few hours catching up with Jonathan Prude! Reminiscing was fun and provoked some good laughs . . . Jonathan is still teaching history at Emory and is finishing a book, which should be published soon.

As for me, I have been spending time judging films for the Alexandria Film Festival and Jackson Wild, gardening, practicing yoga and otherwise trying to stay healthy while recovering from a broken right shoulder. As they advise: DO NOT FALL! At our age, it sets you back! I have also volunteered to work the polls come November . . . And of course, enjoy the grands as much as possible.

Please: if anyone comes to D.C., be sure to make contact.

Bill Localio '64 writes:

Susie and I got together with brothers Russ and Dave in early June to celebrate our (6/24) 80th birthday. Since Susie and Dave are on the West Coast and Russ and me East, we rarely are all together. Special time.

I’m doing well. Lots of yard work in Jay NY and we’re in CT a lot because of Jan’s mom. She’s in assisted living but, at 91, still needs (demands?) lots of attention.

And Elizabeth Heilman '64 writes:

This past May, I turned 80. This coming August, my husband will turn 84. A few short years ago, my husband retired from a career of team-teaching first year medical students as well as carrying out his own research on cataract formation and providing guidance to graduate students in their research.

As for myself, in the early 1990s, I decided to make a huge course correction. By 1993, I ended a 25 year career in international development, primarily in the Middle East.

The reason for the change was the planned arrival of my daughter in July of 1990. After her birth, it just got harder and harder for me to be 5,000 miles away from my daughter at home while I was on 3-week work assignments in Cairo, Egypt.

Fast forward to June 2026 and how does my life look now? My husband has a full- fledged shop in the basement and frequently makes amazing improvements around the house. He is out walking the dog every morning and has weekly tennis commitments. He's eating well and staying healthy.

I am in business with my daughter and her husband, whose parents I met in 1993 when I was transitioning out of the international work scene. I was drawn to his parents who to this day are highly successful entrepreneurs. I work with them and am coached and mentored by them and their team of entrepreneurial business owners. We expand our business by helping others achieve their dreams and goals through entrepreneurship in our business system.

So, I chose to change. I am now in business with my daughter and her husband. Our business is all over the world. We have world class products in health and wellness, sports nutrition and beauty. My daughter homeschools their 3 boys (almost 7, 4, and 1 &1/2). We live 30 minutes apart and see each other regularly.

I am appreciative of the 13 years I had at Friends. The school provided me with an environment that encouraged me to grow and live outside my comfort zone. It encouraged me to help others achieve the lifestyle they envision, always expecting something better and, with courage, pressing on toward it. With pleasure, I see how my daughter and her husband are creating not only a business legacy, but also a personal legacy of standards and helping others succeed and win. Thereby making the world a better place to live.

Thank you Friends for all that you provided.

As for me (Barbara):

I am still trying to figure out retirement, enjoying Tim’s and my grandchild, who has very proudly turned 7 this year, has a big toothless smile, and shows real talent as an artist. Like Tina, I very much enjoyed Nothing Random, although I wished it had more about Jonathan! For me it was like a kind of time travel on the one hand, and full of surprises on the other (like Bennett’s close relationship with Gertrude Stein. I had no idea!). I also recommend Roger Rosenblatt’s guest essay in The New York Times – “My Wife Is 85. She Takes My Breath Away” – extolling the virtues of us old ladies, starting with Ginny Jones. A nice companion to an earlier essay he wrote, called, “Winter Lights.” Both are findable online.

Class of 1966

As reported by Judy Anderson '66 and Pat Rosenfield '66

During Alumni Weekend on May 16 & 17, 2026, the Class of 1966 celebrated its 60th Reunion! By all accounts it turned out to be a watershed event as we had a remarkable number of classmates who joined in person, Facetime, and on Zoom at our various events - 16 classmates in total!! Pat and Judy co-chaired the big event with Geoff Scott and Andrew Lowry (who currently serves on the Friends School Board) assisting us with dinner arrangements and myriad details as we attempted to reach everyone who had ever been part of the class in the years from 1952 - 1966!! With Pat’s historical information being a “lifer,” our revised contact list now includes all 52 students, 11 of whom are confirmed or believed to be deceased. There were success stories when we reached folks with whom we hadn’t spoken in 60 years and very much enjoyed catching up. And we also heard from a few people who informed us that our reunion plans sounded like fun but that we had reached the wrong person!

Our reunion began with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, followed by a gala 3-course dinner on Friday evening in a private room at the National Arts Club where 11 classmates along with a few spouses/friends were in attendance. Marjorie Jean-Paul, Director of Institutional Advancement, Rebecca Holmes, Senior Associate Director of Institutional Advancement, and Michael Mudho, Associate Director for Advancement for Alumni Relations, all spent time with our class that evening. Classmates attending were Wendy Lochner, Geoff O’Brien, Prue Bach Mortimer, Richard Glaubach with his wife, Marina, (who has created our Class of ‘66 text group and took wonderful pictures at all gatherings), Judy Adams Anderson along with her husband, Dan, Sue Dreyfus Baron Fraguela, Anne Shapero Adler, Andy Lowry, Pat Rosenfield with her friend John Sakowicz, Geoffrey Scott, and Howard Ressler with his wife, Susan Shapiro Barash. Alan Dubrow had also planned to join us with his wife, Stella, but at the last minute sadly was unable. Happily, he and his wife joined the group on Saturday. Buddy Wolf had also hoped to join us (he said he would love to join in any future gathering). During the evening while we enjoyed a delicious meal, we connected via Facetime with Paul Jagow in Alaska, Bethany Bell in North Carolina, Susan Whitney Poole in California, and Susie Wright Cogswell in Colorado. Marion Bailey wished to join us but living in the UK, it was too challenging timewise. We passed the phones around the table so that everyone could have a chance to “visit” with their classmates.

After dinner, at Andy’s suggestion, we reminisced together by sharing memories, stories, and feelings about our time spent at Friends. We shared thoughts about Silent Worship in the Meetinghouse, the Christmas Pageant, former teachers, such as Mrs. Casey, Mrs. Terrell (Mrs. Fisher-Northrup), Madame Carman, Mr. Sudborough, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Schwarz, Dr. Hunter, and Myron Jones. We also reminisced about family and siblings…the special nature of some of us having been in school together since Kindergarten or First Grade. We also perused several copies of our senior yearbook and photos that Prue, Judy, and Pat brought to the event.

Saturday, classmates enjoyed continuing their conversations over breakfast, were escorted around the campus by Rebecca Holmes for a tour of old and new spaces, and then we gathered in the Archives Room for a moving Remembrance event when we spoke about our classmates who have passed away – what they meant to us as well as highlighting their lifetime accomplishments. Judy began this Silent Meeting, leading it in the Quaker tradition. There were poignant moments, laughter, sadness, and many emotions expressed during this moving occasion. We were joined on Zoom by Paul Jagow, Bethany Bell, Susan Whitney Poole, and Wendy Lochner, who could not be present on Sat. due to the LIRR strike.

Following our Remembrance time, we gathered in the outer courtyard for the Friends traditional and tasty barbecue luncheon prepared by the fabulous Friends Food Service - Cater to You. Our class took up two tables due to the size of our group!

Our final event for those who chose to attend, was the annual Meeting for Worship and Emeritus Ceremony.

Our 60th reunion was an unforgettable series of memorable, often nostalgic events, and the Co-Chairs were pleased to receive positive feedback and thanks for organizing this event and bringing us all together. Susan Dreyfus Baron Fraguela wrote, “It was such a special and wonderful 2 days of catching up with lifelong friends. Your investigative abilities in tracking down so many classmates and getting us together in person or via Zoom is to be celebrated. Thank you so much for everything you did to make our time together so memorable. Hope we can all get together in some form soon again.” Here is a link to the Reunion Gallery so all can view, enjoy, download, or purchase photos of the reunion.

Sue also added, “Judy congrats again on your 50 plus years at Friends and I loved that we were with you to see your plaque honoring your contribution to the school. Quite an accomplishment! For those of you who are not aware, Judy retired in 2024 from Friends after 52 years of teaching fours, fives, and six-year-olds. As well as being made Emerita on Alumni Day, May 18, 2024, (Richard and Marina Glaubach were in attendance!), the school honored her with a beautiful plaque that was installed on the wall outside her former classroom - Room 10. It was unveiled on Saturday of Reunion Weekend with members of the Class of 1966 in attendance. Here is a link to the article about Judy’s career at Friends that appeared in the fall, 2024 edition of Meetinghouse magazine: Judy's Feature High Res.pdf if you’d like to view and read it.

The Co-Chairs are now discussing ways of continuing the connections we made this past May and hope to celebrate our 65th reunion in 2031!!! If you have any suggestions, feel free to reach out to us at janderson@friendsseminary.org and plr4560@gmail.com For the present time, we were asked to serve as the Class of ‘66 Representatives. We will do so and anyone who would like to join us is welcome!

Class of 1975

On the occasion of their 51st anniversary graduating from Friends, the Class of 1975 Reunion Gift Committee announced they reached their 50th Reunion Gift goal.

The six individual endowed financial aid funds associated with the Class of 1975 now have a combined value of $1.5 million — an increase of $350,000 through gifts, pledges, and endowment growth as of June 30, 2025. One member of the class, who served on the committee commented, “This has been such a meaningful opportunity for the Class of 1975 to help provide financial aid to future students. What a milestone!”

While their goal has been met (and their 60th Reunion is still comfortably in the distance), they know that expanding financial aid remains a strategic priority for the School — and every gift continues to make a difference in the lives of our students. Now, they are encouraging classmates to consider adding Friends Seminary to their estate plans as a meaningful way to support future generations. Director of Institutional Advancement, Marjorie Jean-Paul noted, “This is an extraordinary result. We are deeply grateful and inspired by the members of the Class of 1975!”

Class of 1976

As reported by Suzanne Telsey '76

The Class of 1976 – We celebrated our 50th Reunion in May and managed to have over three-quarters of the class attend – a terrific turnout. We had folks from near and far – from as far away as Hawaii, Germany, London, California and the Midwest as well as all over the East Coast. It was great to reconnect and reminisce about events from [gasp] 50 years ago.

Class of 1982

As reported by Liz Baer '82

Eric Red is getting married this July in Southern Styria in Austria, and Marc Rachman '82 is going to serve as best man!

From Corin Nelson '82: My news is that I am moving back to NYC after 24 years in Los Angeles. As a diehard native New Yorker, I always knew I was just “visiting” LA but it lasted longer than I’d planned. I’m so excited to return to the city which I love and which will always be my true home. I’m in touch with many of our former classmates via social media and it’s definitely true what they say, the friends you make in high school are often the friends you’ll keep for life.

Martha Blumenthal Farrell '82 writes: Many of you have fond memories (maybe not so fond) of The Wilderness Program. For me it was life changing and I still think about those times and benefit from the knowledge I gained. I have kept in touch with Ted Rockwell all these years (has it really been 40?) and my husband and I visited him and his wife in Georgia in January. That was great fun.

Lisa Steele '82 says: Hi! I hope all is well… no real news on my end. I’m in East Hampton for the summer with Doug who’s retired and our 3 senior rescue dogs, Piper (10)(new to the family), Evie (9), Milly (9) Ages are a guess… all sweet. My twins are 31 and both in Real Estate… they visit a lot. I’m having a chill summer at the house…entertaining, reading and just started Pilates. Always working on helping our creatures with a variety of rescues. That’s a constant for 40 years.

Susan Brown '82 wrote from Italy where she was vacationing and attending a family wedding: My husband and I live in Riverdale, in New York City and our son and daughter live nearby in Manhattan. I am working as a psychotherapist in private practice. Wishing everyone well.

Liz Baer '82 has retired from the classroom, but is keeping busy! She writes a biweekly food column for the Berkshire Eagle which she republishes on her blog and on Substack under the name CulinUrsa. She also does freelance proofreading, copy editing, and Latin tutoring. She and her husband, Hank, also try to spend as much time with their three grandchildren as possible, Naomi, almost 4, Bea, almost 3, and Conrad 6 months.

Class of 1984

As reported by Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja '84

Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja '84 and Amanda Southon Miller '84 reunited in Connecticut on the last Sunday of May to celebrate Suzanne’s 60th birthday. The two have remained close friends since graduating from high school, despite living in different cities—Amanda in New York City and Suzanne in Miami. Amanda is the proud mother of Hudson Miller '20, and Suzanne is the proud mother of Carlos Calleja.

Class of 1988

Stretch Pizza Chef, Wylie Dufresne '88, served as food judge on America's Culinary Cup on CBS.

Class of 2019

Congratulations to alumna Nina Grinblatt '19 also known as Nina Del Río, on her acceptance into the Salt Lick Incubator Grant program!

Alania Hinckson '19’s debut book “Oh, Pearl!” will be published next month.

Class of 2022

Serigne Ndione '22 and former Friends Staff and POA, Katherine Precht at Williams College Reunion.

Class of 2023 & 2024

Julian Reyes '23 & Mason Bourne '24 were members of Morehouse College’s Stock Pitch Team