Albemarle High School

RE: Christmas in Crozet

2011-12-16T09:15:01-04:00

We used to go out in the fields and cut a tree, too. But all we could ever find was a scraggly cedar or two. I always wanted a pine tree or fir tree like you saw in all the pictures. But, like Bonnie, we made it a tradition in our family to go to a farm and cut a tree when the kids were little. We went with 2 other couples and their kids for years.

The attached picture is my son David and his friend on a tree hunting adventure.

Special Memories

2011-12-16T07:44:09-04:00

The Christmas holidays were always made more special when we were looking forward to having our relatives visit from La. We didn't get to see our cousins very often, and always had a full agenda of activites to keep them busy. It was always a bonus when there was a huge snowfall during their arrival.

I often think back on those simple times of the very full house of people, sleeping on the floor and staying up late telling stories and laughing. We have now lost our uncle and all the cousins have aged and scattered with their own lives, but what wonderful and special memories down Nothfields Road in Charlottesville,Va.

Christmas in Crozet

2011-12-15T20:43:20-04:00

Living out in the country gave us the opportunity to go to friends' farms or nearby properties to select a Christmas tree. My fondest memory is being able to go each Christmas with my dad to find the perfect tree. I was always so excited when the designated day came and off we went. We left Mom at home doing the holiday baking, and it was my time with my dad. We never came home with a Charlie Brown type tree; ours was always perfect in my eyes. That tradition carried over to my family, and we venture out in all kinds of weather to find just the right tree. Such fond memories!

Downtown at Christmas

2011-12-15T16:00:48-04:00

I remember the little stands on the side of Main Street where you could buy mistletoe and running cedar and real prine wreaths. These were the original "street vendors" I guess. I could never figure out where they found that much mistletoe or how they got it out of the trees.

RE: Vickie's Progress

2010-11-12T14:31:32-04:00

My apologizes. I read too fast. A son's love is just as amazing as a father's love and it was Vickie's son who had another plan, not her father.

RE: Vickie's Progress

2010-11-12T07:28:38-04:00

Wonderful news, Peggy! Thanks for the up-date. Please let Vicike know that we continue to keep and her family in our prayers. A father's love is an amazing thing!

RE: Vickie's Progress

2010-11-11T14:59:31-04:00

Wow, Peggy! This is fabulous news! Please let Vickie know that we are all thinking of her and keeping her full recovery in our prayers.

Love,

Pat

RE: Vickie's Progress

2010-11-11T14:57:59-04:00

Praise the Lord! We'll continue to keep Vickie and her family in our prayers

RE: Vickie's Progress

2010-11-11T12:43:05-04:00

The family met with all of Vicki's doctors yesterday to determine if they should unplug everything or not. At that point, Vicki was running a high fever and not respondent to anyone. Her son Dan had another plan. He said "no way" lets give her some more time. She is now back in ICU. They moved her from the 7th floor to ICU yesterday after the meeting.

Miraculously, she was awake this morning and actually said her first words. Softly spoken, she told her MOM that she loved her. We know this has to be divine intervention. Praise God. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. Let's pray that she will totally pull out of this.

~Peggy

Mr. Hurt's Birthday

2010-11-11T10:52:27-04:00

Glad Mr. Hurt got so many cards for his birthday..... I AM SURE he recognizes and remembers all 300 senders..... I can barely remember my own name sometimes..... Carol Umbdenstock

RE: Vickie's Progress

2010-11-01T17:45:40-04:00

There wasn't anything to report until she opened her eyes friday night. At this point, she is keeping them open longer and moving her arm and leg just slightly. We continue to talk to her, but get no response. The doctors said they do not know if she will come out of this and if she does she could relapse. She is still in the critical care unit and in serious condition. Please keep her in your prayers.

RE: Favorite teachers

2010-10-27T15:22:23-04:00

Reading through the forum topics and what all of you have written has really brought back memories of those days that certainly brings a smile to my face. Favorite teachers has allowed me to search my mind all the way from grade school to high school to college and made me realize how lucky we all who travelled this road together have been to have had not only one unforgetable teacher but many that has shaped our lives forever and I will alwas be grateful for the teachers and coaches and schoolmates that I have been blessed with. At Meriwether Lewis Elemenary, Mrs Callahan, Mrs Ruffin ( who Earl Burton accidentally hit in the head with a door) and Mrs Viar were all my favorites. Mr Estes was one I did not care for. At Albemarle I'll always remember Ms Sutherland who I had for English and Latin. She was a character but I really liked her. Even as hard as Mrs Houston was for Latin !! I still thought a lot of her. Of course, Mr Null, Mr Harrsion, and Arbaugh and even AL Groh as coaches have had a great positive influence in my life. One of my sons has taught and coached at Powhatan High School for about 12 years. I know he is helping to shape young peoples lives also.

RE: Mack's Condition

2010-10-26T08:30:47-04:00

Arrangements from Heather - I realized that many of you may not be getting emails from the End of the Era forum so am posting this here also. What a wonderful daughter Mack and June raised....and how much we will all miss Mack.....

Dear friends, the arrangements for Dad are as follows:

Visitation - Thursday, 10/28, 6:30-8:30, Hill and Wood Funeral Home

Funeral Service - Friday, 10/29, 11:00am, Hinton Avenue Methodist Church (not 100% sure on this location as we are still working out some details, if it changes I will let you know)

Graveside Service - Friday, 10/29, 1:00pm, St John the Baptist Episcopal Church Cemetery, followed by a reception (food, friends, memories) for all who want to attend at the Parish Hall of St John's.

Below are addresses and/or links for the various locations. There will be no funeral procession from Hinton Avenue to St John's due to the distance and lack of available police escort. An abbreviated obituary will appear in tomorrow's (Tuesday's) Daily Progress, and a more complete obituary will run Wednesday and Thursday with arrangement details as well.

Your outpouring of love for us and for Dad today has been extraordinary, and is truly appreciated.

Heather and June

Hill and Wood Funeral Home
201 N. First St
Charlottesville, VA 22902

http://www.hillandwood.com/index.cfm

Hinton Avenue United Methodist Church

750 Hinton Avenue

Charlottesville, VA 22902

http://hintonavenueumc.org/

St John the Baptist Episcopal Church

http://sjbec.avenue.org/map.html

4708 Dick Woods Rd

Charlottesville, VA

RE: The End of the Era....and arrangements

2010-10-25T22:34:58-04:00

I am so sorry to hear about Mack.... He was just a wonderful person....My prayers are with the family. fondly, Carol Umbdenstock

RE: The End of the Era....

2010-10-25T21:10:25-04:00

Final arrangements....from Heather - what a strong and amazing young woman Mack and June raised -

http://www.hillandwood.com/index.cfm

Hinton Avenue United Methodist Church

750 Hinton Avenue

Charlottesville, VA 22902

http://hintonavenueumc.org/

St John the Baptist Episcopal Church

4708 Dick Woods Rd

Charlottesville, VA

http://sjbec.avenue.org/map.html

RE: Mack's Condition

2010-10-25T14:22:46-04:00

One of the summers that I taught summer school in Albemarle County Mack was my principal. He was a fabulous principal.

My husband , Steve, hated going to class reunions. However, he did go to 40th one with me. I think that was more thanks to Mack than to any other factor. You see, they met at MedFit and often exercised at the same time. Like all of us, Steve enjoyed talking to Mack. And so, Mack, I thank you for getting my hubby to what would turn out to be his last class reunion for either my class or his.

Wayne hit the nail on the head when he said that Mack was one of the good guys.

We will all miss you, Mack; but we know that we were blessed to have known such a sweet man. We know that you will keep watch over June and Heather and her family.

Fondly and sadly,

Sue

RE: Mack's Condition

2010-10-25T12:33:24-04:00

From Wayne Thomas this morning

Elis-

I'm very sorry to see that Mack's condition has deteriorated while I was away. Ginger and I, as well as daughter Cathy and grandson Julian (Mack was his principal) are all keeping him and his family most earnestly in our prayers. We focus on desired outcomes that reflect the best benefit for all.

As you probably know, Mack was my buddy as far back as elementary school and I've always held him in the highest of esteem. That's especially true now -- and we're all pulling for him.

Best regards,
Wayne

And again at 11:46

Hi again Elis-

I don't mind if you'd like to post my previous message or this one. Please feel free to share either or both with Mack's family.

However, I'm very sad to note that he passed over this morning at the very same time that I was updating grandson Julian (Mack's former pupil at Red Hill Elementary) on what was happening and why we were praying for him this morning at breakfast.

Mack was one of the original Good Guys, and Lord knows we're in short supply of those! I recently found an old photo of him from our days together at McIntire Elementary, back in the late 50s, and I'll always remember him with great fondness. Our family extends its heartfelt condolences to his family in this time of loss. But, at the same time, I'm glad and proud to have known him then and now.

RE: The End of the Era....

2010-10-25T12:01:40-04:00

There are no words to express how sad I am about Mack's passing. He has been a loving and constant friend to me. I cannot get my mind around life without him. Just 2 years ago, he came to Richmond to help me while I recovered from my first shoulder surgery. That's how Mack was...nurturing and supportive. He has taken a piece of my heart with him. Rest now, Mack...

RE: The End of the Era....

2010-10-25T09:32:24-04:00

My condolences to Mack's family and our AHS '67 family on his passing. Mack and I both started our first grade together at McEntire in Miss Moss' class, 1955, before I went to Red Hill (where I met Elis Clark) before I went to Albemarle (where I met June in orchestra class and Sam Clarke!). So you see...though our paths have only crossed occasionally at reunions over the years, he was a friend of 55 years and will be missed so very much. May your memories of Mack sustain you through the difficult days ahead and know that he is in the thoughts of so many of our special AHS class members.

Aivars Osvalds

The End of the Era....

2010-10-25T08:57:01-04:00

10/25: Heather's final update for Mack - my hands are shaking and my tears are flowing - he will be greatly missed.

Dad passed away this morning at 8:10am. Last night his blood pressure dropped to unsustainable levels and even 100% oxygen from the ventilator wasn't enough to give his body what it needed. After speaking with his doctors, Mom and I made the decision to turn off life support. He was already unresponsive before this happened, but we explained to him what was going on and passed on all of the messages we had received for him from many of you over the past 24 hours. He was given additional pain medication and a sedative, so he did not feel any pain, and he passed very quickly once the machines were turned off.

Mom and I are working on the arrangements today and once we have things finalized we will let everyone know. The hospital staff has been wonderfully compassionate, giving us as much time as we need and lots of emotional support. They even put a cart outside the room with coffee, tea, and snacks.

Right now Mom and I don't need anything. At this moment there is no need to call and check on us because we have each other for support and we are busy trying to make arrangements and notify everyone. However, there is one request we have of you: we would like to create a collection of memories of Dad. We would like each of you to write down one or two stories you have about Dad, maybe an event that defined your relationship with him, or just a funny story about something crazy he did in the past. Please e-mail them to me and I will compile them for our family, and also make it available to anyone who would like a copy.

Your love and support over these past 23 days has sustained us and made us realize how truly loved Dad really was. Please don't dwell on his death, but celebrate his life. The best way to honor him now is to live your life fully, or as Dad's e-mail signature says:

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to
slide in sideways, BBQ sandwich in one hand, cold beer in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "Woo Hoo what a ride" !

Love,

Heather and June