Dear Friends,

Upon our return to school after winter break, I had the pleasure of speaking on the phone with Mary Bryce Hollyday ’41. Mary is 99 years old and lives in Virginia. Since this issue of Oak Leaves is highlighting the many different journeys taken by our alumni over the years, it seems very fitting to share some highlights from our conversation. 

Mary lives in a senior center where she remains active, playing cards every afternoon and Rummikub two evenings a week. She leads a singing group where she recently sang all religious Christmas carols—with the exception of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, which she led with a lot of “pep”. In between the carols, she asked folks to share a memory, and everyone had something to say. Instead of silence moving one to speak, music spurred the sharing. 

Mary loved her time at AFS: The teachers were good and the building was lovely. After Greene Street Friends, she attended AFS from 10th through 12th grade. Mary lived in Olney and her dad would drive her to AFS every day. Except for one day, she walked all the way home and it was a very long walk! 

She loved sports and played field hockey and basketball. She was the captain of the basketball team. “I was very good at field hockey. But, I would get so frustrated when I tried to stop the ball –  it would bounce over my stick. The field was so bumpy, and I told my coach the field was really not in the best condition for the game.” She tried out for the All Philadelphia Field Hockey Team, but did not make it. 

In 12th grade, she remembers being in an AFS fashion show. (She was the 5th model to take the stage, but the first to get applause!) She remembers sitting in meeting for worship and even spoke once. She remembers fondly the Maypole dancing and the May Queen. She remembers teachers Mr. Hendricks and her science teacher Linda who was petite and always sharply dressed. She hardly looked like she would touch a fish, but she dissected one in class. As seniors, on the last day of school, Mrs. McDonald read from the book Seven Wonders of the World. Mary said, “You know no one really pays attention on the last day of school, but she tried to keep us engaged.” 

Mary married her husband in 1943. Together, they had 6 children, who had 13 grandchildren, who had 31 great-grandchildren, and now a great, great-grandchild—a baby boy! 

She says it can be hard at times because she is the only one of her generation left in her family to help remember family history. But, on the other hand, she can tell anyone anything and no one can correct her!

My conversation with Mary brightened my day, I hope it does the same for you!

Warmly, 

Lisa Budd

Director of Alumni Engagement and Communications Associate 

Ways to Stay In Contact with AFS

Through the Center for Experiential Learning (CEL), students have the opportunity to travel locally and abroad to benefit from in-depth, real-world experiences and mentorship. Rooted in the Quaker belief that experience is a student’s most powerful teacher, our school provides students with invaluable professional and cultural experiences.

The Center is always looking for mentors and presenters for its learning cohorts MedEx, BizEx, LawEx, and the Senior Capstone Program.

Interested in volunteering or connecting students to external internships?
Email Lisa Budd, Director of Alumni Engagement, lbudd@abingtonfriends.net

Connect with AFS friends on Facebook and LinkedIn!