Class Notes

Laurie Waller Rupe, class of 1968, died early on March 12, 2024. She lived in Wauwatosa, WI, and was predeceased by her husband Orus Rupe, ’68, who died in 2004. She is survived by a daughter, a son, three grand grandsons, a brother, and a sister. Laurie was a teacher in Racine, WI, and coordinator for the Middle School Academy, a school for disruptive students. Her job included efforts to advocate for more slots to enroll students who needed special attention and to minimize the interaction of gangs in the school district. In a totally different role, she owned a used bookstore in Racine and later worked at Barnes and Noble where she was the beloved story lady. She loved to travel to see the places she had studied about as a History Major and had read about in thousands of books. At Maryville she was a friend to all and an enemy to none.

Margaret Susan (Peggy) Davis Saz was born January 1, 1947. She passed away in the company of her beloved cousins, Marian Kimrey and Jessica Recicar on February 18, 2022, at Bailey Family Center for Caring. Peggy proudly attended Evelyn Hamblen Elementary School and Ketterlinus Junior High School before eventually graduating from St. Augustine High School in 1964. At SAHS, Peggy received the Most Dependable superlative, through her support of all school activities, particularly the Yellow Jacket football and basketball teams, through the Pep Club and her devoted attendance at games. In fact, along with family, friends, and her beloved SAHS classmates, sports remained one of her greatest interests throughout her life. At Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee, she met her husband, Walter V. (Wally) Saz. They were married in St. Augustine in 1968 and were married for almost 25 years. They lived in New York and in Cleveland, Ohio for several years before returning to St. Augustine in 1979, where Peggy taught in local schools, retiring from Gamble Rogers Middle School in 2006. Spanning so many years, though, was her deep love for the Florida Gators. Peggy knew every player’s name and number, and she was probably almost as knowledgeable about the game as many referees. Her contagious joy and enthusiasm on Game Day always added to the fun. Above all, she loved being the mother to her son, Davis. They shared a love of spending time on the water. Peggy enjoyed watching Davis surf, knee board and swim with his close friends. They also shared a love of traveling to destinations such as The Abaco’s, Colorado, and Hawaii. Peggy was a Florida girl, who caught her own bait with a cast net, combed the beaches for unusual shells, and loved to fish any way she could, from a boat, the shore, or the dock of her beloved home on the Summer Haven River. When she missed a phone call, her voicemail recording was, “You probably caught me fishin’.” Peggy Saz was a humble local legend, loved for her honesty, decency, self-effacement, and lack of pretentiousness or artifice. As she grew older, her girlish sense of humor and quiet love of fun never left her. She was preceded in death by her parents, the former sheriff L.O. Davis and Nina Sterchi Davis, her husband, Wally, and her son, Davis.

Dennis Kelly Steward, 73 of Largo, Florida, died Friday October 20, 2017. He was born in California on May 11, 1944 and came to this area in 2003 from Lawrenceville, GA (Atlanta area). Dennis graduated Carson Long Military Accademy and attended Maryville College in Maryville, TN. He also attended Lake Seminole Presbyterian Church. Dennis spent his childhood in Port Royal, PA, until he attended Carson Long Accademy. He met his wife, Margaret (Hay) at Maryville and married in 1969. He was known for his computer skills and a willingness to help anyone in need. Dennis is preceded in death by parents, David and Mary Steward. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, of 48 years; a son Robert (Seminole, FL); and a sister, Davena Steward (Port Royal, PA). Dennis is also survived by numerous friends both in Georgia and locally.

Linda McClair Stone passed away August 28, 2012.

Sandra B. Wright, "Sandy," beloved by all who knew her, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2014, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, January 1, 1947, the only child of the late Clarence H. and Frances C. Boatman. Sandy graduated from the University of Tennessee (Knoxville) with a B.A. in Music Education in 1967. She was a certified music teacher in several states, and most recently taught for 25 years at Immanuel Lutheran School in Colorado Springs. Family, friends, and church were the centers of her life. She loved music, both vocal and handbell, and her passion was sharing the joy of music with everyone. She was a founding member of Pike's Peak Ringers. As Music Director at Immanuel Lutheran Church, she led vocal and handbell choirs for both children and adults. She is survived by her husband, Cliff Wright of Colorado Springs, daughter Donna Cook, and granddaughter Madie of Dallas, Texas, as well as beloved friends, whom she always referred to as her family.