Veni Vidi Verdi

Like all alumni, I always first turn to my class notes. Then, I would read Verdenal Hoag Johnson ’45’s, even though she graduated when I was 3! I don’t remember when I stumbled on her column, but once I had, it was always a must-read.

In October 2013, the Bulletin profiled her, writing: “In 2008, Verdi ended her yearly class agent letter declaring, ‘Life is short. Break the rules. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.’”

Verdi died last summer; her absence from Class Notes saddens me. But her words have been on my refrigerator door ever since I first read them. They will remain there, as I remember her many columns that made me smile.
—JANE JONAS SRIVASTAVA ’63, West Vancouver, British Columbia