WASP Madeline Sullivan Conley O'Donnell, 44-2 Aug. 4, 2011

Madeline Sullivan Conley O'Donnell A longtime resident of Menlo Park, Maddy passed away peacefully on August 4th at AlmaVia of San Francisco a few months after her 90th birthday.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1921, and raised in Bellerose, Long Island, she is survived by her younger brother, Robert Sullivan, and three children, Patrick, Keelin and John (her daughter Keavy left us in 1992).   A loving step-mother to Kevin, Kerry and Mark as well, she was proud grandmother to Bill, Kimberly, Megan, Christopher, Katie, Joe and Mack, and 5 great grandchildren.

After spending one year at Chevy Chase College in Chevy Chase, MD, Maddy enlisted in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP, Class 44-2) under Jacqueline Cochran and spent two years doing something she absolutely loved - flying.   *Mostly bombers (B-26 Marauder).

She met her first husband, John Conley II, while on the chow line in Colorado Springs in 1944; they were married nine months later in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. She gave up her first love - flying - and they eventually settled in Larchmont, NY to raise their four children.

A few years after John's passing in 1969, she married John Gerard (Jerry) O'Donnell and expanded her living horizons to Hong Kong and Beirut, where they spent four years before moving to Menlo Park. 

Her passion for tennis, fast driving (in her Miata) and story-telling were renowned.

A Funeral service will be held at St. Dominic's Church in San Francisco on Thursday, August 11 at 11:30AM; donations to Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 1291 East Hillsdale Blvd. Suite 225, Foster City, CA 94404

Published in San Francisco Chronicle on August 7, 2011

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Additional facts below respectfully added by Nancy Parrish

* Madeline was stationed at Dodge City, Kansas, where she would have gone thru B-26 transition training.  She was then transferred to Gowen AAB in Boise, Idaho and, eventually, Peterson AAB in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  At each base, WASP flew  B-26's as part of the Army Air Forces training command.  Missions included tow target,  simulated attack and instrument instruction.

Photo added by Wings Across America

WASP Ann Griffin Gleszer, 44-9 July 7, 2011

"When I was 10 years old, Charles Lindbergh flew solo across the Atlantic. He was my hero and model. Later on, Amelia Earhart showed me women could fly, too. When I was at the University of Connecticut, I saved all the money I could get for flying lessons. By the time the war broke out, I had graduated from the university and had my private flying license."
Ann Gleszer from WASP Betty Turner's "Out of the Blue and Into History"

 

 Ann Gleszer

June 21, 1916 - July 07, 2011 


Ann Griffin Gleszer was born to Frank and Catherine Golick of Columbia, Connecticut on  June 21, 1916.    She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Master’s Degree in Education.  While attending college, she also took flying lessons and got her private pilot’s license, eventually becoming an air traffic controller at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

When America entered World War II and the call went out for women pilots, Ann applied to the Army Air Forces women's training program at Avenger field, Texas, and was accepted into class 440-9.  After successfully completing seven months of flight training,  she graduated, received her WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) wings, and was stationed at Robbins Army Air Field in Macon, Georgia as an engineering test pilot in BT-13's and AT-6's.  Serving her country as a WASP influenced Ann for the rest of her life.

After the WASP were deactivated, Ann became a flight instructor and kept a plane at Simsbury airport. Later, as a test pilot for aeronautical engineer, businessman and inventor Charles Kaman in Bloomfield, she was featured flying a Kaman Aircraft K-125 helicopter in the November 15, 1948 issue of “Life” magazine.

Ann married Thomas Griffin (now deceased) and lived in Switzerland with their two sons, during which time she developed life-long friendships and became fluent in French. She began teaching French at Simsbury High School in the early 1960s and arranged many winter ski trips for students to Okemo Mountain.  She also taught French and Spanish at Newtown High School until her retirement in 1983.

Her husband of 42 years, Kenneth Gleszer, was a radio communication officer on Liberty ships in WWII, as well as a former non-military pilot and flight instructor.

In March, 2010, together with all her WASP peers, Ann received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor the Congress of the United States can bestow on a civilian, honoring their service as WASP, the first women in history to fly American military aircraft.  during WWII.   She also received the Connecticut Veteran’s Wartime Service Medal from the Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs.

Ann was a member of the Methodist Church of Bethel and a life-long member of Eastern Star.

Pre-deceased by her parents, sisters Mary and Sophie, and brother, Bill, Ann is survived by her husband, Kenneth of Danbury, son Douglas Griffin and spouse Jill of Monroe; son Glenn Griffin and spouse Sandra, of Silver City, New Mexico, grandson Douglas II and spouse Stephanie of Bethel and many fond teachers, students, military, neighbors and friends in the U.S., Switzerland and Italy.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Masonicare Hospice or the Salvation Army.

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Respectfully edited and re-posted, with additional photo  by Wings Across America
* with an additional quote  from WASP Betty Turner's  "Out of the Blue and Into History"

WASP Elizabeth "Betty" Whitlow Smith, 43-W-2 June 16, 2011

WASP Elizabeth Whitlow Smith,  patriot, pilot, mother and  true southern lady of grace and humility transitioned from this life to the next on June 16, 2011.   She will be missed by all those whose lives she touched.

"Betty" was born in the lush green landscape of Pine Bluff, Arkansas on December 29, 1920 to Joseph and Mary Whitlow.  From as early as she could remember, airplanes fascinated her.  She felt drawn to the sense of freedom and space she felt when she looked up.  

As a young girl, Betty covered her bedroom walls with aviation  pictures, including a magazine ad featuring  an airplane silhouette along with a bottle of perfume.


During her sophomore year at the University of Tulsa, the 19-year-old psychology major, was given the opportunity to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP).  Betty became one of two women surrounded by 18 men in the government sponsored program, eventually earning her pilot's license.

Once she soloed, Betty's  first passenger was her mother, Mary.    Soon, Betty became 1/4 owner of a Piper Cub and continued flying while working at Douglas Aircraft in Tulsa, inspecting equipment on modified B-24's.  Once she had accumulated the required 200 hours, she was accepted into the WASP training program and  entered training at Houston Municipal Airport (now Houston Hobby) as a member of the second class.  

After graduation, she was stationed with the 5th Ferrying Group, ATC at Love Field, Dallas, Texas.  During her time as a ferry pilot, Betty flew PTs, BTs and AT6s. Later, after graduating from pursuit school, she ferried the P-51, P-40 and P-47.  She also completed Officers Training School in Orlando, Florida.


Following her service as a WASP, Betty was married for 30 years to Ben Rummerfield, a geophysicist.  His career with a seismic exploration company took the couple to Caracas, Venezuela  (where their first daughter was born), Mexico City (where their first son was born) and finally, back to Tulsa  (where their second daughter and son were born).     Betty spent her time raising their 4 children and, eventually, became involved in volunteer work with the Junior Board of the Children's Home, YMCA, and as a Water Safety, First Aid and Sailing Instructor for the American Red Cross.


After 30 years of marriage, the couple parted and Betty met Dan Smith, whom she married more than 3 years later.  


Betty was a cheerful volunteer, both at her church and with the Assistance League of Tulsa.

Betty and Dan with their flag flying.  Wings Across America Interview.

Betty is survived by her husband Dan S. Smith, children Ann Sartain, Mike Rummerfield, Ben Rummerfield, Jr. and Susan Rummerfield, her grand children Sarah Campbell, Esther Sartain and Ben Sartain,  great- granddaughter, Chloe Campbell, stepsons Doug and Kevin Smith and Betty's brother Joe Whitlow.

Memorial services for Betty will be held at  2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 21, at the Country Club of Woodland Hills, 6333 S. 91st E. Ave.  Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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On January 27, 2002, Betty was kind enough to allow our Wings Across America camera into her home.  Throughout her interview, there was a quiet grace and kindness that was captured, along with Betty's thoughts on being a WASP, for generations to come.  May the following words touch your heart just as they did ours.

On the WASP:  "We were a group. We were not known as individual flyers like those who had gone before -- Amelia Earhart or Jacqueline Cochran,  but as a group we really opened things up in the military for women  and its gratifying to know that they appreciate that.  They do express that and I think that that's very nice.  I hope that it will encourage young people, if they do get to know about us, that they'll see that they have a chance to do what they have a dream to do... what they dream of."

On getting thru the tough times: "Having friends and a belief system...knowing that its gonna be OK. There is something greater than us watching over us."

On encouraging future generations: "If they have a dream, something that they feel any passion about, that they just think that would be the thing that would just make everything worthwhile for them, they should hang on to that dream and not be swayed away from it by anyone.  Because there are so many people out there that say 'Oh, you can't do that, that's not possible, it's not been done' ... Don't listen.  Don't listen to that. Just follow your dream."

Taken from Wings Across America's interview with Betty Whitlow Smith, 2002

Respectfully posted by Nancy Parrish
June 18, 2011
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Reposted from ObitsforLife.com:
"Betty was a devoted Mother who raised her children with a sense of adventure and curiosity. Little did her children know until adulthood that she ferried all single engine Airforce fighter aircraft in the American inventory during WW II with a spiritual commitment to the air ways while skipping across the windy skies, the setting sun, and billowing clouds where arching rainbows are caught on wing tips.
Family and friends wish you to fly high and that your wings “touch the face of God”.
We Love You"

Article on 2 Tulsa WASP

WASP Emma Coulter Ware, 43-3 May 29, 2011

Emma Coulter Ware

Emma Coulter Ware, 96, died May 29, 2011 in her St. Louis home of 63 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Boyd Ware and is survived by her six children and four grandchildren.

She was born in Greensburg, PA on May 17, 1915 as the only child of Richard Coulter and Matilda Bowman Coulter. *"Both her father and grandfather were generals when generals rode horses instead of jeeps."

She first attended Miss Voegle's School in Greensburg. She graduated from Miss Porter's School in Connecticut and completed her education in New York City at Barnard College. While there she became an avid Gilbert and Sullivan devotee. Her interests were zoology and art history.

World War II was imminent and she joined the civil air patrol after earning her pilot's license. She then graduated in the third class of Woman Air Service Pilots (WASP) in 1943. She served as a ferry pilot of war planes, flew as part of the Tow Target Squadron, and helped test drone airplanes. Emma met her husband while at Biggs Air Force Base in Texas. They married on the last day the WASPs were in service, December 19, 1944. They settled in St. Louis, her husband's hometown.

Emma Coulter and Widget at Biggs Field, 1944

As the result of working with the Frontier Nursing Service in Hayden, Kentucky, she was interested in nursing and natural childbirth and had her third child at home. She gave birth to triplets with the fourth pregnancy. She had lifelong interests in horses, the arts, enviornmental issues, endangered species and travel. Over the years in St. Louis, she raised her family with a menagerie of rescued animals. Besides horses, cats and dogs, she nurtured birds, bats, flying squirrels, wolves, a bear and an albino dingo. She traveled the world for adventure, history, and art as well as in support of her causes to save arctic seals, whales and wolves.

Emma spent time in Buffalo, Wyoming and Aspen, Colorado where she would take her children skiing, hiking, riding and to the music festival. She supported environmental causes such as the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) and she provided housing for teachers, students and opera singers who attended the music festival.
Her volunteer efforts and generous support extended to many associations including The Humane Society, the United States Pony Club, The Wolf Sanctuary in Eureka, The Sheldon Concert Hall and The Opera Theater of St. Louis. She was a member of the Ethical Society.

Emma is survived by her daughters, Nina and Judy Ware of St. Louis, her sons' Richard and James Ware of Maine, daughters Anne Ware of Aspen, Colorado and Wendy Ware-Gleason of Portland, Oregon. Her grandchildren are Judy's children Justin and Margaret Smith and Wendy's children, Christopher and Emily Gleason.

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Respectfully reposted by Nancy Parrishwith the addition of quotes, links and photo.
*p. 546 "Sisters in the Sky" by Adela Riek Scharr
Official notification and photos
Tribute page from Andy Hailey

WASP Justine Fletcher Woods, 44-W-7 May 26, 2011

 Justine Fletcher Woods, better known as “Fletchie”, passed away in her sleep at home in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 26.   She spent her life with her best friend and husband of 62 years, Ransom (Bud) B. Woods, Jr., traveling around the world together courtesy of the United States Air Force.

Justine was a Congressional Gold Medal recipient for her service as a Woman Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) during WWII. Of the 25,000 women who applied for this newly developed women's service program, she was one of only 1,074 who graduated.  She flew for the Army Air Force during the last year of the war flying twin-engine UC-78s and AT-6s military planes as a test pilot and training cadets.  The program was disbanded by the end of 1944 and not until 1977 were the women finally given military recognition. In March of 2010 the WASP were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal as the first women in history to fly American military aircraft.

With the disbanding of the W.A.S.P., Justine joined the American Red Cross to drive a 2-ton truck, the Clubmobile, through war-torn Europe taking coffee and donuts to the boys in the fields. This began a long association as a Red Cross volunteer.

Throughout her life she continued to volunteer through the Red Cross as a swimming and a sailing instructor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Justine was always the tomboy and sport enthusiast, playing golf, tennis, sailing and swimming. She took much pride in her role as a water safety instructor and used this avenue to teach swimming for nearly 50 years with the Red Cross. Justine was also a Red Cross sailing instructor with a group of women called the “Wet Hens” teaching sailing to other military wives while stationed in Hawaii.

Justine received her B.A. from Wells College in Ithaca, New York in 1939 and M.A in education from University of Southern California. She also earned her private and commercial pilots licenses.

Justine married “Bud” right after World War II ended and traveled 30 years with the US Air Force. They moved every three years to new assignments throughout the US and the world. In 1975, upon “Bud's” retirement from the Air Force, they enjoyed life between homes on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, Sun City West, AZ, and Aspen, Colorado, where they had great pleasure snow skiing, golfing, and playing bridge with wonderful friends.

Justine is survived by her son, Ransom (Randy) B. Woods, III and wife, Jeanne; daughter, Lynn Severin and husband, Brian; six grandchildren: Robin Woods Strecker and husband, Peter; Greg F. Woods and wife, Connie; Louis, Baird, and Tyson Severin; Melissa Severin Bruhn and husband, Ray: and, five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be forthcoming at the Snowmass Chapel in Snowmass Village, Colorado at a time to be determined.

Reposted from the Glenwood Springs Post Independent
Links and photo respectfully added by Nancy Parrish

WASP Violet Thurn Cowden, 43-W-4 April 10, 2011

WASP Violet Thurn Cowden
Oct. 1, 1916 - April 10, 2011

Emails from WASP online have been streaming in since WASP Vi Cowden’s last flight on April 10, 2011.    e.g.  'We lost Vi yesterday.’    'One of a kind is gone.'   'She took her last flight last night peacefully.’    'A real loss to us all!'   Among the emails was a message from her son-in-law, Rick:  "Violet Cowden was a friend to all of us and will be sorely missed.  Her participation in life was immense and her desire to add value wherever she went is evidenced by her multitude of friends from around the country and abroad.  Vi will always be remembered for so many reasons and will be missed by all of us who loved her dearly."

I apologize for not notifying you sooner; however, I honored the family’s request,  that nothing be posted until they had the chance to inform her friends.  

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Vi Cowden truly wrote her own legacy and, respectfully, I post the following links to highlights of Vi's life and her most recent opportunities to spread the joy of being a WASP through interviews and films.


 "VI COWDEN" website, created by the Freedom Committee of Orange County
"Second to None"  recently released film which celebrates the untold achievements of American women throughout history.
Violet Cowden Oral History -- University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Violet Cowden Interview -- The History Channel
Ride of a Lifetime
Veteran's History Project--interview, photos and papers
Photos
Top Gun Grandma


God bless her family and those whose lives she touched.  I pray that she is truly flying higher than she has ever flown before.

Posted by Nancy Parrish
April 13, 2011

WASP Anna Hopkins White, 44-W-1 Jan. 29, 2011

Anna Hopkins White was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and raised in Jena, Louisiana. 

She learned to fly while studying airport management at LSU. She fell in love with flying and hitchhiked from the campus to the airport so that she could earn more hours, finally logging the 35 hours required to enter WASP training.

She applied for and was accepted into the women’s flying training program. In August of 1943, Anna arrived in hot, dusty, Sweetwater, Texas, to report for training as a member of class of 44-1.

Anna and her class were the first WASP class to graduate wearing the Santiago Blue uniform, which had been designed for the WASP by Bergdorf Goodman and fitted by Neiman Marcus in Dallas. In their honor, the other classes composed special songs for the ceremony, creating a new tradition at Avenger Field.

After earning her silver wings on Feb. 11, 1944, Anna was assigned to Childress Army Air Field, a Bombardier School, in Childress, Texas. Here, she flew the AT-11, flying to a fixed altitude, and turning over the aircraft to the bombardier cadets for the ‘simulated bomb runs’ as they practiced for combat. Later, she was transferred to Eagle Pass Advanced Gunnery School helping train gunnery cadets.

After the WASP were disbanded, Ann worked as an instrument instructor in Corpus Christi, eventually marrying one of her students.

On Veteran's Day, 2010, Anna was one of the WASP honored in Dallas, Texas at a special event.  Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison presented her with a copy of the bill, awarding the WASP the Congressional Gold Medal.  her face lit up as she shook the Senator's hand.  

Anna passed away on January 29, 2011.  Our prayers are with her family.  

Respectfully posted by Nancy Parrish
February 28, 2011