WASP Jean Trench Brown, 43-W-4

"Flying became an obsession with me in 1941. Gas rationing was in effect in those days because of WWII, so I rode my bicycle to the airport for flight training, joined the Civil Air Patrol, and became very interested in the newly formed group of women pilots--the WASP."

Jean Brown from p. 94 -- "Out of the Blue and Into History" by WASP Betty Turner.

Brown--H. Jean le Poer Trench, beloved wife and mother, died peacefully at the age of 89 on February 11, 2009. She was born on July 21, 1919, in Staten Island, NY, to the late C. S. J. Trench and Helen Gard’ner Trench. She graduated from St. Catherine’s School, Richmond, VA, in 1938.

Jean’s obsession for aviation led her to join the Civil Air Patrol, and then to work nightshift at the Piper Cub aircraft assembly plant in Lock Haven PA installing fuselages, so that she could take pilot lessons during the day. In a desire to serve her country during World War II, Jean was among a select few who earned her wings as a Woman Airforce Service Pilot, WASP class 43-W-4. While stationed at the Romulus Army Air base, Jean piloted ferry missions delivering combat aircraft to the airbases in the United States. She was qualified in the At-16, PT-19, C-47 and the PBY “Flying Boat.”

In the summer of 1944, Jean resigned from the WASP and later joined the American Red Cross where she ran a “clubmobile” providing coffee breaks to the servicemen of U.S. Army Air Bases stationed in England. She met Sgt. Geoffrey Alan Brown, Sr. in Bury St. Edmonds, England. The couple was wed on December 15, 1945, in Staten Island, New York.

For many years Jean and Geoff, and their three children lived at the “Seven Oaks Farm” in Chalfont, PA where they established a series of wayside shops selling home grown produce, eggs, general store goods, nursery plants, artwork, and hand crafted items to the residents of Bucks County, PA. After the family left the farm, Jean joined the administrative staff at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia where she worked in the Pulmonary and Cystic Fibrosis Center. In later years, she brought her talents and love of plants to the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia, PA. The couple spent most of their retirement years in their home in Doylestown, PA before moving to the Artman Home in Ambler PA. Jean’s interest in people, books and learning led her to the Doylestown Public Library where she volunteered her services for many years. She also published several articles including one entitled “Evicting the Moles” (Green Scene January 1988).

Mrs. Brown is survived by her husband of 63 years, Geoffrey Sr. and her three children; Pamela B. Benson of Perkasie, PA, Geoffrey A. Brown, Jr. of Pennington, NJ, and Allison M. Brown of Lambertville, NJ. She was predeceased by her son, Christopher, and her brothers, Charles S. Trench, and J. Patrick Trench.

Jean loved animals and in lieu of flowers, contributions to the Humane Society of the United States would be greatly appreciated. A memorial service will be held on 05/02/09 at 11:00 am at the All Saints Episcopal Church, 9601 Frankford Ave. Phila., PA. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Jeffrey T. Liddy. Kirk and Nice Suburban Chapel, Inc. will coordinate the event.

Helen Sabo Milstead, 44-W-5T

Helen Milsted (nee Sabo), 91, a life long resident of Paulsboro, passed away March 29, 2009. She is the beloved mother of James Milsted and Linda Schumacher, step-mother of Elaine (Lanny) Pagnotto, devoted grandmother of 8 and great grandmother of 2.

Helen entered Army Air Force Flight training as a member of class 44-W-5, and was the first woman in Gloucester County to volunteer for the Women Airforce Service Pilots-Army Air Force. She loved to fly at Bridgeport Airport, going to the air shows in Millville and Reading, Pa., and also enjoyed her casino bus trips.

A viewing will be on Monday 9-10:30am at the Landolfi Funeral Home of Paulsboro, 300 W. Broad St., followed by services at 10:30am. Entombment Eglington Cemetery. If desired the family requests donations be made to the Millville Army Airfield Museum, #1 Leddon St., Millville NJ 08332. To share condolences please visit www.landolfifuneralhome.com

WASP Ann Ufer, 44-W-4

WASP M. Ann Ufer passed away in Santa Fe, New Mexico sometime in February, 2009.

The news came in from a note, penned by the executor of Ann's estate.
There was no obituary and there were no listings of any articles or information online about this WASP from class 44-W-4.

I've spent the last few hours trying to find out more information on who Ann was--and how she spent her life. I looked in my usual standby--Betty Turner's "Out of the Blue and Into History". It is a fabulous book, because it carries with it the words WASP have written themselves. Ann didn't write anything.

What a shame. What a shame I can't find even a notice of her life and death--nothing.

However, Ann was in my mom's class, 44-W-4. I do know that she entered WASP training from Berkley, California, in November of 1943. She and the rest of her class spent a cold winter at Avenger Field, learning to fly 'the Army Way' during one of the most severe snow storms in West Texas history.

Because her last name put her 'at the end of the alphabet,' she was in 'FLIGHT TWO"-which was half of the class. Her baymates were Doris Tanner, Shirley Tannehill, Jean Taylor, Alma Velut and Nella Mae Ward. From Doris Tanner's "ZOOT SUITS AND PARACHUTES," there is a record of those first days when the girls arrived for training. According to Doris Tanner, "Ufer ... staked a claim to the corner opposite the john door" when the baymates picked their cots on that first day in training.

Doris writes "Ufer ... was taller than any of us and slouched a little. The long, lanky frame and cropped, curly, born hair resembled Amellia Earhart, who resembeld Charles Lindbergh. But most noticeable was Ufer's smoking. She didn't just smoke; she smoked one right after another, lighting the fresh one from the burning butt of the old one. It was enthralling to watch. I'd never seen a chain smoker."

"Where are you from?" I inquired politely."
"Berkley, California--just graduated from Stanford." Her tone indicated no further information would be given. She was not snooty, but reserved and somewhat detached from the rest of us.

Ann Ufer became Group Commander -- Group One. At the graduation of class 44-W-4, Group Commander Matilda Ann Ufer was given a special award for her outstanding record during training. Her first assignment was to Douglas Army Air Field in Douglas, Arizona. At this base, Ann would have flown BT-14's, AT-8's, UC-78's, AT-17's; B-25's as utility and administrative pilot and as an engineering test pilot.

Her second assignment was to Yuma Army Air Field, Yuma, Arizona. Yuma AAF was a Flexible Gunnery School and Radar Observer School, where WASP flew missions as co-pilot in the TB-26, AT-11 and BT-13.

There is no record of where she went after the WASP.

She died in Santa Fe, NM, not too far from the Army Air Base where she had been stationed in WWII.

I'm sorry I never met her. Mom said she always came to the WASP Reunions, but she didn't see her at the last one. She made a difference for our country -- and for the free world.

God bless her...and those whose lives she touched.

WASP MAE BALL PIETZ BEHREND, 43-W-8

Born on May 3, 1920, in Clintonville, WI, May Ball Pietz Behrend was quickly introduced to adventure by her father at his airfield near Sturgeon Bay, where his musical vaudeville act often entertained at early air shows. Later, after her parents moved to the Quad Cities, May enrolled at Augustana College.  Before morning classes, her father drove May to the Moline, IL airport for flying lessons, which soon earned her an opportunity to enter the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) program at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, TX, where she flew many planes including a B-24 after graduation. 

May was then stationed at Scott Field where she flew AT-6s, and DC-3s while radio operators trained on her flights. 

During college days, May helped earn her tuition by dancing with the Dot Carlson's Ballet Jubilesta group who entertained at state fairs and theatres. Dancing and music, especially jazz, remained passions throughout her life. 

During May's marriage to Vernon Pietz, she enrolled her three children at National College of Education (National Lewis) while she was earning a Masters Degree in Education. Her first teaching job was at Golf Junior High School, Skokie, IL, where she became interested in film. This led her to further studies at Columbia College and a Masters Degree of Fine Arts in Film. Next, she taught at Niles North High School, also in Skokie, and expanded the filmmaking and film appreciation courses with some literature classes before retiring in 1985. In 1991 May became director of Facets Chicago International Children's Film Festival, later writing film reviews, directing part of the Media Arts Camp and also the selection jury at Facets. Other passions May pursued included sailing out of Columbia Yacht Club in Chicago and the North Channel Yacht Club in Ontario, Canada. Also, as an enthusiastic student at Alliance Francais, May often traveled to France and studied there while pursuing her love of good wine and fashion. 

After 88 years of joie de vivre, May "touched down" with a "soft landing" on July 27, 2008, having spent important parts of her journey with her husband of 24 years, Jack Behrend; daughter, Linda Theede; sons, David and Douglas Pietz; grandchildren, Jonathan Pietz and Carolina Gier; sister, June
Horowitz; many friends; and cat, Genoa.

 A celebration of May's life can be made to one of her favorite organizations including: Doctors Without Borders, NARAL, Wellstone Action Fund and ACLU.
Published in the Chicago Tribune on 8/1/2008

WASP ROSINA 'ROSIE' LEWIS TODD, 44-W-1

TRIBUTE TO LEE TODD
June 26, 1922, Salt Lake City, UT
February 7, 2009, Jefferson County, CO

I am writing in loving tribute to Lee Todd - also known as Rosina Lewis and, fondly by those who've known her the longest, as Rosie - upon her death at her Lookout Mountain home this evening, February 7, at age 86.

On behalf of her sons Vince, Ron (and his wife Jayne), and myself (and my partner Ron) I would like you to know she lived and died knowing how fortunate she was to have led such an extraordinary life, touched by so many wonderful people. Even with congestive heart failure sapping her energy these past months, she remained interested in the world and passionate about making it better - one of her several defining qualities. Mom was exceptional in so many ways, and an activist to the end. It is my hope to make her proud by capturing her uniqueness, her active life, and her commitment to activism in this tribute.

While we feel a tremendous sense of loss, we celebrate our great fortune to have received life from her, for her to have survived breast cancer 43 years - half-her-lifespan - ago, and also for us to have known such an extraordinary person: a white-suburban-housewife stereotype-busting WW-II pilot, technical rock climber, pre-civil rights era reader of Ebony Magazine, relentlessly energetic activist for peace, justice, and democracy, and passionate partner for Dad.

Of course this was yet another of Mom's defining qualities, her devoted love for Dad - Clem, who predeceased her on March 14, 1998. Mom and Dad loved each other tremendously, and had such wonderfully multi-faceted lives together. It was Mom's extraordinary care giving for Dad and determined focus on enriching his life during his final decade, after a massive stroke followed by brain cancer, that set the care giving example to which we aspired for her.

Mom loved to fly - not just commercial, ultimately exploring the world with Dad - but at the controls. In fact, she had her pilot's license before her driver's license, and was soon a flight instructor, too. Her service as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corp's Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs, class 44-W-1 and flying PT-19, BT-13, AT-6, C-45, P-39, B-17, and B-26 aircraft) was not just a tremendous thrill for her but also a profoundly defining experience in her life.

Yes, it was remarkable because she was one of only 1,074 WASPs who in turn were pioneers, women pilots in a man's world. But what was most notable, as she would insist at every opportunity from private conversations to public forums, was that she was not seduced by the popular glorification of war.

She never missed an opportunity to underscore our complete failure to heed President (and General) Eisenhower's warning to be ever vigilant lest what he called the "military-industrial-complex" consume our culture and pervert our political processes; and to point out that since WW-II, the country she served has gone to war way too quickly and has taken diplomacy way too casually. As she and I watched the Inauguration of Barack Obama together on TV, she expressed hope that the time might have finally arrived for us to reconsider our misguided ways.

Mom loved the outdoors and in fact got to know Dad doing technical climbs - and rescues and recoveries - in California's mountain and desert environs. Their love of climbing, skiing, and ice skating in particular, was nurtured by the Sierra Club - one of their life-long loyalties - and had them leading the three of us into the outdoors almost right out of the womb. Throughout their lives, they enjoyed constant exploration, from mountains to deserts to islands, with family and their closest friends.

Mom's life was further defined by a far-reaching commitment to public service:

from the Red Cross to the United Nations Association to the Board of Plan Jeffco Open Space, and so many committees, commissions, and boards in between;

organizing forums to expose the excesses of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), Senator Joseph McCarthy, and the blacklisting of that dark chapter in American history, to organizing volunteers to fight an earlier Colorado pine beetle infestation;

as a volunteer education lobbyist at the Colorado General Assembly on behalf of the League of Women Voters, an organization whose advocacy and action on behalf of responsible and informed citizenship she was devoted throughout her life, wherever we lived, and in so many capacities;

as a compassionate philanthropist for social justice, the environment, women's and reproductive rights, ending poverty, and ending war;

providing financial support to three Korean orphans and anonymous support to victims of misfortune and natural disaster;

organizing the SHARE social services program with her colleagues from across the faith community through the Jeffco Action Center; serving a similar clientele at Legal Aid; and, just a few year ago, volunteering with the Police Department's Victim Services Section;

throwing open our Norfolk home as a dorm for Civil Rights workers in 1965 while she was co-founding the first-in-the-state racially integrated Head Start prototype Good Neighbor preschool in Virginia Beach.

Mom was a people person and a great advocate and aspiring practitioner of empathy and non-judgmentalism, offering counsel, inspiration, and hope to the special people she knew burdened with suffering and struggling with personal challenges.

Mom's social life was similarly far reaching: enjoying theater outings with friends; playing bridge with her Suburbanites social club, for which she also organized countless social, cultural and educational events; organizing monthly bridge nights for her Jefferson Unitarian Church friends, where she also organized Circle Suppers and Family Cluster activities; and binding our greater family together with her amazing memory for the complexities of our family tree and her dedication to staying in touch.

As a people person, it wasn't often that Mom made time to be alone, but when she did it was usually for two life-long interests: watching football and reading, with her curiosities ranging from murder mysteries to public policy. She was both an avid reader and committed life-long learner, as evidenced by the wide range of issues she mastered, the foreign languages she studied, the stimulating Elderhostel programs she pursued, and the world travel she shared with Dad. This provided her with a great background for her monthly Colorado Foothills World Affairs Council programs and our annual trips to the Conference on World Affairs, the Bioneers Conference, and lectures by renowned authors - including in 2005, a seminal one for her about Peak Oil.

This it turned out was her final cause. Since seeing the Peak Oil documentary A Crude Awakening last year, she has passed the DVD and the torch to the League of Women Voters in hopes that this will become a high priority issue for the League, first to study and then about which to develop policy.

Mom was particularly concerned about Peak Oil because she knew how we face up to its challenges will affect the quality of life and the prevalence of war or peace that her grandchildren Jennifer and Scott - and their generation - inherit. Mom loved to dote on small children and understood that the greatest legacy we leave them is the state of the world - and that a lot is at stake right now.

Mom had many favored charities but for those looking for the most meaningful way to celebrate her life, please consider making a personal commitment to action on the critical challenges of our times. This would be the perfect tribute to her and gift to her grandchildren and their generation about which I know she would be grateful, and want noted: two grandchildren, not an upward-soaring exponential curve's worth of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and more, overwhelming the Earth's finite resources - leading to the ultimate nightmare, a future of warmongering for resources.

War and overpopulation - at home and around the world - have long been high priority issues for Mom, knowing there cannot be peace in an overpopulated, over consuming world. I invite you to join me, in honor of Mom and in tribute to her extraordinary concern and activism for the world and its people, in finding your own way to work for peace and to intelligently and peacefully contract local, state, U.S. and world populations so our human numbers - and our consumption - are ultimately within balance.

This summer Mom and Dad will be symbolically reunited as we scatter Mom's ashes in their cherished Rocky Mountains, at the same place we scattered Dad's ashes eleven years ago.

Let me close by restating Mom's expressed gratitude to have lived such an extraordinary life touched by so many wonderful people. Thank you for making it possible.

Love,

Gerry Todd

WASP Sylvia Barter, 43-W-7

“Barnstorming pilots would land in my father’s fields and take us on exciting rides. Belted into an open cockpit, I knew one day I’d be a pilot.” Sylvia B. Barter, WASP

________________________

To Our Beloved Mom, Sylvia Barter

Do not mourn for me but allow the precious memories 
we shared together to brighten your days and bring smiles to your face.

Please celebrate my life with my children and me and
know that I am free.

Our Mom Sylvia was born in Solvang California on January 23, 1920. She was the second daughter born to Anker and Esther Bredall and was graciously received by her sister Rosalie. Her brother Buddy joined the family a few years later. Mom used to laugh when telling the story about her and Rosalie were not happy with a new baby brother as they had requested a baby sister. She often shared stories about her beautiful childhood memories, running and playing in fields covered with wildflowers.

After high school Mom attended Merrit Business College in Oakland and in 1939 accepted a job in Salinas. Her husband to be, and later our Dad, Gene worked upstairs in a different office. They were engaged in February 1940. During their engagement they both enrolled in a private pilot training course where they proudly accepted their pilots licenses on September 14, 1940. Two weeks later they exchanged marriage vows on September 28, 1940.

When WWII was declared, our courageous Mom joined the Women
Airforce Service Pilots, also known as the WASP. She was one of very
few women offered this opportunity and couldn't get to her assigned airfield in Douglas Arizona fast enough. Once there, she had many piloting duties including transporting military personnel from one airbase to another. This part of Mom's life was very special and exciting and she continued to be involved in the WASP organization until just a few years ago. Her passion for flying instigated her membership in the local Womans’ Pilot Club, the 99's. We are so proud to have the bragging rights that this honorable woman was our Mom.

In 1945 a whole new chapter unfolded for Mom. In 1945, Elise was born, followed by Andy in 1946. In 1947 the twins Kathy and Krissy arrived. All four under the age of 3. We teased her often about her method of birth control and she would always smile proudly and proclaim it was planned parenthood. We are sure that her calm demeanor and patience was attributed to her career oriented life rather than a stay-at-home-Mom. As we grew up and had children of our own, our respect for her choice was fully understood.

Our Mom loved her family more than anything. Even after 4 children, 10
grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren she knew all their ages and birth dates. This beautiful woman has left a legacy unequaled to any. Her kind hearted, generous, loving and caring personality was always present. Over the years she developed many dear friendships and had acquaintances all over the United States. At Christmas time it would take her days to write her cards as she remembered everybody and didn't leave anyone off her list.

________________________

Her family will be celebrating Sylvia's life on March 27th at 2 pm at
Connolly and Taylor, 4000 Alhambra Ave, Martinez, Ca 94553.

_______________________
Sylvia Barter passed away on February 4, 2009 

Sylvia's online interview at scholastic.com.

WASP Marjorie Redding Christiansen, 44-W-3

*I was born in January 10, 1920, in a homestead shack out on the Powder River, eight miles out of Broadus, Montana. Dad was trying to get the doctor, but it turned out he was out on call, delivering another baby. When dad got back, I was there.

We moved to South Dakota, where mom was born, and from there to Mystic, South Dakota, a little sawmill town up in the Black Hills, where I grew up.  I went to school at the Black Hills Teacher's College at Spearfish, South Dakota. During my last year we had the Civilian Pilot's Training, government sponsored to train pilots for the military. One girl to nine boys were allowed into the program. They had a ground school, and we were told the ones who got the best grades would get the chance to fly. They taught weather, aerodynamics, navigation, all classes that fit right in with my math and science.  I was the lucky girl.

I taught school at a small high school, not far from Spearfish. One of the fellows I flew with would fly over in his Cub and take me for a ride at noon or after school, landing in a hay field.  As soon as school was out, I headed for Wichita to work in the aircraft factories. I was a final inspector for the Beechcraft Biplane, and getting in what flying I could in the Civil Air Patrol.

Jacqueline Cochran was going to the larger cities getting names of women who wished to enroll in the WASP. Meriam Roby and I, from the Civil Air Patrol, decided to go to Texas, and get to see Jackie.  We enlisted and were assigned to class 44-3.  My assignment was Dodge City, Kansas to train on B-26's, but orders were changed. Doris Duren and I were sent to Independence Army Air Force Basic Training School for Air Force Cadets. We flew the North American BT-14s that were repaired, and flew non-flying officers on administrative duty.

After deactivation, we were encouraged to apply for jobs with the Civil Service as Aircraft Communicators. We took training in Pacific Palisades, California. I was sent to Salt Lake City, Utah and then to Fairfield, Utah Radio. There I married my boss, Raymond J. Christiansen. I could not work under my husband, so I resigned. I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Mormon Church, became active in doing genealogy work, and helping others to do it. I trained others to be teachers at the Family History Center, and am still involved in this work, mostly by internet now.

Ray and I have six children. I was involved in Scouting for about 15 years where we started Cub Scouts in the Enoch-Parawon utah area. I was Area Director over the Cubbing for years. I recieved the 'Second Miler' award on April 9, 1973, another 'Second Miler' award on April 29, 1975, and the 'Silver Beaver' on May 11, 1976.

All our children are happily married and we have 28 grandchildren, and **four great-grandchildren.  

*IN HER OWN WORDS--FROM WASP BETTY TURNER'S "OUT OF THE BLUE AND INTO HISTORY" p. 348

**written in 2001

________________

In 2005, Marjorie was honored by the Arnold Air Society/Silver Wings Joint National Project with Wings Across America.  Several cadets were given the opportunity to visit her in  her home and to ask about her service and her life.  They will remember this petite, gentle patriot-- as will all who were blessed to meet her.    

by np

_______________ 

From the official notice:

Marjorie Redding Christiansen passed away on September 13, 2008 at the age of 88 due to causes coincident with age.

After the passing of her husband, Marjorie lived in Goshen, Utah with her daughter and at the time of death was living in Blanding, Utah with her son. Marjorie is survived by her brother Victor Redding, of Wiamanilo, HI, her six children, Cindy (Orville) Gerow of Goshen; Utah, Frank (Jane) Christiansen of Copperton, Utah; Mark (Debbie) Christiansen, Blanding, Utah; Teena (Bob) Taylor, of Taylorsville, Utah; Dave (Connie) Christiansen of West Valley City, Utah; and Lee (Ginger) Christiansen of Rhododendron, OR, 28 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. A viewing will be held at the Enoch First Ward on Saturday, September 27, at 9:30 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Enoch Cemetery