The "Hastings" from the Class of 1941

The Alumni Office recently caught up with Barbara Hastings Young, Hamden Hall Class of 1941. It was a joy to speak with Barbara, and we thank her daughter, Jean, for sending us photos of her mother and Uncle Hank. Hank W. Hastings, Barbara’s “Irish twin”—born 11 months later—also graduated from Hamden Hall in 1941. One of the last times we visited with Barbara was in 2010 when the Alumni Office produced a video, Hamden Hall Stories. The program featured interviews with Hamden Hall alums from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Barbara and her precious twin sister, the late Patricia (aka “Tree” or “Bluefish Patty”) Hastings Falk Howd, also a HH grad from the class of 1941, were featured in the video. Patricia passed away in 2011. A few years ago, Barbara moved to La Jolla, Calif. “I’m very happy here,” Barbara said. “I live in a beautiful home that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Of course, I miss a lot about New England as I lived there for 70 years!” Barbara reports proudly that come January, she will celebrate her 94^th birthday. But Hamden Hall hopes we see her and Hank before then! They are the sole classmates from the 75^th milestone reunion Class of 1941, and it would be an honor to have them “back home” for the 2016 Reunion festivities in October. Barbara, who returns to Groton Long Point, Conn., from time to time, promises to “think about it.” In the meantime, she sees a lot of her family on the West Coast. She has four children (two others passed away), 10 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. Barbara was happy when Hank, who lives in Newport Beach, paid her a recent visit. Ergo the photos!