Anne Nickel Curtin

FAVORITE MEMORIES OF WILLIAMS

I remember Irwin Shainman and his Symphony Class so fondly. Whenever we met, he’d say, ”Here comes one of my best students,“ but, truthfully, I was hopeless! Irwin sent me a lovely letter during a difficult time. Later on, I wrote to thank him for his encouragement, his friendship, and for opening my ears to the joy of classical music. One of the best decisions I ever made was to take Modern Architecture with the legendary Whitney Stoddard. It was a fantastic course that was the beginning of a very special friendship with Whitney and Jean, which was a joy for us all!

WILLIAMS CLUBS / ACTIVITIES

Hockey groupie

CURRENT INTERESTS, PASSIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONS

My interests include weekly painting and conversational French classes and yoga. My passions and favorite commitments continue to focus on educating disadvantaged children. Saint David’s Horizons is a summer enrichment program for boys from Harlem. However, my heart is in Hanover, Jamaica, with the Tryall Fund, a non-profit working to improve the lives of our neighbors. Our Success by Six program has adopted eight basic schools (preschools) in Hanover Parish for which I am responsible. It is thrilling that we’ve truly transformed the learning process with phonetic reading and math programs!

LIFE SINCE GRADUATION

I still haven’t climbed any mountains or led any revolutions, but I feel lucky where I am. Despite the political climate and the terrifying continuing pandemic, I remain optimistic. I wake most mornings with a smile, ready to greet the world. I’ve learned that keeping your sense of humor and laughter during the darkest times is a true gift. From traveling, I’ve learned how far a smile and giggle can take you without a common language. I know I have much to be grateful for.

I spent junior year AS a broad at Williams, one of 50 coeds. That decision changed my life, as I married Jack Curtin and we had three fantastic children. I loved being a student at Williams and became friends with both professors and staff, like Irwin Shainman and Dave Walsh. One of the best decisions I ever made was to take Modern Architecture with the legendary Whitney Stoddard. It was a spectacular course that somehow was the beginning of a very special friendship with Whitney and Jean Stoddard for Jack and me. Not only did we spend two summers on Gale Road and go on the dig in Psalmodi, we named our youngest Whitney. Big Whit was like a grandfather to Hayden, Todd, and Whitney, a relationship that lasted until Whit’s death at age 90 in April 2003 (Todd’s freshman year).

An unexpected change in circumstances showed me I was stronger, far more capable, and independent and put me in the driver’s seat. So began my adventure travels. I volunteered and lived in an orphanage northwest of Nairobi and went trekking and camping in Morocco, both with a dear friend. I bought a house in Jamaica, which was a dream come true.

I loved teaching preschool at the Park School in Brookline, Mass., and kindergarten at the Chapin School in New York. However, my most treasured “job” was being a mom to my three wonderful children—my daughter, Hayden (41), and my two boys, Todd (38) and Whitney (31). I am extremely proud that they are good people who are kind and caring. What more can you ask for? I’d be lost without my three and their loves—Jack, David, and Luciana.

I have a wonderful partner, Tom Brandenburger, to share life with. We have snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef (I got seasick), seen the northern lights, slept at the ICEHOTEL in northern Sweden, and volunteered at the Golden Temple, Amritsar, India.

How are we in our 70s? I loved my 60s—I’m older, wiser, know who I am and what’s important. I feel extremely lucky to have my children, my sister, Jenny, Tom, extended family, and wonderful friends. I really do try to stop and smell the roses because we just don’t know. Let’s hope our 70s bring years of health, happiness, and continued adventures.

I’m very much looking forward to being together for our 50th!