A Life Always Becoming

Dear friends,

At Hollins, we often speak of transformation as something that unfolds over time. It is not defined by a single moment, but shaped across a lifetime of curiosity, courage, and care. Few lives reflect that truth more beautifully than that of Winifred “Winnie” Glover Boone Klein ’38, who celebrated her 108th birthday in November 2025 and, with characteristic wit, described herself as “pretty damn old!”

Winnie died peacefully on the morning of Jan. 2. While we mourn her loss, we do so with deep gratitude for a life that so fully embodied the values and spirit of Hollins. Her 108 years stand as a living testament to what it means to grow with purpose, to lead with generosity, and to meet the needs of the world with compassion and resolve.

Winnie was Hollins’ oldest living alumna, but age alone was never what made her extraordinary. What set her apart was the way her life reflected a commitment to learning, service, and love. Across more than a century of extraordinary change, she continued to grow, lead, and give back, carrying forward the enduring spirit that defines our community.

Raised in Newnan, Georgia, Winnie arrived at Hollins with a keen intellect and an open spirit. She graduated in 1938 with a degree in philosophy, a discipline rooted in asking enduring questions and engaging deeply with the world. She embraced the full experience of campus life, participating in the Student Government Association, writing for the Student Life newspaper, and delighting in the joy and surprise of Tinker Day. Those experiences did not remain memories alone; they helped shape the values and sense of purpose she carried throughout her life.

After Hollins, Winnie’s path unfolded in ways both ordinary and remarkable. She worked as a substitute teacher and later as a bookkeeper, raising six children with her first husband before welcoming two more sons as a stepmother. In every chapter, she remained deeply engaged in her communities, leading voters’ guilds, garden clubs, Sunday School classes, and Scouts. In each role, she drew upon her Hollins education, bringing thoughtful leadership, civic responsibility, and a deep commitment to service.

Perhaps the most enduring lesson Winnie offered was one she taught her children. Her daughter Caroline says Winnie taught them to be kind and to give back. Simple words, but ones that hold a lifetime of meaning and echo the values that continue to guide Hollins today.

I had the great honor of visiting Winnie on her birthday, sitting hand-in-hand as she reflected on a life she described as happy. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for her warmth, her humor, and her abiding love for Hollins. She lit up when she spoke of this community, reminding me that Hollins is not confined to its campus or traditions, but lives through the people it shapes.

This edition’s theme, Always Becoming, honors the deep roots that anchor Hollins while embracing the growth that propels us forward. Winnie leaves us with a powerful reminder that becoming is a lifelong journey. Through her life, legacy, and example, she continues to carry Hollins forward.

Levavi Oculos,

Mary Dana Hinton
President

President Hinton and Winnie share a birthday moment as she reflects on a happy life, her warmth, humor, and love for Hollins shining through.