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‘The Cover Girls’ close the final chapter after 45 years

Published 4:30 pm Wednesday, June 3, 2026

“The Cover Girls” meet in April 2003 at Susan Dykstra’s home: Back row from left to right — Marge Petrie, Peggy Crow, Irene Mulroy, Tracy McHugh and Dykstra; front row from left to right — Annette Williamson, Maureen MacLean, Pat Keehn, Pat McNamee and Kathy Ellestad. Not pictured: Merriann Firnstahl. Courtesy photo
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“The Cover Girls” meet in April 2003 at Susan Dykstra’s home: Back row from left to right — Marge Petrie, Peggy Crow, Irene Mulroy, Tracy McHugh and Dykstra; front row from left to right — Annette Williamson, Maureen MacLean, Pat Keehn, Pat McNamee and Kathy Ellestad. Not pictured: Merriann Firnstahl. Courtesy photo

“The Cover Girls” meet in April 2003 at Susan Dykstra’s home: Back row from left to right — Marge Petrie, Peggy Crow, Irene Mulroy, Tracy McHugh and Dykstra; front row from left to right — Annette Williamson, Maureen MacLean, Pat Keehn, Pat McNamee and Kathy Ellestad. Not pictured: Merriann Firnstahl. Courtesy photo
The final meeting for “The Cover Girls” in April 2026 at Susan Dykstra’s home: From left to right — Kathy Ellstad, Irene Mulroy, Dykstra, Pat McNamee, Marge Petrie and Peggy Crow. Courtesy photo

Special to the Reporter

After 45 years of monthly meetings, Mercer Island book club “The Cover Girls” is closing the last page of a remarkable literary journey.

Founded in 1981, the group gathered every month to discuss books, share perspectives and strengthen friendships that spanned decades. Over the years, members read more than 500 books together, ranging from “The Memoirs of Cleopatra” to “The Help” to “Guns, Germs, and Steel.”

The club’s history was carefully preserved by longtime member Susan Dykstra, who kept many of the books and inscribed notes from the group’s discussions inside their pages. Together, the collection serves as a unique record of 45 years of reading and friendship.

While the club’s final meeting marks the end of an era, members say the conversations, memories and friendships forged through hundreds of books will remain long after the final chapter has been read.

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