Have you lived in other places besides Lynden?
Yes, I grew up in Chicago, Illinois and lived there until I was an adult. I then lived in California for two years, working as a teacher. After that, I went to Germany and Istanbul for a year, then back to Chicago. I lived in Chicago for most of my life.
What was your first job?
When I was 16, I worked part-time as an usher at the Blackstone Theater, now called the Merle Reskin Theater. It was and still is a live theater venue.
What other types of work did you do before retiring?
I was a teacher for 34 years, certified for 1st through 8th grade. I worked most of my career in the Chicago Public Schools. Some of the schools were very rough, and some of the kids were from very poor and unstable homes.
When I was close to retirement, I started working part-time for a travel agency. I set up customized trips for other teachers, and then I continued there part-time after retiring from teaching.
What was your favorite thing about the work you did?
As a teacher, my favorite thing was teaching 1st grade because they were “fresh,” and I really enjoyed teaching them.
As a travel agent, I had a lot of flexibility, and I could work whenever I wanted to.
What is one thing that you have been most proud of in your life?
I am proud of teaching 1st grade on the south side of Chicago during the time schools were being integrated. I chose to go to one of the hardest schools to work in, teaching there for seven years. It was very hard at times, but I know that I made a difference in those kids’ lives.
What is the hardest thing that you’ve lived through, and how did you get through it?
The hardest thing I lived through was Sept. 11, 2001. I was almost to school when I heard the plane hit the World Trade Center. I was teaching kindergarten, and I had to not let on to the children that anything was happening. At first, they thought it was an accident. It was so terrible and shocking. We had moments of silence every day at noon for the rest of the school year. We just prayed for everyone involved, and that was the only way we could get through it.
What was your favorite decade to live in, and why?
I would say the 1960’s because I was starting my teaching career and also because polyester became available, so no more ironing!!
Who is your favorite author or musician?
My favorite musician is Leonard Bernstein.
Do you have a favorite song, inspirational quote or bible verse?
“O Holy Night” is my favorite song.
What is one life lesson that you learned from your parents?
They taught me to be honest and try my best.
What is one piece of advice that you would give a 16-year-old person?
I would tell them to be honest and try their best. And you can always strive to improve yourself.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you, but you wish they did?
One of my favorite singers of all time is Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones. I saw them live, and I think he had to be in pretty good shape to do all those dance moves!
What is one thing that you like about living at CHCC?
It’s very, very clean. Everybody is very friendly, from maintenance to housekeeping to activities and every nurse and every aide. They ask you what you want instead of just telling you that “you have to do this now.” I know that not all places are as nice as this one.