Wm Fremd High School
Class Of 1974
Dee Ottey Tuschall
I moved to Palatine from Philadelphia in November of my sophmore year. My first few weeks at William Fremd High School were horrible. I usually ended up crying my eyes out every day in some poor teacher's classroom. It took quite a while for me to adjust to my new surroundings and situations at the age of 15, but after I did, all Hell broke loose!!!
I have been married for 34 years (Don't bother telling me, I already know that was too young.) to Jim and we have two children. Maria is a 4th grade teacher in Denver, CO (like there is another Denver) and James is a pro snowboarder who has seen the light (probably due to also seeing the light and lint at the bottom of his pockets) and is now in college in San Diego. I am so proud of them both and consider them to be my biggest challenges AND the joys of my life next to my dog, Alice.
I am now a retired stay-at-home Mom and enjoying the time to now live for myself. I have been taking college classes for years and am currently working towards an English degree. My biggest problem with school is that I want to know everything about everything and it's hard to narrow it down. I hope to continue to have the luxury to be in school forever.
I also volunteer at the DuPage County Courthouse in a place called Safe Harbor. It's a place where children can come and be in a safe and fun environment while their parents are in court. I have had so many wonderful experiences with these little kids.
We have done a lot of traveling and as much as I like the Carribean, Europe, and visiting my family around the country, I LOVE to come home to Chicago. There is nothing better than flying into O'Hare and seeing the Chicago skyline from an airplane window and feeling a sense of belonging.
My favorite things to do are scuba diving, entertaining friends and family, boating, decorating, gardening, looking at fashion magazines and destroying my self-image, long walks in the city, going to movies and reading for fun when I'm not trying to get through a textbook. I also have an uncontrollable need to arrange and rearrange every single room in my house which drives my family and friends crazy. There must be some deep psychological connection there, but I'm not interested in finding out. A lot of people tell me I'm a little neurotic and unflexible, but that's their problem. Not really, I am working on it.
I have kept in touch with some dear friends from Wm. Fremd and these are my most cherished and appreciated friendships. Having friends that have seen the good, bad, and ugly part of my life since way back when, is a blessing that I am eternally grateful for.
I am looking forward to the multi-year reunion and to seeing my old friends and catching up on their lives. Hope to see you there!!
My most favorite memory of high school is being in Mr. Water's Business class and learning to write a check! When I had my first job, I wrote a check to Mark Shale (from my very first paycheck) for the cutest little purse, which my mom is still saving for me in a safe place. I haven't stopped since and I attribute that moment to the onset of my addiction. My husband has suggested Purseaholic Anonymous but I am in denial of my problem. If and when I hit rock bottom, I will deal with it. But not until then, thank you very much.
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