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After graduation from GHS, I worked at Penn Mutual Life Ins downtown to earn money for nursing school. I started at Phila. General Hosp. School of Nursing Aug. 1960 & graduated 1963. I worked there for a year in the Neuro-Neurosurgery Dept. I then worked at Jeanes Hosp. in Fox Chase, PA until 1968. I was married in 08/68 and lived in Kansas City, MO and Woodbridge, VA until my ex-husband retired from the USMC in 1973. We moved to his hometown of Franklin, WV, divorcing in 1994. My family & work was in Franklin & I loved this friendly small town, so I stayed. In the 38 years I've lived in Franklin, I've worked at Pendleton County Nursing Home (15 yrs), then Franklin Group Home (15 yrs) before retiring from Nursing in 2006. My older three children are stepchildren but we don't use the word step in our family, children's choice which makes me feel special. I have 9 grand children (ages 8-28), and 2 great grandchildren (twins, age 4). Two daughters & families are here, one daughter & family is in Harrisonburg, VA, one son's in Seaford, DE, and the other is in Nashville, TN. Now I keep busy with family, friends, home, church, reading, gardening, needlework , & occasional travel. Update as of April, 2025 ~ sorry should have done this awhile ago! Since retiring from Nursing in 2006, I continued to live in Franklin, WV in my own home. In 2016 I sold my home & applied at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community in Harrisonburg, VA. I continued to live in WV with my daughter Emily & her husband while waiting for housing in Virginia. Sadly in 2020 my youngest son William "Bill" passed away suddenly in Delaware from a massive heart attack secondary to his Diabetes. While trying to cope with that I had some health issues to contend with, as well as hearing my apartment was ready to move into in Harrisonburg. You know the saying, "when it rains it pours!"!! It's true. I moved in Sept. 2021, & had a slightly bumpy first year due to all that had occured in my life in such a brief time, but all is well now. I'm close to youngest daughter Carolyn & her family here in Harrisonburg, as well as a nephew & his family. My daughters, Emily & Barbara, & their husbands are still in WV, as well as my son Ray Jr, his wife & step daughter. My family has grown with 8 grandchildren & 7 great grandchildren. My youngest grandchild, Catherine, now 13, is Carolyn's daughter ~ last two summers Catherine has spent part of her vacation time with me learning how to sew & we plan on continuing that this summer. My four grown granddaughters ~two are Teachers (both in Vo Tech), one a doctor of Pharmacology, & one an independent Auditor/Inspector of Medical Equipment Manufacturer's/Businesses, & grandsons, one is career Air Force, & one works in a building material business here VA. Thankfully most of the family are fairly close ~ WV, VA, & PA. Except come Sept my oldest two great grandsons, my twins, will start at Winthrop University in SC, my granddaughter who is an Independent Auditor/Inspector lives in her converted Van, usually in TX, when she's stateside & not traveling worldwide as her clients need her, & grandson in Air Force is stationed in WA. That's my current catch up news. Looking forward to seeing old friends soon at our 65th Reunion!
