Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Bacon (Petkovich)

You were a beautiful, intelligent and loving mother, grandmother and friend.  I will always miss your laughter and your impish grin.  Rest in peace, my beloved friend.

Betty Bacon Petkovich

January 30, 2015

Robin E. Lostetter

Betty, I never think of you without thinking of Carolyn, and vice versa. I'm so sorry for the loss of our friend, but especially of a friend close to you. She was always an artistic, adventurous person - venturing outside my timid boundaries. And that hair - gorgeous! I'll remember her for gathering us at the last reunion I attended. I'll try to post the photo.  

Dwight Hardin

Although I have lived in Portland, Oregon since 1972, I try to return to NM every year or two since our 30th reunion to visit best buds Berry Ives and Les Finley, I met both upon moving to Roswell in the eighth grade.  We went through North Jr High, high school at Goddard and NMSU together then went our separate ways but stay in touch.  I did not know Carolyn in high school but knew who she was.  We became friends at the 30th and 40th reunions and corresponded frequently, and I went back for a few days I think in 2007 to fix her roof which was leaking torrentially during the July rains.  Berry, Les and I decided to rendezvous in Roswell I think in 2012 (but time is getting very hard to recall) and chose Carolyn's house near the Berrendo River as our meeting spot.  I meant to call her first and warn her but the number I had did not work - I found out later the area code had changed.  Berry and I pull up in her driveway and Carolyn is ironing in her dining room with the curtains wide open - in her skivvies.  I have to say that even though this was in a period of declining health, she moved pretty quick upon seeing us.  Les arrived shortly after and the four of us had a great day visiting, lunch at the Capital (or is it Capitol) Cafe, visiting the Anderson and Roswell art museums and then dinner. During this visit it was good to experience and be the victim of her great wit which could make you feel wonderful or cut you to the core like a very sharp knife.  We had a great time and it was our last time to see Carolyn. It is a precious memory of a lovely lady.

Dwight

Brent Morris

As I recall, Carolyn was in our homeroom class at Goddard High in 1966.   She was very petite, rather quiet and reserved, had a real nice smile & personality and in my humble opinion, was the most beautiful girl at Goddardl.  Needless to say, I had a real crush on her, though she was never aware of it. 

I often sat there in class thinking about her, trying to muster up the courage to ask her out for a date or tell her how pretty she looked that day.   But frankly, like most guys in our class at that age, I feared rejection.    So alas, I failed to ask her out!

When I met Carolyn at our 40th High School reunion, I shared this story with her and she was so nice about it.  She told me that had I found the courage then to ask her for a date, she would have gone out with me in a heartbeat and that both our lives might have been changed forever in a good way.  

Imagine that!  Boy, did I feel like a bozo having missed the opportunity to have gotten to know Carolyn better then and to have shared some good times together.  Opportunities like dating the prettiest & nicest girl in high school didn't come along very often for us guys back then, so sadly I missed my chance. 

While my wife, Sheila and I have been happily married 32 years and I love her dearly, my thoughts of Carolyn and how nice she was still haunt me. 

Carolyn holds a special place in my heart so I shall always miss her.   

Brent Morris    

Dennis R. Hunter

Left to Right: Carolyn Loveless Schlicher, Betty Bacon Petkovich, Molly Orr Crockett, Pat Scott West, Marilyn Miller Michael (in front of Pat), Robin Lostetter

(Photo provided by Robin Lostetter)