Thanks Jan. I have the address and will use it. Wonderful idea. Sorry to hear of the health problem though. My sister has MS so I know what she is going through although Natalie has been more lucky and is not yet in a wheelchair. And yes, Happy Birthday to all of the 70's this year. I get to wait until 2016 to celebrate mine.
Great idea, Jan. will get a card off soon. What a trooper she is, and what special friends she has in all of you. I feel so fortunate to be a part of the Class of '63 and will be eternally grateful to David for putting this wonderful website together. I feel like all of us are "family" and keeping in touch after all these years is such a blessing.
Lynda, Jan, Wally and Bonnie -- you all look terrific! Thanks for initiating this. I'm happy to send France's a birthday greeting, thanks to you gals. Also, would love to join Joann in having lunch with ya'll. It has been super seeing Bonnie at the Sausalito Blues picnics recently. ❌⭕️❌⭕️
Thanks for the info. Frances' mom is a good friend of mine and my dad (deceased). She and my mom were in college soroiety together. I knew Frans dad (Frank) and her stepdad (Craig). Her mom, Charlotte can run circles around most of us. I am coming to Sac. next week, so will plan a visit to both Frances and Charlotte. Thanks for the update. Again, Frances is not able to use a computer. So you might want to wish her HB by snail mail or in person.
DEAR FRANCES - How wonderful to celebrate, enjoy, and thrive on your 70th birthday with a former high school class of 70 year old's.
Where else could so many people be the same age ?
My Very Best To you Francis - one of the Best Looking Gals in highschool and still enjoying the lime light in all of your friendships and wonderful attention.
Congratulations for this amazing milestone on age.
As I sit here reading and thinking about the times we have in Lion Country, it really a sobering thought that we all turning 70. Yipes!!! (or maybe it only the guys turning 70…lol).
Things are different now….
My phone is now a cell phone—not a heavy rotary dial phone attached to the wall
You could have a hamburger and coke for a quarter—now $5.00 will not even cover it
You could hot rod around in your car with a V-8 and four-barrel carb all night on 2 dollars worth of gas—now with the computerized cars, we are lucky to get 18 miles on a gallon of gas ($3.00)
However, the greatest things about our youth and especially those at McClatchy—our friends always had time for us.
I am so glad to have grown up in Sacramento when I did and to have attended McClatchy…the friends were the best.
Even though many of us went different ways, our thoughts always return to Lion Country and the good times.
Thanks to all and especially that to Dave for creating the website…it gave us a way to re-connect us.
To all Happy Birthday...
To Francis, reading about you trials and the way you have handle it...you are an inspirtation to all
I am sending you a card today, but if it doesn't get there in time I hope someone is reading you this message, as well as, all the wishes for a Happy Day that are being sent to you by your sweet friends. So here I am wishing I could be there to say this in person HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I remember you so well and can't believe we all are 70ish. That used to be the age of little old ladies and I can see from your picture that you are still beautiful and all of you look great. 70 is the new 50.
Thank you, Bonnie (DeAngelis) Stormont, Lynda (Steppen) Hughes, Carole (Wally Waltermeyer) Johnson- Thank youf or the wonderful pictures and and a hugh hug from me to Frances Beddow for her 70th Birthday. I finally got brave enough to write to all of you. Yes, thru the years I have not forgotten all of you and truly, painfully miss those not with us. Lynda, you haven't changed--cute as ever! Hey, I can actually still plunk the piano your mom unstilled into me. I live in Sac still & still working. Call me if you want, 916-803-0937. Noelie Christina Owyang
Jan told us on August 31st that you are unable to use a computer due to your limitations so I was pleasantly surprised to see that you had joined our class website on Thursday.
When your buddies bring your birthday cards, sent via Bonnie, you will also be able to read and appreciate all the lovely messages posted on the forum from your friends.
Have a very blessed day and hope you are able to reconnect with your friends in the coming days.
Happy Birthday....you'll receive my card via Bonnie. Thank you to your "lunch bunch" friends who have started these birthday wishes for you. Your birthday event started lots of good wishes & conversations amongst all of us McClatchy classmates. Sincerely, Sandy Ryugo Ida
I just wanted to thank Sandra for her comments about how Francis' birthday has stimulated a conversation among our classmates about the importance of friendship.
Over the last twenty years I have seen how the kindness of old friends can really make a difference in the lives of classmates especially when they are either ill or on the verge of death.
I first became aware of the importance of old friendships when I was in touch with Diane Petrell as she was dying from breast cancer. While Diane told me that she accepted the fact that her time was almost up, she regretted that she had to die alone. In her last months Diane was often lonely and would have loved to visit with old friends. The tragedy of Diane’s situation is that many former classmates like Tim or Charlotte would have contacted her if they had only known about her situation.
In contrast, when my good friend Roger Peterson was in failing health he, like Diane, initially became despondent. But through phone calls and word of mouth, Roger soon was able to reestablish contact with many of our old classmates. Once he was able to talk to old friends his whole demeanor changed. In our conversations Roger would often tell me about all of the people he had talked to. The more people he conversed with, the more content and happy he became with his own life. As his physical condition deteriorated, his outlook on life, surprisingly enough, actually improved.
Similarly, I think Lynda, Jan, Wally and Bonnie have undoubtedly enriched Francis’ life. Their kind and thoughtful friendship has undoubtedly made Francis very happy. When I saw the group picture of Francis and her friends, I was struck by Francis’ wonderful smile. In fact that picture sums up the importance of friendship better than I could ever express it in words.
The concern of Francis' four friends has touched many people in our class. Their interest in Francis’ well being and their desire to make her birthday an important event has made a big impression on many of us. Thanks Lynda, Jan, Wally and Bonnie for helping Francis. But even more important thanks to all of you for showing all of us what is really important in life.
Thank you Bill, I couldn't agree with you more. I was fortunate enough to be at the lunch with Frances, Lynda, Wally, Jan, and Carol. It was an amazing afternnon to reacquaint ourselves with our buddies from the past. Frances was adorable and had a mind to remember little things from our past and tell us stories about who we were. She was radient and know she appreciated us being there as did I. I sincerely hope we can get together again very soon. If anyone arranges another lunch please contact me, Joeann Schoenman (Matthew).
Each of you are so correct, staying in touch, sharing time, a meal, walk, what ever, with each other is what is important now. We are all at a time of our lives where we have more than enough stuff. What we do have now is time, time to keep in touch, reach out to one another, and make menories during our golden years.
I look forward to visiting with Francis and others soon.
Right you are, Bill--and all of you who have responded in wishing Frances a happy birthday. I think the 50th reunion a couple of years ago did much to reconnect many of us--and I am grateful for that, and for all the memories. When we realize there's more behind us than ahead of us, these feelings are especially important. I wonder whether some might remember--when they were 18 or so--occasionally looking at a 70-year-old "oldie" and wondering how he/she could possibly be active, interested in life, pursuing it with energy, and loving and being loved. (Of course, other "oldies" were capable of out-doing any of us.)
Let us enjoy all we can, as long as we can. My motto is carpe diem, tempus fugit, and after our reunion I had it engraved on a tiny silver medallion that I wear next to my watch.
Love and hugs to the Lions--all of you! Diana (Doupé) email d.vicari@orange.fr
to you by your sweet friends. So here I am wishing I could be there to say this in person HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I remember you so well and can't believe we all are 70ish. That used to be the age of little old ladies and I can see from your picture that you are still beautiful and all of you look great. 70 is the new 50.
