Jan Campbell Campbell

I remember Sue as being such a nice person and so involved in theater, part of that talented thespian group that put on such memorable productions in high school. When I heard this sad news, I looked back at our '68 yearbook and noticed one photo of her with her guitar. I knew she sang, but was blown away by the music Bobby posted. Sue had an amazing voice, and her songs are part of one of my new playlists. My favorite is The Seagull Song, which a couple of my kids liked so much, they added it to a playlist. She was truly talented. 

I am surprised and so deeply saddened at Jan's passing. She and I were in touch in Oct. and November 2024, doing hurricane updates and we talked about getting together in 2025. 

Ironically, she and I both lived in the same area of the Florida panhandle in the 80s, but hadn't a clue until our moms met up and exchanged addresses to pass on to us. By that time, her husband Richard had passed away, heart attack on a run in downtown Fort Walton Beach, and she was remarried to Michael and living in Nova Scotia. We wrote occasionally. 

After our 30th class reunion, which I didn't make, Barb Beran set up a mini-reunion in 1999 at her condo in Sanibel Island. It was freaking amazing: Jan, me, Judy Pentek, Merry Greiner, and a dear old friend Lindy Mansfield enjoyed biking, fishing, boating, eating, and drinking, and, of course, talking, talking, talking. Three of the spouses, Prentice, Rick, and Michael, did some male bonding out on the water. We repeated the time another year and Prentice and I had gotten together with Jan and Michael several times to look at real estate. We never bought any property, but the memories are irreplaceable. 

I will forever remember Jan as a beautiful, smart, and funny woman with a smokey voice we heard over the PA system at Byron Jr. High and which eventually translated well into a professional on the radio. We always continued to say we'll get together soon. Let the passings of our classmates be a reminder that soon can never be too soon, but it can be too late. Reach out now. So grateful to have this amazing set of classmates. 

Another classmate passing too soon. I didn't know Margaret well, but remember her as very pleasant from a few classes and her performances in the band. 

I'm devastated by the news of Bruce passing. What a mind he had. I liked him in high school and was a little in awe of him occasionally, and really enjoyed catching up at the reunions. RIP, Bruce. 

Happy Birthday! Hope it has been a great day.

Happy Birthday, Andrine.

Back in my youth, the aches of aging and other dismaying physical changes were not on my radar. Mortality was a topic I consigned mostly to the pulpit on Sunday mornings. Yet, here we are again, mourning another friend's passing. However, I do love reading the comments shared here, especially the anecdotes, tributes, and personal insights, and like to envision Henry smiling as he reads along.  

I'm sure I have Bonnie to thank for posting the picture of me (black shirt) with my husband Prentice and two friends from college, Pam Nichols Wilson and her twin Pat Nichols McFarland. The timing was serendipitous as Pat passed away a couple of weeks ago. That picture made me feel touched a little by an angel. And once again, we are reminded of how precious life and those in our lives are.

I'm sad to hear of Debbie's passing. My feelings echo those of other classmates who remember her as such a nice person. I was very impressed reading about her life as well. On a final note, I am most impressed by what Jill wrote, that Debbie taught her how to write checks in junior high. I wish she had taught me. It would have saved a lot of financial idiocy on my part when I was a freshman in collage. RIP, Debbie. 

50 Years!!! Wow. Wishing you a very happy anniversary, Dale and Susie Pollock.

Milan, I did not know that about you guys, but the story made me smile. I like to run and have always been a fan of track and field competition. I was an avid follower of Marty Liquori's amazing performances. LeRoy was around one afternoon when I got a wild hair to try to leap over hurdles. I'm not sure what I was thinking, but on my first try, my foot caught and I went down, hurdle and all. LeRoy didn't laugh until my second try ended the same way. I sat on the track kind of laughing at myself and he came over because he thought I'd hurt my ankle. 

I  remember LeRoy as a nice guy from track meets mostly. Such a terrible thing to have happened to him. 

Though saddened by her passing, Barbara's obit seems to be a cheerful tribute to a life well lived. She was clearly someone who reached out to others as a natural instinct. And I must say that I loved the anecdote about her fondness for snacks and relationship with the vending machine. I wish there were more such anecdotes in obits, making the loved one even more memorable.  

I was kind of in awe of Melanie when I met her in junior high. She exuded a cool composure in looks and movements. On a personal level, the cool factor was coupled with real warmth and I valued our friendship. Like others in our class, Melanie's passing saddens me and is a reminder to appreciate every minute.  

It saddens me to learn of Karen's passing. She clearly touched many lives throughout the years.