Bev Blashill '76 Jutry

Looking forward to seeing friends and teachers! We need to contact them, I am still close to Mr. Brooks and Jim MacIntosh.

I have traveled a lot, teaching English in Spain and followed the Rolling Stones throughout Europe for $10 a ticket in most venues after the horrible death of my youngest brother Brian, class of '82. It really helped heal my broken heart. Worked as a maid in Austria, picked grapes in Portugal, and bartended in Paris. Had my brother not died, I would have 'followed the rules'. I had to make my own. Single mom for seven years after a 'what was I thinking?' marriage...then a couple years later met up with my college sweetheart. He took in the whole family. (Now that is a REAL man).

Also, when remarried, my family went to Nicaragua to see my Nica family. It was a blast and everyone was safe and it was great to they all survived. The family had gone through 2 earthquakes, 2 major hurricanes and 2 horrible wars. My own mom had died that year 2007, so I was very happy to see my Nica mom. Heather Stilb and I worked in the same village a month apart. If anyone sees or hears from her, tell her Jose, Nelly and our family are well...

Then had the perfect 'storm'...had a massive epi/subdural TBI due to a GMS out of the blue, BrCa, family issues, seizures and the murder of my son all in 4 years. As much as I want to I haven't been able to work due to memory issues and slight dyslexia as well as PTSD an but still trying to volunteer.
Still love the Stones! They were and always be my Emotional Rescue as I have my 10th nervous breakdown. Trying to keep up my therapy, Jim has been there every step of the way. Thanks to Gabby Giffords encouraging me to sing, I now sing in two bands and do some solos all for free (who knew I could do that?). Helps the brain get back my speech. Fun times, sing in Spanish, Sanskrit and English. Life is up and down but I am really strong and never give up.

I was a complete nerd, loved Science (who wouldn't with Mr. Brooks?) , Math and English classes. I was an All- American swimmer (even made Swimmer's World magazine) and had a record that held for almost 15 years , did gymnasts, on track team, even did football with the girls team (thank you Liz Tritz for the block to help me catch the ball).... and I LOVED school. I loved (almost) all my teachers and though I was shy, when involved with Amigos de las Americas I came out of my shell and was proud at what I had done (over 4k shots in Latin America against measles, polio and DPT). Sra Acosta was the most amazing Spanish teacher EVER, I knew what to say instead of 'Donde esta' la biblioteca while in the middle of the the jungles of Central America! While I saw people who worried about their weight or their 'cool guys', or hair, make up, nails, outfits, I was pretty much in reverse culture shock. I made my own clothes, never wore makeup and was happy about that.I hung out with amazing people...Andy Baker, Louis Porcelli (my son's Godson), Tad Clements, Janice Comerci (who got me into Amigos) and so many other amazing friends. I really hope to see you all there! Lisa Hersh, Connie Friedman, Cheri Tuttle, Lisa Windthorse, Liz Tritz, Heather Stilb, Mike Fuchs, Kevin Chess, John McRostie, Cordell Secreist, Roy Couser, Brad Baur, Chris Meade, all the people who made me laugh, broke my heart, I broke theirs, and all helped me grow. Katy Swaim, Meg Barnhill, Marianne Banes, and so many from Indian Ridge you made me who I am. And of COURSE Curtis and Nate...nothing can describe their friendship with me....it is like I am on the equator and they are from both poles. Too many to mention. I am glad I was a nerd and a late bloomer. The people who were so popular and pretty never had to work hard on their personality. I found mine working with Amigos and Refugees. I found my strength losing my best friends, my son, my mom and my brothers and going through a divorce. Life is good now...but I know and I am SO much stronger (can you tell I am Irish, nothing killed me!) but know it could change on a dime. It did for me. Can't wait to see you all. By the way, all the mean things people said about me is totally forgiven, Bali was my transition to the real meaning of life...compassion... as was so much traveling and meeting really famous amazing people (yes, I am friends with Gabby and met Obama (brilliant man), Yo Yo Ma (so kind but I thought he was a waiter at first) , Micky Hart (Grateful Dead) Walter Cronkite (at 92). Danced on the stage with Tito Puente and the English Beat and met and many crazy 'make up wearing men in DC' when I was working on the TVRA bill....Trying to avoid unhappiness does not BRING happiness. Oh yeah, and some funny things...I have two screws loose (we already knew that) from my brain plate, I am literally the only person who you could probably say I was 'Up shit creek without a paddle, when I dropped mine in Kaka Krike in Nicaragua', I was poisoned by a dictator and lived to tell about it (Somoza). Life has been my Celtic Irish heritage and I am so strong because of it. You all played a part in it. Thank you....