Both Jan and I came out to attend the University of Arizona [with our favorite cousin and fellow Hilltopper, Samantha]. It was a real culture shock coming to Tucson. Possibly more shocking was the realization that we were both super “outdoorsy” and found ourselves daily regulars at Sabino Canyon-a part of Coronado National Forest.
Both during and after we finished at the University, we worked at a local chain of nightclubs. I worked my way up and I soon became the first female manager of my own club which was quite the coup at the time. All our time keeping things from our parents in Summit came in super handy when I met my husband of 30 years while he was my boss at the same company that had a strict no fraternization between employee’s policy. I worked there for twelve years, had my first child and no one became the wiser that we were even together. Another skill I brought from Summit High school was my ability to throw a party, and we did that every night at the club.
After my husband and I started our family, I left the nightlife to stay home and raise our kids for eight years. Once everyone was in school full time, I got a job in our local school district. Fortunately, the exact same skill set I used to deal with drunks was applicable to dealing with schoolchildren. So, the transition from Night Club manager to working in schools was seamless for me. I’ve been working with kids for the last 18 years. I first helped to build the special education program in our district. I did that extremely fulfilling and rewarding, but emotionally and physically draining work for eight years, I then made the move to our elementary school health office. I have a very high tolerance for ick as I deal with and manage catheters, feeding tubes, seizure disorders, diabetes etc.
I love my job and the people I work with, so when the school day ends, I teach cooking classes to children K-5th grade after school throughout the school year. During the summers, I teach science and cooking classes all day with our districts summer program. I’ve developed my own curriculum and style which seems to be a hit because my classes always have a wait list of kids trying to get into them.
My son Chris graduated from the U of A with a degree in nutrition and applied that to work in the ever-growing edible marijuana industry
My daughter Allison, also a Wildcat, currently lives in Brooklyn and works in Public Relations and. She’s loving the city life while her twin Brooke, our animal lover, has her own dog sitting business. Brooke also works at a pet day care and is working towards opening her own soon.
I would be remiss not to catch you up on Jan’s daughter Caroline, who has become our youngest since Jan passed in 2018.
Jan and I were lucky to have raised our kids together, so they all really have felt like siblings instead of cousins. Caroline is now in her second year of college. After years of being my assistant in my summer classes while she was growing up, she caught the same bug I have, and she now works at another elementary school as a teachers aid while she is finishing her studies. Marc and I are very proud of Caroline, and we both know that Jan is too.
Jan is still very much a part of my daily life. I still go to our Canyon every day and I see the painted rocks that others leave in spots up there to remember her, and they always make me smile. So don’t feel uncomfortable talking about her when you see me at the reunion. I’m always up for a funny Jan story.
I can’t wait to see everyone at the reunion! I love all of the posts coming in-it’s the good part about social media! I’ll add a pic when I can find one-I love to take photo’s, but not of me.