AC_1965_Web
137 AN T I OC H CO L L E G E C L A S S O F 19 6 5 5 0 t h A N N I V E R S A R Y B O O K A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z R O Y unhappy and knew there had to be more out there for me. Depression knocked me over the head and I just couldn’t deal with life.Ultimately,we moved to Florida to try a different venue, hoping that would help. But it merely exacerbated the situation. One month after we arrived,my hus- band suggested that I move out. No. It was more than a suggestion: it was a demand. So there I was, stuck in redneck country, not even knowing the terrain or how to maneuver from one place to another. I felt like a fish out of water, since I still had all my teeth. It was tough, but I wound up doing P.R. and really enjoying it. As Bernie (my former husband) used to say, “The divorce didn’t work.” Less than a year later, we remarried and moved back to New Jersey, where I continued to work, commuting into New York. Obviously, it was com- forting to be with my family again. I continued to work, commuting and dealing with the problems of being a parent with a full-time job, leav- ing the house at 7 a.m. and arriving back 12 hours later. Sometimes I had to stay in the city to see shows or have late meetings. My kids missed me too much and started acting out, so I knew I would have to give up my position, which is what I did.We relocated, this time to central Jersey and I became mired once again in self-pity. I immersed myself in com- munity theater there and emotion- ally separated from my family once again. A creature of habit that I am, divorce #2 evolved. Of course, I was bereft over the loss once again, of my children, husband, house and fi- nancial stability. During that year, as well, both my parents died, so I became void of any emotions for a very long time. A series of jobs, mentioned above, filled my days. I moved back to northern Jersey and made a life for myself. I decided to go to gradu- ate school for an M.S.W., hoping to help others. I was in dire need of money, so that’s when I discovered people making decent livings in real estate. I became one of the very first women in the industrial segment of commercial real estate and am proud of the fact that I also helped other women enter this field and they, too, have become successful. I have been a member of the board of the Union City Performing Arts Center and I spend time with the Sharing Network,which educates the public about potential organ donations. My own little corner of the world is lived with integrity and an appreciation of the values that make a kind and decent human being. It is a joy to me to make people smile, laugh, and just plain have a good time. I am so proud of, and cherish, my remarkable children, grandchil- dren and sisters, miss my extraordi- nary now-deceased former husband, am blessed with family, friends and good co-workers, and try to live ev- ery day. My four philosophies are: 1. This ain’t no dress rehearsal. 2. If you don’t have what you like, you’d better like what you have. 3. If you have something to com- plain about, it can’t be ALL bad! 4. So many books, so little time. One more thing:weAntiochians have something very special regard- ing our basic college education. Let’s hope we all treasure it and pass on a love of learning and a sense of social justice to all.
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