Duluth Central High School Class of 1961
Classmates
Rita Priley (Garcia+)
Comments
Work: Retired
Spouse: Joseph (deceased)
2 Children
2 Grandchildren
1 Grandpuppy
3 Step Grandchildren
1 Great Granddaughter
Information update: 10/24/2022
Duluth Address: 1031 W. Skyline Pkwy., Duluth, MN 55806

My story actually begins "53" years ago when I moved from Duluth to California with my parents, brother and sister. It was not a happy time for me. I loved Duluth. I loved school. I loved the people I went to school with. Being a typical teenage girl, I thought I was going to die. I recovered rather quickly. I made new friends and met my future husband a month after moving to Roseville, CA. We dated, went steady or whatever we called it back then until we graduated from Roseville High School in June 1961. Being very mature and grown up (ha ha), we were married August 26, 1961.

My husband attended college and worked full time. I worked in the office at J.C. Penney's until our son, Daniel, was born on May 7, 1963. I was a stay at home mom. My husband worked for the Air Force. We did some traveling for the Air Force until our son started school. Our daughter, Nichole (my best friend), was born April 9, 1968. I decided, since I was volunteering often at my children's school, that I would apply for a job as an Instructional Assistant in 1976. I did that for 9 yrs. and was able to be home for my children. When my daughter was a senior at Roseville High School I went to work at Roseville High School as the Assistant Principals' Secretary. I continued in that position (23 yrs.) until my retirement in 2008.

While I was busily taking care of my family I still loved Duluth. I would visit whenever I had the opportunity. My husband also became very fond of Duluth. We bought a small house on Skyline Pkwy. and Observation Rd. in 1991. We were planning, upon retirement, to spend part of the year in California and part of the year in Duluth. My husband developed symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease in 1993 and received a definite diagnosis in 2000. He was only able to spend a few summers in Duluth. He died in 2006 of complications caused by the disease. We were married 44 yrs. 5 months.

Our son has given us two beautiful granddaughters: Emma born in 1998 and Lily born in 2000. They are the "lights of my life". They also love Duluth and accompany me on many trips. I am now able to spend more than summers in Duluth in my wonderful little house and love it. I still have a large extended family living there and enjoy spending time with them. I am considering attending the reunion but feeling a little insecure about whether anyone will remember me.

Although, I only attended Washington Jr. High with all of you, I really appreciate being included in Central's Class of 1961 reunion. I'm sure you have all heard that old song "I Left My Heart in Duluth". Oops, was that San Francisco? Well I left mine in Duluth!!
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