Debra Larochelle:
CLASS OF 1974
Lyman Hall High SchoolClass of 1974
Wallingford, CT
Debra's Story
I hope that life is treating you well and you are happy. Every day that I wake up, I thank God for the family and friends that I have in my life. I hope that they all know just how much they mean to me. Dreams really do come true. I am such a lucky lady. I have been in Tucson since 1990, but still miss Connecticut very much.
My two sons have children of their own now. I just love to be called Grandma. Babies give the world eternal hope. I am lucky to still have my Mom, Dad and brother with me. I feel sorry for those who have lost family members. We are still a close family and certainly have a lot of fun when we are all together. Lots of laughter and hugs.
May 2024: Zoey graduates college with an Associate Degree in Applied Electrical Science. She will be joining the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and completing her last two years of Army National Guard duty. I am so proud of her.
February 2024: Tyler just got hired at Caterpillar! This has been a dream of his for a few years. So happy for him. He has not just a job, but a career.
January 2024: I am a Top 5% Listing Agent in all of Arizona for 2023. What an honor. There are over 54,000 Realtors. Wow!
June 2023: Zoey just got promoted to Sergeant! So proud of her.
Starting 2023 off right. I just purchased another 2003 Harley Davidson VROD motorcycle! I missed my bike so much. This one is a beauty too. I am going to have some new real estate business cards done. I am so grateful to have a second chance to ride a loud and beautiful machine again.
October 2022: I finally made it back to Hawaii for a visit. In 1975 I lived there for 9 months. I vowed to return one day for a vacation. I visited Pearl Harbor again and got to watch sea turtles just off shore. Still beautiful with a gentle tropical breeze.
August 2021: Zoey graduated from AIT school in Missouri after 8 weeks. She is thinking of becoming a licensed electrician, just like her Dad. She would follow in his footsteps of going through the 4 year apprentice program that is provided by the Electricians Union if she decides to pursue that career.
August 13, 2020. Zoey has completed her 10 weeks of basic training at Fort Jackson, SC. Family was not allowed to attend because of COVID 19. She begins her senior year of high school in September. After she graduates in June, she has another 8 weeks of training for her specialty. I am so very proud of her!!
April 2020: My grand daughter Zoey just told me that she got sworn into the Minnesota Army National Guard. She is only 17! She leaves for basic training in June. When she returns she will attend her senior year of high school. The Guard gets a 6 year commitment from her, and she gets a free college education. She is considering earning a degree in Criminal Law. My friend Bill has spoken to her about what a career with The United States Secret Service would be like. No matter what she decides on, she will excel at it. I admire her drive and dedication to pursue what is important to her. I am so proud of her! Her Daddy did an outstanding job of raising her.
March 5, 2019 my Dad was with me as I was driving home. A car traveling in the opposite direction crossed the double yellow line and struck us head on. Apparently the woman behind us was fo...Expand for more
llowing too closely and rear ended us at the same time. My car was totaled but because we were wearing our seatbelt and the air bags deployed, we were not killed. It is nothing short of a miracle that we survived with only scrapes and bruises. Always wear your seatbelt please. It really does make a difference.
My favorite scene from "The Wizard of Oz" is when the Wizard tells the Tin Man "Remember my sentimental friend, a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others". I am one of the luckiest people in the world. I have met so many nice people over the years that have become friends. I have close friends from my years of working at the post office, friends that would do anything for me. They fill my heart with happiness and joy.
I had the pleasure of staying at Miraval Spa for a few days in January 2004. It was a life changing event. I have learned to leave my comfort zone and I have never been happier.
I retired from The United States Postal Service in September 2012 after 28 years. I was a city letter carrier for 22 years. I went into management as a Supervisor, Customer Services. I have been the Legislative Liaison for both The National Association of Letter Carriers and also The National Association of Postal Supervisors until 2017, I traveled to Washington DC every spring. I met with members of both the House and the Senate. I also sat down with a Presidential candidate to discuss issues regarding the Postal Service here in Tucson while he was campaigning. That was a moment I will never forget. There were only 6 of us in the room.
Real estate has been an interest of mine for a very long time. Since January 2004 I have been a licensed Realtor. I work for a wonderful local company called Tierra Antigua Realty. It has such a family atmosphere. I love it there. In March 2018 I earned my Brokers License. I am so happy with my accomplishment.
While working as a Realtor in 2017 I met this gentleman named Bill at a model home I was working at for a local luxury builder. He entered the model home and told me that he wanted to have a home built. During our conversation I mentioned that I had retired from the post office after 28 years. He said that he was also a retired federal employee, but didn't say from what department. Bill also asked me to sell his current home. I can do that I said. I stopped by his home current home a few days later to gather information to suggest a listing price. When I stepped into his office, it looked like a museum. He retired from The United States Secret Service. He has protected every President from Gerald Ford to George W Bush. I was in awe. What strikes me the most is how humble he is. I have had the honor of meeting many other agents and they are the same way. Bill and I have become close friends through time and he is now considered part of the family. I always tell him that he is the nicest man I have ever met. I am blessed.
In 2017 I returned to Connecticut for a great visit. I had a chance to visit with former neighbors that I have not seen in decades and also members of my postal family from Meriden. Oh my gosh, this was such a wonderful experience. It is so good for the soul.
I wish you all good health and continued happiness.
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