Denise Nelson:
CLASS OF 1976
Souers Middle SchoolClass of 1976
Canton, OH
Kent State University - Stark CampusClass of 2005
Canton, OH
Timken High SchoolClass of 1980
Canton, OH
Lincoln Junior High SchoolClass of 1977
Canton, OH
Dueber Elementary SchoolClass of 1974
Canton, OH
Denise's Story
After graduation, the Canton area was in a deep recession. I couldn't find an art job, so I continued working at McDonald's for about two years. I dreamed of going to college, but couldn't decide on a major and was short of funds. My parents could not afford the tuition, and we couldn't get financial aid. Back in those days, you didn't take out loans like today. Bottom line: I didn't go. Looking back on it now, that was a big mistake. At any rate, I hung around Canton for a few years working at Mickey D's during the week, and would "party hardy" on the weekend... as we used to say back then. My life, at that time, could best be summed by Def Leppard's anthem, "It's better to burn out than fade away."
Thank goodness, I got back to reality and turned my life around. I quit my dead end McJob and sought out opportunity and adventure. I enlisted in the USAF in 1983. It was one of the best things I ever did with my life. I learned discipline and love of country: Duty, Honor, Country, Ooh Rah! Later that year, I married my best friend and soul mate John Nelson. He was and still IS the love of my life. We just celebrated our 25th anniversary in June 2008. We have 3 children (step kids) and 1 grandchild. Everyone is in good health and doing fine. We lived in Dayton for 5 years and moved back to Canton 1987. We've been here ever since.
In 1993, I went back to school at Stark State College of Technology and graduated in 1996. I got a job at The Timken Co. as an administrative assistant at the Canton Bearing Plant. In 2000, I headed back to school (again) but this time at Kent State University majoring in business admin. I worked full time and went to school part time for 6 long years. I had to take a break from school for awhile. I was burning the candle at both ends.
In 2006, I went to Lean6 Sigma E1 training, and managed a project. Then we started preparing for the big SAP conversion. We worked countless hours of overtime for about 2 years. It was probably THE most stressful time in my life. There were so many problems with the system. We couldn't make shipments, and customers were yelling and screaming at us every day. Once again, I had to put my education on the back burner. I was planning to get back to school this year once things normalized. Well, it finally slowed down, but things never got back to normal. The economy tanked, and now we're in a recession.
After working at Timken for 12 1/2 years, I was laid off in January 2009. I had worked my way up to a customer service account rep. After the company had record losses in the 4Q 2008, they had to cut S&A expenses. In other words, get rid of people, and I was one of them.
I really gave my heart and soul ...Expand for more
to Timken and thought I'd be there until retirement. Boy, I guess I got that one wrong. Now, I'm looking for work again. I'm on the web every day looking for a job, but it's slim pickings right now. Until I find another job, I'm keeping busy. I'm catching up on my sleep, cleaning and organizing my house, working on a photo archiving project and scrapbooking, and getting in touch with my high school buddies via Classmates.
My dad is turning 80 yrs old this year and is in very good health. He loves gambling and playing the Lottery. One of these days he's going to hit the Big One... or so he says. If that happens, we'll have one helluva party in Canton, Ohio!
My brother, Mark, is doing well and still lives with my dad. He has MRDD with autism and other issues. If you want to know what he's like, watch the movie Rain Man. That IS my brother. He attends the Workshop at the Whipple-Dale Center when he feels like it. It's usually on Friday because that's when they have the DJ's, pizza parties and fun stuff.
My mom passed away Feb. 14, 1990, at only 53 yrs. She was taken from us much too soon. She died of complications from surgery to treat pancreatic cancer. She was in ICU for about two weeks fighting for her life. She put up a valiant effort, but in the end, lost the battle. There are just some things in this world that are out of our control. For whatever reason, God decided that it was her time. I wish I could understand that. Why some people stay and others go is difficult to understand. It's one of life's great mysteries. It makes you really value your life and loved ones and not to take anyone or anything for granted. We are on this earth for only so long, and we have to make the best of it. Carpe diem! My mom did a lot of good in her life, and the world is a lesser place without her. She may be gone, but she's not forgotten. She still lives in our hearts and souls. I'm sure she's looking down on us and smiling right now. I miss you, Mom!
I posted some photos from high school, military, college, and our kids. It's still a work in progress, so check back often for updates. I hope to hear your stories too. Life is a journey... and from the immortal words of Jerry Garcia, "What a long, strange trip it's been!" Looks like we've come full circle. Started out with a recession in 1980 and here we are again--another recession! Wow, it just doesn't get any better than this.
I've already been in contact with Guy Staats, Dean Criswell, Shelly Fagan and Shelly Scoville from the Commercial Art gang plus a few others. Drop me a line if you want to play catch up and laugh about the olden days.
Note: I'm now on Facebook, so look me up under Denise Van Pelt Nelson.
Denise
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