Dyane Billings:
CLASS OF 1973
Mukwonago High SchoolClass of 1973
Mukwonago, WI
Dyane's Story
Life
Nov 73 married Jeff Smith, he went into the Air Force and for the next 11 years we went where the AF said. 1 year in Illinois where our oldest Jennifer was born. 3 years in Georgia where our middle child Christina was born. 3 years in West Germany when our youngest Elizabeth was born. then to Phoenix AZ where we thought we had died and gone to heaven. We bought a house and Jeff went to work for Arizona Public Service at Palo Verde Nuclea Power Plant. In 1990 Jeff divorced me and I moved back to Wisconsin. I lived and worked in Oconomowoc for 6 years where I met my present husband Gordon Billings. He worked for Briggs and Stratton in Milwaukee. I continued to pursue my Accounting degree in night school. In 1997 we married in Las Vegas, sold the house in WI and moved back to Phoenix. I finally got my associates degree in Accounting and actually work for Jeff's sister Georgia McGraw and her husband Doug Ball. Gordy is retired from Briggs. We have a house, Dodge p/u, jacuzzi, sold one camper and plan on buying another. Jenny is divorced from a navel officer and has two daughters Amber(14) and Ashley(13). Chris and her husband JJ have two daughters, Avery (6), Sidney (4) and son Carter (2.5)they are simply adorable and love their Nani and Papa. On March 5, 2005 Elizabeth was married to a wonderful man named Robert Gutierrez and now we finally have step-grandson Kristian age 8. And Liz is expecting a little girl on Jan 7th, 08. I've survived diabetes and breast cancer and a week on a ventilator 6 years ago when my lungs and kidneys shut down and they only gave me a 50/50 shot at surviving. Gordy has survived lung cancer, he had his left lung removed in February 2004 and right now is cancer free. We just returned from a 7 day Alaskan Cruise on the Celebrity ship Mercury. It was WONDERFUL!! I highly recommend it for everyone. We are already thinking of which cruise to take next year. The 11 day Mexican Riveria is top of the list. Live life to the fullest guys cuz Life is what happens when you have other plans.
UPDATE OCTOBER 2008
This year has been very very rough. On Nov 30th 2007 Gordy went in for what was supposed to be a simple ...Expand for more
stent in the artery procedure and it turned into a triple bypass. While recovering after surgery some complications arose and it turned out that his lung cancer had returned. He passed away peacefully on April 11, 2008. I miss him terribly. I've also been put on oxygen 24/7 due to my lung condition. But the grandkids are growing more wonderful each year. Avery ran her first triathelon (yes thats right) and came in first of the girls in her age group. Jen's girls are in high school and she is remarried to a great guy named Robert Grant. Now I have two sons in law named Bobby. Chris is back in school going for her bachelors and wants to be a elementary school teacher. Beth is working hard at several massage jobs and spending time with Alicia her wonderful 9 month old. If your ever in Phoenix 602-758-5029
UPDATE 2009
My lung condition continues to deteriorate, I need a lung transplant but need to lose weight first. Prednisone is a great drug to help me breath but it is a horrible drug for packing on the pounds. Going to a research hospital in Denver in November, will hopefully learn more. Kids are great, grandkids are even greater.
UPDATE 2010
I officially have NSIP Non Specific Interstitial Pneuomonitis cause by a rhuematoid like connective tissue disease. Still need a lung transplant, still need to loose major weight, not gonna happen. Lungs are stable but I think I will probably be going on Disability this fall, just too hard to keep working. Would much rather spend time with the kids and grandkids. Chris and JJ are living ing Midlothian Texas due to a promotion for JJ. They hope to eventually come back to Phoenix but will not be anytime soon. Amber (16) has her drivers license and Ashley just made JV Cheerleading, shades of her grandmother. Avery won a blue ribbon at the county fair in Texas and Alica who is 2.5 is the light of my life.
UPDATE JUNE 2010
Well the time has come for me to retire and go on disability. I took a turn for the worse and will be going to live with my youngest daughter Elizabeth. Things are just too hard for me to handle and I am using 15 liters of o2 a minute. Thank heavens my kids like me LOL
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