Francine Boxer:  

Right now I am looking forward to catching up with everyone at the Reunion! I worked for Spokane County for slightly over 30 years. From 1995 until 1998, I was the Director for Parks, the Fairgrounds and the 3 County Golf Courses. From 1998 until my retirement in 2004, I was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). I was the first female CEO in the history of Spokane County. The 3 elected officials, the County Commissioners, were my "bosses." Needless to say, working for one Democrat and two Republicans, everything was a very deliciate balancing act! I was responsible for over 2,400 employees, and 24 department heads reported to me. The stress was unbearable on many days, and it was difficult to find much satisfaction in my job. The previous CEO had a heart attack as a result of the stress of the job, and I'm convinced it played a part in my breast cancer. In 1995 I returned to college, earning an undergraduate degree, a Master of Science degree, and a PhD from the University of Montana. During the course of obtaining my Doctorate, I drove to Missoula 3 weekends a month, for three years. I also had to use my vacation every summer to live in Missoula for a month in order to complete my 3 month residency for the Doctorate. All this while working full time as the County's CEO. Let's just say, I didn't have a life for almost 12 years of attending school at night and working 12 hours a day. Two months after retiring, I found out I had breast cancer. I had a rare type, and by the time I found it, I had had it for 7-10 years. I endured 6 months of chemotherapy every other week, taking double doses. Since my chemo every other Thursday took almost 10 hours for the drip, I started taking beading lessons. I got bit by the "beading bug" big time! I was bald for over a year, and I did not wear a wig or hat. It was who I was for that period of my life, and I didn't try to hide it. The best part was I could get ready to go somewhere in 5 minutes! That part was enjoyable. I am now cancer free, and I've started my own jewelry design company, Lady of the Lake Jewelry Design. (I live at Newman Lake). I sell my jewelry at the Lake Shack Boutique in Liberty Lake, and at Galleria Vallarta, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where I have a permanent home. In fact I'm in PV right now (September 7th) but am coming home for the reunion. My web site is still under construction, but you can see some of my pieces at: ladyofthelakejewelrydesign.com. Pet Report: I have a tr...Expand for more