Sally Coe:
CLASS OF 1966
West High SchoolClass of 1966
Rockford, IL
Sally's Story
Hi fellow class of '66. Surprised to be remembered after all this time. I was fairly shy, a good student and quietly focused on getting into college. Hope people recall a nice, decent cordial human being who treated everyone fairly. Didn't believe in double standards even back then. Did participate in many activities, most notably yearbook, but was basically a blender-inner. Kind of like that Where's Waldo character, hiding in plain sight somewhere in the picture. Must report I'm still low-maintenance, low-key and flying under the radar most of the time I was never the leading lady type, more the loyal sidekick who gets to utter a few wisecracking humorous lines.
Life has been interesting, and for the most part positive/negative times have balanced out. I have lived on both coasts (West LA/Santa Monica, CA and Boston/Cambridge, MA). I also lived 2 years in the Hyde Park area of Chicago. Atlantic and Pacific Oceans smell different. I have been sailing on the Pacific out of Marina del Rey, several hours at a time (20-24 footers for rent) and learned how to handle a jib sail pretty well back then. It was exhilarating fun.
Have had cats and dogs in my life, 3 cats now, more suited to apartment living, but dogs do keep you active! Since I loved Zoology so much, it's no surprise that one entry on my bucket list is to go to the Land Down Under and commune with koalas, kangaroo joeys, wombats, even hold a Tasmanian devil if needs be (little ones only, the adults can be awfully cantankerous.) The crocs and deadly snakes can keep their distance, though. If there is any future correspondence with the heading "G'day, mates!" you will know I've achieved that lifelong dream.
I have been on a flight when one of the engines caught fire out of LAX, plane made a U-turn and landed just beyond the runway in some field. All passengers vacated with the chutes/slides.
I have gone from a devastating breakup with a boyfriend of 4 years, back from Viet Nam in 1970 to the joyful miracle of meeting my perfect match in summer 1971 while visiting a friend at UCLA. The timing was right, felt like we had known each other all our lives... and he was quite definite about his intentions, so my usually deliberate self thought why not? He's completely right for me, Carpe Diem! We were married at 2:00AM in a charming little wedding chapel off the Las Vegas strip 4 weeks after we met. . Yes, in blue jeans with a couple of K-Mart silver wedding bands. Neither of us had a need for pomp, circumstance or pageantry, but we were just as married as someone spending a fortune for the big day--I treasured a memento of that oc...Expand for more
casion for decades. Hubby's receipt: "1 Wedding------------$25.00". Ok the snarky ones can call me a "cheap date". I call it being practical. It's all about the heart and soul anyway. Our sit-down dinner was two complementary vouchers for an all you can eat buffet at one of the casinos--we loaded up our plates and shared them with our best man and matron of honor. Some of the best years of my life to be honest. We did part amicably in 1979. Found out a few years ago that he had died in the 90's, and grieved like a widow. He was one special, intelligent human being who had a real gift with people. What a loss to a lot of folks whose lives he touched.
Went on a spiritual quest in my 30's. Read all manner of religious/philosophical literature, Learned TM and still practice some today, though pray more than meditate.
Took care of Mom the last 2 1/2 years of her life. It was time more than well spent, drew us closer and I really wanted her to know how grateful I was having her for a mom. What better way to show it than to take care of the one who took care of me when I was a youngster.She instilled in each of us siblings a basic understanding of our spiritual natures when we were young.
Was unprepared for the shock of my youngest sister's death in 2014, heart failure. Of all the family, she and I were especially close as friends and confidants. Miss her terribly but know she is beyond suffering, struggle and the vagaries of life that gave her such stress.
So ... I still try to learn something new every day. Love to listen to music (almost any kind from classical to zydeco but leave out the discordant jazz, heavy metal, really twangy country western, and whatever that auto-tune stuff is passing for music or singing today.) We were lucky to be born in the era of American Bandstand, the Beatles, Motown--so many artists from Motown alone-- others like Simon & Garfunkel, Crosby,Stills & Nash (later Young as well), Cat Stevens, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Doors. Carole King, Joni Mitchell...add your own to the list.
Still read a fair amount of books. Three of my favorite films have to do with breaking out of prison/chain gang (Cool Hand Luke, Shawshank Redemption and O Brother, Where Art Thou?) Think I value freedom much? Especially in the face of injustice..
Well, sitting here about ready to go pet a cat, nurture some plants (love growing things, too) or do some laundry. Hope that you all have received at least a few big blessings in your lives! Am open to emails. Am not on, nor do I know anything about social media and don't much care.
Peace be with you
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