Sandra Ash:  

Life I married Richard Partin, Miami Jackson class of '54. I met my handsome, 23 year old Lt. when he was at home on leave from the Army Corp of Engineers, it was a WEEK before I graduated. His parents lived next door but we had never met b/c he was working at MacDonald Douglas on the Nike Missile, in L.A. When he was a Sr. at Miami Jackson he won an essay contest sponsored by the Miami Herald re: the UN. Was awarded a 4 yr.scholarship to the University of Miami. Rick & I had some of the same teachers, Mrs. Beech, History, Mrs. Satterfield, Math, Mr. Magnus, Civics & the older lady who taught English & would walk around the class, snapping her girdle & clicking her false teeth. I can't remember her name but she really was a nice lady, she had helped Rick w/the English in his essay for the contest. If you remember her name, please tell me what it was. Anyhow, after meeting we had 2 dates & he went back to Ft. Belvoir,VA. We corresponded from the end of May '57 till he returned home to Miami the middle of August, engaged Sept. 9th & married on Dec. 5, 1957. It was definitely, wonderful... love at 1st sight! He was an Engineer with Eastern Airlines in Miami for 3 years. Three children; girl born 2/59, girl 8/60 & boy 7/61 (kind of close together, huh?) we moved to Atlanta, GA. as he had been hired by Lockheed/GA. After six yrs. he took a leave of absence & was a superintendent of a boys home in Mission, Tx which is in the Rio Grande Valley. We lived there for a yr. Really enjoyed the area & our work with the boys. Rick went back to Lockheed for about 6 more yrs. My dad retired & Rick bought his construction related business which he ran for about 20 yrs. & retired. Rick died 11/12/03 from lung cancer, he had battled it for about 3 yrs. (never smoked). Was in remission for 1 1/2 yrs. then it came back with a vengeance. We would have been married 47 years in another 3 weeks. We were still sweethearts & I miss him! 12/5/06 would have been 48th anniversary I noticed in checking the classmates bios, there are only 1.5% in our class that have become widows or widowers. Let me hear from those of you who have reached that time in your life. These past 5 1/2 yrs. have passed quickly, thanks in big part to our only son & our remaining daughter, 3 grandchildren & many friends. I am only sharing the above & the following info. b/c I thought perhaps someone needs to know they aren't alone out there. If it has happened in your life & you want to "chat" you can contact me. Our middle child, Kat...Expand for more