GWEN MANNING:  

After highschool, I went to Dalhousie University 67 - 70 and got a BSc. I married at 21 ( 1970) and my husband, Glenn Smith, finished his law degree in 1974. Just like the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005). We were Mr & Mrs. Smith ( 1974) ( go see the movie) I had worked as a lab technician at the Clinical Chemistry Lab in Halifax. during our marriage, until I had my first child, Jonathan, born in 1973. ( now 39). I had to use that Science Degree , didn't i?? In 1974 we set off for Toronto where Glenn was doing his one year mandatory articling with a Law Firm. I took a job working in a blood lab in the evenings. Unfortunately, due to our youth., his career and just plain marriage breakdown, our marriage dissolved and I left Toronto, baby in tow, - and moved to Winnipeg. ( 1975). ( Don't ask me why Winnipeg - it couldn't have been for the weather!! This move left me struggling as a single mum to keep food on the table, clothes on our backs - my priority being diapers - and just be able to live. ( and go to the occasional night club). I took a temporary job in a lab doing research, You have to love those little itty bitty mice.... NOT!! when the position ended I found a job as a waitress in a steak and lobster restaurant. ..Diaper's are important and most essential. This job actually turned out to be fun. I discovered I had a talent working with people and that I was very outgoing and at ease with everyone I met. - and my goodness - with my BSC degree I could remember what everyone ordered without having to write it down. That's using my mathematical and analytical skills!! Eventually I thought that perhaps I should go back to University and add on to my degree. How about teaching?? So, back I went to the University of Manitoba in 1976, to get a teaching certificate.. In the fall of 1976, I met Frank Savoie , a television producer with the French CBC network and we actually married about 10 months later in 1977. This union produced another 2 boys. Marc & Chris. Marc is now 33 and owns editing studios ( television and film) in Moncton& Halifax. Chris(30) is a computer gaming engineer and works for Ubisoft in Sweden ( was in Montreal)l designing games such as Prince of Persia. Jonathan is a professional photographer living in Japan ( He had to pick up something from his mum, yes?) Frank & I lived in Winnipg until 1983. I missed the Maritimes and he loved the Maritimes too... Winnipeg's 40 below in the winter is PRETTY COLD. Try ice skating on ponds!! So off we moved to Riverview, NB, being able to enjoy skating on the lakes AND skiing without freezing!! The cars tires were no longer square! In NB I discovered a new career. I had developed am outgoing personality and was very much at ease with people in any situation. My next and last career involved sales in Speciality Advertising.. For the next 15 years I was at my happiest in this career choice but retired in 2002. Now I had time to concentrate on my hobbies and other passions in life. PH...Expand for more