Barbara Wolford:
CLASS OF 1959
Fitch High SchoolClass of 1959
Groton, CT
Barbara's Story
Sometimes high school seems light years ago..and then there are days when a few memories pop up and it feels like yesterday.
Joyce Meyer, a TV preacher, has said , "You are no surprise to God!" But over the years, I sure have been a surprise to ME!
I never expected to graduate pregnant..yet the gift of that child in my life is one of my greatest joys.
I never expected to be divorced..twice! Did not expect to marry a man almost 7 years younger, nor to leave Groton and live on the West Coast, and Italy and in the Azores, Florida and Maine..as a Navy wife!
It seems that the things that have happened in my life that I least expected have been the most wonderful!
Right now, in 2016, I have 8 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren, Tyler,Ava Margaret, and Finnigan Hayes, and one more on the way come June!
My oldest granddaughter, Stephanie, has her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology, and works with the elderly near Scranton, PA. She got married in September 2013 to her best friend, Brandon Meyers. They they have a home and a puppy, and live in the Scranton area.
Her sister, Jackie (both are daughters of my oldest girl, Lori) married in 2013 also, and on June 28, 2016, she and her husband Adam welcomed their first child, Matthew Daniel, our great-grandbaby #4.
Their brother, Michael, is the father of 3 of our great-grandkids. He and Colleen married in 2008, and live about 5 minutes away, so we get to enjoy watching Tyler, Ava and Finn grow up.
My husband of 44 years is still the nicest man I've ever met, and we still make each other laugh every day. Gene is retired from the USNavy, and semi-retired from Lockheed Martin in Owego. We are living in Vestal, New York.
I am "retired" and still chubby, and...Expand for more
still teased about talking so much!
My work at an antique/second hand store "trained" me for running rummage sales at some of the churches I've attended and I love that something I enjoy doing..recycling at its best..helps the church, and the community. And, it's just plain fun, playing store!
My latest obsessions (of the last 18 years) are scrapbooking and genealogy. I stay busy, putting together pre-made wedding scrapbooks for grandkids and baby albums for the great-grandkids, and adding the new "in-laws" to my family tree!.
I love creating albums of family history. I've found out family information that I don't think my parents were aware of, and I love the feeling of connections through the ages.
The one thing that might surprise everyone at a class reunion might be..that I am descended not only from Irish ancestors on both sides of my family, but also, on my dad's side, from a Native American slave of Governor Matthew Griswold, and a black slave named York! The son of that union, Prince Crosley, won his freedom by fighting in the Revolutionary War. Matthew Griswold is an ancestor of my children, via their paternal grandmother. Odd coincidence.
My family history has been traced back to Native Americans in RI in the 1600's. This information was a gift from a Native American researcher who contacted me online. She has written a book about the entire line, called And They Were Related,Too, by Vicki S. Welch. She actually dropped by this Summer on her way to do a lecture in Rochester. I've "known" her for 18 years, but this was our first time to hug!
Anyone who knew me well knows that I could go on and on..but I will stop here. I loved seeing everyone at our 50th reunion! I would enjoy hearing from you.
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