Shirley Smith:  

I graduated mid-term in 1973 but I did return to walk to receive my diploma. While I was in my senior year I took a clerical test for the Montebello Unified School District. I ranked in the top 5 but I needed to have a years work experience before they could hire me. I took a job in East L.A. at Ace Drill in a clerical position and went to East L.A. College at night. One year almost to the day, I was hire by the Montebello Unified School District. I worked my way up to the accounting department and became the Attendance and Pupil Data Coordinator. I retired from the District on March 10, 2010 after 36 years. In 1977 I married my soul mate, Geoffrey Smith. We had been together for 5 years when we got married. We had 2 beautiful children, Matthew Dylan was born in 1978 and Judy Lynn was born in 1980. In 1983 we purchased a new construction home in Rialto, CA. In 1984 Geoff was diagnosed with colon cancer. God called him home on 2/22/1986. After 6 years of being a single mom supporting a new home and 2 children, I married Christopher Tiner in 1992. Chris has a daughter, Amy who is about a year younger than my daughter Judy. In 1993 Chris and I had a beautiful little girl, Sarah Caitlin. Sarah is 17 now. She's the only one still at home. I am very close to all of my children. Matthew and Judy and I did a lot of bonding when we all commuted to work and school when they were small. I didn't want them so far away from me during the day so I enrolled them in Montebello Schools and we commuted together every day. We spent many ho...Expand for more