1. What unusual or important event has happened to you since you turned 50 or 60?

Married in the courtyard of the Historic Inn in Taos, NM wearing an Apache Ceremonial Wedding Dress.

2. Have you done anything exciting you have always wanted to do but for whatever reason you were holding back? For example; Have you started a new or unusual business, found a new hobby, or taken a trip somewhere you have always wanted to visit?

Don’t think I always wanted to, but am happy I have discovered the world of genealogy and am taking up where Mother left off. It is like working a jigsaw puzzle, but all the pieces aren’t there, some don’t always fit and there are pieces that would have been better left undisturbed. My cousin and I have traveled to all but two Mayan ruins in Mexico. Also, to Ecuador and Peru to Inca ruins.

3. What do you plan to do in the next five or ten years?

I hope I keep on keeping on. We divide our time between Harlingen and The Hill Country. I enjoy the exotic animals that roam around the “ranch”. These were animals the Schreiner’s imported for fee hunting. The herds have continued to grow and when they made a “subdivision” out of 10,000 acres some animals came with it. We have had the good fortune to own property where they freely roam. I enjoy photographing them, feeding them and some will eat from my hand. They are spoiled. Some have been hanging around for several generations and have been named!

4. In this second or third chapter of your life, what have you done for someone else? Have you given something back?

I belong to the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of TX and several genealogical societies. We are constantly preserving history though restorations, recognizing outstanding students with scholarships, maintaining our facilities such as the Alamo grounds, headquarters in Washington DC etc, and sending our troops letters, food and personal items.

5. What is the best thing about your career?

It is OVER! However, I had about three different careers. My first was as an educator; next I was a Technical Consultant in the Loss Control Dept. for Hartford Insurance Company specializing in Risk Management in the healthcare field. This phase of my career involved reporting to underwriting the pros and cons of a potential insured or working with an existing client. There were only three nationwide serving in this capacity. It allowed me to travel to new places and visit the hospitals and ancillary healthcare facilities there. It involved covering the policies and procedures of all departments for the potential for property and/or liability losses. I went from risk managing for the insurance company to becoming the VP of Risk Management for a major medical facility.

6. What kind of philanthropic projects do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy those that assist our troops in raising moral and comforting them. And, also, those charities we have identified and opted to support.

7. Have you received awards or honors over the years? If so, what are they?

ARM, Associate in Risk Management certification awarded by the Insurance Industry of America, RM certification awarded by the American Hospital Association, One of 13 selected in the US to make up the 3rd graduating class of comprehensive Certificate Program in Healthcare Risk Management through the University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School, which became the curriculum for the only masters degree offered in the country. Received my BS at Tarleton State University with highest honors, graduating 3 in my class. Ad, nauseum!

8. What is the most fun thing you have done this decade?

A little over a decade ago I spent almost a month in Peru and climbed Machu Pichu. Also, my husband’s career was in the produce business. He primarily imported from Mexico, which allowed me to travel with him and view Mexico from a business slant vs. a tourist

9. How are you different from the kid we knew in 1962?

Just a tad older! Some things you just can’t change.

On another note: What funny thing happened in high school with a friend or teacher(s) that you are no longer embarrassed to share some 45 years later?

Swore to secrecy!

Jim and I are both retired. We spend about two weeks in Harlingen and two weeks at our ranch in the Hill Country each month. (Photo follows)

I have no biological children. Jim has 3 children and we have 4 grand children.

What I am proudest of:
Having the privilege of growing up during the time I did with wonderful parents, brothers and classmates. At the time I did not appreciate each of them as I have grown to with time.

Fond memories:
One of my fondest memories was the last day I twirled on Arlington turf, being crowned homecoming queen and crying on the sidelines with Dean Corey. Also, that day, Miss Amos gave me a note with the promise not to open until after that evening’s events. Accompanying the note was a cup and saucer and a stand with which to display it. This had been given to her by a special teacher. I proudly display it today.

In the 8th grade, Lee Hart & I were sending notes back and forth in Miss Rodark’s(sp) Algebra class. He said he wanted to go to West Point or the Air Force Academy. I told him if there was anyone I knew that could do that it was him. Sure enough he was appointed to West Point. What a great moment. He called immediately after he was informed of his appointment to invite me to West Point for Christmas (1962). The Plebes can only leave campus the first year if they play Annapolis in Annapolis. I went by car with Mr. & Mrs. Hart to see Lee that Christmas. I stayed in a dorm with the other invited girls and was labeled “Tex.” We ate in the dinning room for Christmas and had a formal dance and other activities. It was fantastic!

Also, Molly Crouch & I would have lunch off-campus together when we were only suppose to go home for lunch. This was during our Ousley days. Since her grandmother lived on the lot that joined ours, we would have lunch there or at my house:-}}}}}}} Ho, Ho, Ho, Mr. Bebensee(sp).

Fun things I have done since graduation:
Traveling Central and South America and touring Mayan and Inca Ruins while learning some Spanish along the way.

Picking up photography as a hobby.

Collecting ethnic jewelry including Amber before Jurasic Park.

Hunting and fishing with my husband.

Receiving 4 awards at the Exotic Wildlife Association/Trophy Game Records of the World banquet for the #1 Axis buck for 2001-2002 that was taken on our ranch. (Photo follows)