Spouse:  Anne
Children:  2 Sons & 2 Daughters
Grandchildren:  7 Grandsons & 8 Granddaughters

July 2009

In the summer of 1959 I would not have presumed the interesting turns and twists that the next 50 years would present. My focus then was to move on to college and to complete a degree in my chosen profession, Architecture. My experiences in Walla Walla provided a good foundation for the future. Although my time there following graduation was limited, I have strong recollections of the people and events that created opportunities far beyond those I ever imagined.

Band was a primary activity of mine in school. That led to participation in the U of W Marching Band. Unlike the 2008 football season, the Huskies went to the Rose Bowl three times in the five years I was in college. My introduction to California occurred as a member of the Band, a circumstance that ultimately led to residency in Santa Monica of more than 30 years.

In 1962 my family moved from Walla Walla to Oregon and it was there that I found work opportunities in architecture, first in Corvallis and then in Portland. I was first licensed as an Architect in Oregon and have added licenses in other states since then. After eleven years in Oregon, the sunshine and warmth of Southern California called and I responded. By this time Walla Walla was well off my beaten path. Between 1962 and 1996 I was in Walla Walla on only two, brief occasions.

My work in architecture has taken me to a variety of places in the United States, has included numerous trips to Japan and Korea, a few to Europe, and even one to the Middle East. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with a number of creative people and to see abstract ideas become the reality of buildings.

On a sunny day in July, 1996, my world changed significantly. Up to that moment my immediate family consisted of my mother, a sister and brother-in-law, two nieces, two aunts, and half-dozen cousins. With a few spoken words, my family expanded to include my life partner, Anne Tyler (Wa-Hi ’61), four children (two with spouses), three grandchildren, a mother and father-in-law, seven brothers and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. Since then, two more children’s spouses have joined the party and the grandchildren now number fifteen, with the sixteenth expected in October. For me skipping a generation and going straight to grandchildren has worked well. I would much rather spoil than discipline.

Having re-established a connection to Walla Walla, I have returned about twice a year since 1996. It is interesting to see the evolution of the city. While much has changed, the inherent qualities that made it a great place to grow up remain. I occasionally check the webcam at First and Main to see what the weather is like. I have no difficulty in viewing the snow from afar but do appreciate watching the trees come into bloom and leaf out in the spring, and to see the traffic backed up at Second and Main during rush hour.

My appreciation to the organizing committee members for their efforts in planning the reunion. I look forward to seeing classmates from 50 years ago and comparing notes.

After high school graduation I entered Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Spokane and attended Whitworth College graduating in 1962, receiving my RN degree and specializing in pediatrics. Shortly after graduation I married Ronald Batson who had just been discharged from the U.S. Air Force where he was a member of the Canine Corp. Air Police.

 

We spent our first year in Seattle and from 1963 – 68 we lived in Salinas,m California where I was charge nurse of a large pediatric unit and later office nurse for two pediatricians. Ron graduated from Hartnell College and Moler Barber College in San Jose.

 

We left California in 1968 and traveled the U.S. for several months after Ron appeared as an extra in the movie “Paint Your Wagon.”

 

In early 1969 we returned to make our home in Walla Walla where I helped set up the first cardiac care unit at Walla Walla General Hospital and Ron became a postal clerk.

 

We adopted siblings Robert and Tina in 1971 at ages 2-1/2 and 1 year. At that time I became a full time stay-at-home mom utilizing my pediatric skills to care for our two special needs children.

 

Another goal was realized when we purchased our country home and small acreage in 1975 where we raised our own organic foods and livestock.

 

In the early 8’s we opened Lavender Hill Herb Farm and gift shop. We grew over 100 different culinary and medicinal herbs and sold plants as well as fresh cut and dried herbs and spices. I gave tours of our formal gardens and lectures on the use of herbs as well.

 

In 1989, our children now grown, we closed the business to begin a more relaxed lifestyle. This was short lived when we became legal guardians of our first granddaughter in 1991. She was a busy two year old – so parenting continued until recently.

 

In 1997 we left our home of 21 years and moved back to town after Ron was diagnosed with a genetic fatal disease, amyloidosis. He chose quality of life over having a liver and heart transplant. We enjoyed the many nearby activities and events at nearby Whitman College, down town and our great neighborhood. He passed to a better place in early 2003; my best friend and forever love.

 

Since his passing I have enjoyed my three grandchildren, some traveling, have published six poems and am still passionate about gardening. My yard was on the city hospice garden tour a few years back.

 

The past couple of years have been a bit rocky health wise so I have had to slow down somewhat due to severe benign vertigo and painful arthritis which has required several surgeries on my shoulders and hands.

 

I regret not being able to attend this gathering but had committed much earlier to a beach vacation with my family.