We continued to reside in Saverton, so I don't have many of the Hannibal neighborhod memories that others of my class can recall, but I did enjoy having classmates come to my home for overnight parties. We often slept on our back porch, and once spent an evening bleaching our bangs, which did not endear us to our mothers; especially as we were not expert and ended with some very strange hair colors.
Following graduation I attended school at Washington University and Barnes Hospital in St. Louis where I completed my degree in nursing. Shortly after graduation I married Edward Allan Warren, Jr. who also attended Washington University. We lived in a suburb of St.Louis till 1966 when we moved to a Chicago suburb because of my husband's job.
In 1968 our first son was born, and our second son in 1970. Unfortunately, our second son was a victim of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) when he was three months old.
I was divorced in 1973, and returned to Hannibal with my son. We purchased a home on Hubbard Street, and I began working at the Marion County Health Department.
My work history was varied and enjoyable. After the health department, I accepted a position as director of nursing at the old Levering Hospital. I then moved to Pike County Hospital in Louisiana as director of nursing, and after getting tired of the long drive, I worked at the Ralls County Health Department.
Following that, I worked as administrator of Willow Care Center. I then opened a shop in the historical district and very much enjoyed working with local crafts people.The shop was called Puddn'heads Mini Mall and is still operating under that name.
My ex husband became ill with a malignant brain tumor, and asked if I would return to assist him through his illness. I sold Puddn'heads and went to the Chicago suburb where he was living and remained through the spring and summer until he passed away.
When I returned to Hannibal, I worked at a 6 county in-home service agency. I had always enjoyed working in health departments, and was offered a position as administrator of the Henry County Health Department in Clinton, MO. I moved to Clinton and worked there for 7 years till my retirement. My marvelous staff there had a really unexpected retirement party for me, and I was astonished when the area state senator, and state representatives appeared with proclamations. As an additional remembrance, they made a quilt which had blocks embroidered by each member of the staff and the board of directors.
Upon my retirement, I returned to Hannibal in time to participate in preparations for our class 50th reunion. It was a great way to renew old acquaintance with classmates, and our continuing luncheons have been a joy. I do think that we had a most outstanding class and I treasure these old friends. I look forward to our 55th reunion and pray that each of these marvelous people will be well and healthy for our 60th.
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