I had the good fortune of taking the elective class of beginning sewing at joliet east in '79 or '80. This class taught me skills that a stay- at- home mom has used many, many times.  From sewing up a shepherd coustume for Christmas pagent or a Halloween costume or hemming or letting hems out as children grow.  I knew we were not dealing with a rookie at all. I marveled at how she could take a flimsy paper outline and a stack of farbic and create something wearable!  She made it fun and I couldn't wait to get to class.  I was glad to read that she was able to enjoy a long retirement and was always surrounded by family.  Everytime I get my Pfaff machine out, the SAME model as in high school no less, I think of you Mrs. Parrish.

I was in Mrs. Parrish's home ec class at East (and after 35 years I still can't call her by her first name).  She was a wonderful instructor -- I had her for only one year but I learned so much.  It might have seemed like basic material at the time, but what I learned in her classes has paid off for years.

Rebecca and Grandma donated to help build the playground.  Their names are on the pickets behind them.