THE HEART OF OUR CLASS

THE HEART OF OUR CLASS

The class of 1953 was a compliant group.  The teachers loved us.  We were “good kids.’  We obeyed rules and followed directions.  This was not true of some classes before us and some that followed.

Joann Sperry was a vital member of the group from the time she was in elementary school.  This continued through Junior High and High school.  In high school, she was a member of the FHA club and participated in sports. She played volleyball, basketball, and tennis.  In 1952, she was Who’s Who in P.E.  She was a twirler for the Breckenridge High School band in 1953.  She was also elected Best All Around Girl in 1953.

After high school graduation, Joann went to Washington D.C.  She worked for a government agency.  Her roommate was classmate Barbara Humphrys.  Barbara worked for the National Education Association.

Our first class reunion was in 1958, five years after we graduated.  We agreed to have reunions every five years.  Other classes did not meet that often.  Ken once remarked, “Every time they open the doors of Breckenridge High School, the class of 1953 gets together.”  I don’t know what Joann’s role was that first reunion, but I am sure she had one.

Joann married Don Lee in 1957.  She was busy with her family, her church, and assisting Don with their business.  This did not prevent her from taking a more active role in our class reunions.  This progressed to sending out a class newsletter.   The first newsletter that I have is for our 20-year reunion in 1973.  Joann compiled it and mailed it to class members.  (Remember, there was no e-mail then.)  This started a tradition. “Let Joann know where you are and what you are doing.”   Everyone seemed to instinctively do this. She had a list of addresses and phone numbers which she kept updated.  When anyone moved, changed jobs, or had a life event they wanted the class to know about, Joann was notified.  She sent the information to class members.

At our 40th reunion in 1993, class president, D.K. presented Joann an award for her tireless efforts and deeds in keeping classmates informed of activities through the years.  She was given a plaque and a bouquet of red silk roses.

As time passed, e-mail addresses were added.  People gave her information by phone, e-mail, and mail.  We also added a fund for memorials which she managed. She sent memorial flowers from the class.  This eventually changed to memorial contributions to the Bailey Scholarship fund.  As we lost more class members and spouses, she remarked that she had changed from the class busy body to the grim reaper.  Our numbers have dwindled as we have aged.  Those of us remaining still keep in touch with each other.

As the class began to lose more and more members, we began to meet annually. We chose to meet on a date close to Saint Patrick’s Day each year.  Again, Joann took care of the arrangements.  Our last meeting was in March of 2018.  Unfortunately, Joann’s declining health prevented her from attending.

She gave up her job in December 2018. She sent out the last news to the class except for an obituary in January 2019.
Her health continued to decline.  She went into the hospital in October 2019.  She left us on October 19, 2019.

Upon hearing the news, classmate Pat Edgmon said, “She was the heart of our class.”