My family moved into Reno in my father continued selling cars. We grew up doing everything a normal family would do. My dad loved music and he had each of his five children play a musical instrument. My dad used to give a Christmas party for all of his employees, and his children were the entertainment. We played Christmas songs together as an ensemble.

I was mostly about ten at the time but I clearly remember watching my father during one of these performances. His chest was puffed – out; he was so proud of us. It’s a wonderful memory!

My father owned the auto shop garage right next to the courthouse in Reno. It was a very good location.

All of us in the family were musical. When I was in high school I played first flute in the band. I was first cello in the orchestra. I was also in various choral groups. I usually got a first or second place medal in these statewide competitions.

My music has now gone by the board I am unhappy to say, but I still love it. I love jazz.

I had three sisters and a brother and they are all now deceased except for my brother who is four years older than I. They all had very good lives, lots of children, and enjoyed their time here on earth. We were all good friends, and close.

My grandparents died in their early forties and my parents passed away in their early fifties, so we all have a situation where we have been orphaned for quite some time.

My dad knew that he was ill with heart problems, and he knew that he didn’t have very long to live so he got his affairs in order. It was my dad expressed in his will that all of the children should have a college education. So, I have a younger sister and all of us went through college. And then whatever was left was divided up between the sisters and brothers. He knew where the emphasis should have been placed on education.

My mother had a great sense of humor. My parents enjoyed joking around. My mother was a very good homemaker. She did everything that she could for her children. We had music lessons. People always complimented her because of how we behaved. She said she just knew how to use psychology.

I can remember that we would always eat dinner together and share our day together. My mother would say to us “Whoever has the biggest dinner can have the biggest piece of pie.” And it took me a long time to figure out that if I ate everything I could eat, I wouldn’t have room for pie.