The year was It was not long before they purchased a new home on Hibiscus Island, where they remained until , when they sold it and moved to Morton Towers. My dad had always been a member of and involved in the Variety Clubs in different communities, so it was only natural that he would look them up here in Miami. This was in the days when polio was prevalent and the hospital played a large part in the program here in our community.
She was a very shy, southern lady, who had never set foot in any type of organization, but magic happened. Her life became dedicated to this cause and she went head first into the task. This was her goal and a shining star was born. Her first effort was to start up the Candy Stripers, young teenage girls who would become volunteers at the hospital. Later, while serving as president of the organization, she traveled all over the state and even became president of the State Hospital Volunteer Organization.
But her heart was always here in Miami and her efforts continued. When she and my dad traveled around the world attending Variety Club conventions, she was always called to speak regarding the volunteer process, and she was a pro at this. The ironic part is that before moving to Miami, when her brother, Harold, lived with them, he was a major part of the ham radio community, speaking to people all over the world and particularly instrumental in offering their services when there were natural disasters.
He would be talking to someone in Australia, she would come into the room and he would offer her the microphone to say hello to them, but she ran from the room in extreme distress and shyness. Hard to believe, because as the years progressed and her work with the hospital increased, if there was a microphone anywhere around, she would have it in her hand.
I remember that we may have put one in her casket when she died. Her accomplishments were amazing. I know this because I worked along with her.
