My 18th Birthday

A little background. 

     Henager’s had a program where you live free in private homes and help out. (Pre-nanny program.) Of the friends in our group at Henager’s who signed up to do this, I was the only one who lasted.  The others were in homes where they were expected to tend children. Beverly, our new friend from Panguitch, got in a home with lots of little children but she moved into the Beehive House when the husband chased her around the kitchen table. There were only two little girls in the home Mary Lee was in but she moved in with her cousin on the avenues when she checked the December calendar and the parents were scheduled to be gone every single night in December leaving her to tend and feed the kids. (Henager's ran an accelerated program and we had a lot of studying every night, especially when we got into speedwriting.) Mary Lee was the youngest in her family (after her sister Jeanene died of leukemia) and she was pampered and cherished. She was not a slave. I don’t remember why LaVon from Lehi moved out. 

     I had a gratifying school year living with Bishop Terry, who was on the police force, and his youngest daughter, Janee, who was a Sophomore or Junior at South High. Her mother had died a lingering death of cancer the year before. Bishop Terry was busy with his career, being bishop, and dating. (He’d talk to Florence on the phone half the night after her got home at 1 AM.) and he didn’t like her to be alone so much.  All I had to do was help with the housework, cooking, and keep Janee company. She had a boyfriend who came over every night. They would study and visit in the living room. I’d hole up in our bedroom and study and write letters. I didn’t cause them any trouble, as Bishop Terry told the ward members when he called on me to talk the last Sunday I spent with them. He said lots of nice things about me and they have always had a special spot in my heart.

Jeanette & Janee in front of her house

45 Hartwell Ave. SLC, UT

     Carol Jean and Mary Lee were classmates from Valley, both cousins. Marjorie is Carol Jean’s sister, two years older. Mary Lee and I were going to Henager’s School of Business. Carol Jean was going to BYU. I don’t remember what Marjorie was doing.
     Marjean was Janee's married sister, next to her in age.

     Marva, who picked me up for conference (if I had been ready) was my brother DeLoy’s girlfriend, who lived in Mantua.

    How things change in the gift department. 

From my diary:

Saturday, October 2, 1954

I drug out about 9:30 and started to clean house. I cleaned the kitchen, bath and bed rooms then got ready to go shopping. Met Carol Jean, Marjorie, and Mary Lee uptown. We spent the afternoon shopping and visiting. It was sur’ fun. I bought me some black heels, two belts and a collar. When I got home, Janee and Marjean had a big birthday dinner fixed for me with a special cake and everything. It was really swell. Then they helped me get ready to go to the fabulous Rainbow Gardens. Went with Fred from the U. Had fun.

Sunday, October 3, 1954

I opened all my wonderful presents from home at 2 AM. Mama and everybody are so wonderful.;;

Mama and kids: slips, camisole, nylons, barrettes, stationary, skirt, candy, gum.

Lucy: sweater

Shirley: aprons

Janee and Bishop – book, figurine, slip

Mary Lee – pants

Nan – soap

Royce - $5.00

Georgia – barrettes.

FaeDonna – nylons

Dolly – necklace

DeRay – perfume

Marva called for me for conference but I wasn’t ready so I took a bus up and only waited until 9 (two hours) for Mary Lee. I was really sick by the time she came. We fooled around during morning session but went to afternoon. Sure enjoyed it. Highlight of my birthday and just the thing to top it off was when I got to shake hands with President David O. McKay.

Diary 1955:

Sunday I was called out of the audience to give a talk -

I stammered a few words but the things Bishop Terry

said to them about me before I started

were the nicest things anyone has ever said about me.

Many nice things. I won't forget.

(But I have.)

Guests at my graduation were Mama, DeMoin, Lucy,

Janee and Pete, Judy, Myrna, Connie, Bishop Terry and Florence.

Oh yes - exercises were in Hotel Utah.

After the exercises,

Judy's mother invited us all, Mary Lee too, down to a delicious buffet.

We really had a wonderful time!

(Judy, Myrna, and Connie were Janee's friends in the Ward.)

 Judy, Connie, Janee, Jeanette visiting Southern Utah

Connie, Judy, (unremembered cousin), Janee, Carol, Jeanette

(everyone at Pipe Springs and Moccasin was our cousin in those days)