Merilyn Shumway

Merilyn Shumway

4 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild

After High School I went to beauty school which I only worked at for a short time, then married and started that part of my life. After divorcing I worked at the State Hospital in Tiffin, which later became the Tiffin Developmental Center. After 18 years there I married again and moved to Columbus, Ohio where a was a wife and an aide in a Montissori Pre School. After 13 years I was single again and moved back to Tiffin and worked at for Seneca Re-Ads at the School of Opportunity. By now I am a Grandma and the fun begins. I have a grandson and a granddaughter that were born in 1991 and she has my only great grand child. The next grandson was born in 1995 and spent 5 years as a Unite States Marine. Next there isthe youngest whe was born in 1998. None of the boys are married and my daughter and son-in-law are waiting for that to happen so then we will hopefully have grandbabies to play with. Being a grandmother has been the most fun opportunity of my life, all the fun and none of the responsibility. There have been so many hours of entertainment, babysitting, watching their sports and school events and just enjoying all of them that has given me wonderful memories.

I retired from the Opportunity Center when I turned 65 and have been having the great fun doing whatever when ever. Except for the aches and pains of old age this has been a really fun time. I have been on trips, cruises and just having anykind of fun anyone dreams up and lets me go along.

My first 6 years of school were at College Hill, which since it is now a college I guess I started school at college level? Then on to Junior High which was the only Junior High at the time so at that time I met all the great people I would go to school for the next 6 years. I remember being so anxious to graduate and realizing in such a short time that the hard work of growing up was just beginning. The School years are the best of our life, we just don't know it at the time.

There were many great teachers( I know that now) who helped form all of us. I guess I would like to see Mr. Merbach to let him know that I haven't been in detention since he set me free to get my diploma (which he said wouldn't be unless I finished making up all the time that I skipped). It was fun eventhough it was supposed to be punishment. He told us not to come in on Thursdays because he couldn't hold detention because of other obligations and on a Friday we would ask him where he had been the evening before because we had been there to make up our time. He gave a credit for the hour. Oh how smart I was then. Maybe just a smarta- -

I retired at age 65 after many years as a caregiver. My last place of employment was the Seneca County Opportunity Center. As stated above my life is filled with Grandkid events and enjoying life.

I am back here in Tiffin and love it. I was gone for a few years and missed it always. There are so many changes the saddest being that there are so few job opportunities for the kids.

The dances at the Park on Thursday night were sure one of the most important part of the summer.