~Theresa Ann Martin~theresa417376@gmail.com
He grows vegetables and I grow flowers and anything green. We've hiked mountain trails on several continents and camp hundreds of times - great family fun. Catching mountain trout is delicious in several ways. Bass fishing is tasty too.
What has transpired in the half century since high school graduation? Where have we been? What have we done? These are question I will try to answer regarding Theresa Ann Martin, BS. M.T., ASCP, now Mrs. C. B. Kitowski, Jr.
I worked in the medical technology profession on and off for 24 plus years - retired the first time to relocate in Peru, South America. In these years we made a home, raised a precious boy and returned to Venezuela, South America for a second foreign tour. We would moved as a family until Charles was of school age. Back in the States I am a stay-at-home Mom while Chuck's job takes him just about all over the globe. Trey grows intuitive and compassionate. It is a blessing and a joy to watch this person evolved. - Life is so good.
As public schools become more Godless and politically correct, I re-entered the work force enrolling "Trey Boy" in Catholic schools. St. Thomas High School in Houston helped foster his development until a scholastic scholarship sent him on to the University of St. Thomas where he graduated with honors in 1994.
To fill in a little I will go back to 1959. Time spent in Memphis, TN, including the years at Siena College earning my BS in Medical Technology. Marlene was at Siena that first year, a condition possibly of a deal whereby she could transferred to Ole Miss to graduate - That was a good year.
My degree was like a double major in chemistry and biology, so after graduation I attended night school at Rice University for courses in Literature and Sociology in an attempt to balance my education.
First job was at St. Joseph's General Hospital in Memphis. Worked there with Elvis's Mother who was in housekeeping - my claim to fame! Attempted to see Elvis once. Sat on a curve at Graceland the better part of a Saturday. He was known to come down to the big iron gate and talk to fans. His goofy cousin rode up and down the hill in a blue and white golf cart telling all that Elvis would be down soon. I never saw hide nor hair of that Hound Dog, Elvis!
My second job was at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital - building my experience and resume waiting to get involved in cancer research. When the time comes, Oschner New Orleans has no openings but M. D. Anderson Cancer Research Center in Houston shows promise. In 1968, I leave Tennessee for Texas.
During my working years in Texas, I was Assistant Supervisor of the Hematology Department at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and was an instructor in MDA School of Technology. Studied abnormal cellular morphology and worked in cancer research.
In 1972 on a weekend trip to Galveston where my friends and I sailed my "Sunfish", a small 15 foot boat, I met a friend of my friend - a handsome man - catholic, no kids, no ex-wife, college grad, outdoors man, just out of Naval Air Program in Pensacola. He is tan and buffed, introduced as Charles Bernard Kitowski, Jr. We became friends and you know what they say about the rest. We were married in September 1973. Charles Bernard Kitowski, III, was born August 10, 1976. - Life is so good.
We built our present home in 1978 moving in December of that year. Chuck continues traveling to far away exotic places until his retirement and Trey Boy grows into a wonderful young man. I continued working until Mama moved to Katy, TX in 1997. Shortly thereafter, I am retired again. Medical Technology has served me well.
We share life with Mama until August 12, 2003. It was a good time and Rita and Gene visits frequently and Trey Boy working in Houston visits often. But Mama is growing weak. Daddy went ahead of her in 1982. she is 90 years old, blind, cripple and weary of this world. Surrounded by her family she departs from us in a peaceful prayerful moment. I am so proud to tell you all, the dear friends from Vicksburg helped us buried Mama at her birthplace in Meridian, Mississippi. My siblings and I remain very close and as frequently as possible enjoy being together. We all love to cook and enjoy our feast.
By now Trey Boy is 30 years old living in Dallas and has a great job with Southwest Airlines, making house payments, raising two dogs (strays), driving his pickup truck like Texas boys do - and dating a special girl, his future fiancee - Life is so good. Good as life is he is not content. After 9/11 he tried to enlist in military service but no branch would take him because of laser surgery vision correction. I'm thinking the issue is closed. When he called, he said the Army Reserve has accepted him for service, and he is headed to boot camp, my heart dropped, I am terrified and I know this is not good. Sgt. Charles Bernard Kitowski, III, gave his last full measure of devotion to his country, August 12, 2007, Afghanistan. He is buried in Katy. - Life is so hard.
I remembered:
Myrtle - could add a column of numbers in a flash. Handled a basketball with ease and precision. Wore pigtails like Margaret O'Brien.
Vera - could spell any word in loved to sing.
Pat Mc - she read the encyclopedia for fun and cook the best scramble eggs and onion.
Ina - wrote non-stop and passed thousands of notes. A fraction of her work could review moment to moment exploits.
Kay - loved to read collective movie star pictures and was prissy. Her southern belle attitude is alive and well today.
Emily and Florence sketched goofy stuff and passed notes.
Marian - sweet and so quiet was keeper of the scrapbook and grew lovely fingernails. Who could believe she is a sharp shooting deer hunter!
Marlene - could ride a horse like a Cossack, quite the athlete. Handling a basketball was second nature. Nobody more given, all she had; her car, her horse, her home and her gracious Mom and Dad.
Marie - was tiny and cute and enjoyed hopscotch in her younger days.
Jackie - energetic and athletic, capable ball handler and good shot, team player, golfer, lifeguard and funny (Jerry Lewis imitator).
Katherine - of "Speedy" Meyers fame could dribble with second nature like the ball was part of her hand and my goodness I love to pass her the ball and watch her go.
Billie Marie - So shy and sweet.
Sue Mc - Cutie pie with freckles, had a Mom who could make tuna salad taste like chicken salad.
Sister Rita - Sweetheart - try to keep order during library study period.
Sister Grace - lurking in the shadows to catch me coming late to school - waiting at the back stairs.
Sister Assumpta - asleep during Latin class. Who scheduled Latin right after lunch anyway.
My last memory was my Sweet Sixteen Birthday party at Marlene's. It was the best birthday ever - so perfect - from the total surprise (they must had gag Ina) to being surrounded by my best friends. We dance all night.
Songs I remembered - Earth Angel, Mabelline, Young Love, Special Angel, Sea Cruise, You Send Me, Twelfth of Never and Daddy's Home.
Bob Witty and Theresa at Homecoming Dance
Theresa Martin Kitowski's only son was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Sunday, August 12, 2007. Charles B. Kitowski III, 31, was living in the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch but was born in Gulfport, MS. He was assigned to the 345th Psychological Operations Company, 2nd Phychological Operations Group, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C. He worked in the finance department at Southwest Airlines in Dallas before deploying to Afghanistan. He earned several military awards, including the Marksmanship Qualification Badge and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He is survived by his parents, Chuck and Theresa Kitowski, of Katy, Texas. The family requested that they wanted the Patriot Guard Riders with them on their sons last journey. He will be laid to rest on Saturday. (Also, killed with Kitowski were Sgt. lst Class Jeffrey D. Kettle, 32 of Madill, OK and Staff Sgt. Jesse G. Clowers, Jr. 27 of Herndon, VA) May they all rest in peace!
Theresa, Gene (her brother) and Rita (her sister) in Meridian, MS, after their Mother's funeral.
1 comment:
A really neat web site. I especially enjoyed the pictures and articles about Theresa Martin Kitowski (a.k.a. "the white goddess" as she was known to Ron Mills and me during her days at Sienna)
She was, and is, a truly unforgettable individual.
Herman
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