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Today's Featured Biography

 
Mary Tomek Dove

Hi to my fellow Pasadena High School Eagles. Here is a snap shot of my pass 50 years. Graduating from Incarnate Word Academy in Houston, with a 92.7 GPA which was a B average, married Joe Roy Dove (class of ’56) 5 days later. Joe was going into his 2nd year at Sam Houston State in Huntsville on a basketball and track scholarship. We both decided to major in architecture and the only 5 year state school program in architecture was at Texas Tech University, Lubbock Texas which we entered together in ‘58.

We had our first daughter, Margaret Fay, between my sophomore and junior year and I still graduated in 4 years with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education obtaining an All Level Teaching Certificate majoring in Art Education with a minor in Special Education and Fine Art. Our 2nd daughter, Elizabeth Kay was born in July after graduation and before I took my first 6th grade teaching position in September. Our 3rd child was a son, Michael Joseph, arriving the following August two week before my 2nd year of teaching started in September. September brought a new 6th grade class along with managing a 3 year old, a 13 month old and a two week old baby. These were fun times.

After two year teaching elementary school; 3 years teaching in junior high school; two years teaching art, in a brand new air conditioned high school – nice work when you can get it; graduated from Texas Tech again with a Masters Degree in Educational Technology which gave me the were with all to become a Media Consultant with the Texas Education Service Center System in both Lubbock and Dallas for the next 3 years.

Having moved to Richardson Texas, North Dallas, I left the ranks of the gainfully employed with the Service Center, to try my hand in the field of art. The really sad thing, even though being new to the art world, here was the capacity to make as much or more income as an artist than as classroom teacher or media consultant with college degrees.

Joe and I divorced in 1975 after 18 years of marriage. In 1976 the kids and I relocated to Los Angeles. At this time in my life, I knew only one person in California, had 3 off spring and $1700 to our name. After arriving in Los Angeles it was necessary to get back into the work force. So, in a moment of profound wisdom, the field of Real Estate caught my attention. By my 2nd year in the business the necessary college courses were completed to become a California Real Estate Broker which was a challenging, creative experience for the next 30 years.

In May of 1992 I married Mel D Jacobson whom I met in 1982. And, for those of you who remember my Dad, Frank Tomek and Tomek’s Steak House, passed away in the spring of ’82. My Mom, Madalynn Tomek passed away at the age of 88 in June 2003.

Retiring from the banking industry, it was time to get back into art. After 30 years of having no time to produce any artwork, one is faced with the opportunity to create something from a blank piece of white paper, a frightful experience. However, it seems art is much like riding a bike, within two years of retirement I became a juried member of both the Arizona Watercolor Association (AWA) in Phoenix and the Northern Arizona Watercolor Society (NAWS) in Sedona. In 2007 my artwork has been seen in the: March New York Art Expo; June, The Chicago NeoCon World’s Trade Show and September it will be in the Vegas Art Expo (the same weekend as our 50th Reunion).

Take a look-see and stop by my website www.marydoveart.com to leave a shout out in the Guest Book. Love to hear from you Guys. To all, I wish fair winds and good health in your retirement. Enjoy, have fun, see you next time. God Bless America.

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