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Today's Featured Biography
Dianne Hartzman Watts
I grew up on Monterey Blvd with my two brothers, Les & Gary. We attended St. Trinity Lutheran School on the corner of Auburn & Jessie. After the 6th grade, I transferred to Eastern Jr. High ... A RUDE AWAKENING! But, since I'm a survivor, I made it through ... then on to Pontiac Central High.
I know many of you will not remember me because, when I was 14, I started dating a guy who was 19; consequently, I wasn't very involved in class activities. When Pontiac Northern opened up, I went on to be in the 1st graduating class ... a significant time for ALL of us. However, I was in the co-op program that year, so I was only there in the morning ... then, on to the Board of Education to work for the truant Officer, Mr. Allison, (is case any of you remember him, LOL).
When I was 19, I broke it off with my 5-yr boyfriend, and my relationship with my mother consequently deteriorated. That was when my dear friend, Janet (Nadiger) Meyer, asked her parents if I could come live with them. They welcomed me and treated me as one of their own; and, it was also the beginning of a beautiful life-lone friendship. Janet & I e-mail every night, and have periodic visits and phone calls; and, she is truly a great friend!
Although I met Shaker (Allen Watts), when I was 15, I didn't run into him again until he got out of his 3-year stint in the Marine Corps. We had our 1st date on 8-18-61 ... LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT! From then on, our lives were destined. We married in '63, and had 2 GREAT children, Jeffrey Allen and Lori Ellen. My son, Jeff, is a carpenter, ordained minister and a teacher. He married a sweet little Canadian gal named Colleen, who teaches high school French, German and English in Blind River, Ontario. My daughter is a Sales Engineer for a machining company in Traverse City. Thankfully, they don't make auto parts, but mostly surgical instruments and energy components. Jeff has 2 children, Hannah (15), and David (11). Lori has a step-son, Pine (22). Although recently divorced, she still maintains her relationship with him. Pine has been into figure skating for many years now, and is currently an assistant coach in Ann Arbor along with his college classes. Remember his name ... Pine Kopka-Ross ... he's VERY GOOD!
I worked at Wigg's Colony Shop on Huron as the accounts payable person for a year or so after school; then, I worked at Household Finance Corp. as the head cashier for 5 years. After Jeff was born, I went back there, but the pay wasn't worth the sitting fee. My Aunt Eleanor got me into Pontiac Motor Div. in Jan. '65. I stayed there until I had my second, Lori. Then I took 6 1/2 yrs off to be home with the kids. I went back to GM in July '76, working in many capacities. I was fortunate to avail myself of the promotions due to the Women's Lib Movement, although I was never totally committed to it. When I left in '87, I was in Logistics paying all outbound new-car freight, and scheduling, shipping and paying car freight on cars for VIP's, car shows and commercials. I really enjoyed that position!
Shaker was handsome, wild, reckless, exciting, tender, warm and loving ... all wrapped up into one man. We got the chance to do some traveling in our 5th wheel. We also got into sailing for a while and won 4 trophies. He was the Fire Marshal in Pontiac. We had a wonderful life together. He passed away on Sept. 8, 2002, and I will ALWAYS miss him. My life is very different now; but, I still thank the Lord for the good days ... most of which are in the summertime when I can go tooling around to the beach, clubhouse, friends etc in my Gem Car (electric), with my new dog, Mitzi Marie, a Westie. I also thank the Lord for my children, who have both been very loving and supportive through this difficult period in our lives. All I can say is, "Hey, we must have done SOMETHING right!"
I will close with my latest AND BEST thought on life ... "Happiness is NOT having what you want; but, rather, WANTING what you have."
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