Grayce Lillian Roatch- Class of 1940 (married names Henley and Neel)
Grayce just spent 10 days traveling Portland through S. Calif to visit her fellow teachers she had adventures with since 1959.
Her best and partner in crime (helping hundreds of kids with become stellar readers using advanced techniques which they had to fight the school board to keep in) Margaret Hansard was so delighted to see her friend -they both being in the 90s.
Lots of fun. Grayce back in Beaverton Oregon again at Edgewood Downs Independent Living. Photo of her and her son at banquet in 2008 should also be posted. Any who know her or who had family that graduated then, are welcome to write via her son Richard Henley globalrick@att.net
Classes of 1939-1941
GRAYCE Lillian Roatch (Henley-Neel) turns 92 on May 20th, and is alive, kicking an cheering on the Portland Blazers winning streak from her adopted home in Beaverton Oregon.
Portland she moved to during the war and was one of the Patriot "Rosey Welders" creating the ships at the Swan Lake
Shipyard 1944.
But before the war and right out of high school, Grayce taught school at a little red schoolhouse there in Wisconsin area to all 7 grades of kids in one big room. She continued to teach for over 60 years (40 officially). She continued her schooling at her own struggling expense to gain her Masters while raising families and teaching to hundreds, sometimes 3 generations of the same family. Many of who, still write her after 5 decades saying how she showed so much skill and love for them and education that it shaped their successful lives.
Just one example, in the 80s when she retired from a very out of the way desert town. Many hours to travel from major cities or airports. The little Lenwood/Barstow auditorium was packed from people all over the country when she retired, to thank her for her unique ability to teach reading, math and writing particularly. She inspired many great leaders. I remember each Christmas her receiving some 500 cards that were taped all around the house each year. She was remembered by generations of the same family-some still writing her..
Grayce no longer attends Reunions as most of the alumni have passed and her own ability to travel has diminished and her 2nd husband (Dick Neel -also a teacher who traveled the world with mom) passed in 2012. Her first husband (my dad) Roy Henley who she met in those wartime shipyards crawled up into the bulkheads of the hips she was welding to ask her out. After the war, working in Venzuelan oil fields for Standard Oil, they moved back to Portland and raised two sons. George from Roy's first marriage and I came along in 1952. With two great husbands gone and the body requiring help to travel, she ended her many world and cross country adventures.
But she remembers Ellsworth and sends her love on her 92 birthday, May 20, 2014. On May 21-27 I am taking her on a short trip south to Lenwood near Barstow. Back to see her long time teaching friends and visit her little school possibly for the last time (we hope not). But any who know or knew her, are welcome to email me.
Submitted by her son, Richard M Henley (globalrick@att.net for any who wish to communicate with her. Put in subject line:
"To Grayce" and I will get it to her).
