much preferred working in the fields with her father. When she wore her overalls, he’d call her “Johnny” and when she wore dresses he called her “Thelma”. She was her father’s favorite and she remembers him as very loving.
Thelma was one of six children. She had an older brother and sister who were twins. Thelma also had another older brother and two younger brothers. She doesn’t remember growing up with them as everyone was always working.
At 16, Thelma received a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Disease. As a result, a Tumor and Cancer Specialist recommended radiation treatment. She had to travel 200 miles to Salt Lake City, Utah because it was the closest place she could receive treatment. This was difficult for herself and her parents. Due to the limited knowledge of diseases at the time, she later discovered she had Mononucleosis.
Thelma briefly attended a business college in Pocatello, Idaho. During her year of studying accounting, bookkeeping, and typing she stayed with an uncle who lived there. She later took a job as a bank teller and occasionally worked as her boss’s secretary. He encouraged her to go back to school to become a secretary, but she had no interest in that field. She was later promoted to bookkeeper.
Thelma married a young man named Wallace, and they had a son named Dennis. Their marriage later ended in divorce. She hates to say it, but she met Robert (Bob), her second husband, in a nightclub. He was in the Air Force and they had a lot in common, especially their love of dance.
Bob was in training as a manager for Montgomery Ward. His promotions from smaller to larger stores allowed them to travel. They moved about every two years and lived in Kalispell, Montana and Le Grande, Oregon. After this transfer to Walla Walla, Washington they stayed for six years. This was great because the kids were starting school. They had three girls, Paula, Carole, and Cathy and another boy, Chris.
Thelma took care of the family at home and enjoyed every minute of it. However, with the kids in school, she was able to go back to work again. Even though she worked every day, she still made time to be a seamstress. She made her own clothes and when the girls were in high school she made their prom dresses.
Thelma consistently progressed in her field because of her work ethic and knowledge. She held positions as an auditor, assistant account supervisor and wire transfer specialist. During her time as an assistant account supervisor, they began putting everything on computers. They began phasing out the accounting department and made it a point to say they would not be losing anyone. However, in this new era, they gave her the job of Purchasing Agent. This job was formally a man’s job, but she held it until her husband's transfer to San Diego. He began working for Broadway in Chula Vista. They told her she did the job better than any man who held the position. However, she would never get the credit because she was a woman.
Thelma began working for Central Savings as an auditor. At the time they were building the first high rise in San Diego. She was able to watch it go up as they were building Horton Plaza. While working as an auditor, one of her biggest accomplishments was discovering an embezzlement of over $300,000.
She lost her husband, Bob, when he passed away from a massive heart attack at age 59. Thelma kept working until she was 72. Although when she retired she volunteered at Sharp Memorial Hospital. After retirement, she went on a lot of cruises and trips with her daughters. On one trip she went up the Mississippi River on a paddle boat.
Thelma is also proud of the fact that she kept her license until she was 95 years old. It was a health concern and discussion with her doctor that she made the decision to no longer drive. In addition to her five children, Thelma has seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Thelma credits her longevity to being active and enjoying her work. She shares there are a few things she might have done differently if she had the opportunity to live her life over again. But she enjoys her life regardless. She doesn’t have a favorite decade because each one meant something to her. Thelma did share that she did enjoy the swing years and all the dancing. She’s most proud of her family and how well they’ve done as they grew up. Her best piece of advice for young people today is to be true to yourself.
