It's hard to believe that 40 years have gone by. When I look in the mirror I still have my own teeth, just wear glasses to read, no hearing aids.  Some gray hair has appeared, but that bottle of color does the trick. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in April. This time around most of us have retired, children are married, and some grandchildren. My husband Mel retired 3 years ago from Union Carbide, now Dow Chemical.  I retired about a year ago, but went back to work two days a week. Just can't put down the comb & scissors - 39 years as a hairdresser. I've always been a people person. After Mel retired we did lots of remodeling in our home. It took us about six months moving walls, and lots of dust.  We added a new 700 sq. ft. kitchen, new patio, and more landscaping. We do lots of entertaining and enjoy cooking for our friends. Our home seems to be the meeting place.

We've done some traveling. We went to Canada twice and will cruise to Hawaii in October with friends.

We also built a new summer home south of Houma, on the bayou, before we retired. We decided "something new". We love to fish and do some shrimping in May - lots of hard work.  Also added a beautiful English Garden to the property.

We stay busy in our neighborhood. Mel is Vice President of the community and I'm on the garden committee so when problems arrive the "Powell's" are on the job. Since retiring Mel campaigned for a new drainage system. The street was a mess but Mel fed the crew every day for lunch and the job went smoothly. Also added a new entry sign to the neighborhood with landscaping.

I still do lots of gardening, plenty of flower beds to tend too. It's just a relaxing job and great satisfaction to see something bloom.

Now that our parents are getting older we run to doctors and hospitals a lot. My dad still lives in Norco. My mother died 13 years ago. Mel's mom lives by herself. His dad died 7 years ago. I guess we have been blessed with good health. We walk every morning with a group of friends (3 miles) to discuss the problems of the day, and some gossip. Hope to be 90 someday. I had a customer who came every Wednesday to have her hair done, and one day she said, "Kat, I'm planning my class reunion."  I said, "Clara, how many in your class are still living?" She replied, "Just me. I can have the reunion anytime." We had a good laugh. Clara is 94. What a lady.

Well, life has been good - will be married 33 years this May. Always had a job, great health, wonderful friends & family, and a cute four legged off-the-street dog, "Ms Birdie," who we adore. What more can you ask of life? Just be good to one another and laugh a lot. Life is wonderful - be sure to help a senior citizen who can share such wonderful stories. See ya'll in April.

Kathleen R. Powell

#9 Hackberry St.

LaPlace, La. 70068

Spouse: Mel

Married: 33 yrs.

Children: None

Occupation: Retired(??) Hairdresser

1993 biography

After graduation I attended the School of Cosmetology.  I have been a hairdresser for 30 years - self employed.  I married in 1968 to Mel - will celebrate our 25th anniversary in May.  We don't have any children but we have a four-legged sweetheart.  We built a home in LaPlace in 1972.

Mel works for UCC, he is a Maintenance Department Head.  Hobbies - Carnival club, gardening, fishing.  We have a summer home in Houma.  We also adopted a senior citizen that we see after.

There is life after graduation.  I have been lucky we have our health,  home, and a wonderful marriage.  I'm looking forward to seeing my classmates and hope they had a great life.