Hi Pam,
      It is great hearing from you and maybe we can get together. We are so happy that you found the website. Sallie was so sweet to let you know about it, and we're so glad you can browse through Kay's classmates, etc.
      We have her listed here, along with all the Class of '61 'mates. http://www.wphsalumni-1961.com/alumni.html
      We have a special section for our deceased classmates - Gone But Not Forgotten - and you will see her listed there: http://www.wphsalumni-1961.com/wherearethey/gonebut.html
      I went to the library a few weeks back and found her obituary. The obituary has been posted there under "Notice."
      Of course, she is listed under: http://www.wphsalumni-1961.com/thenandnow_1.html
      The narative under her photo there (Senior Salute) was something our journalism students put together. They sent out a form and each student was to fill it out. Some students have asked that some of the information be removed from the site because it embarrasses them; however, it was part of our life and what we did say back then.
      I was just reading Kay's. I don't remember much that far back, but she was in my gym class and she was a good volleyball player. Tall and lean......she was very sweet.
      For some reason, years all run together. I'm not sure how long she lived in WP...but I attended WP Elementary School - which was on Park Avenue where the parking garage is now located. During the 6th grade, we were attending classes in old barracks at Signal Hill (where Herndon Airport is now). In mid-year, we went to Audubon Elementary School. It had just been completed.
      In our 7th grade, it was back to the barracks at Signal Hill....then Glenridge opened about March, so we moved into that brand new facility. We were the lst class to attend both schools.....then on to WPHS 10th-12th grade.
      Do you remember when your family moved to Winter Park? I remember Betty and Kay were very, very active in the lineage societies. Their photos were often in the newspapers. Much to my regret, I didn't save memorabilia in those days - but certainly wish I had so we can add to our website.
      As you know, Sallie and I are in the Central Florida Genealogical Society. We love to search for ancestors......so, I guess that's why I love helping on our website - we have found so many classmates. As you know, it's hard to find the females as they often marry once or twice or more and the names are hard to keep up with......then, I've found a few have gone back and used their maiden names.
      A few years ago when we had our 30th anniversary of CFGS, I called and talked to Betty.....and called a few times after her attendance at that celebration. I was sad to hear of her passing away. She was such a lovely, lovely lady.......and I mean a "Lady" in all terms.
      Well, guess I've blabbered on a little too long. Yes, we do need to meet and I would love to borrow some of Kay's photos and clippings to use for our website. Our website has been running a close lst (can't tell which I love most) to my genealogy hobby. It is a labor of love.
      Looking forward to meeting you.

Mary

Subject: My friend, Kay Axton
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2003 12:00:11 -0400
From: "Bill Ronay" <billronay@plantationcable.net>
To: <Pammajama@aol.com>

Dear Pam:
      Hi there! Bill Ronay here... One of the Website Committee. However, I also knew and was friends with your mother, Kay. She was a lovely girl...she was tall, I wasn't. We were friends and chummed around together.
      One of the memories of her was when she asked if I would like to join the Children of the Confederacy. I was not quite sure what that entailed. So, I asked my parents if there was a chance I would "qualify".
      In so many words, not "no" but HELL NO! Seems the maternal side of the family hailed from eastern Ohio with subsequent resettlement in West (by God) Virginia. Had a distant cousin and a Great-Uncle who were in the Yankee militia and one of them was also a Union spy. Hence, disqualification.
      When I told Kay about all of this she about doubled over in laughter and chuckled for quite some time. After she recovered from her giggles, she did say that I could possibly come in as an "honorary" member...if I promised to bring along some cornbread to the meetings!
      Memories were a bit fuzzy after that in regards to this incident. I do know she and I kept in touch after graduation...until I went off to the Army.
      One other thing I recall was the front yard of your grandparent's house. Since the house was off Orange Avenue, down from the "Gateway", not too terribly much further than WPHS, I rode my bicycle (before I had a driver's license).
      There was no grass...just some of this weird-looking stuff she called Monkey Weed. Lariope is the common name. Well, I had never seen this stuff before. This was a first!
      Parked my bicycle on the walkway in order to keep off the "grass". Kay and her folks were bemused by this because, according to them, "...nothing could hurt the stuff...and it only needed cutting once a year!" In future visits I would just let the bike rest on the clumps. This seemed just fine to them...and me.
      When I finally did have "wheels", a '56 Plymouth Savoy, Kay and several others would cruise the Steak n' Shake with me after school, pep rallies and for any other occasion we could conjure up an excuse! If you are not familiar with the "ritual", it was a definite "you had to be there" situation.
      There were three "Steaks" at that time. Winter Park, Colonial Plaza and South Orange Blossom Trail (near Wigwam Village). The object was to "hit" all three in one night. So, off we would go...after a sports activity, real or imagined club meeting, etc. Some of the more carnivorous and gluttonous of the group would order "Double Cheese Steak with Thousand Island Dressing and Relish, Large Coke and Fries...at EACH one! Others, Kay was one of them, would just get one of the above and, by the time the night's travels were over, had consumed a complete meal.
      No, there were no awards for this accomplishment. Just the fact that we did it. With gas at 33.9 cents per gallon, it was affordable and enjoyable as long as we all chipped in. Kay was great to hand over a dollar or two for the "cause".
      Yes, my memories of your mother are happy ones. She was kind and considerate with me. She was a friend.
      Hope I have been able to relate something of value and import about your mother. Thank you for visiting the Web site, www.wphsalumni-1961.com. Both you and your sister are always welcome to participate in Class of 1961 activities...to represent your mother and her memory.
      Please keep in touch. Bill

Subject: My friend, Kay Axton
Date: Tue, 9Sep 2003 09:48AM
From: "Julie Baldwin Mason" <JuliMason@aol.com>
To: <Pammajama@aol.com>

     Pam, I was so pleased to get Anne's e-mail telling us about you! I was a classmate of your mom's and remember a lot about her, which I will try to share with you.
      First of all, I know she was quite a brain -- she was very smart, was always "there" with answers and such, and we all respected her a great deal. She wore glasses, and I remember them as being maybe just a tad big for her narrow-ish face, but that back, there were not the quantities of styles to choose from, especially for children. Nowadays, glasses are as much a fashion statement as a necessity -- I myself have worn glasses since second grade, and at age 60, I own eight pairs! Red, blue, green, copper, black, gold, silver, and polarized suns!
      Anyway, Kay always had a smile on her face, she was always a good member of whatever, French Club, Girl Scouts, whatever. And by the way, speaking of Girl Scouts, your grandmother was the one who explained the facts of life to me -- at a Girls Scout meeting in the First Congregational Church there on Interlachen in Winter Park, and she demonstrated the use of sanitary napkins, those wretched elastic belts we used to have to use, with the awful hooks to hook the end of the napkin -- no sticky stuff on the bottom. Anyway, she was wonderful about it all, matter of fact, just did a great job in a day when great jobs on that subject were a real rarity. I wish I could tell her how fondly I remember that important role she played, but I know I waited too late to do it.
      I have a very clear picture in my mind of your mom walking down one of the school halls, smile on her face, glasses perched on her nose, and school books clutched to her chest with arms crossed over them, as we all used to carry them. No backpacks in those days!
      As I think of other memories of Kay, and now that my memory is jogged, I hope I will, I will continue to send you e-mails! So glad you had the great brainstorm of contacting this fabulous website!
      Best wishes, Julie Baldwin Mason

Subject: About Kay
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 01:23:45 +0000
From: swilberding@comcast.net
To: Pammajama@aol.com

Dear Pamela,
     How dear of you to write us for any rememberances of your mother. I do remember Kay but was not a close friend- she was a classmate in several classes. Always beautifully groomed and in nice clothes which we then thought were great style but of course in your high school years weren't cool! I remember that Kay had a red tartan kilt with a white colored shirt and either a forest green or navy sweater which was a perfect component. Kay was taller than most of us early on. But we soon caught up. She was shy and I know it was difficult for her to get up in front of the class- she would stand wringing her hands and giggle until the answer would finally come out in her soft voice. She had "spots" when we all had them- o dear, its true, I hate to admit. She had a few close friends but I'm sorry not to remember who- I think they were shy girls together. I wish you success in finding more information about your Mother. She was a sweet girl and always took a back seat with her pals. Perhaps some of these traits have carried down to your generation or your daughters'?
     Best, (Ann) Stevie Wilberding