Lee Note 9 Phyllis Busby March 30, 2001

After graduating from Lee, I went to Texas Women's University to major in Speech and Hearing Therapy. During those four years I was back and forth trying to decide whether to stay in speech or go into Deaf Education. But all I ever wanted to do was speech for the deaf (would have died on the vine in a classroom...too claustrophobic, I think!).

After graduation, I went to Denver and worked in that school system as a regular speech therapist until my daughter was born, then took five years off. We moved to Dallas in 1973, and I started working in Richardson in 1976 as a speech therapist for the deaf. How lucky can you get!

I worked in that capacity for 14 years and needed a change, so for the past ten I have been an itinerant teacher for hearing impaired and an early interventionist, working with babies in their homes. I count my blessings for having a job that I have thoroughly loved, but can't say that I am not looking forward to at least partial retirement.

I was divorced 13 years ago, and my daughter presented me with "wonderboy" of the world a year ago. She will be having another child in October, and I am looking forward to that for sure. Being a grandmother is the best role I have ever been given to play, and I am pretty slushy about the whole thing!

My dad died a couple of years ago, and my mother will be moving in May from Austin to Denver, where my sister, Kathie lives. We decided that that would be the best place for her to go, as Kathie has started her own business as a professional organizer, and I am hoping to join her in her endeavor at some point.

At this point, I have lots of fun with friends, love movies and play in two Scrabble groups. I'm looking so forward to reading other letters from others, and again, if there is a way I can help you, Kay, let me know.

Phyllis (Busby) Owen