Penny Eathorne Sey

As I age with experience and wisdom, I have discovered that it truly is the "Circle of Life."

I worked for the employment office in Helena prior to accepting a position at Mountain View School for Girls in 1968 as a Caseworker. Now forty-six years later, I will be retiring from the State of Nevada Employment Security Department on September 30, 2014. My work career has come full circle. In between, I worked at MVS for Girls almost five years moving to Fort Bragg, NC to marry. We then were transferred to Okinawa but the 18 month tour of duty was cut short by the Japanese government who wanted all Green Berets off their land!!! We returned to the good ole USA by settling at Fort Lewis, WA. My daughter and I returned to Montana in 1977 and I went to work at the First Judical District Court as the Restitution Officer and Youth Services Project Director until 1991 when the funding was cut. We moved to Nevada and I began working for Employment Security in Carson City.

Saw the first game that the Seattle Seahawks played in the King Dome and then thirty years later, I won an all expense trip for two to the 40th Superbowl, to see the Seahwaks play in their first Superbow. What an experience!!!! Seeing and hearing the Rolling Stones at half-time was equally a "jaw dropping" moment. Best of all, we had terrific seats. Again, life comes full circle.

I have been truly blessed by life's experiences. i feel in love with I was 6 years old when I had my picture taken holding Gary Cooper's cowboy hat for a photo op at Central School. Afterwards, I was sitting on the "wall" in front of the school when Mr. Cooper spotted me. Long story short, he noticed that I was one of the kids in the photo op and with said, "with those freckles you must know where the best fishing spots are." I told him where the best fishing spots on Beaver Creek near the family ranch at Nelson. As he stood up, he took my hand and kissed it and feel in love with this tall, handsome man. I didn't wash my hand for days!!!!

Eighteen years later, I worked for AAA as a domestic travel agent. I mapped Charlie Pride's route from Helena to Nashville, TN making hotel/motel arrangements along the way for he and his family. I may have been 18 years old but I was very naive about racism and sadly, learned what prejudice at the "hands of motel and hotel clerks." Between school at the University of Montana in Missoula, I worked at the AAA in the summer and got to make map Mr. Pride's trip from Helena to Nashville and back. As I said, I have been very blessed in life. To fall in love with Gary Cooper was one thing but being the personal travel agent for Charlie Pride was another. In their own way, each of these men had a profound impact on my life. I have been blessed with a degree from the U of M at Missoula in which I was able to have two great jobs in my field.

I didn't marry a doctor or a lawyer and have six kids like I hoped I would but I'm blessed with one of the greatest daughters anyone could ask for. Finally, I'm still blessed with many friends from grade school, junior high and high school who's friendships have sustained me through the years and who I will miss at the 50th Reunion. Thank you one and all. Next year, I'll be moving back to Helena and yes, the "circle of life" will be complete. Enjoy the Reunion and know I will be with you in spirit.