My Family Story : 1950s - 1955-56 Kindergarten

I went to the Marshall Spring School on Waverley Avenue for Kindergarten - it is now the West Junior High School. I started in September 1955. Miss Corcoran was my teacher - there were two sessions - morning and afternoon - we spent half a year in each session. I used to bring a pastel plaid blanket to school - we all had to spread out our blankets and lay down on them for a nap during each day. I think we also had to bring a snack every day. Unfortunately I don't remember much more about kindergarten.

This photo is on https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search?f%20%5Binstitution_name_ssi%20%5D%5B%5D=Watertown+Free+Public+Library

I guess we had pictures taken some time during the year. My mother must have compiled this booklet and labeled all the pictures. Some of these classmates went on to St Pat's with me while others went to Watertown Public Schools.

So that is my name and part of our phone number - 9143.

"About Me!

My name is Mary Ellen.

I am 5 years old and in the Kindergarten grade in

the Marshall Spring school.

I like

Swimming

Cartoons

Pinky Lee - Howdy Dowdy.

Miss Corcoran is my teacher."

"My Pal - Susan Fisher"

The next pages from the book are pictures of my kindergarten classmates - my mother labeled the pictures.

Miss Corcoran on the left - me standing on right in the white dress. Enlarging the picture doesn't make it any clearer. Does anyone recognize who is who? I knew a few and made a few guesses using a magnifying glass.

1st row: Linda Little, ? Kathy Hawes, ?, Teresa Ricky, Kathy Furey

2nd row: ?, Buttons Miranda, GeeGee Rafferty, Kathy Femia, Sandie Mosca, ?, Arlene O'Donnell, MEM

Back row: Miss Corcoran, ?, maybe Ricky Caruso, ? Ralph Deldon, Paul Regan, Billy Hughes, Peter Regan, ?

I guess Billy Hughes gave me the picture

Linda Little - I seem to remember Linda living on Main Street near the Stop and Shop. I found a 1968 Watertown High School Yearbook picture below for her.

"Linda Little

522 Pleasant St. Business

A self-styled comedienne, Linda has sent many

classes and studies into hysteria during her years

at WHS. She finds time for boys and bowling.

Presently employed at Puritan Dress as a typist,

she looks toward a secretarial career."

Doris Church

Arlene O'Donnell went on to St Pat's School with me. Years later her nephews Kevin and Robert went to school with my Danno.

Mary Anne Adams - I found a 1968 WHS yearbook picture of her.

"Mary Ann Adams

53 Bennett Rd. College

Mary Ann's artistic talent has been well exemplified

this year as art director of the Bulletin. Her versatility

is evident as she is a member of National

Honor Society, Tri-Hi-Y, French Club, chorus

and the Tennis Team."

Ricky Caruso

Jerry Laiman

Richard Caruso

Ralph Delphin (Deldon) graduated in 1968 from WHS.

"Ralph Deldon

175 Fayette St. College

Ralph is President of the Senior Class and a member

of the Student Council and Hi-Y. He is the

captain of the football team and also belongs to

the baseball team and the Gridiron Club. He enjoys

coaching."

MEM

Kathy Hawes

Kathy Furey went on to St Pat's School with me.

Susan Fisher lived across Green Street from me. We used to play together, and I remember picking up cherries from the tree in her driveway - also getting sticky birds on my pants from her backyard.

Peter Massa graduated in 1968.

"Peter G Massa

298 Waverley Ave. College

The track teams, both indoor and cross country,

have seen a lot of Peter during his years at WHS.

This capable advertising editor of the Annual enjoys

Italian food, sports cars, and football. After

attending college he plans to become a teacher."

Paul Regan went on to St Pat's School with me.

Billy Hughes also went on to St Pat's School with me. He is the one who gave me the class picture. He also lived on Green Street but down toward Pleasant Street. I think his aunt lived in the two family house in front of us. She sold my father her old Cadillac at some point.

Jean "GeeGee" Rafferty - I remember her and her sister Kitty at swimming lessons at the MDC pool on Pleasant Street in the summer. We later worked together at Sancta Maria Hospital in Cambridge and became very close friends.

"Jean Rafferty

399 Orchard St. College

Jean, who is known to many as GeeGee, is planning

to attend a nursing school. She was elected

an election commissioner during her senior year

and has been a member of Pep Club and Office

Worker."

Kathy Femia came along to St Pat's but graduated from WHS. We worked together at Maristhill Nursing Home in Waltham and became fast friends.

"Kathleen Femia

22 Cushman St. Business

Kath's warm personality has made her a successful

sales clerk. Besides being a three year office

helper, she was also a member of the Pep Club. A

Sigma Alpha Nu Sorority sister, she plans to attend

a business school."

Maria "Buttons" Miranda went on to St Pat's School with me. She lived around the corner on Cuba Street.

Sandie Mosca also went on to St Pat's School with me. We went to Boston College Nursing School. Another friend from BC - Beth McCusker - and I have visited Sandie and her husband Frank in Fort Myers - they took us out in their boat and couldn't have been nicer.