The Westview News

Press Release
From Graduating Seniors To Golden Year Seniors
Date
July 10, 2010

The 68th year reunion of the Killingly Class of 1942 was held on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, at Westview Health Care Center. Fifteen local graduates joined three of their classmates residing at Westview for an afternoon of reminiscing and refreshments.

In 1942, Killingly High School sent a graduating class of 70 seniors into the world to attend college, serve in World War II or work to support their families. Back then the average cost of a house was $3700.00. The average wage per year was $1880.00. A bottle of Coca Cola was 5 cents. The average price of a car was $920.00. Gas was only fifteen cents per gallon. Attendee Georgette (Berthiaume) Pappas recalled only two classmates who owned cars to drive around town.

"We had a very happy, close and loving class who took care of each other because we had moderate means and we were brought up through the depression and experienced the effects of WWII," she said. "All we had were each other and we never took our relationships for granted. That is why we remained close all of these years. "We celebrated this year's reunion at Westview because some of our dear classmates live here and we wanted to bring the party to them in their beautiful home. It was wonderful."

Attendees recalled memories of their first reunion in 1947 that was held in at The Nathan Hale Restaurant where the bill reflected $2.00 for a full course meal. The tab for 50 people was only $106.00 including the tip!

"Class reunions are a great time to catch up with old friends about the status of their families," said Pappas. "This year our conversations struck us funny because the question came up of 'How old are your children?' The replies were '61, 62, 63 years old;' which reminded us that our children are not really children anymore- they too are seniors."

Those in attendance for the 68th reunion were: Shirley (Thomas) Burton, Faye (Pester) Clapp, Charlotte (Dennett) Carter, Doris (Davis) Johnson, Loretta (Baranski) Wood, Arlene (Gallichant) Billings, Barbara (Kent) Nelson, Barbara (Lehrer) LaFleur, Aurore (Turcotte) Roy and reunion coordinator Georgette (Berthiaume) Pappas.

"Westview was delighted to host this special reunion," remarked spokesperson Laura Crosetti. "The class of 1942 was so thoughtful to bring their reunion to Westview so other classmates could be included. It speaks to their character, care, and love for each other."

Westview Health Care Center is a 103-bed skilled nursing facility, which includes a distinct and self-contained 28-bed subacute short-term rehabilitation unit, dedicated to providing quality health care services. The facility is ranked among the top-12 nursing facilities in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report.