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My story begins with the birth of my sister, Marlene,
my brother, Rudy, and myself. Marlene and I were born in
Opelousas, Louisiana and later Rudy in Bunkie Louisiana. Our
parents were Frank and Mina Mutz. My Mother was born in
Opelousas, Louisiana and my father in Lansing, Michigan.
In the early years, our family
moved from one place to another until 1943 when Papa's
employment took us all to Bunkie. Marlene and I were
enrolled in St. Anthony's Grammar School, and later in
Bunkie High School. Rudy was not born until 1945, so he did
not enter school until much later. He was a surprise
package, a bundle of joy for our family, and a new doll for
us!!
Our years at St. Anthony's and
Bunkie High were happy, memorable, and certainly
inspirational in sculpturing our futures. We were so very
fortunate to have had wonderful instructors who not only
taught each particular subject with objectivity and
professionalism, but also displayed to the students
integrity, honesty, affection, respect and interest in their
futures.
Our lives away from school were
somewhat different from that of other children. My father
was in the theatre business. Consequently, most of our free
time evolved in and about the theatre. Papa was a firm
believer in children remaining close to their parents; and
that we did! Many of our school chums worked after school
at the theatre, however; so, fun and frolics were always at
a peak!! We were never, as I recall, strained for
entertainment or starved for friends. I can't imagine how
many times Papa must have turned his head in order to ignore
our games in the lobby of the theatre.
Eventually, the magic of childhood came
to an end, and we were graduated from High School in 1954. I
then began college and later initiated my career (more
precisely a "JOB") in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as a
Contractor's receptionist for $35.00 a week. Even at that
time $35.00 a week was a pathetic salary! I still can't
visualize how much tuna Marlene and I must have eaten in
those days. Anyway, my days at the construction company were
short lived; and, I was soon off to bigger and better
opportunities. I was not disappointed, for in a very short,
time; I was offered a teaching position. I taught grammar
school for a year, then worked at a travel agency (which
provided me with a wonderful opportunity for travel) and
finally moved to New Orleans where I became an insurance
agent. I continued to work at the insurance agency for
several years until I married Joe Swartz on January 7, 1972.
I moved to Houston, Texas shortly after
our marriage, terminating my position.
From the onset, my life with Joe has
always been filled with love, devotion stimulation,
excitement, enjoyment, tragedy and hard work. We have
traveled extensively. We have seen the "Three Tenors,"
watched the salmon swim up stream in Alaska, danced at
"President Reagan's Second Inaugural Ball”, and kissed the
"Blarney Stone." We have seen many beautiful operas,
ballets, great football and baseball games and, all-in-all,
acquired eminent satisfaction in our lives together.
Our work over the years has
occasionally proved difficult, but it has always been
rewarding. Joe is a very well known electrical contractor
in the area, and is highly respected for his knowledge,
honesty, integrity and productivity. We now own four
businesses in Houston and Dallas and employ over four
hundred people. We work every day and plan to continue
doing so for as long as possible. We have always believed
that productivity helps to promote health, happiness and
longevity. With inspiration, one should always look towards
the future.
The past will always remain in our
hearts and minds; but the future is still ours to have and
behold!
In conclusion, I wish to sadly mention
that I lost my Mother (Mina), my Father (Frank), my Sister
(Marlene) and my Brother (Rudy) over the past few years.
Mother and Marlene were stricken with cancer, while Rudy was
viciously murdered while on vacation out of the country. He
was only thirty-five years of age. Papa passed away only
because he was ninety-five years old. Other than age, he
was always very healthy. He resided with us for over-twenty
years, and was a continuous joy in our home. We love and
miss Papa, Mother, Marlene and Rudy, but they will always
remain fresh in our memories.
Although I have only scratched the
surface of my life, I do hope that my classmates will enjoy
reading my short biography as much as I have enjoyed
composing it. Perhaps in another few years or so, we shall
again be offered the opportunity to "tell the rest of the
story!”
With fondness and regards to all, I
remain
Marguerite M. Swartz |
