Pam Olin Capen
1965
After I graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in the Winter Class of 1965 (On January 29, 1965), I studied at Pierce Junior College for one school year (1969). I took an art class (Charcoal and Drawings) and loved it. I also took a psychology class, which helped me better understand the motivations for people's behavior.
I started a Business Administration career in 1965 with Rockwell International, working as a Benefit Administration Associate at the Corporate Level for a total of 27 years. In 1997, there was a merger between Rockwell and Boeing. I retired from Boeing in 2002, when I was 55. The company at that point consisted of aviation, commercial products and high technology.
From 1974-1979, I took professional oil painting lessons from Tracy Gain Galleries in Westminster, CA. Tracy taught me a lot about color. I also took lessons from well-known artist Charles Kingsbury, who painted for the Movieland Wax Museum. I later was involved in some yarn craft projects and, as I've gotten older, I am enjoying reading more.
I have a doll collection hobby and dolls have been a passion of mine for many years, with an emphasis on beautiful fashion and porcelain dolls. One of my favorites is the line of Vintage Miss Revlon Dolls (from the 1956-1959 era). I have had makeovers done to restore them to vintage condition. I also have Franklin Mint Dolls, Marie Osmond Dolls, Barbie Collectable Dolls and some Madame Alexander Dolls, too. Every doll I own is in perfect condition. My house looks like a doll cottage
I dated a lot in my twenties and met some very special men, having fun and good times together. But then it was time for me to get serious about marriage. When I was 33 years old, I met John Francis Capen, who was then 47. We fell in love with each other and he asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes. John had been previously married and divorced, with three young adult children when I married him. We did not have any children together. But we had two darling young Cairn Terriers, which were such a joy. Then I had my brother's little dog, Twinkie. Now I am pet free, but it's OK. It's just enough to take care of myself these days.
John and I really enjoyed our camping trips to Lake Cachuma (CA), Lake Tahoe and to St. John New Brunswick (Nova Scotia) Canada.
After we sold our Westminster (CA) home, we moved to New Mexico in 1990 where we built a custom home in the small city of Rio Rancho (not far from Albuquerque). In 1997, we moved near Charleston, South Carolina (in the city of Goose Greek), to be near my sister and family. This is where I live today, in retirement.
My dearly-beloved husband John passed away on December 15, 2003, from cancer and kidney failure. He was the love of my life. I have been a widow for the past 11 years, living on a pension, social security and John's military benefits.
After John's passing, I became a member of the local chapter of the Red Hat Society (we were called the Sassy Ladies), from 2004-2009. I had to stop to take care of my elderly mother at the time.
In addition to the loss of my husband, I lost my daddy in 2002, my brother in 2012 and my mother in 2013. My sister Denise is my only living sibling. Currently, I have a brother-in-law, a niece and a nephew who live a mile away from me here in Goose Creek. It is comforting to have them close to me.
These days, I attend Peace Presbyterian Church for Sunday morning worship services and social activities. Pastors Will Dietrich and Todd Sutton are both great to listen to, delivering delightful sermons to our congregation.
I hope my classmates will enjoy reading these few highlights about my life since graduation in 1965. It's been my pleasure to share them with you. I wish you all many blessings and life's best for you and yours.
I started a Business Administration career in 1965 with Rockwell International, working as a Benefit Administration Associate at the Corporate Level for a total of 27 years. In 1997, there was a merger between Rockwell and Boeing. I retired from Boeing in 2002, when I was 55. The company at that point consisted of aviation, commercial products and high technology.
From 1974-1979, I took professional oil painting lessons from Tracy Gain Galleries in Westminster, CA. Tracy taught me a lot about color. I also took lessons from well-known artist Charles Kingsbury, who painted for the Movieland Wax Museum. I later was involved in some yarn craft projects and, as I've gotten older, I am enjoying reading more.
I have a doll collection hobby and dolls have been a passion of mine for many years, with an emphasis on beautiful fashion and porcelain dolls. One of my favorites is the line of Vintage Miss Revlon Dolls (from the 1956-1959 era). I have had makeovers done to restore them to vintage condition. I also have Franklin Mint Dolls, Marie Osmond Dolls, Barbie Collectable Dolls and some Madame Alexander Dolls, too. Every doll I own is in perfect condition. My house looks like a doll cottage
I dated a lot in my twenties and met some very special men, having fun and good times together. But then it was time for me to get serious about marriage. When I was 33 years old, I met John Francis Capen, who was then 47. We fell in love with each other and he asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes. John had been previously married and divorced, with three young adult children when I married him. We did not have any children together. But we had two darling young Cairn Terriers, which were such a joy. Then I had my brother's little dog, Twinkie. Now I am pet free, but it's OK. It's just enough to take care of myself these days.
John and I really enjoyed our camping trips to Lake Cachuma (CA), Lake Tahoe and to St. John New Brunswick (Nova Scotia) Canada.
After we sold our Westminster (CA) home, we moved to New Mexico in 1990 where we built a custom home in the small city of Rio Rancho (not far from Albuquerque). In 1997, we moved near Charleston, South Carolina (in the city of Goose Greek), to be near my sister and family. This is where I live today, in retirement.
My dearly-beloved husband John passed away on December 15, 2003, from cancer and kidney failure. He was the love of my life. I have been a widow for the past 11 years, living on a pension, social security and John's military benefits.
After John's passing, I became a member of the local chapter of the Red Hat Society (we were called the Sassy Ladies), from 2004-2009. I had to stop to take care of my elderly mother at the time.
In addition to the loss of my husband, I lost my daddy in 2002, my brother in 2012 and my mother in 2013. My sister Denise is my only living sibling. Currently, I have a brother-in-law, a niece and a nephew who live a mile away from me here in Goose Creek. It is comforting to have them close to me.
These days, I attend Peace Presbyterian Church for Sunday morning worship services and social activities. Pastors Will Dietrich and Todd Sutton are both great to listen to, delivering delightful sermons to our congregation.
I hope my classmates will enjoy reading these few highlights about my life since graduation in 1965. It's been my pleasure to share them with you. I wish you all many blessings and life's best for you and yours.
A recent portrait (2013), photographed at Peace Presbyterian Church in Goose Creek, South Carolina
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Pamela at home with her then pup, Twinkie (2012)
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John and Pamela Capen at Peace Presbyterian Church, 2002
John and Pamela Capen Wedding Reception, at the Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center, CA (1980)
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One of the highlights of Pamela's doll collection, a Vintage Miss Revlon Doll, "Queen of Diamonds" (1956-1959) after a make-over
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COMMENTS
Hi Pam. I so enjoyed reading about your life, your adventures, your involvements. I also collect Madame Alexander Dolls, growing up we could not afford & I so envied those girls who had all of the different countries & holiday ones. As an adult I have treated myself along with many from my daughters, (husbands do not understand this collection well LOL) I am excited to see you again October we will all have a wonderful time!
Gloria Dorcy-Watts
Gloria Dorcy-Watts
Pammie,
Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your life after high school. The pictures of you and John really show how happy you were together. It's been fun connecting with you by e-mail and on Facebook. I am glad you are doing well. Sorry that you're not going to be able to come to the 50th, but Pete is working on a special surprise that I know you will enjoy. Take care, my friend, and may God bless you always.
Jeff Davis
Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your life after high school. The pictures of you and John really show how happy you were together. It's been fun connecting with you by e-mail and on Facebook. I am glad you are doing well. Sorry that you're not going to be able to come to the 50th, but Pete is working on a special surprise that I know you will enjoy. Take care, my friend, and may God bless you always.
Jeff Davis