Gloria (Gorczyca) Downey's Story and Photos

Here's the wonderful story and pictures from Gloria (Gorczyca) Downey that I lost during the recent email changeover I went through. Thankfully, Gloria was able to resend her story and the great photos she took during her last visit at our school in 94. Also, we have some more photos that Gloria shared of some of her teachers back in the 50s that we will use for a 'name-the-teacher' contest. I will be posting them soon! The winner will win a souvenir.... an old pencil sharpener from one of our old classrooms (similar to the pencil sharpener in photo #5 below). 

Here's Gloria's story and great photos....Remember to click on any image to enlarge!

Hi Greg,

My family moved from Cleveland in 1961 to California. I went to Mark Twain through the 4th grade and then on to Memphis and that's where all my memories are. I found Bruce Stoessner's article on the internet a few years ago and have messaged him a few times on Facebook. It turns out that he lived just 4 houses away from mine. He moved there shortly before we left, he was younger so I don't remember him but he actually remembered my brother and I remembered his older sister.

Looked up Memphis School again last night and found your blog. My sister and I went on a road trip in 1994 and had just minutes to spend in Cleveland and had to drive past Mark Twain and Memphis School. It just so happen that school just let out days earlier and the were a few cars parked so we went inside. The people there said that the future of Memphis was undecided and things were being packed up. We asked if we could walk around and take a souvenir, they said sure. I took a metal fallout shelter sign and some flash cards. Now, of course, I wish I had filled the car with stuff. I took a few photos (attached) below. Also there is a picture of Mrs. Wurch's autograph from my old autograph book. I always thought that I wish I could do something with my name like that.

I graduated in 1959

Thanks for sharing your memories of Memphis,

Gloria ( GORCZYCA) Downey

                                          

                                          

Love the look of fountain pen ink which was commonly used back then. You can tell Mrs. Wurch was really creative! Click on this image to enlarge.

New Email Address!

Hello Fellow Memphians! I have a new email address it's:

zarykfamily@twc.com

The above pic is our old elementary school back when it had only two floors, not three like we all remember. This is a super rare image taken sometime before 1919, which is the year the third floor was added. Does anyone remember how cool our school looked at night when all of the classrooms were lit up? I remember going to an open house at night and walking there with my mother from W. 42nd Street. The school looked magnificent!

Please send your memories to me...long or short and some pics. Remember to hit the older posts button at the bottom of each page to see other stories and pics.

Thank you!

Greg