Bio: Rita Palawaga (Kartes)

 

Rita Palawaga (Kartes)

Where has the time gone? 53 years since Grad 71… that can't be, can it?

After graduation I worked a few years as a live-in nanny, first on a farm in the Parkside/Shellbrook area and then in Prince Albert. Where I also worked part-time at Smith Hatcheries. Following that I worked at the Holy Family Hospital in the cafeteria for 12 years. I left that job just before I had my first child. 

I became a stay-at-home mom while my children were small, although I did some part-time for my husband's work when needed. The work was mostly office work but I also learned how to clean a VCR (doesn't that just tell you how old you are) and do basic soldering. Once the children were all in school, I started working part-time at the John M. Cuelenaere Library in as a Library Clerk. During this time, I took some online classes which enabled me to get a job at Carlton Comprehensive High School as a Library Technician ll where I worked 14 years until retirement in 2019. Since then, I moved to Picture Butte, Alberta where I've taken a very part-time job doing administrative work for the Chamber of Commerce. This job will be coming to an end shortly.

I have traveled a bit. Curacao, Disney World, Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Isla Mujeres, Playacar, Cayo Coco, Varadero, San Francisco and New York. While I was married, we explored different travel routes to Kelowna where my husband's parents lived. We camped while traveling, sometimes venturing into the US as far south as Yellowstone and as far north as Jasper & area.  When the children were still at home, you could find us most summer weekends camped at Murray Point campground although we did camp at many other campgrounds in Sask. as well. More recently there have been a few family gatherings in Whitefish/ Kalispell MT. area.

 

While at home with the kids, I learned to love gardening and was a member of the Prince Albert Horticultural Society for a number of years. I also took up crafting for a period of time. Here in Picture Butte, I have a yard that is constantly getting more flowers and shrubs. This past winter I explored acrylic painting with a senior’s group. Also since retirement, the sewing machine has gotten a few miles on it again.

I was married in 1985 and divorced a number of years ago. I have two daughters and a son. As you could guess, I moved to Picture Butte to be near my oldest daughter and her two children (5 &7), my only grandchildren. They are the best!  I also have a daughter in Calgary and my son currently lives in New York City. My family is my greatest accomplishment.   I have a 2-year-old Shih Tzu/Poodle - Molly who keeps me company.

 

I have fond memories of growing up in Leask. Grade 1, Ms. Robert. Buying candy from the candy drawer at the Robert’s General Store, while the deer heads watched on.   My half mile walks to school, that I hated in the winter and loved in the summer. Skating and hockey games in the old arena, watching baseball in the summertime, hanging out at the bowling alley, being on the SRC, school sports, learning to drive, gravel roads, swimming at Emerald Lake, Sunday drives on the Snake Plain Trail. Oh my gosh! Looking forward to the reunion!  :)  

Such a serious grad!