Michelle was a kind person. However she seemed sad, as though she often cried. In retrospect I wish I gotten to know her, as she did not appear to have many friends. Michelle died by suicide I have been informed. Ideally I would have spoken to her from time to time, and may always wonder if there was some way I could have helped.
If any of our classmates knew Michelle well, I would like to speak to them some day.
Steve, I appreciate your comments about Michele. I am learning about more of my classmates, both high school and college, who have chosen to end their lives. What do they have in common? These are folks I hardly talked to. Loneliness kills. So does the weight of trauma, something that we rarely invite others to talk about. We were clueless then. We are not clueless now.
I suspect that coming from Mexico she felt somewhat ostrasized, but who knows. She always had circles around her eyes, as though she cried every day. She lived down the street from a friend of mne. One time I saw her walking by, trying to be friendly, as though she was super lonely.
My friend was somewhat rude, and commented something about "that Spic". I was looking forward to speaking to her at one of our reunions, but was informed that she had died. Not doing something at the time is one of the few regrets of my life. I had my own obstacles to overcome at the time, and was somewhat maxed out.
she didn't take her life. she had a lung transplant she never smoked. she had pnemonia complications 5 years later then she died. she was happily married i believe she had the longest marriage at the 20 year reunion and she had daughter and son. someone got confused because i had talked with her when she was in the hospital.
I had virtually no interaction with Michelle. But as is the case with many people from elementary, junior high, and high school I regrettably didn't get to know then, I remember her and feel saddened that she passed far too early in life. I also feel heartened that people here care, and I count my blessings that I'm still here to be one of them and to be part of this group.
One day in early May 1971, I was walking home from LAHS along Casita Way when a car slowed alongside me. The driver was Liz Taylor, and MIchelle Salinas and someone else were also in the car. Michelle was encouraging Liz on to introduce herself to me, whihch she did. Within days Liz and I were dating. And that continued right up until it came time for me to return to Australia in mid-July 1971. I'll always be grateful to Michelle. for what happened that day. And my ilmited memory of her was that she was happy and well adjusted, or at least as happy and adjusted as most of us were.
Alphabetically, Michele and I sat in the same desk vicinity or lockers throughout school, so I knew her as a classmate. As with most kids in school during that time and era, I was completely oblivious of ethnic or cultural background, just an awareness of friendly or not. Michele was friendly, had a kind smile, pleasant personality, and we shared a few good giggles in the back of class. Rest in peace, Michele.
Steven Danaher
Michelle was a kind person. However she seemed sad, as though she often cried. In retrospect I wish I gotten to know her, as she did not appear to have many friends. Michelle died by suicide I have been informed. Ideally I would have spoken to her from time to time, and may always wonder if there was some way I could have helped.
If any of our classmates knew Michelle well, I would like to speak to them some day.
Mary Carlson
Steve, I appreciate your comments about Michele. I am learning about more of my classmates, both high school and college, who have chosen to end their lives. What do they have in common? These are folks I hardly talked to. Loneliness kills. So does the weight of trauma, something that we rarely invite others to talk about. We were clueless then. We are not clueless now.
Steven Danaher
I suspect that coming from Mexico she felt somewhat ostrasized, but who knows. She always had circles around her eyes, as though she cried every day. She lived down the street from a friend of mne. One time I saw her walking by, trying to be friendly, as though she was super lonely.
My friend was somewhat rude, and commented something about "that Spic". I was looking forward to speaking to her at one of our reunions, but was informed that she had died. Not doing something at the time is one of the few regrets of my life. I had my own obstacles to overcome at the time, and was somewhat maxed out.
Betty Sivila (Sivila)
she didn't take her life. she had a lung transplant she never smoked. she had pnemonia complications 5 years later then she died. she was happily married i believe she had the longest marriage at the 20 year reunion and she had daughter and son. someone got confused because i had talked with her when she was in the hospital.
Steven Danaher
That is so great to hear. Wish I had gone to the 20th reunion, but did not hear about it.
Mary Carlson
Betty! Thank you for the correction! I'm happy to see that Steve's post generated interest and sympathy...even if off target!
Steve Curless
I had virtually no interaction with Michelle. But as is the case with many people from elementary, junior high, and high school I regrettably didn't get to know then, I remember her and feel saddened that she passed far too early in life. I also feel heartened that people here care, and I count my blessings that I'm still here to be one of them and to be part of this group.
Andrew Tink
One day in early May 1971, I was walking home from LAHS along Casita Way when a car slowed alongside me. The driver was Liz Taylor, and MIchelle Salinas and someone else were also in the car. Michelle was encouraging Liz on to introduce herself to me, whihch she did. Within days Liz and I were dating. And that continued right up until it came time for me to return to Australia in mid-July 1971. I'll always be grateful to Michelle. for what happened that day. And my ilmited memory of her was that she was happy and well adjusted, or at least as happy and adjusted as most of us were.
Roxy Rieker (Montana)
Alphabetically, Michele and I sat in the same desk vicinity or lockers throughout school, so I knew her as a classmate. As with most kids in school during that time and era, I was completely oblivious of ethnic or cultural background, just an awareness of friendly or not. Michele was friendly, had a kind smile, pleasant personality, and we shared a few good giggles in the back of class. Rest in peace, Michele.