Biography

I am a very vivacious African-American female who was born in Roslyn, Washington, a small former coal mining town, 97% European-American. The other 3% were older African-American (AA) men and women. An older AA couple had a daughter who was 2 years younger than I and she was the only other African-American child . I spent a lot of time fighting little “white” boys. The “white” girls left me alone after I took one older girl’s 2 long black braids and wrapped them around her throat. And I was only 5 years old! My, my, my what a little meanie puss I was.

My dad was a coal miner and saved the lives of two or three men during several mine cave-in’s. He was also the town handyman. I tried to go with him wherever he went to get away from Momma and housework. I still don’t like housework My dad passed away in 1974 at the age of 69.

My mom was a “stay at home mom” like most women in that day. What else could she do, she gave birth to 13 children, 9 straight girls and I am the 9th and last and she gave me her name Ethel. Then 4 “cute, adorable” little boys were born after me. Yeah, little knotheads! ha ha ha

I have 6 sons and a daughter (birthed 4 sons) and grandchildren and 1 year old twin great-grand daughters.
I don’t know how many grandchildren I have because my sons and daughter evidently do not believe in marriage. Wonder if it’s because I was married 5 times! Ya think?!

I am President and one of the 2 organizers of a nonprofit organization, the Roslyn – Northwest Black Pioneers. My grandmother came to Roslyn, Washington Territory in Sept. 1888 one year before Washington became a State (11-1889). I give local Roslyn and Washington State Black history presentations in schools, government offices, churches, other organizations, and Black History month events.

Also had a parade float and/or floats in parades throughout Washington including the big Seattle SEAFAIR Torchlight Parade the end of July. I was the designer and chief decorator and responsible for getting floats to the parade, 13 parades a year. Also my mother rode on the floats from 1989 until her death in May 1993, 3 weeks shy of age 87.

I worked as a Secretary at Boeing, 2nd,”Negro” Secretary hired there-1958, at University Hospital-1st “Negro” hired in that office-1963, and many other places and in several other States, mostly for the Federal Government, including Internal Revenue Service in Ogden, Utah. Medically retired in 1986 as I was diagnosed with manic depressive (mental) illness, now called bi-polar disorder and have been hospitalized about 8 times because of the disease—severe suicidal lows and suicidal tries, last in January 2005.

I had been having the time of my life since about Nov. 2005 when I went to the Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn, WA and discovered they had live bands, some who play in Las Vegas, and I returned to dancing. I love to disco dance plus I have a Muckleshoot Casino family and I give and get lots of hugs there.

I have not been dancing since April 30,2008 when I had the colonoscopy that showed I had a large tumor. I miss dancing and my Muckleshoot family and I plan to go back dancing and getting my hugs as soon as possible. I will not be defeated by cancer and my theme song is “I Will Survive!”

Cancer Symptoms

Indigestion, shooting pains in stomach area, lack of appetite, diarrhea and blood in stool

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects

Removal of section of colon right side and then resection May 13, 2008. 2nd surgery in June to install a port in left side above heart to give chemotherapy by IV and take home chemotherapy attached to the port for 2 more days.

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

Started June 23, 2008. Oxaluplapin, Leucovorin and Flourouracil. Side effects are extreme weakness, lack of appetite, many foods don’t taste good, can’t touch, eat or drink anything cold—needles & pins in fingertips & toes, and throat closes up. Needles & pins, needles & pins,
if I drink or eat anything cold, MY breathing troubles begin!! smile