Joan Joyce (Schiavon) Huesca
1928 – 1987
In her own words (Part One)
On June 24, 1987, a couple of months before she died of lung cancer, my mother, Joan Joyce (Schiavon) Huesca began writing the story of her life. The following is an excerpt from the first chapter of her book, Joan Joyce Schiavon Huesca: an Autobiography, in which she describes one of her earliest memories:
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| Cover of my mother’s autobiography, 1987, Modesto, California (published privately) |
“I have been told that I was a cuddly blonde with a mass or curly ringlets atop my head, crowned with a big pink bow. My dress was of a pink satin tunic with a pink net full short skirt decorated with little blue satin rosebuds. Dressed in all my finery, my parents took me to a social gathering at the American Legion Hall (Woodlawn Post)., of which my father was a member, having served on a submarine in the U.S. Navy during World War I. I can remember their being very proud of their “doll-like” little girl. There I was, standing right in front of two big doors which led into a large hall, filled with BIG PEOPLE! I can remember so clearly, feeling so frightened, and I began to cry, as I seemed to be the smallest and only little girl there. Tearfully and red-faced, I tried to pull back from those doors…but to no avail, as I made my entrance to society puffy-eyed and sobbing. To this day, I feel that same bit of timidness in a large group of people with whom I am not well acquainted.”
– Joan Huesca
Linda, I am loving your mother's story! I just read the fine print in the caption–didn't realize the book (or she, herself?) was from Modesto. That is very close to where I am now.
She and my father lived in Modesto during their retirement years – transplants from South Lake Tahoe and earlier, the Bay Area. They loved it there, especially its small town flavor and friendliness. The Central Valley is a beautiful place, isn't it?