High school reunions are typically for graduates and their spouses.
But Oxford High School’s Class of 1964 got a special treat when a former teacher and school secretary attended its Sock Hop/50th reunion Saturday night at Oxford Elementary on Pontiac St. (see photo story on Page 17).
Jerry and Mary Limbert travelled all the way from Niles, Michigan to reminisce with former students, share a few laughs and catch up on how everybody’s doing these days.
Jerry taught seventh and eighth grade in Oxford from 1957 to 1964.
He ‘loved? his time here.
‘I had good classes,? he said. ‘I enjoyed the kids and I think they enjoyed the classes ? I hope they did.?
He also directed the high school and junior high plays and published the junior high school’s student newspaper. All three were volunteer gigs, which meant no extra pay.
‘It was just for fun,? Jerry said.
Mary, whose maiden name is Murrish, was the high school secretary for eight years beginning in 1956. She’s a 1953 OHS graduate.
The couple met on the job and started dating ? officially ? in 1958.
They were married in 1964.
‘The first day I saw her, I knew she was the one I wanted to be with,? Jerry said. ‘She didn’t know I existed.?
‘He was just a new teacher,? Mary said. ‘One of the new ones that we had to train.?
As they got to know each other better and shared many lunches together, their affection for each other grew and grew.
It was the little things that drew Jerry to Mary and reaffirmed that she was the one for him. He recalled the time they chaperoned a school dance together.
‘I had popped a button off my sport coat and I went to her house (to get it fixed),? he said. ‘She put the button (back) on my coat and I knew that was it.?
Mary’s a big-time animal lover, so she made it clear to Jerry that if they were going to be together, he’d have to make room in his heart for all creatures, great and small.
‘Everyday, I’d wear a cat to school,? said Jerry with a chuckle.
The couple left Oxford in 1964 after Jerry accepted an offer to teach for the public school system in South Bend, Indiana, just south of Niles. ‘They have an FM radio station and they needed a radio teacher,? he said. ‘I did that for 35 years.?
Jerry also did voice-over work for radio and television commercials, but he never appeared in one. ‘With this face, you think I’d be on camera?? he said.
So, what’s the secret to staying happily married for 50 years?
‘Dedication to each other,? Mary said.
‘Look out for each other and be considerate,? Jerry said. ‘Everybody has problems, but then you try to resolve them.?
Mary believes it’s important for couples to view their problems in the proper perspective and not blow things out of proportion. ‘Some problems are so simple, so small, really,? she said.
The Limberts have three children and two grandchildren.