Welcome to my page:
Candy Friel Jackson
(40th Reunion Profile)
After graduating, I worked a couple of years at a couple of places. I also attended IU Extension (now IUPUI) in the evenings. I didn't know what I wanted to do, so I just kept going to school, but I didn't quit my day job. The place I worked the longest was the Office of Hearings and Appeals, Social Security Administration. The office consisted of three judges and a support staff of 6 when I was hired. During this time, I married John Jackson in l967. I went to work at Eli Lilly in Medical Research, but quit work when our daughter, Julie, was born in l973. I returned temporarily to OHA in l977 when Julie was about 3 years old, and didn't leave until l994 when I was offered early retirement. (I wonder if I hold the record for the longest lasting "temporary" job.) I had been Office Manager for about l7 years, and the office had grown to about 70 people. I wasn't quite 50 yet and had worked for the Government for just short of 25 years. I basically liked my job, but I was very happy and felt very blessed to be able to leave a job that had
become increasingly stressful.

Since retirement I returned to my roots - IUPUI - and planned to finish a degree. Still not knowing what I wanted to be when I grew up, I headed for an elementary education major and did some substitute teaching. I changed to art education and attended Herron School of Art. At age 58 I'm ranked a senior at Herron, but decided I didn't want to teach, or work for that matter, full time. I'm so glad I went though, and I do currently teach two students in my home. Also I will teach art to my nephew's three children this school year as part of their homeschool program. I have worked the past three years for a custom framing shop in Avon. I really like the work -- especially the design work with the customers. I was working more and more hours though, and decided to quit before the Christmas rush started. I will still fill in if I'm needed, but definitely not as many hours. I hope to spend more time with my own art work. I especially like watercolor and pastels.

Our daughter is still single and starting her last year at IU School of Law, Indianapolis. She has a BS in Psychology, an MS in Higher Education Administration and basically just has to complete her dissertation for her Ph.D. in Higher Ed. Admin.

I had surgery for cancer in l985, and it reappeared about four years later. My prognosis was not good, but the Lord saw fit to restore my health. I have been cancer-free for many years now. I used to set goals, i.e., I want to live till Julie graduates H.S., then till she graduates college, then till she gets married, then I'll have to stay around for the grandchildren. She does refer to me as Grandmeow to her two cats.

Our home is shared with our cat, Racer. He's about a year old. We had our first cat, Nike, for about 16 years, and it was very hard to lose her. Julie kept dragging me to Pet Smart to look at the animals that needed to be adopted. I resisted for a while, but Racer won my heart! He's a lot of fun.

I collect Crayola stuff, anything from crayons, markers, pencils, chalk, etc., to a coffee mug, tins, a mouse pad and screen saver. My latest favorites so far, I guess, were gifts, a set of Crayola walkie-talkies my daughter brought to me from Florida, a Crayolaopoly board game, and an old box of crayons my nephew found somewhere and gave to me for Christmas. My husband's hobby is carpentry/woodworking. He is making me a beautiful cabinet for by collection. He says it won't be done for 3 or 4 years, but I go out to his workshop and visit it now and then. He says it wouldn't be a hobby if he had to work fast. He pretty much works when he has the time or is in the mood. He made me a beautiful oak desk with a parquet top, each piece glued on by hand, and also made a matching side unit for my printer and storage.

I plan to attend most of the events at the reunion, and look forward to seeing all of you. I've enjoyed reading the updates from those who submitted them. Chuck, I guess we share a common interest in art and cats. Thanks for all your work.

Candy Friel Jackson