Natalie 'Tally' Welsh Satterthwaite

Through 2026

I spent 14 years at Gilbert HS teaching English, Drama, and Speech, which included directing plays and taking a Speech Team to tournaments. Then I received my MLS (Library Science) from the UofA in Tucson in 1988 and became an institution in our library. It was great--very stimulating, and perfect for me. Taught to full SS, which means I retired in 2012. Since then lots of travel and photography, but most of all grandmother to our one and only. I've never liked AZ, but it's home to all my nuclear family, so... Life is good--we enjoy ourselves. Recently discovered a group for Lifelong Learners at a local JC, and that's been really interesting, taking classes with them.

LA State 3 semesters
ASU BA Ed in English, Theatre minor
UA MLS (Library/Info Sci)
Adult ed classes through local JC--ongoing

Oneonta Elementary
South Pasadena Junior High

Limited to the (Insert vile, insulting word here) Valley of the Sun since leaving South Pasadena in 1966: Tempe, Scottsdale, Gilbert.

Moved from Illinois to 1917 La France in 1954. I married and moved away to AZ in 1966. The family stayed in South Pasadena for a number of years after that, though in apartments after Deb and I were gone. Daddy worked for the So Pas Post Office in the 60's. Mom died in 1981 and Daddy in 1985.

Deborah Welsh (Huertas), sister 1962 In Spain since 60's.
Martha Welsh (Vasquez), sister 1969 In Tucson AZ
Amy Welsh (Comport), sister 1973 In Norwalk CT

Carol Siev (Mirell), '64, friend & sister by choice. Just did the Monterey Jazz Bash with them, 2/18, which was great fun. Road Scholar cruise from Montreal to Boston in fall, '18, followed by short visit to sister in CT. Road Scholar Hawaii trip just before Covid shutdown. We visit each other once or twice a year with a trip, a beach stay, etc.

Well, Mr. Phippin's suicide on Christmas Day, the year I was editor, was pretty major. Thank heaven Mr. Jacobsen was on hand and able to take over.
For "you've got to be kidding" moments, there was Mr. Doughten complimenting Steve Warner's performance in rehearsal for the Senior Play--Steve was drunk that day!
There were some good times, but too much angst. I'd always been shy, and high school is tough enough without that. Wouldn't go back for the world--I much prefer being an adult.
Writing and directing plays in 5th grade at Oneonta was great fun, and I guess gave the teacher a break from a pretty large class. I liked elementary school more than JH and HS, though yearbook was satisfying.

VERY not into organizations--shared activities fine, but not groups that have regular meetings, elect officers, etc. I've always been too independent (read "stubborn") to enjoy them much.
2018: Stuck more at home for a bit, joined a Lifelong Learners program that offers classes and activities through a local JC. Interesting and fun.

Grandmother--FINALLY--9/13/08. And Tracey was pushing 42 when she finally had her. Katherine is bright, charming, and fun. 2023: Challenging teenager, but still loving, generous & bright.

Losing a kid--he may have only come to us when he was 18, but Rick was ours. At least we gave him ten plus years of love before he died Thanksgiving, 2008. We miss him badly.

Mortality is very real, with my breast cancer and Barry's heart attacks. We're trying to get in as many experiences as we can while we can. I'm fine now and plan to stay around to play with my granddaughter--I've waited so long for her.

Family is worth working at: we had a reunion at Amy's in CT in 2005, and Deb's in Spain in 2011. Nephew Eduardo stayed with us a year back in '88, and we're quite close to some of the nieces, as well.

It is possible to keep an old friendship alive, but it takes work on both sides. Carol Siev and I met in 5th grade, and we still get together once or twice a year. There's nobody like someone who doesn't just know all your secrets, but who went through them with you.

Traveling!! Road Scholar is fantastic--have to do more. Up to over 10 trips with them now in Europe and US. I'm now desperate to get back on the road, but a wonderful 91-year-old MIL has us anchored somewhat.

Reading--duh. Actually, I say that I'm one of those lucky people who ended up in the exact job they were meant for: I enjoyed teaching English, Theatre, and Oral Comm, and I feel I did a lot of good there, but getting into the library was an epiphany: I loved being able to hook non-readers up with books that they like. Also, helping students and teachers learn to access and use info was a real calling for me

Photography--just a novice, but I've done a few things I'm proud of. Of course, friends and family are just happy as clams when I crop and improve lighting on shots.

Kid is growing up, but I love traveling with both daughter and "them" (Anybody else playing the pronoun game?)--did Harry Potter trip to England for 11th birthday back in '19. Didn't know how easy the daughter was until this one came along! Interesting years ahead.

Oldies, jazz--too many to name.
I enjoy music, but I don't like it as a constant background; silence is just fine with me.

Too many--have to come back to this.
To Kill a Mockingbird--all time fave
Wonderfalls, Ballykissangel--old shows found on video
Slings and Arrows--student of Tracey's turned us on to this great, older 3-season show about a theatre troupe in Canada. My theatre friends didn't know it either, and they've gone nuts over it, too!
2018--binge-watching lots new as well as shows I was too busy for while teaching. Love: Midsomer Murders, The Crown, Victoria, Doc Martin, Detectorists, Doctor Blake mysteries, Offspring, many more.
2023--not impressed with all the talent shows and most commercial TV. I stream lots of British shows but am cutting back on the really dark ones--they affect my mood too much. Moving to lighter fare in general.

6/2023: Slowing but still hanging on pretty well. I've beaten two cancers by catching them early, so who knows? All my sisters are still here, though Deb is sounding a bit fragile--I'll have to get over to Spain. I see my kids, swim at the gym not as often as I should, get regular massages that help keep me going, and just kind of ease my way along. I want SO MUCH to travel again!

Spring, 2018: Monterey Jazz in spring, San Diego in summer, and Canadian cruise in fall will probably be about it this year because it's time to get dental stuff done. Usually do more abroad--last few years we've done various sites in Spain, Italy, England, Ireland, Costa Rica, France, Greece. To do's now are Hawaii (seems like abroad), Norway, Iceland, and a few more.

May 21, Birthday, 2014 Wanted to travel: Yes!! Family reunion was great, as were Ireland & England, where we saw son-in-law's now 99 year old grandfather. Have been back twice more--to Barcelona, Madrid, London; then Best of Italy tour with extra days in Sorrento. This summer doing Glacier Nat Park with Carol & husband after seeing them at the beach.

6/30/12 RETIRED!! Doesn't feel like it yet, though, since I've always had summers away from school. Alaska cruise with Barry's mom (just 80, and a lot of fun) in September--his dad died in January. Barry had a 3rd heart attack in April, resulting in a stent within two telescoped stents in his main heart artery. Wants to live, so he's gone on a stricter-than-vegan diet that's shown to reverse heart disease: also cuts out salt, added sugars, and oils--even evoo. Weight is dropping and cardiologist is pleased, though there is damage this time.

1/2/12 Getting ready to work my last semester--weird. I'll miss it, but I'm ready. Katherine's up to doing sleepovers now. Barry retired early, and he's trying to sort out all his art stuff at home--think one step away from "Hoarders" show. Europe trip was fantastic; I'll post a couple of sister and offspring shots, but friend me and check my Facebook page if you want a fuller picture. Once I'm out of school: plan to get into photography more; travel as much as possible.

1/1/11 Grandmothering is my favorite; Katherine is scary smart and VERY two! Planning a major trip to Europe for summer is hard work: we'll do several weeks in Ireland and England before going on to the beach in Spain for our family reunion. There will be four Welsh granddaughters by then--mine the oldest at less than 3!
Husband just retired from teaching in May, and he's overseeing work on house while trying to sort years of accumulated books and supplies. It's good there are a couple of years to do it before I retire.
We travel, hold season tickets to the Suns, see family a lot.

Really sorry to have missed the 50th, but Carol Siev Mirell and I set up our Road Scholar trip to Glacier NP after her parents died very close together. I hear you were all suffering in the heat while we were bundled up in Montana.

I won't add more to this right now--"one last comment" is starting to sound way too close to the final.....