Walter Andrew Blake

While growing up in a family of 17 children in South Bend, Walter helped his Father in the trash hauling business. During his freshman year at Notre Dame Walter came home to visit and gained a fresh appreciation for what his family had done for him.

Betty Jo-Ann Montgomery Perry

Childhood, Performing Arts

With tears in her eyes, young Betty Jo-Ann listened to her first youth orchestra in NYC and realized that playing music would be a way to escape a life limited by poverty.

Diane Lee Richards

Childhood, Family, Military, Oral History

Diane grew up admiring her Aunt Helen who, with her husband Don, ran a flight school. It took years to find out that Helen had flown bombers and pursuit planes back during WWII. Diane reflects on the life of her remarkable and yet modest Aunt.