Dear Class

Jane (Ryan) Garland has been very happy, healthy, and fulfilled over the past 40 years

Although Mountain Lakes was a wonderful town to grow-up in, I quickly discovered that it was an anomaly in our country. I spent the late 60's as part of the counter culture and am happy to say that I have never lost that perspective. In fact many people believe I am the only liberal democrat residing in Orange County, CA.

My career has been spent teaching in inner cities, advocating and lobbying for underprivileged kids and working to change policy on local, state and national levels. After college I taught at Wildwood School before realizing that teaching in Orange and Newark was more to my liking. I joined the advocates for Jersey's children in the 80's and wrote statistical reports on the well-being of children during Governor Florio's tenure. I currently serve as the Public Information Officer for the Newport Beach/Costa Mesa Unified School District in California.

My best friend and husband Bill is a medicinal chemist by trade and entrepreneur by choice in biotechnology focusing on cancer research. Bill and I have four sons; Séamus, Matthew, Joshua and Liam . . . 2 daughter-in law's Tricia and Tina . . . and two almost daughter-in-law's Joelle and Barrie. Only Séamus and Tricia have produced grandchildren to date . . . Hope (10), Eammon (8) and Delia (6). Séamus is a CFO, Matt a writer with his PhD in Romantic Literature, Josh a mechanical, aeronautical and computer engineer and Liam a lawyer.

We have been fortunate to have traveled our country from Maine to California, from Florida to Washington State and our world from Europe to Australia, from Scandinavia to Asia. But, the old adage is true . . . there is no place like home. I would have enjoyed coming "home" and seeing old friends - but timing does not allow. The last week of July - Bill and I are taking the entire Garland Clan on a cruise to Mexico in celebration of Bill's 60th and our eldest son Séamus' 40th . . . where have the years gone!

My best to all . . . it has been my pleasure having you in my life! We reside in San Clemente, CA - so if you are ever going down the 5, give us a call 949-218-9618. Seriously . . . old friends and a good glass of wine always make for a great time!