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Bob and Sue Kinosian posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Of all the many students whose lives were touched by our witty, engaging, patient Miss Latondress, also fondly known as “Teacher!“ (addressed with enthusiasm, as one would greet someone whom they were HAPPY to see!), I benefitted the most. In her Study Hall Designed Strictly For Studying, I was quietly crying over some boy who had been mean to me. While maintaining the demeanor of Disciplinarian required to control the Monkey Pit of over 100 students, her kindness, wisdom and understanding still came through clearly to me when she inquired about the source of my sadness. In retrospect it was no more than a Teen Tragedy but, she honored my feelings with serious respect and extraordinary advice, “ Do not hang around with boys who are mean to you; be with boys who are NICE”. With that she scrutinized the Monkey Pit, looking over its captives and pointed, “like Bobbert down there; he is a nice boy, go sit with him”. Indeed, he was a very nice boy, an assessment of character she perceived accurately in a 16 year old adolescent boy. Teacher moved my seat there for the rest of the year and it was especially great because Bob could answer any questions I had about Algebra II. I also stopped hanging out with boys who were not nice and started recognizing the difference! Bobbert and I became bestie friends and a year later, went to Senior Ball together. The rest is the History of Our Family as we married June 19, 1971, making this year our 50th Anniversary. Nonetheless, there is a part of each of us two that remains 16 years old, the forever after friendship that endures and formed the foundation of a strong loving marriage. By the way, we both learned a lot also in her English Class. In fact right now as I write I am taking care to avoid dangling participles and I am anxious about the use of “whom” above. As much as I appreciate how much I learned about literature and writing, how much these skills helped me through college and in my work, nothing served me more than the life lessons she taught: listening, respect, kindness, understanding. She was an extraordinary woman. She touched lives in ways that matter. To those of you closest Family and Friends, we extend our deepest sympathy as the loss to you is clearly profound. And one final clarification: Bobbert, according to Miss Latondress, is Bob + Bert, the two nicknames for Robert combined for emphasis. Humor was her additional gift to us! Sue & Bob Kinosian, Wauwatosa
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The family of Helen M. Latondress uploaded a photo
Monday, February 15, 2021
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