64 (mostly) blissful years
Kathryn McKee, born in Texas, raised in Pie Town, and Ronnie Roberts, born in California, raised in Albuquerque, met as juniors at Quemado High School when Ronnie moved to Pie Town to live with an uncle.
They soon began dating and dated throughout high school. They talked of marriage, but Kathryn’s parents discouraged that as Kathryn had a scholarship to go to New Mexico Western College and mother said she was afraid Kathryn would never finish college if they married. So that fall, Ronnie joined the Army and Kathryn went off to college at Western. They corresponded and supported each other the entire time, and only saw each other twice during Ronnie’s furloughs.
In the fall of 1955, Ronnie was discharged and he moved to Silver City and enrolled in industrial arts classes at Western. They continued to date and supported each other until graduation day, June 1, 1956, when Kathryn earned her college degree. They were married on June 3, 1956, in Pie Town. OK Mom!
They remained in Silver City for one year, while Ronnie finished his certification. They moved in May 1957 to Albuquerque where Ronnie was employed at Benisheck Mfg. Co. and Kathryn was employed by the Albuquerque Public Schools where she taught at Albuquerque High School for two years. Ronnie began work for Kirtland Air Force Base and soon became foreman and then branch chief.
They bought a home in the North Valley and on Feb. 9, 1960, their greatest reward occurred when their first daughter was born! Then two years later another daughter was born to them. In March 1962, they moved their little family to Bosque Farms. In 1964 another daughter was born and they now had three beautiful daughters, a lovely home in Bosque Farms, wonderful friends and it was a beautiful world.
And so ... after having great careers, Ronnie as a foreman at Kirtland for 30 years, Kathryn as a physical educator for the Los Lunas School system for 23 years; raising three beautiful, smart daughters; five great and loving grandchildren; they are now approaching 64 years of (mostly) blissful years of marriage; and who could ask for more love than this on Valentine’s Day?