J Sterling Morton East High School Alumni
Cicero, Illinois (IL)
Mary Ann Latsaras (spelled by Morton HS as Latsaros) (Mary Ann Latsaras)
J Sterling Morton East High School
Class of 1976
→ Join 5277 Alumni from J Sterling Morton East High School that have already claimed their alumni profiles.
→ There are 94 classes, starting with the class of 1925 all the way up to class of 2023.
MARY ANN'S PROFILE
| First Name | Mary Ann |
| Last Name | Latsaras (spelled By Morton Hs As Latsaros) |
| Maiden Name | Latsaras |
| Graduation Year | Class of 1976 |
| Gender | Female |
| Current Location | Worth |
| Hometown | Cicero |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| About Me | About me...hmmm...Well, it feels as if I’ve lived many lives or, I might say, many adventures to my life. On 9/2 1978, I got married and had two children, two beautiful daughters, Lisa 6/79 and Donna 12/80. The best of those three happenings, of course, were the births of my two beautiful girls. Unfortunately I had to end my marriage to “him”, which attracted a “her” into my life. Because I never wanted to live a lie, be dishonest to my children by hiding from them, and because I did not want them To be raised as I was; in a home of fear, to be their true selves, to be able to speak their minds, or whether they were worthy of love, respect, kindness, tenderness or to achieve their dreams and goals, by bigoted, dysfunctional and abusive parents, such as mine who withdrew or withheld their love as punishment, played favorites and pitted siblings against one another. I was going to raise them differently. That they are lovable and unconditionally loved, unjudged, uncriticized, strong, brilliant, independent, unique, creative, capable, competent girls who wil grow up into beautifully attractive women who will fall in love and it shouldn’t matter their race, religion, color, orientation as long as they love you back, respect you...and that is how I raised them. Once I graduated HS I never wanted to live my life employed in any of the traditional “Women’s Jobs” of the times in the late 70’s going into the 80’s. Which, at the time was secretarial office work, filing, answering phones, working a desk, data entry and things of the sort. I couldn’t see myself planted in one spot, all day long, day in, day out, week after week, month after month, year after year. It just wasn’t me. Perfect for some girls, but this girl needed more activity. Movement. So, I worked in a factory for a few years as a Quality Control Inspector, where I met my husband, got married, raised my two daughters and was happy with my children. Soon after life changed rather quickly, things did not go as I thought they would. Therefore, my children and I took another path into our future and I met a woman who became my wife. Together, we raised the girls, saw them on their way to launch onto their own paths and have been together for 37 years. I have an awesome grandson, who at the time of this writing 9/9/2020 will be 15 yo on 11/23/20. I hope and I pray that the life I’ve lived has been exemplary in being true to ones self, owning values, morals and integrity, being a kind, loving, compassionate, fair, forgiving and understanding human being. That I’ve set for them examples that were not easily found in my own home growing up as a child. Back to my many careers story. Okay. So, while I worked at the factory back then, I was in the union. The company was Western Acadia on Ogden Ave north of 26th Street and they made many automotive parts and felts, so they were part of whatever that union was at the time. I don’t remember it now, but I do know that it was a predominately male run and male membership participants and at a time when Feminism was breaking out, women were pushing their way to be seen, heard, and fighting for rights with equal pay. At Western Acadia along comes Mar’! Stepping up to the challenge of the times, innocently and unconsciously, asking to run machinery that has exclusively only been run by men because it was deemed “unsafe” and “women were not qualified because they were not able to meet, match or maintain the daily quota a man puts out on a daily basis.” “Ahh, wrong answer, fellas!”, says I. So, I got with my union stewards, women, lucky for me, who fought a good fight for me and got me an “audition” to run the machine. All went well, I passed with flying colors, got the job position codes changed, my title changed, my pay raised, and those jobs now had to be posted to include women from all departments. Yep! I was a heroine and a trend setter and opened the doors for many women to come after me. It was only two days after that I was not only meeting and matching the male quota but exceeded it. I made it my goal because I knew I could and I would. After that from then on I decided there was nothing I couldn’t do and if I wanted or had to, I would teach myself. I became a painter and painted houses, so well I never needed to mask anything off with tape, I hooked up with several contractors/developers and painted newly built homes all the way as far as Bloomington, IL. I’d take the girls with me on jobs in the summer when they were out of school and they learned some skills they still use today. I taught myself landscaping and added that to my repertoire, I went to Carpenters school and became a carpenter in Local #1, then ventured off on my own doing rehab & remodeling, I drove a truck for several years, and with my hands on experience worked for Builders Square in Burbank as a supervisor in Paint, Plumbing and Hardware. Then applied at Best Buy for a managerial position as Merchandising Manager where I retired. Finally, went back to school, got my Masters Degree in Social Work and graduated from Aurora University in 2013. As you can see, I created my life’s dream, not to spend it sitting behind a desk all these years, so, I haven’t. I’ve had a beautiful wonderful ride and have loved the journey, the opportunities, the freedom to create my own opportunities and reality. I know I’ve shared a lot of info, a lot of pics, and such. I’m just hoping you get to know me better and find some amusement or entertainment here. I don’t remember being that out or sociable in HS, I think I’ve finally outgrown that shyness. Lol! Have fun people. Have a good life. Be happy, healthy, and live each m...(read more) |
Class of 1976 Alumni
→ Reunite with 72 class of 1976 alumni that have joined.
Wayne Fairbrother
Class of 1961
Miguel Cardona
Class of 1987
Casimer Bojarski
Class of 1964
Christina Sevcik
Class of 1995
Manuel Aguilera
Class of 2001
Omar Portillo
Class of 1995
Goran Djurdjevic
Class of 1991
Stephanie F
Class of 2009
Chuck Black
Class of 1971
Maria Flores
Class of 2003
Joyce Joyce Contorno
Class of 1967
Paul Gonzalez
Class of 1966
Bob Barker
Class of 2005
Nicole Mcelligott
Class of 1990
Michele Diforti
Class of 1989
John Duarte
Class of 2006
Lisa Weber
Class of 2003
Janette Reyes
Class of 2009
Ted Buczek
Class of 1984
Joe Lamberta
Class of 1976
Cheryl Kratochvil-kabat
Class of 1972
Patrick Owens
Class of 1987
Stacie Ostrander
Class of 1998
Salvatore Bruno Salvatore Bruno
Class of 1983
Recent Class of 1976 Reunions
Plan a Class of 1976 Reunion for Free
Morton East Class of 1976 Reunion
Invited Classes: 1976
Date: Sep 17, 2022
Description: This will be a cash bar and food event.
Morton East Class of 1976 45 Year Reunion
Invited Classes: 1976
Date: Sep 18, 2021
Description: This event will be free to attend.
Class of 1976-40th Reunion
Invited Classes: 1976
Date: Sep 24, 2016
Description: Tour of Morton East building on morning of reunion. Time to be announced. Reunion is a cash bar with hors d'ouerves star...(read more)
Class of 76 Get together
Invited Classes: 1976
Date: Aug 10, 2012
Description: Contact Ed Taroli thru facebook or me for further information
Casual reunion
Invited Classes: All Classes
Date: Nov 25, 2011
Description: All years invited by the class of 1975-- Always on the day after thanksgiving-- No cover charge! Since 2007! A really go...(read more)
Morton East Class of 1976-35th Reunion
Invited Classes: All Classes
Date: Aug 27, 2011
Description: RSVP to: mortoneast1976@comcast.net A payment link will be sent in response FRIENDS OF CLASS OF 1976 WELCOME! Price incl...(read more)