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Debbie Romo Deittrick
FAMILY: I am a divorced mother of three beautiful adult daughters; Desiree’ (Mario), Athena (Eddie) and Andrea (Jordan). They have blessed me with nine amazing grandchildren; Angelo, Marcello, Mario, Vincenzo, Analicia, Audrey, Ariana, Lyla and Liberty (an appropriate name since she was born just after the COVID lockdown)!
My father was my Hero and was a very wise man. He was loving father and a proud U.S. Army Veteran. He passed on several beliefs to me about Family that I have worked at honoring. Here is one: Dad used to say, “It’s YOUR job to give your children the best childhood you can. The world will beat them up when they get out there and they will need those memories to get them through!” Wow…how true. I have great childhood memories of my own that I know have helped get me through some tough times.
OCCUPATION: I am currently not working outside of the home and still trying to decide what to officially call my status. I don’t like “retired” or even “semi-retired”; they sound like someone waiting to die!!!! I was laid off during the COVID hoopla after working a total of 42 years in the Gaming Industry; 36 of those years with the same company.
FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIES: There are many High School memories that come to mind as I begin thinking about this topic. Here are a few that stand out that I’d like to share:
I remember when Sammy Davis Jr. came to the school and performed. It was unbelievable to have him there as if he were a family friend singing at an intimate dinner party. So casual but exciting at the same time. After his performance he hung out with the guys in the Senior parking lot talking and laughing with them while showing them his cool car. It had amazing car doors that opened like bird wings. Several of the guys took turns sitting inside the car. They really loved it! I remember thinking that he was just a “regular guy” and it was nice of him to take the time chatting casually with high schoolers. Goodness knows what most people thought of high schoolers in the 70’s!
Fr. Schramko, one of my favorite teachers, taught my Family Life class and had some very good advice on a variety of subjects. Most of the guys in the class thought was odd for a priest to know the things he did….heehee. Here is one piece of advice that I still pass on to my grandchildren and their friends: During one of our classes, we were discussing how to pick the perfect mate. Almost everyone agreed that you need to pick someone who thinks like you so there would be less arguing. Fr. Schramko yelled out, as he usually did; “WRONG”!!!!!! He said, “if you marry someone just like you, one of you is unnecessary!!!” He went on to explain that although basic beliefs between a couple should be the same, we are all imperfect. Because of that, we should choose someone that essentially “fills our gaps”….and “the two shall become one!”. Boy did that cause everyone to stop and think…no one spoke for quite a while!!
I was working at Woolco (remember the one on E. Charleston??) after school when auditions for the Senior Class Play, Oklahoma, were held. As much as I wanted to be in the play, I just wouldn’t give up my job. Mr. Lendini was struggling to find 1st Sopranos for the play and practically begged a few of us from the Glee Club to “please” be in the play. I felt I had a good reason to quit my job and join the cast then; so I did! I’m so glad that I did. I had such a great time and have some great memories of that time. AND…my manager at Woolco held my job for me so I could go back to work during the summer after graduation.
HOW I LIKE TO SPEND MY TIME: When I’m not chauffeuring my grandchildren to/from school or other events, I enjoy dining out, shopping or going to the movies with family and friends. I also help out at church when needed, love to do crafting and take short trips. I especially like the beach and the mountains and still get a kick out of Disneyland; even without kids!
FUN TIDBIT(S) ABOUT ME: Most of my “Fun Tidbits” involving celebrities happened while working in the Gaming industry. But, there is one I remember that was not work-related. I won a radio contest for a Lunch with Robert Goulet. I could only accept the prize if I…#1: Was able to be at Spago’s precisely at NOON that day AND #2: Was able to bring a friend. I quickly agreed to the terms. It took me several phone calls to get a friend who was able to show up precisely at Noon especially since there was only about 1.5 hours until the lunch. I took my Gorman former classmate, Sharon Volke. We had such fun at the lunch but it seemed to annoy Mr. Goulet when we became interested in his wife’s discussion about the book she was writing. He reminded everyone that HE was the Guest of Honor for the lunch! Hmmmmmm.
HIGHTLIGHTS OF MY LIFE SINCE HIGH SCHOOL: I started college after High School but didn’t earn my Hotel Administration degree for TEN years! I was working fulltime, got married and started a family while going to college parttime so you can see how it may have taken me that long. I also suffered a miscarriage during that time and took a full year off from school. Since I was only the second person in my family to earn a degree, I’m still very proud that I never gave up on it. In fact, that was one of the reasons I beat out eight other candidates for a management position with Harrah’s Entertainment. The Controller, who interviewed me, later told me that he also watched his wife struggle to earn a degree while raising their family and that if I could do that too, he could depend on me to never give up!
Fr. Schramko officiated my wedding at St. Viator Catholic Church in 1978. When my husband and I welcomed our first daughter, Desiree’, he baptized her in our home. We felt that was very special.
My long career in the Gaming Industry began in the Cashier’s Cage during the Old Vegas regime a few years before Corporations took over. Those were very interesting times and I have a lot of very colorful stories I’d be happy to share if you’re interested. After the Cashier’s Cage, I was promoted to manage the Harrah’s Las Vegas Credit & Collections Department for 6 years. I then moved to Information Technology which kept me traveling a lot as Harrah’s purchased and converted systems for new properties. It continued for a time after Harrah’s was purchased until COVID hit the industry hard.
Personally, I have also been fortunate enough to find the time (and money) to travel to Washington D.C., Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Italy (and saw Pope John Paul II the year before he died), Paris, France (including Disneyland Paris !!) and much of the Western United States for my own pleasure.
I still practice my faith and simply don’t know how others get through life without it! I’m proud to say that all my children are also still practicing their faith and passing it down to their children. What a legacy! God Bless us all!