Historical June 1985 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Evelyn Nance and Dorothy Ward are Parkview residents—by day.
In the evening they return to their own homes elsewhere in the city.
Since they probably spend more waking hours in our neighborhood than some homeowners, they are important to our community. Who are these women?
They are babysitters. Evelyn Nance has been babysitting for Ursula Goodenough and John Heuser’s children since Jessica was born over four years ago. Jessica is now in nursery school, but two-year-old Thomas keeps her busy while Jessica is gone. Evelyn began working outside the home when her own children were grown.
She decided to do what she knew best and loved—watching children.
She was on hand to cuddle Jessica before she was even a day old.
She calls Jessica her “best baby.” And when Thomas arrived she was eager to see him. “He’s a smart boy,” she says. “They’re both nice.” Evelyn is also proud of her own boys.
Her oldest son has a master’s degree, and the middle son a Ph.D.
The youngest one is in the Navy and is studying to be an R.N.
She has eight grandchildren and another one is on the way. Like Evelyn, Dorothy Ward has been working in Parkview for several years.
She cares for Alex Permutt, the son of Alan Permutt and Sally Barker. She’s a neighborhood feature as she hurries Alex’s stroller down the sidewalk as they go to visit friends. Dorothy bubbles when she talks about Alex. “He’s just a doll,” she says. “He never cries.” Dorothy is from a large family and she says, “I always wanted a lot of kids.
But I was only blessed with one daughter.” Her daughter, now grown, is an attorney, and she teaches at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut.
She was recently in town for the ceremony naming her father, Robert James Ward, a bishop of the Church of God in Christ. Evelyn and Dorothy smile with pride as they watch their Parkview children play. Their presence allows Ursula Goodenough and Sally Barker the freedom to pursue careers outside the home while being assured that their little ones receive good care.
There are many Parkview babysitters.
They are extra eyes and ears for us all during the day and they certainly enrich our neighborhood.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June 1985.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1985_06.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
