The spunky volunteer at St. Leonard Franciscan Living Community in Centerville is an optimist. Her only son, Michael, was born with cerebral palsy. Her husband of 37 years, Randall, died from lung disease in 2000.
Ten years after that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a lumpectomy at Kettering Hospital, and after radiation treatments it was discovered she had a tumor in her other breast. Because of losing her mother and several aunts to breast cancer, she opted for a double mastectomy three years ago. But she doesn’t let that slow her down.
“I don’t like sitting at home staring at the four walls,” said Early, who retired from Ledex in Vandalia (now LEDEX-Johnson Electric) after 40 years of service about 12 years ago. “I do everything here; I assist residents up to their rooms, direct visitors, and help out in any way I can.”
Before Early started her volunteer work at St. Leonard’s Assisted Living Facility, she worked for three years in their Health Center and Dining Room. Currently, Early puts in 15 hours a week as a volunteer. Michael is bused to United Rehabilitation Services in Dayton every day.
She didn’t like the home-care options she had for him, so she proactively studied to be an STNA. She earned her degree through Fortis College at the age of 67. Mom and son also recently graduated from a Police Academy course at Centerville with officer Nicholas Pauley.
Her grandfather worked up to the age of 90 as a judge in Kentucky, and always encouraged education. Early had taken courses at Sinclair Community College, University of Dayton, Wright State, and Miami University - Middletown after high school graduation majoring in business marketing. But when Jan, her friend and classmate, brought her an application to work at Ledex, she jumped at the chance.
The way Randall proposed shortly after she starting her job almost turned out to be a disaster. He had brought her a big heart box of Whitman Sampler chocolates over to her Oakwood apartment. But she didn’t like that brand and threw it in the trashcan after he left. Later on that night, he called and asked if she had eaten any candy.
“I thought it was odd that ‘Rand’ had called about the candy, so I went out in my pajamas and bathrobe dug it out of the trash,” Early said. “He had stuck an engagement ring in the center of piece of candy.”
They had a long, successful marriage and made sure that Michael received a public school education. R. Early worked as an accountant for Miami Industrial Trucks in Dayton. When Early thinks back on her life so far, she dwells on the positive.
“You think you have it rough until you look at other peoples’ lives. Everyone handles the aging process differently,” said Early.
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone handled it as well as she does?
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