Meet your neighbor: Mayor talks teachers, shoes and loss

Editor's note: This is part of a weekly series of introductions to our neighbors in Quay County.

What is your idea of a perfect day?

Snuggled up with my dog in my pajamas reading a good book is my idea of a perfect day.

What's your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is dying alone.

What's on your bucket list?

I would love to go to New York City and Washington D.C.

Talk about a time you cried.

At John Mihm's memorial. John and I were close friends and after every commission meeting, we would eat dinner together.

Talk about your hero.

My parents would be my heroes. They were hard working people, had great moral values and taught me to always better myself and aim high.

How many pair of shoes do you own? Why?

I've actually lost count. Why? Because I love shoes.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

I am so glad to be in the here and now and thankful I survived all I have been through. Although, the 60's were interesting.

What's something most people don't know about you?

That I cut my right thumb off when I was 2 years old. Also, I love to ride motorcycles when someone else is driving.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a teacher, and I am proud of the 35 years I spent in the classroom.

Can you offer any advice?

Be true to yourself, listen to advice from the people you admire and work hard to be more than you planned to be.

What would you do with a million dollars?

Make sure my family was taken care of but not to the point they do not have to work to appreciate what they own. Then I would take a vacation and come back home to Tucumcari.

Where do you go to feel safe?

I feel safe when I am with friends and family.

What inspires you?

Hard working people and people who think positive.

What do you pray about?

I pray for my family and their health and safety, my community, my friends and - believe it or not - my enemies.

What's your favorite inspirational quote?

"God doesn't give us what we can handle, God helps us handle what we are given."

What's most memorable about your first job?

I was a second-grade teacher in Abilene, Texas, with 36 second-graders, and 24 of them were boys. We could not wear pants, only nice dresses, heels and hose, but what saved me was being able to kick a football in high heels. I had had other jobs but that was my first teaching job.

What do you remember about your first teacher?

My first teacher was Miss Jodie Poole and her twin sister Miss Jackie Poole.

Who is/was your favorite teacher and why?

Miss Hathaway, my third-grade teacher, was my inspiration and very favorite teacher. She let us wear her clip-on earrings and would take several of us girls home with her on the weekend to ride horses and help irrigate (which we thought was fun).

What was your first experience with death?

I guess when my dad passed away in 1980, but the hardest two were when I lost my son and husband.

Talk about your best friend now.

I have many friends that I feel comfortable with and those that are special know who they are.

Have you had a celebrity encounter?

I have met many country singers, but my favorite one was Hank Thompson.

What's the last book you've read? What did you think about it?

Fern Michaels' "Sisterhood" series. They are very interesting and keep you guessing.

What's your favorite book? Why?

"Where the Wind Blows Free" by Lula Grace Erdman. It was about a little girl growing up in the Panhandle of Texas.

Talk about your dad.

Joe Cunningham was a wonderful dad! He was a real cowboy and worked hard. We played dominoes on Saturday night while listening to the radio.

Talk about your mom.

Mildred Cunningham was a great cook and also a hard worker. She was justice of the peace in Roberts County, Texas, for 30 years. She taught me the love of serving your community.

Talk about your spouse.

My husband was Calvin Litchfield. He was a CPA (certified public accountant) and also the mayor of Tucumcari when he passed away.

How did you meet your spouse?

We met at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas.

Talk about your sibling(s).

I have an older brother, Toby Cunningham. He lives in Panhandle, Texas, and we are pretty close.

Talk about your children.

My daughter, Leslie Brusa, graduated in 1990 from Tucumcari High School. She lives in Henderson, Nevada. She is married to Brian Brusa, a great son-in-law, and they have my grandson, Zach. I love spending time with her, and we have so much fun together. I don't know what I would do without her.

My son, Joe Litchfield, graduated in 1994 from THS. Joe passed away in 1999, and I miss him everyday.

I have Kevin and Kim Boyd (Joe's widow) and three granddaughters, Lexxy Bigham, Shelly Litchfield and Rylee Boyd. Kevin and Kim are very special to me.

I am very blessed to have a family that supports me in all I undertake.

Who do you miss most? Why?

I miss many people: My parents, my son and my friend, Sarah Norris.

Talk about your pet(s).

Daisy Mae is a Shih Tzu and rules the household. She is very loving and always greets me with tail wags and happy barks.

What's your greatest strength?

I feel like my greatest strength is the ability to speak in public. I absolutely love serving on the city commission, even when the times are rough. I am proud of all we have accomplished and want to see Tucumcari grow and prosper.

What is your greatest weakness?

I worry about things that might happen.

Ask your own question and answer it.

Why did you stay in Tucumcari after you retired?

I stayed here because of the people. I have lived here since 1974 and truly feel like this is home. I love my church, community and everything about Tucumcari.

Meet Your Neighbor is a weekly feature of the Quay County Sun. If you'd like to participate, or nominate a neighbor, contact Senior Writer Thomas Garcia at [email protected] or call him at 575-461-1952.