Forever Friends

Elementary Schoolmates Maintain Friendship for 90 Years

Jo Griffin and Kathy Beatrice first shared a lunch table in third grade. Over 90 years later, they still share each meal together at The Summit.

“We met in the third grade at Fort Hill School,” Kathy said. Jo doesn’t miss a beat. “We had a terrible teacher. I want to forget her.”

Jo and Kathy, who both live in Assisted Living, grew up in the same West Lynchburg neighborhood and attended Fort Hill Methodist Church. They graduated from E.C. Glass High School in 1943.

“At one time, four graduates in our class were at the Summit,” Jo said. “We are holding on.”

The two lost touch when Kathy and her husband, who was in the service, moved away. They reconnected when Kathy chaired their high school 50th reunion, picking up right where they left off.

The two became shopping buddies. “We used to go and eat together at night,”Kathy said. “We were both Talbot’s shoppers and still are.”

Jo remembers the shopping trips fondly. “We’ve missed that. Kathy was a good driver. I hated driving. She drove and I would go in and shop for clothes.”

Now, they eat all their meals together. “I just recommend having a friend that long,” Jo said.“It’s absolutely wonderful. Nothing like it,” Kathy agreed.

A former teacher and artist, Jo said she and Kathy always got along well. “We are a lot alike. We have the same tastes and the same values,” she said.

Jo and Kathy, who both moved to The Summit over 15 years ago, both have grandchildren and great-grandchildren.They have a grade school friendship still going strong as both move past the century mark.

“It is fantastic isn’t it. I wonder if there is anybody else in the world that has had 90 years of friendship?” Kathy said.

Their table is set. It will be dinner time soon. Jo takes Kathy’s hand before she gets ready to go back to her apartment.

“I love you, Jo,” Kathy said.

“I love you too. I’ll see you at dinner,” Jo replied.