From Shirley (Shirl) Haynes Edwards
Currently living in New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Highlights
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Retiring after 43 years with CP TelephoneATTLucent TechnologiesAvaya. All one company which divested throughout my career.
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My ability to become my parents caregiver for 15 years
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Living my dreams
Children/Grandchildren
I was not blessed with children, however I have a wonderful 14 year old fur baby.
My Story
I decided college wasn't for me, I wanted to break ceilings. I joined CP Telephone Co as an Information Operator 411 in 1973 in Culpepper VA. I transferred to the Residential Installation group as one of the first female installers in DC in the mid 70s working my way up to large switch installer for businesses and government. While working as an installer at the US State Dept, I became a ManagerConsultant for their communication requirements. I then became a Project Manager for communications at the US House of Reps, Supreme Court, and White House. Next up, I was a Program Manager for the US Army, Air Force, and IRS. My company sold a "work anywhere, any time, any place" technology, so they didn't care where you were located. I moved to Florida in 2000 and continued to work from home as a Global Proposal Manager until retiring in 2016.
I was married to Bill Edwards for 26 years together for 35 years. Fortunately, I was able to care for my husband, parents, and uncle until their passing as we lived just blocks apart. After my husbands death in 2012 I started traveling and with the exception of 2020 have traveled throughout Europe, Russia, Central America, and the Caribbean. I have many more trips in the works and will be in Sibenik, Croatia during this reunion.
As my husband told me, do everything and go everywhere you want while you are able, live with no regrets. I am living my dreams while checking off my bucket list and I hope you are too.