Four of the girls (Irene, Cathy, Noreen and Linda) remain in the local area. After high school graduation in 1970 Ginger leaves for Minneapolis to attend airline school. She takes a job with the U. S. Navy in Arlington, Va. when Northwest Orient airlines goes on strike. In 1974, Norman enlists in the Navy, and youngest son Gary,18, dies due to muscular dystrophy. Sherry, the youngest child, leaves for college in 1976, and Mom is alone at age 58.