September 1, 2017 - Many of Missoula's school children used to walk home for lunch!

In the September, 1st, 2017 edition of the Missoulian in the obituary section was the death notice of a long-time Missoula resident/mother/grandmother.

Her name is Alice "Jean" Cleaves. 

As I read about her life I noticed that the following sentences, "While caring for their children she enjoyed reading, needlework, gardening, and volunteering for school activities. She was one of those moms who always had a good meal waiting when the kids came home for lunch."

Prior to around 1981 most of Missoula's school children attended a nearby neighborhood school and were able to walk/walk quickly, or run (done all of these!) home for lunch. Children used to be able for the most part to walk or bike to and from school. And many if not most were able to go home for lunch! 

Some of my good school memories are of the lunch boxes I used to take to a Missoula school while growing up here in the '60's and 70's. Precious. I loved that red plaid lunch box, especially.