By Diana Vance

Special to the Times

Settling in Monroe was an interesting experience especially for me because I wondered how I would meet people. Before I knew it Marian Kundert called up and said she would pick me up to go to a Jaycette meeting. My husband worked at a bank with the lady’s husband and that is why this lady decided she would help me get around and meet some people. I thought that was most thoughtful.

The evening came and Marian had with her another newcomer. Her name was Pat Klabough. When the three of us arrived and found seats together Pat pointed to a beautiful woman, very tall, wearing a creamy ivory dress that was tight and long blonde hair pulled up.

Pat whispered to me, “I bet she is the artist’s wife.”

I agreed with her not knowing she was the wife of the man who would inherit The Swiss Colony now known as Colony Brands. The company owner was her father-in-law Ray Kubly who began the company in his basement wrapping and selling cheese by mail. Two years ago a newspaper story reported the company sold one billion dollars that past year. That is quite an achievement for a family-owned business.

However back to the Jaycette meeting, Shirley Kubly in the creamy, ivory dress stood up to conduct the meeting. She obviously was the club’s president. She seemed very friendly with no put-on airs. I liked her and enjoyed the rest of the meeting.

As a surprise my husband showed up and I introduced him to Shirley who told him she needed a treasurer for the club that year. He volunteered me and I turned to him and said that I had never done such a role. He replied, “I will help you.” Shirley added her comments saying, “Oh, Diana this is wonderful. You will be our treasurer.”

The first meeting of the Jaycette board was at Shirley’s home in the country. I found it quite easily. There were horses in the pasture. And the house was very ordinary with white paint that told me this is the place.

The board meeting began with Shirley at the helm. We introduced ourselves going all around the living room. I listed to when the minutes were read and Shirley gave the treasurer’s report. “It will be you next time, Diana,” she said with a warm smile.

The meeting continued and everyone was business like. I was impressed. Afterwards Shirley had a delicious punch ready and to plates full of a variety of cookies.

Shirley enjoyed meeting new people and she enjoyed any news I had about our two girls: Christine age four, and Kerry age three.

When summer arrived it came with a great deal of heat. One day Shirley called me up and asked if my two girls would like to swim in her pool which had a nice shallow end. The children were so excited about swimming they stayed in the water for about two hours while Shirley and I talked and watched them.

After several invitations asking if my girls would like to come to the pool, Shirley asked if we would like to see the house. Shirley took us completely around her home which I thought was so generous to do that. The only room we did not see was the large living room because Pat was in there.

Once back outside my daughter Kerry said in a rather loud vice, “You’re rich aren’t ya.”

Shirley answered that she was not and the house had belonged to Pat’s father and when he passed away they inherited that house. Kerry had no more questions about their wealth. Shirley spoke to Kerry in simple truths that apparently satisfied Kerry.

One day in summer the telephone rang and it was Shirley asking me if I would like to come for yoga lessons in her yard every Tuesday. “We are doing the lessons in the side yard,” she said. I quickly purchased a mat for me to use for the Yoga exercises

The lessons were different each time I came with about seven other women enjoying the exercises under the trees and on top of thickly growing grass in Shirley’s side yard.

A day came when I learned the Kubly’s were moving to Madison. I was sad that I probably would never see her again. She had brought so much kindness to me and my two girls.

A day came when Larry’s boss at the bank had died. His name was Jack Kundert. He had a very nice and long funeral that was filed with happenings in Jack’s life. The family was having something to eat afterwards at Turner Hall.

I had gone alone because Larry went early that morning to pay his respects. A great number of people came to Turner Hall and it was very crowded as I waited to go into the large room that was set up with chairs and tables.

Then I felt a tap on my back shoulder so I turned around and there stood Shirley Kubly. She asked if we could sit together and I answered “Yes.” Soon we were up to the table offering a very nice assortment of food. Then the two of us found a table for two.

The first thing Shirley asked was “How are the children?” That was so like Shirley to remember them and I wondered if she ever remembered Kerry’s question to her that day so long ago. Shirley asked many questions and I did the same about her son, Ryan.

We spent a lovely hour together and I told her I missed her and thanked her for all those invitations which thrilled me and my two girls. If I had to describe Shirley with one word it would be “Kindness.”

Many times “Kindness.” And she loved people. And of course children. I only have good memories of Shirley Kubly. And I am sure I am not alone.