My life up to age 21 is the subject of this memoir. After that time I became a scientist, did research on the physiology of bacteria, joined the faculty at a medical school, taught and performed the usual administrative functions. I married, had two children, and became the grandmother of three. Now that I am retired I paint and have written this book. I wrote this memoir so that my children, grandchildren and friends know where my family came from and what happened to us. I did not want my relatives forgotten.