Virginian-Pilot


DATE: Sunday, September 14, 1997            TAG: 9709120252

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CLOSE-UP 

SOURCE: Scott McCaskey 

                                            LENGTH:   78 lines




JOYCE B. DABBS EX-MARINE AND TEACHER NOW COMPUTER TRAINER

Joyce B. Dabbs has a zest for life and work.

The Deep Creek resident has been a Marine, a medical secretary, a staff sergeant in the Army Reserve, a high school teacher, an adult education teacher, and is now an information systems training coordinator for the City of Norfolk.

``Life is going to be too short to get everything accomplished I want to,'' said Dabbs, 55. ``I just love all aspects of life.''

Born in Boston, she joined the Marines a year out of high school. She was stationed at Camp Lejune, N.C., from 1960-63.

``I loved the marines,'' Dabbs said. ``There were some comments about a woman in the rifle corps, but that was their problem. But I had to leave the service because I got married and was going to have a baby. Back then, you couldn't stay in the Marines once you were going to have a baby.''

After leaving the military, she moved to Fayetteville, N.C., with her husband and son went to work as a medical secretary. Divorced after several years, she continued on as a medical secretary, learning the burgeoning computer field. She also joined the Army Reserve.

In the late 1970s, Dabbs met her husband to be, Patrick, and moved to Norfolk where he joined the Navy. While living in Norfolk and then Virginia Beach, Dabbs earned a bachelor of science in secondary education from Old Dominion.

About 10 years ago, after her husband left the Navy, the couple moved from Virginia Beach to Chesapeake.

``It's nice and quiet in Deep Creek,'' Dabbs says. ``And you can still see the Milky Way.''

While appreciating the stars at night, Dabbs has kept up the pace during the day. She taught briefly at Indian River High School before joining Chesapeake Public School's adult education program, where she taught computer software classes.

``I started in the Marines with punch cards in the early days of computers,'' Dabbs said. ``Adult education was great because the students really wanted to learn.''

Although now working in Norfolk, Dabbs is active in Chesapeake Democratic Women. She is working on Michele Degnan's campaign to become the delegate of the 76th district.

``I was active in politics in North Carolina when I lived there,'' Dabbs said. ``People should become involved in the politics of their local community. You can make a difference by participating.''

Full name: Joyce B. Dabbs

Birthdate: Nov. 24, 1942

Occupation: Information systems training coordinator for the City of Norfolk

Hometown: Boston

What brought you to Chesapeake: Lived in Virginia Beach and one day saw the quiet and peacefulness of Deep Creek

Marital status: Married 20 years to Patrick

Children: Michael LaRoche, 35, who lives in Sidney, Australia

Pets: Three cats and three dogs

Hobbies: Organic gardening and local politics

Perfect day off: Wandering around Colonial Williamsburg

Favorite restaurant, and food: The Outback, and seafood

Favorite music: Jazz and classical

Favorite author and books: Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum and John Gresham, suspense novels

Favorite movie: ``The Man Who Would Be King,'' starring Sean Connery

Favorite TV show: ``Highlander,'' ``X-Files,'' action shows

Favorite sport: Softball

Favorite game: Cards

Favorite vacation: London

Biggest irritant: Someone who goes out of their way to be rude

Last smart thing you did: Marry my husband

Something you can't resist: A bargain in new clothes

Achievement you're most proud of: The many people I can call friends for more than 30 years ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY KNAPP



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