Wanda J. (“Jody”) Rakis was born in Texas, and moved to Michigan with Ling-Temco-Vought Missile Corporation in the early 60’s. She was an executive secretary with the company with top secret clearance. Not too long after arriving in Michigan she met a tall, Greek, handsome salesman and they were married a year later. She was a stay-at-home mother for seven years.
Jody returned to the work force after fire destroyed their new investment business. Because their three children being very young, and they lived in a log cabin on a cold, northern Michigan lake, Jody took a job with the school system, as secretary for the Superintendent and Board of Education. She later switched to elementary school secretary so that she could be with her children in the summers. During these years, Jody became more active in her parish and began teaching CCD classes at night. She has been fortunate to have many, wonderful, exciting, sometimes demanding, positions in her career. From school secretary, she managed a new travel agency that opened in her town. Another challenge, another great experience.
From there Jody scrimped and saved and was eventually able to open her own business, a secretarial and office rental business with a conference room and three offices, located in the newest building of her small town. The business was very successful and expanded twice in two years, to eight offices and a waiting list of tenants. After herr children graduated from high school, Jody and her husband sold their respective businesses and moved to sunny Florida. One of their sons had also moved there with school friends, and their daughter came with them. Their oldest son was married and starting a family. During those years, Jody attended Barry University and completed required courses for her Paralegal Certificate.
In Naples, Jody again became active in our parish, teaching CCD and also becoming sponsor for RCIA candidates.
After ten years, the Rakis’ son and daughter moved back north and Jody and her husband missed being close to them and their new families. They moved to Cincinnati, where their daughter lives. Upon arrival, Jody’s husband worked for an appraisal company and Jody found employment with The Kroger Co. as legal secretary to the lead labor attorney for the company. She retired from Kroger in 2005.
The Rakis’ parish is St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Delhi, suburb of Cincinnati. Jody am involved with the Christ Renews His Parish movement, prayer groups, and serves as a minister for the Divorce Support Group. Keeping active and staying mentally busy is one of God’s blessings for Jody. Because of some medical problems, she does spend down time, resting and rejuvenating her strength. By reading and reviewing, Jody hopes to continue to rejuvenate her mind as well.
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