Yesterday I was checking out my old school's website, Blue Valley Northwest High School, to see if they had any alumni contact information. Not finding anything, I decide to check out the faculty and see who all was there. Pretty much everyone was, except Mrs. Oestreicher (oh-strike-her). Mrs. O was my favorite teacher. She was my mentor and my friend in 8th grade and in high school. She taught me how to have confidence in my self and encouraged my abilities in reading and writing. As my friend, she helped me gain courage to talk to the hot guy in class and asked for updates on how things were going between me and Phil or Justin or Andrew. She LOVED Al Pacino and got to stand in an elevator with him once. Here is what she wrote in my 8th grade year book:
"Dear Melissa,
Thanks for keeping the kids on track or putting them back on track in fifth hour. I knew I could depend on you to know the grammar answers! I knew I could depend on you to understand what you read, too! I never doubted your ability, Melissa, and relived some great experiences with my grandmother as I read about yours.
Please keep writing your poetry, Melissa and keep a journal- especially this summer! Best of luck to you. Let me know what's happening.
Mrs. Oestreicher"
Mrs. O died in December of 2002. I have no idea what happened, but I'm really sad. I just found out yesterday when I googled her and a memorial fund in her name came up. I wish that I would have known. I would have gone to her funeral. I would have been the first to pay tribute. So here it is two and half years late. I have missed you Mrs. O. Thanks for everything.
UPDATE:
I found her obituary.
Kansas City Star, The (MO) - December 9, 2002
Deceased Name: SUSAN C. OESTREICHER
Susan C. Oestreicher, 56, Overland Park, KS, beloved daughter, sister, wife, aunt, teacher, mentor, colleague and friend, passed on December 6, 2002, at home. Susan was born March 18, 1946, to Virgil and Virginia Woodside of Prairie Village, KS. After graduating from Shawnee Mission East High School, she received her BS and MS degrees in education from the University of Kansas and a MA in English from Middlebury College, Vermont.
After starting her career at Holliday Jr. High in Topeka, Susan moved back to Shawnee Mission, teaching English and Reading successively at Shawnee Mission South, Shawnee Mission East, Clay County Schools in Northeast Florida, Blue Valley Northwest and West. She also taught at Penn Valley Community College and Florida Junior College. She was active on the boards of several education and literacy organizations and served as President of the Kansas Reading Association and the Reading Supervisors of Florida. She also served as a Shepherd Deacon at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, KS.
Susan is survived by her husband of 32 years, Randall; her mother, Virginia Woodside of Prairie Village, KS; her sister, Patricia Knabe of Dallas, TX; two nieces and one nephew; three greatnephews and one great-niece; and countless friends, colleagues and students whom she loved and inspired.
Funeral service will be at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, at the McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road. Burial in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Stanley, KS. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Monday, at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be made in the name of Susan Oestreicher to the Special Scholarship Fund, in care of Blue Valley West High School, 16200 Antioch Road, Stilwell, KS 66085. (Arrangements: McGilley State Line Chapel (816) 942-6180)
Kansa
and bag 
come. I have needed a hobby of some sort.
