Susan Ingle — About My Husband, John Ingle

I met my husband, John Ingle, in the fifth grade. We grew up together—going through school side by side, graduating from high school, then college, and eventually getting married. We began dating when we were seniors in high school, after he invited me to be his date to a friend’s surprise party.

John’s companionship, love, patience, and hugs were constant gifts in my life. He was always there for me—supporting me, encouraging me, explaining things, and showing me the way to care for others. He had a remarkable ability to step out of a situation, pause, and see objectively what needed to be done.

Once, when our teenage daughter and I were having a “difference of opinion,” John came into the room and said, “You two aren’t listening to each other!” It immediately broke the tension and helped us realize he was right—we weren’t listening. From then on, we were much more mindful of how we communicated.

I think of John often, and I carry with me the lessons I learned and the love we shared during our 58 years together. In so many ways, he was my role model.