Carol Ann Gainer,
Detroit, Michigan

by Geoff Minett
(Cork City, Ireland)

I think it must have been late '66 when I was listening to a BBC radio music programme, (I am English) when a letter from a Ms Darlene Perkins from Wayne, Michigan was read out; Darlene was looking for an English pen-pal.

I wrote and heard nothing for a while and forgot about it.

Then out of the blue, I received a letter from Carol Ann telling me that Darlene had received so many replies that she brought them to school and distributed them.

Carol Ann got mine and as far as I'm concerned that was better than winning the lottery. She wrote in such a beautifully natural conversational style that it was like being in the same room as her.

For about four years (the most important and formative years), she was a kind, witty intelligent friend and confidante, my best friend I now realise.

I have been trying for a long time to find her, would love to know how life has gone for her and talk to her again. I have only one of her letters
surviving and can't remember some details, but these may be of help.

Carol would be age 57 now, she had a brother Phil about 4/5 years older who got draft papers in '69. Phil and her father both worked for Ford Motors in Detroit, Carol had a cousin and best friend called Stef. Carol's parents had Romanian relatives whom the family visited in 1968. The family moved house in 1971 to I know not where.

So that's it, if you can help to find her you will have my eternal gratitude.

Wendy's Comment: If anyone knows Carol, please contact me using the "Contact" on the left navigation bar and I will get you reunited with Geoff in Ireland!