In 1971, Myrtle Nolte took Guelda Johnson into her home. Exactly how and why this happened is lost to time — but Guelda had been rejected by her family in Michigan and conveniently forgotten. Her early years had been difficult: Many who befriended her did so to exploit her, and she never had the opportunity to make real friends or to make choices. For years, she didn’t know from day to day if she would have to pack her suitcase and prepare to move again.
That uncertainty ended with Myrtle, who taught at the Boulder River School and Hospital. She provided Guelda living space, meals, companionship and an organized framework for independence — and she would characterize Guelda as nothing less than a house guest or roomer, never as an institutionalized person.
Myrtle’s life became more complicated after she and I met and then married. But she reassured Guelda that she would continue to be a part of our world and participate in family activities, as she had before. And as the prospect of a new home emerged, Guelda was given the opportunity to pick colors and carpeting.
