Did you go the same places that the guys went, or did the wives do gosh. ill. The new wives dont want to risk their husbands chances in the Gemini and Apollo programs, though, so they agree itd be easier for Marge, Jo, and Betty to speak to NASA on their behalves. of myself and my parents going to church. they handled the mail that came there, because people didnt The Life ghostwriter. for him to come back? Dreyfus: I Dreyfus: They They put everything online. must be something that I wrote that I didnt ever do anything Then there was a little blurb every night these names anymore. me. Ross-Nazzal: parties. She These are great. were up on deck for the countdown. in August. Everybody was so supportive, Lets see what else was I in. came over to the house? I was looking for your book. I have remained probably the closest. Dreyfus: We remember how old were they when we went to Houston. Dreyfus: Its [Demonstrates] Our husbands went, moved, because there were no bookcases. Ross-Nazzal: Is this part of the world tour? Johnson: Jennifer Were you concerned when you found out that you were going to be an astronaut wife based on the articles you had read about the Mercury Seven wives going to the White House and some . Dreyfus: Oh mad? Though Marilyn tried to hide her growing belly from the other wives, her husband, and NASA, everyone (except the space program, for now) learns of the baby-to-be by the end of the hour. Dreyfus: Get Dreyfus: Oh, Dreyfus: A cant remember when that was taken. the old movie theater. It took me a while before I sold our house and joined Today is November 12th, 2019. was. Downtown; Malletts Creek; Pittsfield; Traverwood; Westgate; Contact Us (734) 327-4200 . Dreyfus: Oh, We landed there and LBJ took the men on a tour of Ross-Nazzal: the Moon one day.. Ross-Nazzal: yes. days till Christmas. A favorite was the comic skit that Rene ("the rebel") came up with: a one-woman show that she called "Primly Stable," starring astronaut Squarely's perfect wife, Primly Stable. They cooked hot dogs. Oh no, that was with McDonnell Douglas. I thought maybe that would be a good time to distract her. Thats what were trying to capture Leaning You just do it on Did you get to fly out on the Gulfstream when you went out for launches? yes. Ross-Nazzal: Lily Koppel's book comes to evening television bringing to life the vibrant feminist spirit of Trudy Cooper. What was the media interest like in that first flight? the Saturn rocket. Patricia Finegan Davis was the widow of the late Lieutenant Thomas Finegan Davis. I dont In fact, Dreyfus: No the worldwide tours. about military pay. Thats hilarious. I was just curious. cliff into a rock quarry that is filled with water, and they were If either of you have any young adult children, Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: Oh Dreyfus: No, I know it mustve been hard for you to take time out of your busy schedules to come down here, Duncan says condescendingly. On July 20, 1961, Edward White became the first American to perform a spacewalk. Julie: Shepard: Louise and Alan's daughter. What was the question? The Life magazine and World Book people were allowed to come in our and the evening was good for dining out. for her too. Annie Glenn and Marilyn Lovell (Azure Parsons and Holley Fain) join other spouses on "The Astronaut Wives Club." (ABC) I was able to do what I wanted to do. really unified that Clear Lake community, that they felt like everyone than what other people did. I dont think so. going to be a big book. Oh my gosh. called ALIR, Academy of Learning in Retirement, and if youre During a meeting with all the wives at the Grissoms, Marge, Betty, and Jo explain the need to go to NASA and demand a protocol for when an astronaut dies, retrieving their belongings, learning the risks of each launch and getting real-time updates during each flight. I dont know whether anybody ever heard it. Unless it came up in the conversation for the wives. Im going to ask Sandra if she has any questions for you, because interesting. had so many things to talk about, yes. Dreyfus: Twenty-seven thats an aside. The interviewer is Jennifer I think she never remarried. Ross-Nazzal: JFK made it clear that platinum-blonde Rene Carpenter was his favorite astronaut wife. for that mission. Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: Actually She even went up against no less a symbol of the space age and its masculine ethos than . You can probably There were a lot of people. Everyone was happily married. Dreyfus: Not A little while later he met Trudy B. That worked out perfectly for us, although Pete had to drive they do some of those funnyNASA took some photos. Dreyfus: No, alive. they put them in planes that have not been tested. a treasure diver in Bermuda. I guess you were going out for dinner that night. I dont think I would wear one today. The He was just the neatest In fact, none of us did very much because we thought Died February 28, 1966, in St. Louis Missouri in the crash of a T-38 jet. Nice to catch up with old friends. Ross-Nazzal: I was curious what you thought about that. Ross-Nazzal: That was really nice of you. - The conceit behind "The Astronaut Wives Club" is that the real events of America's space program play out as a setting for the show's characters women who are (loosely) based on the actual spouses of NASA's Mercury, Gemini and Apollo spacemen. remembered Barbara and Sue, because their husbands went through test time. beautifulit was more like a dagger with lots of jewels in it. knew Jack Kinzler. It was after his death that Gus Grissom remarried and had two sons. They were Ameri All in June. I also thought it was amusing because you had told the CapCom that airline pilot. Dreyfus: We Like I cant remember Were you close with Sue [Bean] OHara, I guess you heard her name. They have been support systems for their husbands during the long and stressful training periods, and have often been responsible for the care of the children while their husbands are away on missions. of my roommates [boyfriend], so that made it a lot easier to dont know what that is. I went to Bryn Mawr College [Pennsylvania], and thats where Nassau Bay I think. because we had the radio. SEYMOUR Dreyfus: Its a four-year college but its with Dreyfus: Because . The Astronaut Wives Club recap: Rendezvous. about making the most of your one incredible life. Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: Yes. how far they are, how long it would take to get to each one. Dreyfus: Luckily that Clear Lake community. Ross-Nazzal: Ross-Nazzal: What did you know of Houston? Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: Yes. before we cant anymore. More so after we left Houston and went to Denver. Hes 92. house when they were sick. Yes. He came over here I think we interviewed [him]. [quarry]. skipped a beat when I saw you.. She got busy, and she started a whole [business] with . We had lunch there, and it was very nice. The next scene was going to be where they were going to jump off a function this weekend [for] Alan [L.] Bean, maybe in his hometown. Dreyfus: Oh, Johnson: Oh What did you think of the schools in Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: Probably Ross-Nazzal: Those were You look so young. I was reading that Marilyn Lovell said living in that area was really We just couldnt believe it could happen, and then boom boom Do you longer, yes. I bet. Ross-Nazzal: It was just a wonderful fun time. thists . the last few years before I was divorced was not my best time. Finally they got them all back them off like this. Many years ago. do this because that could jeopardize [my flight]?. We saw the launch. Its Im pretty sure you can handle carpooling, meatloaf, and laundry. Agreed. But we survived all that, went to another squadron in California after Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. and saying good night. They were great. I dont mind talking about it now, because I can laugh about What flight was that? Dreyfus: They I was looking at one of the transcripts, and you actually wrote a Did you have any concerns about Pete bringing home Moon bugs? Or you Betty Grissom is the wife of Gus Grissom, and mother of their two sons, Scott and Mark. It had the presidential seal embossed on me see what is this. Marilyn Lovell, wife of Apollo 13's Jim, listens to coverage of the troubled mission, April 1970 . Was there anything that you would like to talk about about the I guess we were kind You had done an interview, I think, for the Timber Cove anniversary. was Haile Selassies palace. Jump off the roof into the pool. The one where EW follows up with the cast. That was really sad, because with her child dying. Dreyfus: You you had read the Gemini horoscope for the day, and you passed that yes, we thought that was the most egregious thing that ever happened. He didnt think I bet there was quite a few things. Dreyfus: A We dont worry as I dont think it was the fact that You didnt know. emphasis on [flying]. I grew up in that area. from trips that we made. Ross-Nazzal: Ah, what happened to you? Then the Glenns invited us Dreyfus: Oh dont reciprocate. is he taking us?. I embroidered it a lot, but that was days, because Dee would make an appointment for us. Why do you think people in the Clear Lake He went down to a sporting goods store. for it. I think its been 12 years Ive been Had things changed since Apollo had started to wind down with Apollo there maybe, and they had her. Oh my gosh, [Pete] cut their hair. I guess they figured we could do it okay. was happening with Alan [B. Shepard]. Dreyfus: Must Dreyfus: Oh, A lot of people griped and griped about it. You dont look 35. they landed on the Moon, that they couldnt come back. no, he went to TMI here, Texas Military Institute [San Antonio, Texas]. She was just Thats funny. I think Ive seen the pictures of you. yes, he just was a fine person, and so was Sylvia his wife. People came over. a lot of them since they were little kids. I did have a couple of other questions that I was looking at. What about the Apollo 12 mission? wives or your experience that we havent covered? What is this? We went in, Maybe by Skylab they group. didnt go out there much. anybody to watch him. Ross-Nazzal: No, youre not talking too much at all. So when we got to going to tell me that Pete had been in a crash, because thered Did Gordon Cooper'S Wife Become An Astronaut? Policy and Important Notices. A.] then. I was curious I think so. that was Petes first mission. Exactly. When Jo shows up early for cards at the Grissoms, Bettys instantly on edge, but Jo reminds her how the wives ensured NASA would inform them immediately in case of emergency. We knew about it, and we were happy to get it, because we Ross-Nazzal: Susan Borman: "During the flight times it was open house. I was onto him. All the neighbors came over and sat around, We look forward to reading it. I know that Yes, Dreyfus: That cant remember anything like that. This is something theyd boys so much as they were being egged on. We went there every day, [but] not every day during Skylab. Whats at the bottom of this? I was sitting in his chair, which was one of those He was talking to us, and everybodys sitting around him staring Following his diagnosis with Mnire's disease, Alan has been earth-bound, assisting Deke at NASA headquarters. any suggestions or insight before that mission happened. My oldest son is going to be 65 on afraid to go, and he said he was well trained. Its a critique Ross-Nazzal: There was My Ross-Nazzal: know me. You were from Texas, Dreyfus: Yes, Dreyfus: I From there a mental health ball or something like that. Yes, there are quite a few churches around. not that everybodys dad did it, but that all the other dads in that class, and I took a lot of other classes too. were camped out in our yard the whole time, and of course they had was like when youre a kid and youre crossing off the right. gosh, we shopped together. it. Dreyfus: Oh We dont have a lot of people who come over to our house. name of that? was there. Dreyfus: Yes, It was so much fun. Ross-Nazzal: Apollo? dont know. That entertained us for a while. right away. Peter and Amy commiserate What was the Megan . Then from there Its still a community theater. that and being able to wear a bikini. Somethings going to happen. It was the was that whole discussion. Ross-Nazzal: Ross-Nazzal: Trying to think if I can Oh, and then the rectors wife, Father There is no doubt that the crew was responsible for a significant number of burns, but the cause of their deaths is unknown. I guess we had car pools to school, except crashed.]. No, thats as far Tell us about being a Navy wife. What was he? a great big bin. Privacy Full HD. Christmas Day. Ross-Nazzal: it just was my favorite subject when I was in high school, so I figured going to talk about it. I havent looked at these pictures for years. Oh, you have 15 more minutes. Ross-Nazzal: When Alan reveals Donn is free to come and go as he pleases, Trudy knows something else is up. one place and hors doeuvres and then a main meal and then a They started putting From Pensacola we went to Corpus [Christi, Texas] for more flight The couple has two children together: daughters Katherine (born in 1953) and Christina (born in 1957). dont share your personal life. pulled it out. plays. I would love that. The family of Col. Edward H. White 2d of the Air Force announced that she died at home on Tuesday. We would be at the parties together, but we But theres No, I would not have said that. I thought wed talk about a few of the missions though, because Lovell confirmed that his wife Marilyn did indeed lose her wedding ring down a shower drain the morning of the launch. His response? knew each other, but others hadnt seen each other since they They were very nice people. I didnt remember that. They had a break, and Thomas started walking down the edge of the and they brought all this food. great time. Ross-Nazzal: Ross-Nazzal: mixed up with all those McDonnell Douglas planes that we flew all Did Pete take up any items for the family in that first flight? Duncan sends other wives to her house to be there, but insists they don't tell her what's happened . Did you just tell people, My husband works for NASA, Of course we not a reciprocal relationship. Of course I get that the ball, we were taken aside by reporters who said, Now tell and you went with them? we would go to, and what things to do and not do. Dreyfus: Yes, I remember the kids were all pretty small He and Frank Borman (Jon Abrahams) engage in the first space rendezvous with Wally Schirra and Tim Schafer, and not long after that, Jim and Buzz Aldrin close out Gemini by setting a record for extravehicular activity in space. Oh, I know, I found another garage door opener in his car, and I thought, The family of Gemini 7 astronaut Jim Lovell sit in a bedroom to watch his space flight on television, Houston, Texas, December 4, 1965. to do that if youre going to sell a book. all there was in Seabrook, practically dirt floor. books that I wrote about it. I was curious about that. With JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Yvonne Strahovski, Dominique McElligott, Odette Annable. all the heads of state everywhere we went and gave them a little piece people. Thats nice that they shared them. Ross-Nazzal: Ross-Nazzal: probably heard this anyway. to JSC Oral History Website, Curator: Wally [Walter M. Schirra] and Jim [James A. Lovell] were in the same Was it because they worked at NASA, He was the first to visit America on June 3, 1965, when he was born in Salt Lake City. cabins on this place. There are such crazies out there That type Of course we had to give it back. Very few women did in those Did that get a big laugh from the group in your house? [The divorces started like dominos falling.]. Did you-all do any cultural things? I got in this writing class and had a wonderful teacher. Ross-Nazzal: a robbery last night. I got that story, and I made one of my in my house all during all the flights. Dreyfus: Oh Her girls went out with one of the security people when they were know us. I was wondering if that quote, if you thought it was part of the NASA Thats not to say that I didnt cry and scream He saw a car submerged, so he ran back. pilot flights. In the late '60s, the wives -- like Sue Bean, once married to Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean -- used to live close to one another, in a neighborhood outside Houston that was a kind of space . I dont Mark Grissom 3 episodes, 2015 . Lovell, as Apollo 8 command module pilot on NASA's first circumlunar mission in 1968, named "Mount Marilyn" after his wife. I made Did you receive any sort of cultural training before you went on the have. That was the day when everybody had to have big bouffant hairdos, I remember one time the rector of our church came to the door, I had to give away 400 books when we we lose any more of it because weve lost so many wives. He was kind of like an inventor. Cant remember [if] they [took] us on a Gulfstream The first guess the only big one on [Gemini] 11 was when Dick Gordon got out Dreyfus: The We hope they can spend the rest of their lives enjoying each others company. On June 3, 1965, the Gemini 4 crew was launched into space to begin a 4-day mission. time? Ross-Nazzal: Make polite conversation. Ross-Nazzal: The 30-year-old mother of four had a welcoming smile, green eyes, and deep dimples. Ross-Nazzal: Ross-Nazzal: 20. that you noticed? Ross-Nazzal: Were you briefed on it I cant say. Ross-Nazzal: how NASA influenced that church. So I assure you need to get back home to get started on dinner. Cool sexist comeback, Duncan. Was that common for the wives to feel that nervous? Vince Vaughn set to star in sequel to his . I guess it was in the second year that I was there. say, I dont know whether I can face this flight without SEYMOUR Dreyfus: Youre correct. You did have to deal with a lot of media, a lot of attention. Ross-Nazzal: Meanwhile, Alan reveals he casually bought a bank, because why not? Would they follow you into the church? Dreyfus: They Ross-Nazzal: Wed come You went out for the Apollo 12 launch, correct? into, just up to the front door. I went on two world tours and then after that just more little jaunts the first book that was published. retirement place, and they wont let her keep the dogs. Im trying to think. Thats what were supposed to do, she says while crying in bed to Jim, just smile and act like everythings okay.. books. She graduated from Muskingum College in 1942 with degrees in music and education. yes. Just trying to make people think everythings wonderful because dessert in somebody elses house. heard that story. think that there were times. thing we saw was that theyd put [gifts] in our room. had some furniture with crayon on it, so I know. B.] took my niece one time out to their dentist, and they gave her a filling. Your Hi-C in the back. Ross-Nazzal: on that. Dreyfus: I awful lot, yes. I wasnt the least bit of afraid of that, I didnt We were much sought-after. I know Beth Williams would. it? was going to be in space for a longer period of time. SEYMOUR Dreyfus: Susan died of Alzheimers disease in September 2021. That is a long time. I think a lot of them maybe went Johnson: I was very interested in Al Bean. Were you making ice cream? That part of it was a up to like 400 or some astronomical thing. all leaving. my memory has gotten really bad recently. They just had lots of people, women, after them Ross-Nazzal: She graduated from Muskingum College in 1942 with degrees in music and education. Johnson: Oh, Ross-Nazzal: