Finley, Sylvia

Part 1 was recorded on June 28th, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona and it covers the following themes: 

B. 1944 

  • Family history highlights: paternal relatives at the Tucson Presidio, maternal grandfather’s homesteading in the Tortolita Mountains during the first half of the 20th century. Details about family credit at Ronstadt Hardware. 

  • Finley’s mother’s experience at the Catalina Country School, relocation to Tucson, and education. The Blue Moon Dancehall. 

  • Paternal grandfather’s flight from Pancho Villa, immigration to the United States, farming at Canoa Ranch and Midvale Farms. Father’s education and employment. 

  • Parents’ marriage and first houses. 

  • Finley’s childhood near Tucson High. Downtown Tucson, the rodeo parade, and Christmas in the 1940s and 1950s. 

  • Attending Roskruge and Tucson High School. 

Part 2 was recorded on July 24th, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona and it covers the following themes: 

  • Tucson High School continued. Johnny’s Burgers on Speedway. Businesses around Tucson High and 4th Avenue. 

  • Mauvee’s (SP?) social club after high school. 

  • The Catholic Youth Organization. Cathedral de San Augustine prior to remodeling in 1966. 

  • A few words about the Chicano Movement and El Rio Golf Course protests in 1970/1. 

  • Chanelle’s Cosmetology School and work as a hairdresser at Coronet, Levy’s, and Steinfeld’s. 

  • Attending the University of Arizona at nights while working. Graduating with an education degree in 1974, master’s in 1979. 

  • Student teaching and employment at Tucson Unified School District between 1974-2000. Dislike of the “open education” model. Work as a reading specialist, bilingual educator, and in the GATE gifted program. Changes in education over Finley’s career. 

  • Relationship to the Chicano movement in the 1970s. 

  • Urban Renewal in the 1960s. 

Aengus Anderson