Anaheim High lost one of it’s oldest known graduates, Elizabeth “Peggy” (Paige) Bruington, a member of Anaheim High’s Class of 1926, who passed away July 27 at age 103 at her home in Palm Desert.
Just a few years ago, Peggy lived independently in San Diego and didn’t give up her driver’s license until age 96. Most recently she lived with her daughter Paige (also an Anaheim grad) and Paige’s husband Hal Hartley.
Born April 1, 1909, she started working for the juvenile division of the Anaheim Police Department (APD) on April 1, 1958, and retired May 1, 1976, then continued working part-time for many years. Peg said she often heard from the young people she helped during that time.
As an Anaheim High student, she remembers participating in the school’s dramatics program and participating in operetta and vaudeville productions. She also played hockey.
In her senior will, a regular yearbook entry in the “old days” of Anaheim High, she wrote: “Discovering my minutes few . . . I bequeath to Zelda Brawn my fairy dancing and my cleverness to Margaret Fitzgibbons; but my love for my freshman friend Clay Bruington, and for chemistry, I shall take with me.”
Peggy will be missed by her fellow Anaheim High grads who treasured her as one of our most classic Colonists.
Hello, Wishing you a very special and happy 102nd birthday year. May God keep you safe and well and your family also. I graduated 1951 — and we will have our 60th reunion this June 26th. You may have remembered my Studio of the arts in Anaheim . I was a baton twirler in high school and 1955 opened the Jo An Burdick School of Dance, Baton Twirling, Music, modeling, and acrobatics. Best wishes, Jo An
714-774-5328
CongratulationsPaige,
Paige, You are my inspiration!!!! I graduated in 1963. My Dad must have been in Anaheim High School with you. His name was John Knutzen and he lived on South Street near Harbor.
Jo An, I was in your baton twirling school plus your dancing and acrobatics classes. I remember the studio with the wooden floor and mirrors with hand rails. I am still dancing in my yoga classes in Solana Beach CA. (north of San Diego). Your school taught me to do the splits in about 1953. I still do them in yoga class! Jane McHenry was in your classes with me and I think we were a handful. Sorry about that !!!!!!!!
Lavone Knutzen
858-775-5435