The Model Always Marries Twice
She wanted to climb the social ladder but scandals awaited
Candace Mossler (née Weatherby) always made an impact on anyone who met her. She oozed charisma and used her considerable talents to raise money for causes close to her heart. Underneath it all was an ambition to overcome her humble beginnings.
Born in 1920, Candy (as she preferred to be called) was the very definition of the middle child. She was the sixth of 12 children. Her father was a farmer, and her mother was pregnant most of the time. Along with her siblings, Candy stayed busy with chores and helping around the house.
As a young child, Candy knew how to get attention. One of the ways she went about that was by wearing nightgowns everywhere, including to church. When she was asked about it, she said she liked feeling like a princess.
Things got worse for the Weatherby family in 1932. Candy’s mother died while delivering her 13th child. After the death of his beloved wife, her father turned to alcohol to soothe his pain. Eventually, he had a breakdown and left the children with other relatives.
Candy’s grandfather began encouraging her to find a husband when she reached high school. To that end, they introduced her to Norman Johnson, a family friend. He was also 10 years older than her.
