Occupation: I’m a retired art teacher. I taught for almost 30 years in the public schools. After I retired, I went back to school at Gateway Community College and got a certificate in recreation therapy, which led to some jobs in the area at nursing homes and assisted living [facilities]. I always kept teaching art one day a week at the Newtown Senior Center. Now I’m teaching in the new building, with its beautiful new art room, and there is even a kiln in the building. I’m hoping to teach some pottery classes to the seniors, as well as a drawing class in the new year. One of the reasons I do this is because I want to bring more people into the arts. The Senior Center has its Annual Fall Bazaar on November 9, and I help with the craft committee. The seniors make such high-quality crafts that they sell.

I’m also on the SCAN [Society of Creative Arts of Newtown] board and am chair of the fall member show that took place in October.

Family: I am single. My daughters are in their early 40s now. Sarah lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with her husband, James Elliott. She’s an artist, and he’s a musician who also does reviews for music magazines. Emily is my older daughter. She and her husband, Scott, have two sons, Brian and Collin. They live in Owings, Md. Emily is a media specialist, and Scott is the Senior Energy Program Manager for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

Pets: I have three cats. They’re all rescues. Luna came from The Animal Center in Newtown and belonged to my aunt — it was love at first sight for them. Unfortunately, my aunt passed away a few years after, and I told her I would take Luna. I have Asia, who previously belonged to my cousin, and two years ago, I got Murphy, who’s part Siamese.

How long have you lived in Newtown? Twenty years.

What do you like to do in your free time? I like to kayak and have had a kayak for a long time. In the summer, I also like to swim and hike. Mostly, I paint right now and the painting I’m working on now I’m going to enter it into the juried show in the spring.

Do you have a favorite book? Right now, I’m reading a fascinating book, What To Do When You Are Dead: Living Better in the Afterlife by Craig Hamilton-Parker. He’s a psychic and reports on what other psychics/mediums have said over the years from their experiences.

What is your favorite travel destination? Italy. I’ve been there twice. I enjoy the food, people, and scenery. I’ve been to the Sistine Chapel, the Amalfi Coast, and my favorite part was Pompeii.

What is the best part about Newtown? I feel so comfortable here. It’s a charming town, and it has a well-deserved reputation for being friendly.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My grandfather, Christopher Wesche. He was very active in the community and taught painting at the YWCA in Bridgeport. He worked with the Red Cross and was the Chief of Civil Defense. He was really service-oriented, and he taught me a lot about drawing.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? Sting. I’ve seen him a couple times in concert and love his voice.

Who is your favorite musical artist? Sting, but I also like The Beatles. I was a sophomore in high school when they came to America and I just adore them.

Do you have a favorite TV show? I like to watch the History and PBS channels.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? “This too shall pass.”

What is something you cannot live without? I love Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food flavor. But, seriously, my answer would be my friends.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Being a mother. My children are grown, and they are both very happy in their lives.