Occupation: I taught high school, then moved to administration and consulting in the nuclear power industry, and finally ran a large, free medical clinic for 10 years. Interspersed with employment I parented and volunteered in schools, churches, and communities.

Family: I have been married to my life’s love, Ned Simpson, for nearly 49 years. Our daughter, an art critic, lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. Most of our extended family are in Arizona.

Pets: After years of golden retrievers and a cat, in 2020 we adopted Nutmeg, a young Caique parrot who lives up to his breed’s reputation as the clowns of the parrot world. He brings lots of laughter and loves to fly laps around our house, buzz bomb heads, and lie on his back playing with toys.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We moved here from Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2017 to be closer to our daughter and to our Adirondack “camp.”

What do you like to do in your free time? I’m retired, so all my time is free! I like to be involved in community service and enjoy sewing and entertaining.

What is your favorite book? As an English major, I can’t have just one favorite book! I enjoy novels that merge social commentary with a good story, like Barbara Kingsolver’s work. I’ve spent a lot of time with J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, including teaching it in high school “fantastic lit” classes and in adult Christian ed courses.

What is your favorite travel destination? I think for now all the places I haven’t been! I’ve been lucky to have traveled a bit, including living in Australia and many places in the US. I love to travel but during these pandemic years, our Adirondack cabin has been a wonderful refuge.

What is the best part about Newtown? I love the rolling hills and trees, wandering roads, and of course the beautiful Main Street vibe. We did not know anyone here when we arrived but were warmly welcomed, especially by the Congregational Church, Lions, and other town organizations.

What organizations are you part of in Newtown? I am active in the Congregational Church, Lions Club, and Newtown Nonprofit Council, all of which focus on service and community. I also belong to a book group and do our condo community newsletters.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? My mother-in-law was a wonderful person, warm, fun, very caring, and very active.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I love 60s and 70s folk music, Simon and Garfunkel, John Denver, Peter Paul and Mary, and others, but my favorite musician is my daughter.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? “It’s not the truth but the perception you need to address.”

What is something you cannot live without? A fireplace and fresh fallen snow.

What is your proudest accomplishment? In bits and pieces I hope I have helped make a difference for people. I’ve been lucky to have brought together schools and community partners for enrichment programs, neighbors to restrict gavel mining, a university health system with a free clinic to provide free specialty care, as well as more everyday service initiatives. Currently, through the Lions and Newtown Nonprofit Council, I hope to help influence Newtown’s spirit of collaboration and service.