Occupation: Right now, I’m kind of retired. For the last 20 years I was an electrician. I was never a person who could sit behind a desk — I liked to be hands on. Before becoming an electrician, I was a single mom of a teenager and I was working two jobs. I wanted a job that would allow me to be around for my daughter more, so I studied the trades and found being an electrician was the best fit for me.

Family: My mom and dad have both passed. I have two older brothers; a daughter, Christina; and four grandkids, Damian, McKenzie, Madison, and Benjamin.

Pets: Where I’m living there are two cats that I help take care of.

How long have you lived in Newtown? I just moved to Sandy Hook last June. I had been coming to Sandy Hook for at least 14 years when visiting friends and got to know the town. When I joined Hearts of Hope, I began coming up more often. When a friend’s wife passed away and he didn’t want to live alone, I moved in to give him a hand.

What do you like to do in your free time? Kathy Stone had started coming to Hearts of Hope five years ago. I thought it sounded like a cool idea, and after starting I got more and more involved. When Kristen Mattera stepped down as president, Judy Pedersen asked me to take over. That takes up a good portion of my free time. We’re a pay-it-forward organization, a 501(c)(3). We make handmade, hand-painted clay hearts. Each painter does their own personalized message card that goes with it. Then they are given to different individuals, charities, and organizations, unfortunately to people who have suffered tragedy. Hearts of Hope got started in Newtown after the Sandy Hook tragedy. We are in the process now of sending a few hundred hearts over to Australia because of the wildfires.

Do you have a favorite author? I like Nora Roberts and Clive Cussler. Those are two of my go-tos right now.

What is your favorite travel destination? Wherever the air takes me. I’m known to be a spontaneous traveler. Five years ago, I went to Sheboygan [Wisconsin], where the largest American flag was mounted. I decided I wanted to go see it and people were like, “You’re going to travel halfway around the country to see a flag?” And I did. It was absolutely worth it. On a foggy day I saw it from a mile and a half away. That was one of my favorite trips.

What is the best part about Newtown? The community spirit. I can walk in anywhere and feel welcomed. I haven’t had a bad experience meeting anyone here.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My dad. I had more fun working down in the basement with him as a child than being upstairs learning how to cook and clean. I got to play with hammers, saws, power tools, and learn how to build. I think that’s where my love of hands-on projects came to be.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? I can’t say just one person. I would have to say all my grandkids. I love them all. They keep me fresh. Getting to be with them lets me see life through totally different eyes. They make me stop and smell the roses.

What is your favorite musical genre? I love the big bands era. My parents used to dance to those in the kitchen on Sunday mornings.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? “Do what’s best for you and not worry about what anyone else says.” My parents instilled that in me, and over the years I’ve had a couple of friends that had the same attitude of you do what makes you happy.

What is something you cannot live without? My freedom to do what I want to do. I’m very independent — I get up and go where I want, when I want.

What is your proudest accomplishment? I don’t think I can pick out one, because I’m proud of everything I’ve done in my life. I’ve made my share of mistakes, but between my mistakes and accomplishments it’s made me to who I am today.