Occupation: I’m a retired nurse midwife. I got my nursing degree from Boston College and then worked in obstetrics in Connecticut and Washington, D.C., for several years. I got my master’s degree in midwifery from Georgetown University. I left nursing to stay home with my family, but I may go back now that my son is in high school.

Family: My husband, Dr Bob Berthier, and our son, Neil. He is a freshman at Newtown High School. It’s just the three of us.

Pets: We have a dog named Zach. We got him from Save Our Strays in Westport three years ago. He was the runt of the litter. Zach is part Shepard and part husky. He’s such a nice dog.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We have been here for nine years. We moved from Louisiana, where my husband grew up.

What do you like to do in your free time? I volunteer a lot. I teach religious education at St Rose and I’m active in the NHS Marching Band Corporation. Between church and school, I keep busy. I also love to cook. I like to be creative, so I prefer cooking to baking. Both my mother and my grandmothers were great cooks, so they were an inspiration to me. I’m a big reader, and I like to listen to classical music and have my quiet time.

Do you have a favorite book? I especially like historical fiction or any books that have to do with religious art. One of the best books written is a monthly publication, Magnificat, by Pierre Marie Dumont. They specifically do art covers and I just love it. It’s a conglomeration of great information.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? I love to travel and I’m so lucky — I’ve been to many places. But my favorite is Italy. I love the art, the food, the people, and everything about it. I’ve been there at least three times and I am going back again next year.

What is the best thing about Newtown? The schools, 100 percent, no doubt in my mind. The teachers are fabulous, the system is fabulous, and the curriculum is outstanding because of the choices the students have, especially at the high school. The kids can grow where their passion is. You can’t get a private education that’s better than the public schools — but if you want that, you do have the Catholic school, the Montessori School, and other choices here. We moved here because of Newtown’s schools. I would also have to say that what I love about Newtown are the hidden pearls of the people in Newtown. There are so many talented people here. It is just amazing.

Do you have a hero? I have to say Mother Teresa. She was so peaceful and found love in everything. She worked in the ghettos of India, and as a midwife, I’ve worked in the ghettos of DC, Mexico, and New Orleans, so I feel a connection with her. When I read her quotes, I feel like she put everything in a universal perspective. Kindness was her motivation, and I find that such an outstanding and positive way to live your life.

Do you have a personal philosophy? When I think of philosophers, I think of Ina May Gaskin, a midwife from way back when in Tennessee. She was kind of the salt of the earth sort of person and from her writings she taught me that you can never underestimate the power of common sense, especially in the process of childbirth, but in other parts of life, too. I think sometimes everything is so close we don’t see it. We have to step back and say, “What I need is already here.”

Do you have a guilty pleasure? Anything salty and crispy, like potato chips or Fritos. I try to restrain myself, but at cocktail hour I like my crunchy things.