Occupation: I worked for IBM for 16 years straight out of college (BS in math), performing many enjoyable roles in the Information Systems line of work. It included a temporary assignment in London, England, managing the development/maintenance of an IBM software product. I left that career for a new career once my first child was born: being a Mom — I can’t think of a more rewarding, important, challenging, and joyful career.

Family: My husband Scott and I have two children, who we raised in Newtown. Our daughter Morgan lives near Hartford, holds a BA in Psychology with honors and an MSW from UConn, and is currently working for Connecticut Children’s Hospital, after several years with the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Our son Kevin graduated in May from Boston University with a BA in Physics with honors and is working for Wolfram Research.

Pets: Shadow is our tiny (11 pound) 14-year-old dog, who succeeded Max, our Dalmatian. We’ve also had a pet parakeet and a pet rat. Rats actually make very nice pets … as pet rodents go.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We’ve lived in Newtown for 33 years in two different houses, first in Sandy Hook and now in Hawleyville.

What do you like to do in your free time? I’m a bit of a “textile junkie” — I enjoy sewing (quilts, etc), knitting, and crocheting. Years ago, I designed and crafted small sleeping bags with matching pillows for my daughter’s and her friends’ Webkinz stuffed animals. I’m currently working on a crocheted stuffed animal for a friend’s grandbaby.

What is your favorite book? I’m drawn to biographies — what makes people tick and how they were able to accomplish what they did.

What is your favorite travel destination? When our kids got a bit older, we decided to take a summer vacation to Montreal, Quebec, to give them a relatively inexpensive way to get a taste of Europe. We all loved it, and it became our summer destination for years after that. I also love the beauty and serenity of Chatham, Mass., on Cape Cod.

What is the best part about Newtown? All the kind, caring people I’ve come to know through the years. I also love our historic Main Street with its iconic flagpole planted right in the middle of the street.

What organizations are you part of in Newtown? I’m a member of and the treasurer for Christ the King Lutheran Church. I was also the coordinator of and a handler for Christ the King’s comfort dog ministry with Maggie the comfort dog and her dozen trained handlers. (Maggie, age 10, recently retired to Florida with her caregivers.) With Maggie, we served many organizations and individuals in Newtown, including five Newtown schools: Sandy Hook, Hawley, Reed, middle, and high schools. I recently joined the Newtown RTC, as an alternate, and was a delegate for the 5th Congressional Convention. I was an elected member of Newtown’s Legislative Council during its previous term.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? First my parents, who lovingly raised four children on a shoestring. Then my husband Scott, who has such a calm, level-headed, thoughtful manner.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? I would choose Thomas Sowell, who was born into poverty in 1930 and was the first in his family to go beyond the sixth grade. He graduated from Harvard magna cum laude, went on to earn his PhD in economics from Chicago U., has won many honors, including the National Humanities Medal, and is one of the greatest thinkers of our time. I would hope to learn how he overcame his life’s obstacles and to soak up his wisdom.

What is something you cannot live without? Dark chocolate almond bark.

What is your proudest accomplishment? As part of a supportive husband-wife team, raising two children to be kind, confident, industrious adults.