Occupation: I am currently the full-time school nurse at Reed Intermediate School here in Newtown. Before becoming a school nurse I was a labor and delivery nurse at Danbury Hospital for 20 years and, previously, a maternal special care nurse at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Family: My husband Matt and I have been married for 21 years. We have three awesome kids. Our oldest, Keenan, will be a sophomore at the University of South Carolina, where he majors in computer science with a minor in mathematics. Our daughter, Shea, just graduated from Newtown High School and will be leaving in August for Kennesaw State University in Georgia to study journalism and play D1 women’s lacrosse. Our youngest daughter, Moira, just completed her time at Newtown Middle School and is off to NHS in the fall.

Pets: I have a dog named Duke Peaches. He is almost 10 and a total love. Rescuing him was one of the best things we ever did as a family.

How long have you lived in Newtown? I moved to Newtown in 2000. We bought our first house on Queen Street, and all three kids were born into it. We started to dream about a more typical neighborhood for the kids to grow up in, and moved to Sandy Hook in 2008. I honestly feel like my neighborhood is one of the best places on earth. They are all the kindest, best neighbors in the world, and we all take good care of each other. It has been an idyllic place for the kids to grow up.

What do you like to do in your free time? I love to take long walks while listening to a great book or talking with friends. Free time has been unheard of this year, so I’m looking forward to some soon!

What is your favorite book? I’d say I have two: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein and Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult.

What is your favorite travel destination? We love going to Bethany Beach, Delaware. My in-laws have a beautiful home there and we are lucky to get to enjoy it with them when we have time.

What is the best part of Newtown? We have some wonderful people in this town. We have great schools, amazing teachers and coaches, and wonderful health care and first line workers.

What organizations are you part of in Newtown? I am currently our school nurse’s union secretary. Over the years we have been a part of NYBA, NYLA, and NSC for the kids. My husband and his brother are co-owner’s of Murphy Basketball Camp at NYA every summer. I help behind the scenes with anything needed.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? I would say collectively, my family. I grew up as the youngest of nine children, and lots of advice was passed down my way over the years. My parents have a solid relationship and now enjoy 23 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Family, relationships, and unity have always mattered the most to me.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? I’d pick my husband, Matt, because we don’t really get to spend much alone time together anymore with busy schedules. I’d love to slow down and spend a day with no commitments, on a warm beach, with just him.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I have an eclectic music ear. I love Bob Dylan, Pink, and Zac Brown.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? “Be kind to yourself first and it will make you better able to care for those around you.” Great advice from a favorite nursing professor I had.

What is something you cannot live without? Dark chocolate and a good Pinot Grigio.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Hands down it is my kids. Hardest and best job ever is being their mom, and I feel blessed for every minute I get to do it.