Date: Fri 25-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

snapshot-Marilyn-Alexander

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT: MARILYN ALEXANDER

Occupation: Ninety percent of my life is spent volunteering and the other ten

percent I work at a local law firm, closing out files. I was a legal secretary

in the past. I graduated from Bryant College's legal secretarial sciences

program. Bryant was in Providence then, next to Brown University. It was a fun

place to be as a young person. I met my husband there.

How Long in Newtown: I have lived here 31 years in August. It is the best move

we ever made. We lived on Long Island before that. My husband was commuting

into New York City.

Biggest Change in Town: The biggest changes are traffic and the choice of

shopping and restaurants. There was nothing here years ago.

Family: My husband, Paul, and I have been married for 40 years. We have five

adult children, all of whom graduated from Newtown High School, and nine

grandchildren. Our son Paul, Jr, is 39, and lives in Florida. He is a

lieutenant commander in the Navy and is a single dad of two children. He is in

Life magazine this month in an article about Father's Day. Stuart, 38, lives

in Virginia and is also a lieutenant commander in the Navy. He is married to

Linda Hodge, who also lived in Newtown, and has three children. Douglas is 36,

single, and lives in Pennsylvania. He is a flight attendant. Kathryn is 35 and

lives in Florida with her husband, Mark Stater, and three children. Peter, 28,

and his wife, Zhang Qing, live in Shanghai, China, and have one son. He is a

representative for an American insurance company.

Pets: We have a "found" hound, Tippy.

Hobbies: I enjoy swimming, bowling, and knitting.

Favorite Books and Authors: I like to read, and like all different kinds of

books. I'm a member of the Ladies Literary Guild, which has introduced me to

books I'd normally not read. We recently read Endurance by Alfred Lansing,

about people on their way to the South Pole in 1914. Their boat was crushed by

an ice flow. It takes your breath away. It amazed me that people could survive

such an ordeal.

Favorite TV Show: Antiques Road Show and Masterpiece Theater are my two

favorites.

Organizations: I am a recipient interviewer for Meals on Wheels and a member

of its Board of Directors. I also drive and deliver meals. I am on the

fund-raising committee of the Newtown Chapter of Regional Hospice. I used to

co-chair the annual breakfast. I am a deacon at the Congregational Church,

serve on the parish visitation committee, and am a thrift shop volunteer at

Corner Stone. I am a member of the Newtown Woman's Club and co-chairman of its

Department of Home Life. I am also a member of an investment group, the Money

Madness Madams, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the library.

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: My most vivid memory is the first time I saw the

flagpole. I also remember the fun years I spent teaching swimming at Dickinson

Park.

Favorite Vacation Spot: Bermuda. We've been there once, and I'd love to go

back.

Personal Philosophy: I truly believe that every day is a gift -- to be shared.

I have a calligraphy hanging in my bedroom that reads: "This is the day the

Lord has made -- We will rejoice and be glad in it." I also feel that children

are the hope of the world. We need to set excellent examples, show tons of

love and give lots of hugs and remember to smile and trust in the Lord.