Date: Fri 31-Oct-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

snapshot-Elizabeth-Sue-Klein

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT: ELIZABETH "SUE" KLEIN

Occupation: I am an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church and I work

in the ministry as a church musician. I am also secretary of the Newtown

Church Women United.

How long in Newtown: My husband, George, and I moved from Syosset, Long

Island, to Newtown in 1981, when Union Carbide relocated to Danbury. He died

in 1994.

Biggest change: I'm glad to say Newtown still retains the small town flavor

that attracted us in the first place. I live on Sugar Street, not far from the

Ram Pasture, and I find it's not unlike where I grew up in northern Illinois.

We lived right on the Mississippi River, and I remember horrendous winters

when I was a kid.

Family: My son, Jeff, lives in Newtown, and I have three daughters. Leslie is

married to Phil Vachon and they live in Tarrytown, N.Y., with their daughter,

Aimee; Laura and her husband, Joe Kunkel, live on Long Island; and Martha

lives in Woodbury.

Then I have an adopted grandson, Drew Siebern, who lives next door with his

parents, Andy and Noel. We informally adopted Drew in 1985 because he didn't

have any grandparents.

Pets: We're all cat lovers. Currently, I have two females, Gonzo and Freddie,

who are getting on in years. We have a total of nine cats in the whole family.

Hobbies: When I was five years old my parents bought me a piano. I started

playing in church when I was 12. In high school, I learned the organ and then

I majored in organ in college.

Reading is another hobby. I love mysteries and currently I am hooked on

Elizabeth George, waiting for a new one.

Another thing I do is volunteer at Garner Federal Prison, working with the men

in the choir who sing for their chapel services. It's very rewarding. These

are men who are changing their lives. They inspire me.

Personal philosophy: God created us and provided us with everything we need to

love and care for each other and live in a community.

But I do think we need more music and the arts in our lives. Tapping that

potential in people is what I try to do. I want to help people use their

creativity more.