Occupation: I have been retired since 1993. I worked as a psychiatric aide at Fairfield Hills Hospital when I started in 1965, then got my master's degree in counseling and psychology, and I worked in the drug program and helped design the adolesce
Occupation: I have been retired since 1993. I worked as a psychiatric aide at Fairfield Hills Hospital when I started in 1965, then got my masterâs degree in counseling and psychology, and I worked in the drug program and helped design the adolescent program at Fairfield Hills. It was heartbreaking when it closed, but I was glad that the town purchased it finally.
Family: My husband, Bucky, died in 2000. We had six children. Rolande, Suzie, Marion, Nicole, Michael, and âToadâ â he wouldnât answer to his real name. Rolande and Suzie live here in Newtown. The others live in New England, except for Nicole. She lives in the Falkland Islands.
Pets: I have a cat, Mr Pal, who is probably about 15 or 16 years old. Bucky and I had gone to France, and when we came home, Mr Pal was waiting on the deck with another cat that we had at the time.
How long have you lived in Newtown? I was born in St Vincentâs Hospital in Bridgeport and grew up here in Newtown. Iâve been here most of my life.
What do you like to do in your free time? I walk, I swim, read, do puzzles, and play board games. I love to cook, too, and I am researching my family history. I volunteer two days a week at Bethel Healthcare, and I have volunteered in New York City and in Guyana, South America. It was an amazing experience.
Do you have a favorite board game? Scrabble, which of course, is a Newtown game.
Do you have a favorite book? Not really. I love mystery and history books. I usually have two books going at a time, one that I read slowly and need to think about, and another that I zip through.
Do you have a favorite travel destination? For vacation, I love Point Judith, R.I. I spend the month of August there every year and the whole family gets together. Itâs great. My favorite travel destination, though, is France. Iâve gone to other European countries, but France is like my second home. I was a Fulbright Scholar there in 1955.
What is the best thing about Newtown? There are two best things, for me. First is its beauty, both natural and manmade. I love the beautiful rock formations and landscape, the beautiful houses on Main Street, and the old barns and cemeteries. Second, I like that so many members of my family live in this town.
What are some of the changes you have seen in town? Mostly, the farms turned into housing developments. And certainly, the schools have changed a lot over the years as the population has ballooned. I think there were 35 kids in my graduating class.
If you could travel to the past or future, which would you pick? I think Iâd like to meet my Irish relatives who came to America from County Clare, Ireland, to Sandy Hook, in 1849, during the Irish Famine; my great-great-grandfather, John Carmody, especially.
Do you have a personal philosophy? Currently, Iâm aware of the fact that Iâm blessed with good health and plenty of time, and I want to use it to help people.
What is the most important lesson you have learned? To live every day to its fullest.