Occupation: I retired two years ago as a registered nurse. I have been a public health nurse and worked in hospitals and the community in West Virginia. I also taught in a school of nursing. I earned my diploma in a hospital in Chicago, my bachelor
Occupation: I retired two years ago as a registered nurse. I have been a public health nurse and worked in hospitals and the community in West Virginia. I also taught in a school of nursing. I earned my diploma in a hospital in Chicago, my bachelorâs degree from St Josephâs in Maine, and in 1991 my masterâs degree from Western Connecticut State University.
How Long in Newtown: I have been a resident of Newtown for 14 years. I was raised in Michigan and lived in West Virginia after I was married.
Biggest Change Seen in Town: When I moved here, I found it very different from West Virginia and Michigan. Iâve really grown to love it. I enjoy my friends here, the seasons, and the closeness to New York City. I really love it here.
Family: My husband, Bill, and I will be married 40 years this month. We have four children. Ray, 37, works as a supervisor with the National Park Service at the Zion National Park in Utah. Daniel, 36, lives in Haiti where he is a civil engineer directing cleanup efforts from Hurricane George. He and his wife, Carolle, have a 2-year-old daughter, Alicia, and another baby due any time. Anne, 34, is married to Bruce Nelson, and lives in Prior Lake, Minn. They have two daughters, Katherine, 7, and Meggie, 5. Karen, 31, is an astrophysicist and works on the telescope in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. She is being married in July.
Pets:Â We have one dog, Bojangles, a mixed breed. We also have three bird feeders and ten bird houses.
Hobbies: I enjoy gardening, quilting, reading, playing bridge, hiking, canoeing, and cooking. I go to New York City often.
Favorite Books and Authors: My reading is very eclectic. Iâve just finished No Ordinary Time about the war years. I also like detective stories and Elizabeth George thrillers. Iâm reading The Meaning of Courage, which tells why some people are brave and others are not at all.
Favorite TV Show: The Practice and The West Wing.
Organizations: I am the coordinator of the Parish Nursing Ministry at St Rose Church, which provides outreach education. I am president of Lillinonah Audubon, secretary of the Audubon Council of Connecticut, a member of Croesus Investment Club, a member of the Conservation Commission of Newtown, and a book club. I also am a member of the Connecticut Master Gardener Association, a gourmet club, and a docent for the Historical Society.
Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: The Holiday Festival, and the St Rose Carnival last summer. Also, all the deer and turkeys and all kinds of wildlife we have in our backyard.
Favorite Vacation Spot: We like adventure vacations. We have hiked down and back up the Grand Canyon, been on safari in southern Africa in Zimbabwe and Botswana, and sea kayaking in Maine. We also enjoy visiting our children in all their areas.
Personal Philosophy: I think life is short, and you have to live as well as you can, not just caring, but working for a better environment, by writing letters and making phone calls. I do think we are responsible for other people as well. How I do that is through outreach of the church and helping in any way I can. The nicest people I meet are volunteers. You need to put your action where you can. I believe in giving back to the community and to the environment. We have a responsibility to take care of people and the environment.