Occupation: I am a homemaker and have served as an ambassador for the arts in Newtown for the past 21 years. I began volunteering through PTA organizations in 2001 to bring cultural art programming to the public schools. In 2010 I stopped booking performances, became a member of the Cultural Arts Commission, and have served as vice chair for the last eight years.

Family: My husband, Warren, and I have been married for 35 years and have 2 sons, Daniel, 30, and Matthew, 27. We are very excited about celebrating Dan’s wedding to his fiancé, Claire, in May.

How long have you lived in Newtown? Newtown has been my home for 30 years. My husband and I were relocated back to the east coast from San Francisco in 1991 and decided to settle here.

What do you like to do in your free time? I like spending time outdoors in my free time. Walking, gardening, swimming, and paddle boarding are some of my favorite activities. I also love listening to music, Pilates, and taking photographs.

What is your favorite book? My favorite book is The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom. The story cleverly incorporates valuable lessons and interesting perspectives on living a meaningful life, ideas that have always resonated with me. It is beautifully written and is filled with inspiration and hope.

What is your favorite travel destination? My favorite travel destination is Spain. The country is very interesting because it has several different regions with diverse cultures and geography. The people are easygoing and friendly, the scenery is stunning, the food and wine is delicious, and it has a long and colorful history. I particularly liked Barcelona (Gaudi’s influence is everywhere), La Rioja, Seville, Toledo, and San Sebastian.

What is the best part about Newtown? Newtown has much to offer. Most notable to me are the interesting people I’ve met, its scenic beauty, the outdoor recreational spaces, and its remarkably rich and diverse artistic community.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My parents have been the greatest influences in my life.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? If I could spend the day with one person, it would be my dad. He was a larger-than-life person and a true renaissance man whose life was cut way too short. Having the chance to spend time with him as an adult is something I’ve often thought about. I would love to share some stories and laughs with him and introduce him to his two grandsons.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I have many favorites when it comes to musical artists, but my most favorite is my son, Matt Spencer.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? The greatest piece of advice I’ve ever been given is to be decisive and act on the decisions you make.

What is something you cannot live without? I cannot live without the arts. There’s nothing like a great concert, theatrical play, dance performance, movie, fine art presentation, or interactive experience to make me feel alive, inspired, and connected to the world around me.

What is your proudest accomplishment? My proudest accomplishment is my family. Watching my two sons grow into caring, responsible, hardworking young men means everything to me.