Occupation: My main occupation is being a mom to my three children and running our hectic household. I work in Ridgefield as a nurse for two great doctors that give me the flexibility to be home when my kids get out of school.

How Long in Newtown: I have lived in Newtown since 1978, so 22 years.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: Definitely, without a doubt, the population increase. Sandy Hook has skyrocketed with the amount of new homes and new people that are moving in. Also, with the sewer installation we are seeing development that has been limited in the past.

Family: I have been married for 20 years this September to my husband, Alan, whom I met at the University of Connecticut. He is a professional engineer, and his family has been in Newtown since 1723. We have three children. Brian, 17, a senior at Newtown High School, will be attending college this fall. Shannon is soon to be 16, and a sophomore at Newtown. We also have Timothy, 10, who is in his last year at Hawley.

Pets: We have a boxer named Champ who is lucky to have made his third birthday. He is a character, and with the electric fence, he sits in our front yard and acts like he owns the house. We also have a cat, Rocky, that my husband found buried under some rocks 14 years ago.

Hobbies: I would like nothing more than to rattle off a list of hobbies, such as sewing, painting, cooking, sculpture, but my family would roll on the floor in laughter. I am not talented in any way, shape or form. My hobbies revolve around going out on Lake Zoar with the kids in the boat, and watching Shannon’s field hockey games or Tim’s football games.

Favorite Books and Authors: I am an avid reader. I will stay up an entire night and read a whole novel. I often read what my children are reading. Brian gives me his Stephen King novels. I just finished The Dead Zone, and I have even read Tim’s Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling. My all- time favorite book is Louise May Alcott’s Little Women.

Favorite TV Show: Thursday nights I tune into ER faithfully. It is a favorite of mine. I also like watching Where Are They Now? I watch the History Channel through osmosis, because it is a favorite of my husband.

Organizations: I am chairman of the Borough of Newtown zoning board. As a resident that cares so deeply about this great town, it gives me an opportunity to volunteer for something that is close to my heart.

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: This is easy. When my husband and I were first dating, he actually took me on a walk up historic Main Street. The charm of the street was captivating, and I had never seen a person so proud of their town. I knew Newtown was a special place way back then. Who would have thought when I was that 18 year old girl I would one day be living right on that very street!

Favorite Vacation Spot: Duck, N.C. It is on the outer banks of North Carolina, and where we stay there are actual wild horses roaming. For the past few years we have been vacationing at our neighboring state of Rhode Island. We always have a houseful of Newtown teens that go with us, because, of course, my teenagers want their friends with them. It is a lot of fun.

Personal Philosophy: Every day you are bombarded with challenges, whether it is work, your children, your marriage, or your health. How you deal with these challenges is what makes you what you are. Honesty and keeping the lines of communication open work best with raising the kids. We have great family support in Newtown, with my husband’s entire family living in town. We are a clan. We stick by one another no matter what, and that is such a good feeling. I hope that I am honest and kind to every person that I ever meet. I guess that says it all.