Occupation: I am a self employed human resources consultant. Because I was looking for more flexibility, I took an early retirement after 14 years in human resources with People’s Bank. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I earned my bachelor’s degree at Skidmore College and my master’s degree at Columbia University. I did postgraduate studies at Fairfield University.

How Long in Newtown: I have lived in Newtown for 27 years. I lived for four years in Brookfield. Prior to that, I lived in New York City, where I taught special education. I grew up in Hudson, N.Y.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: Everyone mentions development and the absence of land. That’s certainly a big change. But I see it becoming harder and harder to find volunteers because of two-career families. We’re losing that spirit of giving to the community.

Family: My husband, Arthur, and I have been married for 35 years. Arthur is a retired endodontrist. We have three children and four grandchildren. Marc, 34, and daughter-in-law, Janet, are mechanical engineers in Illinois. They have a daughter, Jade, 4. Lisa, 32, is a fiction writer and Hudson Valley bureau chief of WAMC Northeast Public Radio in Albany. Kira, 30, and her husband, Alan, live in Manhattan. Alan is a physician and head of the Reproductive Endocrinology (infertility) Department at Mt Sinai Hospital. Lisa works part-time in promotion in Children’s Television Workshop. They have three children, twins Joshua and Alex, 3, and 3-month-old Noah. We are very blessed. My parents, both 91, have been married for 64 years and live in Hudson, N.Y.

Pets: We are babysitting my son’s two cats, Kiki and Jefferson, for six months.

Hobbies: Reading, lifelong tennis, golf, hiking, biking, walking, and music. I play the piano, and we go to concerts all the time. I have been walking three to four miles in the morning for the past 16 years. It’s my soul time. I don’t feel right unless I do it. A friend and I figured we had walked to California and back after about ten years.

Favorite Books and Authors: I am a member of the Mayflower Book Club. I love any books by Anna Quinlin and Doris Kearns Goodwin. I recently read a wonderful book, Woman by Natalie Angier, an explanation in clear lanaguage about the physiology of women. I also loved Generations, about a century of women. I was fascinated by the behavioral commonalities of the generations and also the forces in people’s lives that made them who they are.

Favorite TV Show: I don’t watch a lot of television, but I enjoy 60 Minutes, Meet the Press, and Inside the Actors Studio. These are quality shows. 

Organizations: Currently I am on the board of Datahr, Danbury Commission of Child Care, Rights and Abuse, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Danbury. I have also been appointed by Gov Rowland to the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council, a citizen advocacy group. I was once a member of the Legislative Council, Library Board, and the Charter Revision Commission. 

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: The Labor Day parade and fireworks at Dickinson Park with my family. Also, how beautiful it is when you’re driving down Main Street. I’m so proud of this town. It’s a very special place for many reasons, but especially for the people.

Favorite Vacation Spot: We love new travel experiences by traveling to different places. I have been hiking in the Channel Islands, and biking and hiking in Europe. I love Cape Cod and Maine. We recently took my parents to Alaska.

Personal Philosophy: Two things. The importance of a positive attitude because of the mind/body connection, and having a life balance of faith in a higher being, and family, friends, fun, and focus. There is a constancy in life in helping and giving to others. It’s important to be a good listener, and to respect the confidentiality of what you are hearing. It is part of my heritage to give back to the community, to volunteer, and be a good friend. We don’t live in isolation. I feel blessed, and because of that I want to give back to others. But nothing I’ve accomplished would have happened without the support of my husband and family.