Occupation: I'm a registered nurse. I volunteer at Kevin's Community Center and have been with them since day one.
Occupation: Iâm a registered nurse. I volunteer at Kevinâs Community Center and have been with them since day one.
Family: I have two sons. Berny is 29 and he is married to Brooke. They have two daughters, the loves of my life. Ava is 2 years old, and Kayla Grace is 2 months old. They live in Taylorsville, Ky. Matthew is 25 and living in Richmond, Va. My husband, Berny, passed away seven years ago from pancreatic cancer. He was chief engineer with Hook & Ladder.
Pets: I just lost my 120-pound lab, Duke, a year ago. He was 11½ years old. But with my kids living far away now, I travel to see them, so I havenât replaced Duke.
How long have you lived in Newtown? Iâve been here for 33 years. We moved here in August of 1976, right after our honeymoon. My parents had lived in Sandy Hook in the 1940s and later on Elm Drive, so I was familiar with the area, even though I grew up in New York City.
What do you like to do in your free time? Right now, my focus is with PanCan, the pancreatic cancer action network based out of California. Weâre sponsoring the first Danbury Purple Strides walk/run on November 1, at the Danbury Fair Mall. I also take water aerobics three times a week at the Brookfield Y. Every now and then, my friends and I get together for an Edmond Town Hall movie. Iâm a fanatic New York Giants fan. Iâll have three TVs on at once when thereâs a game. My friends know never to call me then. Iâm a part of the St Rose Parish Ministry, too.
Do you have a favorite movie? I like light, romantic comedies. I saw The Proposal lately and that was really funny.
Do you have a favorite travel destination? I travel to Kentucky and Virginia to see my kids and my grandbabies. Itâs a treat to have two little girls after raising just boys.
What is the best thing about Newtown? The people. I have a wonderful group of friends and neighbors, and the guys from Hook & Ladder do so much for me. People were so good to us those five months my husband was sick. Itâs definitely typical of the people here.
Do you have a favorite Newtown memory? Both revolve around my husband. He always drove the ladder truck in the Labor Day Parade, and the Christmas Tree Lightings in Ram Pasture are always special because my husband was always there to assist with the lights. We always watched the Fourth of July fireworks, living so close to Dickinson Park. Just being at the park with all of the young moms, and taking the kids to swimming lessons there are all good memories.
Do you have a personal philosophy? Treat others the way you would want yourself and your family treated. I taught the Certified Nursing Association course through Naugatuck Community College in Danbury, and I always told my students to treat a patient like he or she was their family member.
Do you have a guilty pleasure? I love milk chocolate, but really, sweets in general. Give me a cup of tea and a piece of cheesecake and Iâm in heaven.