How Long In Newtown: Bill had a long career with General Electric Corporation. He and I moved here exactly seven years ago, on December 16, 1997. He had retired in 1987 as senior vice president of Hitachi Magnetic Corporation, and we were in the process of downsizing.

We built our house at the end of Stonegate Drive in Sandy Hook, and it seemed like the building boom started six months later. Before coming to Newtown, we had lived in Westchester County for 26 years. Originally, I am from Virginia.

Biggest Change You Have Seen In Town: There is more traffic now and not nearly as many vacant lots. I’ve noticed these things in just seven years of living here.

 

Family: My husband died in March 2002. We have three sons, Bill Jr, who lives in Sandy Hook; Troy, who lives in North Salem, N.Y.; and Bob, who lives in Mohegan Lake, N.Y. We have eight grandchildren –– the eighth was just born in October.

 

Hobbies: I love gardening and interior decorating. I like to do all my inside painting myself. I started out with off-white on the walls –– like everyone else –– and now I’m getting into more colors. You have to live in a house for a while before you know what you want to do with it.

I also like knitting and rug hooking.

Pets: Vanessa is my little red dachshund. She’s 3 years old. My friend Sigrid Hewitt has her sister, a black dachshund from the same litter named Phoebe.

 

Favorite TV Show, Movie, Book: Mostly, I listen to public radio station WSHU in Fairfield for the classical music. Every so often they have news, so I leave it on all day.

When Bill was alive, we used to go to the opera and musical comedies.

Organizations:  I am president of the Horticulture Club of Newtown, and I am on the vestry and the altar guild at Trinity Church.

Most Vivid Memory About Newtown: My memories are centered around all the activities I’ve been a part of here in Newtown. It’s an enjoyable town. We have made many friends through church and the horticulture club. I still go to Southbury to the Parkinson’s Support Group.

 

Favorite Vacation Spot: I have a sister living in Virginia, so I like to go back down to the area I came from. Another sister lives in California. We were four sisters in our family.

Personal Philosophy: Just to keep busy, enjoy my grandchildren, and keep looking forward to all my activities.