Occupation/how long you’ve worked in town: I am a registered dietitian/nutritionist and a licensed family therapist specializing in eating disorders and autism. I am also a certified bereavement counselor and have facilitated monthly bereavement support groups at Newtown Parent Connection for over six years. I have had a private practice in Sandy Hook for over twenty years.

Family: My kind and supportive husband of 38 years Duane and I purchased our Sandy Hook home when our daughter Lindsey was 9 months old. Fifteen months later, I gave birth to twin boys Austin and Tyler. Lindsey is now 32, getting her PhD at Rutgers University in musicology and is a professional violinist. Austin is now 30, and is a physical therapist at Hartford Health Care in Westport. Tyler is forever 16 years old, having passed away in 2009 from Sudden Unexplained Death by Epilepsy, also known as SUDP. Tyler was a nonverbal teen diagnosed with autism at the age of two.

Pets: Two years ago, we acquired a French bulldog, Benji. Benji grew up in Miami, Fla., with our daughter’s roommate and owner. We were fortunate enough to get Benji when Lindsey’s roommate had to move and could no longer take care of “Benji BooBoo.” Lindsey made an adventurous three-day drive from Miami to Newtown with this very difficult traveler and Benji has been a “Jones” and a love of our family every since.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We have lived in the same home in this amazing town since 1991 — 32 years!

What do you like to do in your free time? I love to create things! Jewelry, crafts, art, sewing, baking … you name it. Tyler started a jewelry business in 2007 called TJ Designs promoting Autism Awareness. We continue to make jewelry in Tyler’s memory, which we sell at craft fairs and local shops Queen Street Gifts and New Insights Boutique.

What is your favorite book?I don’t usually take time to sit and read a book, but I constantly read information on medical issues, autism, family therapy and nutrition online.

What organizations are you part of in Newtown? In 2006, we started raising money to start a foundation for families with special needs children, teens and adults. In 2010, shortly after Tyler’s unexpected death, Families United in Newtown (FUN) was born and has been growing ever since. FUN’s mission is to provide individuals with special needs and their families with social opportunities at monthly themed meetings supported by youth volunteers — many from Newtown High School’s National Honor Society.

Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life? There are so many people that have influenced my life and life choices, but during my formative years my mother was the greatest influence as she taught me the importance of having an education. Living in a small town in the Midwest taught me the importance of community. In my adult life, autism and my dear Tyler influenced my life more than I could ever have imagined. Tyler taught me so much about human behavior and parenting, as well as unconditional love.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? I would spend a day with Dr Margaret Bauman, a neurologist and pediatrician from Massachusetts who specializes in autism both as a clinician and researcher. I could spend hours listening to her tell stories about her experiences with children, teens and adults on the autism spectrum. She is truly an amazing woman, physician and friend.

Who is your favorite musical artist? Lindsey Jones! I love hearing her play, which always brings tears of joy to my eyes. I frequently told Lindsey when she was younger to go meet Josh Groban and marry him!

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? Dr Robert Murphy, Tyler’s behavior analyst, told me that we needed to teach Tyler skills for employment. We spent much time educating Tyler in the community on functional job skills, which was an invaluable lesson for him as it is for all students that are alternatively abled.

What is something you cannot live without? I cannot live without hope for the future and connections with people.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Being a mother is number one, with being a wife as a close second and the founder of FUN — especially getting our 501(c)(3).

What is a meal or a recipe your family has passed down to you? My grandmother Mary, who was the oldest of 11 children during the Depression, was an amazing cook and used to make the best homemade noodles on earth. Her recipes for noodles and “Lemon Lush” will always be special in our family.

What is a tradition your family does that is important to you? We love to celebrate birthdays. I feel like celebrating the births of family and friends is so important. Since I was a small child, birthdays were always a wonderful gathering and party!

What would you like The Newtown Bee to cover in the future? I love all the stories about people in this beautiful town and the celebration of our youth including the Newtown High School volunteers and National Honor Society students that help support our FUN mission. I hope we can write about “FUN Autism Education” during the month of April for Autism Awareness Month.