Occupation: I work at Dental Associates in Danbury, in the billing and insurance department. It’s a great place to work. Everyone is so friendly there.

Family: I have three daughters. Kim is 39 and in California, Kathy is 36 and lives in Southbury with my granddaughter, Nokomis, 17, and my daughter Chelsea is 30, and lives in Brookfield with her fiancé, Rob.

Pets: We used to have a dog and cat, but I don’t have any pets now.

How long have you lived in Newtown? I’ve lived in Newtown since 1987.

What do you like to do in your free time? I like to read and I like going to the movies. I like watching TV and spending time with my kids and friends. I enjoy volunteering with Healing Hearts Grief Center in Danbury. I’ve been a Hospice volunteer since 1994, but mainly I’ve been with Healing Hearts since 1997. I volunteer there with the teen group, helping them deal with their grief. It’s a wonderful, wonderful group. I’m also a deacon at Newtown Congregational Church.

Do you have a favorite book? I like to read books about angels, near death experiences, on spirituality, and on healing. Right now, I’m reading The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, and Small Victories by Anne Lamott.

Do you have a favorite movie? It’s A Wonderful Life, of course, and The Sound of Music. Those are two of my favorites.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? I haven’t been there in a while, but we used to go to Lake George, N.Y., every summer. That would be my favorite. I love the mountains and the lake.

What is the best thing about Newtown? The people. Everybody is friendly. It’s a family-oriented town and a very special place. You go into every store in town, and everyone is so nice. It’s a warm place to live.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? I learned some of my greatest lessons from raising my children. They inspire me. And my grandfather was a big influence. He was very spiritual. I have to say, the kids from Healing Hearts inspire me. They are amazing.

Do you have a personal philosophy? I have so many quotations everywhere! One I came across recently that I like is “Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” That was Mark Twain. We need to be more kind to each other. I truly believe you can change your attitude anytime. It’s definitely a choice.

Do you have a guilty pleasure? Dark chocolate and pizza — but not together! I love any kind of pizza. I don’t think I’ve had a bad one. Chocolate is an everyday treat; pizza is maybe only every couple of weeks.