Occupation: I've been the owner of Newtown Florist for 15 years. I started working in the floral industry a long time ago, back in the 1970s. When my husband was looking for a business to start, he actually found this one for me. One thing that not everyone might now know is that Newtown Florist is also a gift shop, too. As far as the floral aspect, we deliver, we design, and we do wedding and funeral work. We are a full-service florist. My elevator speech is that we bring comfort and joy to people's lives from the beginning to the end and every occasion in-between.

Family: I've been married to the same man for 45 years, John. My husband and I are both Connecticut natives and live in Brookfield. We have two adult children. My daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Glenn Harmon, live in Denver. My son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Kristen Grabarz, live in Middlebury. We have three grandchildren: Dylan, Drew, and Jackson.

What do you like to do in your free time? I babysit the grandkids on my days off. I also love to walk, hike, read, and travel when I can.

Do you have a favorite book or author? It's by the Scandinavian author Fredrik Backman. He also wrote Beartown.I like to read a lot of different things. I just read a book about ice hockey called A Man Called Ove.

What is your favorite travel destination? I just came back from Iceland, which was really cool. I like to keep finding new places. I want to do more travel in the United States and Europe.

The people. There's a really lovely sense of community here that I haven't noticed in other places. It's a beautiful town; it really is.

What is the best part about Newtown?

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? Both of my parents. My father especially was a strong influence when I was younger. He was very kind and loving; he was creative.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? I'd love to spend the day with Thomas Jefferson, because he was such a renaissance man.

What is your favorite musical genre? I listen to classical and play it a lot at the shop. I get a thing called ear worms, where songs get stuck in your head, so I can't listen to rock or any of that type of music anymore.

Do you have a favorite TV show? I haven't watched mainstream TV since The Waltons left. I mostly like to watch movies now. I do watch improvement and decorating shows on HGTV. We are currently working on a condo, so now I'm watching for inspiration.

What is your favorite food? Everything - I love food, I love to eat, and I love to cook.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? "Don't judge people." It's more of a mindset. I try to always give people the benefit of the doubt.

What is something you cannot live without? The leisure and comfort of home.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Newtown Florist. I never aspired to have a business, so for it to be successful, have lasted, and be a place that I'm able to use my design skills - it all worked and came together really well, and I'm proud of that.