How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Since January 2008 when my husband, Raymond, and I moved to Tucson from Cape Cod.

Were you raised in a faith tradition?
My great-grandfather was a vicar in Kent, England. My father grew up in Westminster and was a choir boy there. So no surprise that I’m a cradle Episcopalian.

Actually, I was baptized in the Church of England, confirmed in the Anglican Church of Canada, and then attended Episcopal churches in the United States.

What about Saint Philip’s appeals to you?
I like everything. The music, the preaching, and the opportunity to be involved in a wide variety of activities. I’ve dabbled in a lot of different ministries since 2008.

How are you involved at Saint Philip’s now?
I’m an usher, a member of the Altar Guild and Fiber Guild, and serve as a lector.

What makes you feel a part of this community?
The many connections I have—on spiritual and personal levels—across ministries and people. So many volunteers help with multiple ministries that I’ve gotten to know people well while doing different activities with them.

What role does faith play in your life?
It very grounding for me. When I sit in the pew I think of the generations before me that have sat in church just as I do—and the generations who will come after me. We believe and act on the same set of God’s laws. That means a lot to me.

What did you do professionally before retiring?
I did a range of different things. I started out in financial systems long before data bases or excel existed. I helped clients identify what analytical tools would help their businesses and then taught them how to use what my team and I created.

But as I worked with consultants it seemed they were having more fun so I joined their ranks. I became a consultant who worked with the system developers to make sure the interfaces were appropriate for the people using them.

I eventually left technology and became a certified life coach with a focus on career coaching. Each stage of my varied career was rewarding and fun.

Was there a theme across the different roles you held?
Every job offered a lot of variety (which I crave), and allowed me to learn. And I was grateful to help people blossom in situations where they might have been struggling.

How do you spend your free time?
I create felted works that are sold in two galleries and I work in one of them (the Southern Arizona Artists Guild).

The theater group at Tucson Estates is another hobby. It’s great fun to get on stage and become another person. My first ever role was a mad woman in an insane asylum. It was very freeing to take on such a wildly different persona.

What’s something you’re proud of?
I’m proud of having the confidence to pursue the varied jobs I’ve had. I pretty much just jumped in to all of them and—for the most part—they worked out well.

Where do you think that confidence comes from?
My grandmother. She was one of the first women to attend the University of London, and was a French and Latin scholar.

She became a widow when I was six months old so I watched her be independent and forge a path for herself. I credit her for my independent spirit.

What’s something you’re passionate about?
Nutrition and health. I like to cook and do my best not to eat processed foods.

What’s something you find challenging?
My career engaged the left side of my brain so I have to consciously exercise the artistic (right side) of my brain.

Can you think of a decision you made that made a real difference in your life?
Leaving in-house corporate work to begin consulting. That decision gave me the freedom to pursue anything I was curious about.

For example, I found myself working for an insurance company that needed someone to write code regarding insurance claims. I later taught a course on critical thinking and creativity in the workplace. Those are just two examples of how I was able to explore different subjects.

Would you say you have a high tolerance for risk?
Not really. It’s more that I don’t consider situations risky so much as I see them as opportunities. At least in the career-sphere.

What’s one of your core values?
Curiosity.

What’s one of your guiding principles?
“I am here.”

I find that awareness very grounding. I use it in situations when I’m somewhere I don’t want to be—for whatever reason. Saying that statement to myself helps me reframe the situation and recapture some curiosity.

I am here…so what around me can I connect with or learn from?

What’s something you’re grateful for?
It’s hard not to sound trite but I really am grateful to be where I am at this time in my life. I have a wonderful husband, the church, a home, and my health and intellect. I no longer struggle with who I am—and am grateful for the many blessings I have.

What’s something you’d like to do that you haven’t yet?
I’ve traveled a lot but I would love to live in England or France. I was in each country as a child but would love to experience the country for an extended time as an adult.

What might people be surprised to learn about you?
I’m pretty conservative in my dress but get me on a stage and I love to sing and dance. I participated in a Gilbert & Sullivan troupe for many years.

My first role had me paired with a great dancer. I found myself front and center wearing a sequined costume with fishnet tights and ~~sequined~~ fringes. My co-workers who attended the performance were pretty surprised!

What’s a fun fact about you?
I come from a family of adventurers. My mother’s father helped build the railroad across Borneo—a large island in Southeast Asia—and my father was in the Indian army during WW2. He considered staying in India but ultimately returned home.