How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
I’ve been a full-time member since 2012.

Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I’m a cradle Episcopalian. I grew up at Trinity Episcopal Church in suburban Philadelphia. My family was very active—from serving on the Vestry and Altar Guild to teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir. But then I left home and stopped going to church.

What brought you back to church?
I came back because of a very difficult time in my life. I needed a spiritual home.

And because the church was such a part of my childhood, I knew that I would be able to find a place where I fit in—the choir, Altar Guild, volunteering in the office, etc. All that helped make my return less scary.

What about Saint Philip’s appeals to you?
What drew me in initially was the music—and that continues to be important. I’ve sung in the choir since 2012.

But now it’s more than that; it’s the community and friendships I have.

How are you involved in the parish?
My volunteer roles all have something to do with music. Right now I sing in the adult choir and serve on the Music Commission. I manage its budget and oversee payment for the different musicians we hire.

Many of my professional roles were managerial and required that I be budget conscious and manage finances so I have enough experience to be helpful.

Is there anything about the choir that might surprise readers?
Choir members do more than attend Thursday rehearsals and sing on Sundays. Most of us take music home and practice all week long.

I listen online and to CDs to help with some of the more challenging music. It’s fortunate that I can play the piano to help learn the music at home.

Have you tried something new recently?
This year I’ve challenged myself to sing with the Schola Cantorum. This is the group of adult choristers who sing with the Saint Nicholas choristers for Choral Evensong (as well as Christmas and Easter services).

I’m a Soprano in the adult choir but with the Schola Cantorum I sing Alto 2. It’s a challenge to learn much of the music in a voice that’s different than I normally sing.

What inspires you to challenge yourself?
Fear of getting old and decrepit! Challenges require learning and learning keeps the mind and spirit agile.

What did you do professionally before retiring?
I was a nurse and nurse practitioner for 45 years.

What do you do when not volunteering at church?
I’m so busy I don’t know how I ever found time to work!

I’m very active with The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)—a member-led, volunteer-run nonprofit that focuses on education for people 50+. It’s a national program affiliated with local universities and colleges; the UA chapter has over 1,100 members.

My work includes hosting our members and teachers on campus, and coordinating a group of volunteers who do the same, as well as providing technical support for the Zoom users.

I’m also part of a women’s book club that’s been together for more than 30 years. And yes, we actually read the books assigned!

What do you like to read?
I love murder mysteries—especially those written by British authors. One of the reasons I’m in the book club is so that I branch out beyond that single genre.

What’s something you’re proud of?
That I’m much more tolerant and open minded than I used to be. My father was very narrow-minded and, even though my mother modeled tolerance, I had a relatively narrow view of the world even into my 30’s. I’m very glad I’m no longer that same person.

What helped you change?
An awful lot of active learning (including returning to graduate school), a fair amount of international travel, and even leaving the east coast for Arizona made a difference. I would add that the courses offered by OLLI have also taught me a great deal.

What’s something you’re passionate about?
Learning! It broadens horizons and changes minds. My experience is that it’s difficult to hold onto prejudices and old ways of thinking when surrounded by information and new learning opportunities.

My understanding of theology is a perfect example. Reading Marcus Borg for the first time was an eye-opening experience. He didn’t write about the Episcopal Church I grew up in or the theology I was taught. My faith is much broader and deeper now than when I was younger.

What’s something you find challenging?
Some of the music that we sing!

Can you think of a decision that impacted your life?
Moving from Philadelphia to Arizona offered a seismic shift in professional opportunities.

Way back in the 90s I worked for Pima County in a federally funded family planning program. Most of our clients were women who needed free services. The clinic provided basic health screenings (including for cervical cancer) and gynecological exams.

When I look back on my decades-long career, I think my experience with that clinic—and those women—had the biggest impact on me.

What’s something you know now that your younger self didn’t?
So much! It would take all day and tomorrow and the next day to answer that question.

What’s one of your core values?
Acceptance of others. It’s not my role to judge where people are in their lives.

I think that’s in sync with what I did professionally. Nurses’ roles are all about helping people regardless of how they came to need help.

What’s one of your guiding principles?
If Plan A doesn’t work, figure out a Plan B.

I think that stems from my recognition that I’ve had a charmed life in many respects.

I grew up in a middle-class home, got a good education, and pretty much never wanted for anything. I’ve had a few knocks because, at 70, who hasn’t. But so many people have really difficult lives.

So when something doesn’t work out as I hope, I just move on and try something else.

What’s something you’re grateful for?
My faith. It’s a huge part of what sustains me. For example, even with the unrest in our country now, I trust that everything will be ok. It might not be fun, but it’ll be ok.

What have friends say they appreciate about you?
My willingness to help.

I have a relative whose mother was just diagnosed with aggressive cancer. He is a technical wizard and really smart but none of that helps him navigate our health care system.

Because of my background and experience I’m able to help him manage the labyrinth of doctors and insurance companies.

What’s one of your super powers?
I think the older I get the more comfortable I am not having any pretense when interacting with people. Being honest sometimes includes using salty language but being truthful generally makes communication and relationships better.

What’s something you’d like to do that you haven’t yet?
I’ve never been to Italy and would like to visit. My significant other is from Siciliy and he’d like to go there, too.

Do you have a favorite place you like to visit regularly?
I love going to the ocean. We go to Encinitas, California for a few days whenever we can and enjoy simply walking on the beach. There’s a sense of timelessness when I’m there that’s wonderful.

What might people be surprised to learn about you?
I have four cats. Does that make me a “crazy cat lady?”

Is there something you would like readers to know?
That I’m a little embarrassed to be interviewed. I admire enormously the other volunteers who have been featured. I feel privileged to be part of this parish where such accomplished and generous people are so active. They create this community.

What’s a fun fact about you?
I took flying lessons when I was a teenager. I flew a little Cessna 172 a few times with an instructor. I never got my license but doing even that much was fun.