How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
John and I were married here in 1969. I was a student at the University of Arizona and he and I attended services together.

What’s kept you here so long?
We love this church. It’s our spiritual home.

Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I was raised as a Catholic. When John and I met with Fr William Perry for pre-marital counseling he said he wouldn’t perform a mixed marriage. We were both a little puzzled when he said that!

He said, “Everything is fine now, but when you have children, where will you have them baptized?” I already loved Saint Philip’s so it was easy for me to agree to become an Episcopalian.

It just so happened that the Bishop already planned to be in Tucson the following week so he came to Saint Philip’s to receive me.

How have you been involved at Saint Philip’s?
When Fr Roger Douglas was the Rector, I was his secretary for a little more than 10 years. Back then the church offices were in La Parroquia—until the current office building was built. I was also on the Altar Guild, taught Sunday School, and served as the wedding coordinator. John and I were also lay pre-marital counselors.

Do you have a favorite memory from childhood?
I do—from when I was five or six years old. My best girlfriend was Evelyn. She was tall and thin and I was short and chubby. But we thought that if we exchanged clothes that our parents wouldn’t recognize that we had switched places. Imagine!

We were so innocent and happy and safe.

What’s something that scares you?
Losing John. I want to die first because I don’t know what I’d do without him.

My father died when he was 58, and my mother never remarried. She said no one could hold a candle to my father and couldn’t imagine being in a relationship with anyone else. I feel the same way about John.

Do you enjoy a hobby?
I do the crossword puzzle in USA Today and jigsaw puzzles on my ipad.

What’s something you’re proud of?
I’m proud that I try not to judge people. Absolutely everyone has faults.

I’m also proud of my three beautiful children. Our daughter, Kristin, lives in Queen Creek outside Phoenix.

Two sons are no longer with us. John, Jr. died when he was 8 days old. He was born with a tracheal esophageal fistula and, despite an operation to try to fix it, he didn’t survive.

Our second-born son was Robert and he was a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, young man. He was studying at California State Polytechnic Institute in Pomona, California where he became a Sigma Chi.

In August of 1993, shortly after his 21st birthday, he and a fraternity brother were driving to a retreat at Lake Arrowhead. A drunk driver came around a corner and hit Robert head-on. He died hours later of a severe head injury at the hospital. Sometimes it feels like it happened yesterday.

One thing I can say is that Robert accomplished everything he set out to do. He was a marvelous young man!

What role did your faith play when your sons died?
I firmly believe in God’s heavenly kingdom and that we’ll all be together one day. If I didn’t believe that I would see them again I don’t know what I would have done. Without my faith I would have gone nuts.

What’s one of your core values?
Community.

What’s something that brings you joy?
My husband—usually! And our daughter Kristin. May I also mention our dog, Sukie? The poor thing is getting older and is now blind. She’s our wonderful rescue mutt!

What’s something you’ve learned with age?
That the quote, “all things work together for good” is true.

What’s something you find challenging?
Remembering things. Sometimes I can’t remember what I did yesterday and have to look in my phone.

Can you think of a decision that impacted the rest of your life?
Saying yes when John asked me to marry him. He made the occasion so wonderful.

My mother, brother, and I had just returned from my uncle’s funeral in Chicago. John was waiting for us in the driveway. He got down on one knee and asked if I would marry him. I said, “Yes!!”

Were you surprised?
I was surprised he asked me at that particular moment but I already knew that he was “the one.” My father said to my mother, “I think this is the one,” which meant the world to me. And here we are 56 years later!

What’s one of your guiding principles?
Be kind because you never know what someone is or has been going through.

What’s something you’re grateful for?
I’m grateful to know God. I’m grateful for my husband, my children, my whole family. I’m grateful for Saint Philip’s, and all the lessons I’ve learned in my life.

What’s one of your super powers?
My empathy. It probably goes back to my core value of community. If I see someone in need, then I’m quick to help.

What’s something about you that friends have said they really appreciate?
That they can trust me. And that I can be discreet. Also, if I can’t help personally, then I’ll do everything I can to find someone who can.

What’s a fun fact about you?
That John and I love to go ATV riding. We ride into the forest and follow trails. We get very dusty so we wear masks to protect us. It’s a lot of fun!

What might people be surprised to learn about you?
That I’ve had to attend traffic school. But a police officer there shared a tip that I’ll pass on to readers:

If you’re in town, you won’t get a ticket if you drive five miles over the speed limit. And if you’re on the highway, then you can drive 10 miles over the speed limit without getting stopped.