General
With the exception of a couple of years living in Stonewall, I have lived all of my adult life in Winnipeg, and for the past 33 years, in the area of Winnipeg known as East Kildonan. While I was quite sickly as a teenager, I have enjoyed excellent health as an adult. I love meeting up with my Stonewall friends every couple of months when we get together for lunch!

Family
I have been married to Ron, a retired police officer for the past 33 years. We met in 1971 and married in 1973. Ron and I have three children: Laura Lynn, Jason and Kristi. Laura Lynn and Jason have made us grandparents (a role we love) and we are blessed with Zoë (7), Pierce (5) and Ryann (2). Ron and I love visiting Zoë and Pierce who live in California (especially during Winnipeg’s winter!) Our parents are now deceased but my brother Lyn lives in Winnipeg, and younger brother Jack lives in Orangeville.

Education
After high school I attended commercial college (MTI on Wall Street). As well, over the years I have taken many computer courses and love the work that I can do on it.

Work History
My first “real job” was as a steno at the Hughes-Owens Company. I worked there for two years and then moved over to Goodyear Tire where I worked as a secretary for 12 years. After our son was born I thought I needed a change and took a position with the Hudson’s Bay Company where I was the secretary to the Divisional Merchandise Manager of ladies’ fashions. After a year, however, I had had enough of “change” and was delighted that our third child was on the way. From 1977 to 1980 I was a full time stay-at-home Mum. In 1980 I got a part-time job that allowed me to still be available to my young children and yet gave me that opportunity to be back in the business world. During a chance conversation in 1985, I learned that my former employer, Goodyear, had a job opening that interested me…I applied and got that position. Over the next 17 years, I had three different positions with Goodyear, all of them interesting and challenging. I retired in 2002 and I love retirement!

Awards
I have received Volunteer recognition awards

Outreach Activities (Memberships) When our first grandchild was born with Down syndrome, I joined the Manitoba Down Syndrome Society to learn as much as I could about it. In the process, I have been on MDSS Education Committee, their Golf (fund raising) committee and their membership committee. When I was asked to join the board, I immediately became their webmaster and in May 2004, I became the Treasurer as well, a volunteer role I continue to do in 2006. In 1994, when our mother, Elizabeth Giles, required nursing home care, I began to volunteer at that personal care home. Even though she passed away in 2000, I continue to volunteer with the with their recreation department. Volunteer work is something I love to do. Until I recently began providing day-care for our youngest grandchild, I had also volunteered in the kindergarten class of our local school. I am also a regular contributor to Goodyear’s retirement newsletter.


My Favourite Quote
“I am a part of all who I have met.”

I look forward to seeing many of you at the next Stonewall Collegiate reunion!