My father’s name is Paul and my mother’s is Eva. I have three brothers, Paul, Richard and Roger.
In Canada, during the time I was born, parents would often name their babies after different Catholic Saints. I was named after Saint Clare.
What I found when I looked up Saint Clare: Saint Clare of Assisi is an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition, and wrote their Rule of Life, the first set of monastic guidelines known to have been written by a woman.
My parents worked 2nd and 3rd shift and we didn’t have a lot of time to do things together. I mostly played independently, with my brothers, or with the neighborhood kids. We would swim, play hide and seek, build go karts, or just use our imaginations to have fun.
However, my father did enjoy taking me and my brothers ice fishing when he could. Even offering to bring any of the neighborhood kids who wanted to come. One time my brothers and I caught so many fish while my father was sleeping, we surrounded him in a circle of fish! I also remember my father being generous after fishing and going around the neighborhood to see if anyone would like any fish for dinner.
As I got older, I belonged to a running club called the, “Gate City Striders.” I met some wonderful people through this club. One of my favorite marathons was in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was a great deal of fun with local people playing music and hula dancers waiting for us at the finishing line. I also ran up Mt. Washington and Mt. Monadnock.
I attended an all girls Catholic High School. At Louis High School in Nashua, I took business courses and was part of the Glee Club. My favorite subject was science.
I’ve lived in Alabama (1969), California (1970), Alaska (1971), and then moved to Nashua in 1976.
Have you had jobs? Who did you work for and what did you do?
I worked as a civil service employee in government contracting for 35 years. Then, I worked at BAE Systems for 13 years.
One of my hidden talents is teaching. I’ve taught folk art, ceramics, jewelry design classes from beginner to advanced. It brings me joy to teach people a new craft.
Forged ahead. When times go tough, I had to be tougher. Crafting also helped immensely.
Easter was always a special holiday for me. I remember getting all dressed up with a new coat, shoes, hat, and gloves. Christmas was another fun holiday. Decorating the Christmas tree together with my family was special. We would visit my grandparents and eat roast turkey and Canadian pork pies.
My favorite artists are Mozart and Andrea Bocelli. I could listen to the piano and violin all day. I enjoy collecting antiques. I like to garden and my favorite flowers are the ones that are unusual looking.
Alaska. It is magical- breathtaking. I’d see moose in my backyard. Whales would be off in the distance. There are so many different cultures gathered together. I’ve been on a glacier. Ice fog would make the snow sparkle like a Christmas card. There may have only been daylight from 10 to 2, but it was never dark. The snow would reflect light. On a full moon night, you could see owls in the trees. It was serene.
Reading, movies, and physical therapy to get stronger and do the best that I can.
What are your favorite experiences to partake in at Ledgewood Bay?
I enjoy daily chronicles, book club, games, bowling and physical therapy.
What do you hope for future generations?
To take better care of the Earth than we did. Also, to know that they can trust people.
Read. Be curious. Do something new every year. Learn. Live in the present and don’t live in the past.