I moved to Kodiak, Alaska from Canada in January 1971 to marry my husband. We raised our family there until 1979 when we moved to Wasilla, Alaska which is in the Matanuska Susitna Valley, a beautiful place surrounded by majestic mountains. My family is very precious to me, and I love spending time with my daughter, granddaughter, grandson-in-law and 5-year-old great-granddaughter who all live 50 miles away in Anchorage.
My first experience of quilting began in 2013 when my dear friend Shirley invited me to learn to quilt. She carefully encouraged me along until I had completed my first quilt. I am not sure who was most excited once the binding and label was complete… her, my husband or me.
In 2015 I was invited to join QOVF where I met my dear friend and mentor Linda Kau, Linda had brought QOVF to Alaska. She passionately shared the mission of Quilts of Valor. Shortly afterwards I attended my first Awards Ceremony, and I was hooked! I absolutely wanted to be a part of covering our Veterans and Service Members with comforting and healing quilts. I belong to an awesome group of volunteers known as the Forget-Me-Not Quilters of Alaska.
Since my husband passed away in 2018, I have become more active and involved. In 2024 I was asked to join the Awards Committee, which consists of three awesome ladies who absolutely believe in our Mission. I enjoy calling and inviting the nominees to an Awards Ceremony. I love meeting the veterans and service members when they come, putting faces to their names.
For many years my husband and I worked in a National Volunteer Organization and were the Executive Leadership both on the state and National level. I believe that experience and people skills I gained from that organization along with my work experience as manager and financial manager for both nonprofits and for profits also benefits me to serve in this capacity.
I love our Veterans and Service Members and extraordinary volunteers and look forward to representing and serving our great state of Alaska.