I began making quilts of valor before I became a member of the Foundation, but became so impressed with this organization that I eventually joined. To me, honoring our veterans and active duty men and women by making comforting patriotic quilts is a most worthy way to use our time and talent. My husband is a veteran Navy Corpsman who served two tours with the Marine Corps in Viet Nam. He suffers from PTSD and other service-connected health issues. I can only imagine what he and others went through in that war. Our son served with the Marine Corps between the two gulf wars. My brother served in the Air Force in Viet Nam (before we were supposed to be there) as an advisor and sharp shooter. So I have strong connections to the military.
In my personal life we have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren. My early years were spent in the Tri Cities – I graduated from Kennewick HS, my husband from Pasco HS. So I’ve basically lived my whole life in Washington. After marriage we lived for quite a while in Cheney where we were both attending Eastern Washington Univ. We moved to the Olympia area when my husband received his first teaching position. I then completed a BA degree in Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran University as well as the M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling. I have taught all levels, preschool through community college (computer science and other business subjects) and the last 15 years of my career was as a high school counselor. During that time I also raised, trained and showed quarter horses all over the western states.
After retiring I worked for the Washington State Legislature (Senate) and was an educational consultant for several school districts focusing on motivating potential school dropouts to work toward graduation.I also was an elementary school counselor in Mason County. Currently I teach quilting classes, am a Master Gardener, and actively participate in my church. My most pressing project is completing all the requirements to be a nationally certified quilt judge. We live in a lovely retirement community in Lacey and have enjoyed all the amenities here. I look forward to meeting as many of you as I’m able, and to participate with you in furthering the goals and mission of the QOVF.