I have been a resident of Monrovia for 43 years, having moved here in 1980 from Sierra Madrem, and before that from the Midwest. I enjoyed Monrovia from the beginning: its diversity, its neighborhoods, its lovely downtown, and quirky wildlife. I was a software engineer, but retired from that career in 1992 when my third child was born, and threw myself into the life of a full-time mom. When my daughter started school, I volunteered in all her classrooms; when she arrived at Santa Fe Middle School, I found a home. She went on to high school, but I stayed at Santa Fe and volunteered there as a classroom aid, math tutor, and library aid from 2003 through 2019. Since the pandemic, I’ve concentrated on the issues of homelessness and the lack of affordable housing, which is challenging communities throughout California and all across the nation.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your origin story. Share a little about your childhood and your family.
I grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the second of five kids. My parents were both teachers, so they instilled a commitment to education in each of us from a young age. My father was the only child of Scottish immigrants, and my mother was one of six children of Iowa farmers. I spent many summers on my grandparents’ and uncles’ farms, so I’m a city/farm hybrid. We rode horses, played endless games in the hay mow, swam in the creek, explored caves, and sledded down Iowa hills. We also took grocery bags into Grandma’s garden and picked green beans, tomatoes, strawberries, corn, and peas. We spent many afternoons tipping and tailing green beans, husking sweet corn, and popping peas from their pods. It was a wonderful way to grow up.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Computer Science and moved to Minneapolis to work for Control Data Corporation. I married my husband in 1977 and we moved to Sierra Madre a month later. I started working for Honeywell, Inc, at their Defense Electronics facility in West Covina later that year. I stayed with that job, even after the facility was sold to Hughes, Inc., until retiring in 1992. I loved the work of designing and implementing human-interface software. When my third child was born, though, I was overwhelmed by competing loyalties and chose to stay home with my daughter. I have never regretted that decision. My life as a stay-at-home mom was as challenging and fun as had been my life as an engineer.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love so many of our restaurants! We eat at Mundial, Kiku Sushi, and Bella Sera a lot. We also love Mikomi and Grano.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? Tell us about your favorite memory or experience living in Monrovia.
We’ve lived here for 43 years, and in our current house for 39 of those years. I have a LOT of favorite memories. During the pandemic, a black bear took up residence under our driveway. We were quite fond of him. He disappeared during the fire in September, which is a sad ending. But he was an interesting house guest for many months.
Q: None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person you’ve met here in our community who helped you get to where you are or inspired you?
I have several circles of friends: my bunko group, who played together for 35 years and offered bunko therapy every month; a group of people I met while volunteering for political causes that inspired me; and my neighbors who are always there and willing to lend a hand when I need it.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I’d go to Ireland, because my son and his family moved there in 2021.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies of all time? Do you have a favorite TV show or shows?
I have movies I have classified as perfect. Two of my favorites in that group are Smoke Signals and The Shawshank Redemption. As for TV shows, nothing can beat Northern Exposure or Firefly.
Q: What advice would you give to people? Do you have a Life Lesson quote?
Don’t get too attached to your plans. The Universe loves to throw wrenches into the works.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’d like to live long enough to see my grandkids graduated and settled into their lives.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what music to listen to?
The Eagles.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I miss Dollmaker’s Kattywompus.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Kamala Harris, at Kiku’s.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Monrovia or something unique about our community that you like?
I love our wildlife. It’s amazing to see a bear wander by in the evening, or a bobcat exploring the neighbor’s yard or a deer nibbling my roses.
Q: Sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you’ve ever made?
These are small, but they’re real: I’ve tried to unlock my front door with the key fob from my car, and I’ve tried to turn the page of my actual physical newspaper by swiping at the bottom of the article I’m reading.
Q: Even for friends or family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I like to write stories.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Yosemite. It’s my favorite place on earth.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My daughter asked me write a cookbook as her birthday present, so I did. It took me about a month.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The Huntington Library and Gardens, especially the Children’s Garden.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My friend Linda Monroe, who has such a graceful way of dealing with people!
Q: If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?
I’d want to make a change that would result in housing everybody in an equitable manner.
Q: Finally, what three character traits come to mind when you think of your success in life?
Patience, diligence, tolerance.
