I’ve lived in the Grand Traverse region since moving here in the 1970’s at age four. I grew up in Elk Rapids and was always playing on the beach or riding my bike around the village with my friends. It was a carefree childhood! I attended Elk Rapids Public Schools and made lifelong friends, as several of us started school together in kindergarten! There were many of us who worked at local cherry processing plants, or in the orchards in our teens. As an adult, I’ve held positions in childcare, retail, housekeeping, and I was even a server at Sweitzer’s by the Bay for a year or so, in the early 90’s.
I worked at NMC from 1995-2014 and gained knowledge and experience I don’t think I could have gained anywhere else. I worked in the Admissions Office with our International Students and got to know people from all over the world. There are quite a few who still keep in touch with me today. I’ve lived vicariously through them to learn about their cultures and countries. In 2010, after a very positive hospice experience in our family, I was drawn to working with the elderly and those facing the end of their lives. I left NMC and returned to college to complete a degree focused death and dying and end-of-life issues. While I was in school, I worked part-time as the secretary at my church and also volunteered for ProMedica Hospice. I volunteered for three years and, upon completion of my degree, I was offered a position in 2018. It’s a great company and I’m fortunate to be able to be doing exactly what I love as a second career.
Another important part of my life is the work my husband and I do for an orphanage in Zambia, Africa. I’ve been blessed to be able to visit there twice and have another trip planned for this summer. After my first trip there–which was a mission trip with my daughter’s school–I saw how much need there was, both at the orphanage and in the nearby village. I was told about a way to ship supplies via a container ship and we began sending shipments of schools supplies, clothing, shoes and medical items. Our first “shipment” was one large box that was 2x2x4 feet. We were so proud of everything we gathered! I look back now and chuckle at that as our most recent shipment was ELEVEN of those boxes! It is not uncommon for us to ship 2,000-3,000 lbs per shipment and we’ve been doing one or two shipments a year since 2014. Today, many of my friends and contacts know me as “the lady who sends things to Africa” and I get inquires often regarding items people would like to donate. To date, we’ve sent items like Tegaderm patches for IVs at the orphanage clinic (a luxury and nearly impossible to find there), cloth diapers, shoes, socks, books, coats, baby clothes, water bottles, and even a basketball hoop! The most popular and appreciated items we send are soccer balls. The teenage boys play soccer on a rustic field twice a week and they are passionate about the game. In the absence of soccer balls, they will use basketballs or even create a ball out of scrap fabric/plastic. We try to include soccer balls in each shipment.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I work for ProMedica Hospice and am responsible for making meaningful connections with the physicians, senior living facilities and communities we serve. I love to teach about end-of-life topics and the importance of being prepared for old age and the dying process. This is where I truly belong and I plan to do this work as long as possible. The most important thing about my work is being able to guide families through the end of life and all it involves. Many people have not been through the dying process with a family member and can feel overwhelmed with all the decisions that need to be made.
Q: What is your favorite book?
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande is one of my favorite books as it is the first book that had a real impact on me regarding end of life planning, preparation and care.
Q: What are some of your favorite restaurants in our community?
The Burrow, Apache Trout Grill, La Seniorita, Mary’s Kitchen Port, GT Pie, Margarita’s Grill, McGee’s 72
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? What brought you to Grand Traverse County?
I’ve been here since 1974 when my mom moved us here to live in her favorite town of Elk Rapids. It’s the hometown of her mother and her mother’s mother. As an adult, I’ve lived in Traverse City for the last 20 years.
Q: What advice would you give to people who want to visit our community?
Look beyond the “Top 10” lists you see on the internet. Have coffee at Round’s or the original GT Pie and ask the locals where THEY go for food, fun, etc. Seek out historical aspects of the city, not just the new and “touristy” spots. This town is much more than our beaches and food/drink culture!
Q: If you could choose anyone today with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you all meet?
I would choose my daughter. We are both busy with our jobs, so lunch is seldom possible. It would be a treat to get out and see each other mid-day! If it’s summer, I would choose the patio at The Burrow or West End Tavern. In the winter it would be to cozy up by the fire at GT Pie on Park Street!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the history of the farms in the area. While there are always new advances in planting/harvesting, the work remains the same: thousands of acres of orchards that are tenderly cared for and the farmers and workers that produce the best fruit year after year. Having worked many summers in the industry, I know a little bit about the risks taken to ensure a good harvest and the heartbreak that happens when there is damage to the crops. And yet, these tough folks keep going.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I learned American Sign Language when I was in college and am still able to use it from time to time to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing people. In fact, on a trip to Zambia, I met a deaf man who lived in a small village and was able to “talk” with him. He was elated that someone from outside his family/friend circle knew how to communicate with him! We are still friends today and keep in touch via Facebook. I will be seeing him when I travel to Zambia in June.
Q: Which yearly event in Grand Traverse County do you enjoy best?
If had to pick just one, it would be the National Cherry Festival Classic Car Show. It’s a huge gathering of classic, eclectic and unique vehicles from all over this area. It’s always enjoyable to see the cars and their owners. I grew up learning about cars from my dad and even had my own Matchbox/Hot Wheels collection. I love the older cars and the designs and lines on them!
Q: What is your favorite season in Northern Michigan? And what is your favorite activity to do in that season?
Without a doubt I am a fall lover! I know it’s fall when the pumpkin donuts appear in the case at Potter’s and I wait for it each year! Now that I have a grandson, it’s been a blast to go with him to the pumpkin patch and explore. We have been to Pahl’s Pumpkin Patch several times and they do a great job of catering to families. He loves to feed the animals!
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Home is the best place for gathering and for growing. Home is where I find my respite.
