I was born in London and have a younger brother. Six years of my childhood was spent as a child of the war, living with various relatives who were able to accommodate us. I was influenced by a large extended family, especially my four grandparents who taught me about caring for others. There was a wonderful maiden aunt who made herself responsible for my religious and cultural education. This was a family in which I felt much loved, so was not happy to leave them and come to Australia in 1951.

I completed my high school education in Sydney where I had relatives and friends. My mother, stepfather and brother lived in Launceston, so Tasmania was home. My mother had a home here until she died in 1983.

I completed two nursing certificates in Sydney and married there in 1959. My children Peter, Carolyn and Kevin were born in Sydney. when Kevin was three years old I returned to full time work, and later studies in Nursing Education and Gerontic Nursing. From 1971-1995 I had a busy career as nurse teacher and nurse manager in acute and aged care facilities, mostly in NSW.

In 1995 I moved to Tasmania to live nearer to Carolyn and her family. From 1996-2000 I worked as a nurse manager for a local aged care provider servicing clients in their own homes. In 2001 I retired from nursing practice.

I have a passion for maintaining the dignity and independence of older persons so have volunteered to work in the local community. I have been involved in pastoral visiting in the parish since 2001, and also involved in lay ministry.

I have a supportive and caring family, Carolyn, Emily and Charlotte at Carrick, Kevin in Sydney, and Peter and Gail and their children Peta-Erin and Alexandra also in Sydney.