I grew up in a small town in Vermont as the eldest of four children. According to my middle sibling, I was the favorite, though of course, that wasn’t true. Even though we lived in town, we had cows, turkeys, ducks, and pigs. My father maintained a large garden on our property.

I attended Catholic schools, and while I was shy, school could be difficult at times. At home, I took care of my brother and two sisters, as my mother had to work since my father didn’t always have steady employment.

In 1962, I met the man who would become my husband. He was good-looking, and what more could I want? It took him four years to propose, and of course, I said yes.