Losing my daughter to brain cancer, supporting my husband through 22  years of living with a disability, and raising my grandson who was 2lbs 9ozs at birth have given me challenges I never could anticipate.  Meeting their needs, accepting the inevitable, and keeping the family together have made me who I am today.  As I entered the "empty nest" for the second time, I was compelled to tell my story.  After telling my story, I was introduced to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, over 4.5 million of them.

Married 47 years, published my first book and ready to publish my second. I am on the State of Illinois Council on Aging, Committee for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

I am an advocate for children and grandparents, working hard to increase the knowledge of the general publich as to what these grandparents are accomplishing.