A Westerly Sun series focusing on people you should know
September 8, 2019: The Westerly Sun – Interview arranged and edited by Nancy Burns-Fusaro Photo by Hank Hanna – The Westerly Sun
AGE: 49
OCCUPATION: Development and Outreach Director at Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation and Business Compliance Manager at Pfizer.
RESIDENCE: Westerly.
BORN, RAISED & GREW UP IN: Pawcatuck.
RIGHT NOW, I’M IN THE MIDDLE OF: Getting ready for the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation’s 14th Annual Walk Across Southeastern Connecticut both as a walk team lead and a half-marathon participant.
I ENJOY SPENDING MY TIME: With my daughter and reading on the beach.
MY PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: First and foremost, my amazing daughter Grace. Secondly, letting my experience with breast cancer motivate me to become more involved with the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation — as a walker, as a volunteer and now the director of development and outreach.
I’D LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR: Being kind, laughing, working hard and giving back whenever I can.
TOP ON MY BUCKET LIST: Scuba diving with sharks; running a 5K
I ALWAYS CARRY: I’m embarrassed to say that I am at the age where I always need to have reading glasses with me.
WHAT I WANTED TO BE WHEN I GREW UP: A vet or a teacher.
MY HERO IS: I feel that I have been fortunate to have so many heroes in my life — it’s hard to choose just one.
FAVORITE AUTHORS: Harlan Coben, Ruth Ware, Shari Lapena.
BOOKS ON MY NIGHT STAND: “Treasure Island,” “An Unwanted Guest,” “The Turn of the Key,” “Go Set a Watchman” … way too many — I spent some time in a book store during a recent vacation to the Cape.
I AM LISTENING TO: Whatever my 12-year-old listens to — I don’t have much say in that these days.
LAST MOVIE WATCHED: All 7 Harry Potter movies. My 12-yearold daughter Grace was home with an ear infection, so we basically binge-watched them.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Ellen’s Game of Games — I laugh out loud every time I watch it.
FAVORITE RADIO SHOW: I don’t have one.
FAVORITE SONG/GENRE OF MUSIC: I pretty much listen to anything.
TOP COMFORT FOOD: Pizza.
SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES I USE MOSTLY: I guess Facebook, but that is sporadic.
TRAITS I MOST ADMIRE: Kindness, thoughtfulness and sense of humor.
PET PEEVES: Lack of a sense of humor.
FAVORITE QUOTATION: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT OUR LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD: The beaches — we are so fortunate to be so close to them. Every once in a while, I can smell the ocean from my back deck.
CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: Being near the beach.
LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT ME: I won a car when I graduated from high school.
BEST ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED: Just be nice — you will never regret being nice.
ADVICE I BEST LIKE TO GIVE: Remember everyone has good intentions — most people are not trying to upset you.
IF I RULED THE WORLD I WOULD: Ensure everyone laughed more.
IF I WON THE LOTTERY, THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS: Probably faint.
I DRIVE A: 2019 blueish GMC Terrain.
I WISH I DROVE A: It does not matter. I am not a big car person.
ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE: Yogurt, cheese and milk. I am just realizing that it’s mostly dairy … especially if you count all the ice cream that is always in the freezer.
IF I COULD INVITE ONE SPECIAL PERSON TO JOIN ME FOR DINNER AND CONVERSATION, I WOULD INVITE: Norma Logan, one of the founders of the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation. I would love to be able to thank her and tell her that she started the most amazing foundation and she chose the very best people to continue her vision. I hope that she is proud of what TBBCF has and continues to accomplish. Thank you, Norma!