Born in Des Moines, Iowa, on August 2, 1943, she was the oldest of five children. Her family moved from Pennsylvania to Alabama after her father was stationed there following his service in the army. Settling in Decatur, she embraced her first love, music, playing the piano and joining the school band, where she met her high school sweetheart. She was also active in the choir, while her husband excelled as a talented athlete.

After graduating in 1961, she married Vincent “Wayne” in 1966 and welcomed a daughter who now thrives in Huntsville. With a passion for learning, she earned a degree in Mathematics from Birmingham-Southern College and built a successful career as a mathematician. She mastered a programming language and contributed her expertise at Amtran, specializing in man-machine interface computers.

Her dedication led her to become the head of delegation for the International Standards Organization, providing her with opportunities to travel the world. She explored diverse places such as Brazil, Tokyo, England, Germany, and Hawaii, leaving her mark by publishing standards for computer graphics functionality, preserved in the Library of Science.

Eventually, she discovered Monark Grove through her caregiver, Clarinda. Embracing this new chapter, she found a place she truly cherished, a testament to her resilient spirit and unwavering pursuit of happiness.