After a peripatetic upbringing as what's commonly known as an "Army brat," eldest of four sisters, I majored in English Literature at Swarthmore College (followed by an MS in Elementary Education six years later). After graduation, I headed for California and life--complete with many more moves—ensued. Eventually I enjoyed a 24-year career at Intel as what I call a "Business Process Engineer." With some aptitude for figuring out how multiple diverse departments can work together smoothly, effectively, and efficiently to achieve common business objectives. I managed several groups at Intel, traveled to Intel locations around the world and made presentations to all levels of management.
I applied the same skills—analysis, synthesis, and communication—as I dug into a collection of letters saved by my great-grandfather and wrote Reflections of a Civil War Locomotive Engineer: a ghost-written memoir. My new work, inspired by a painting now in the Portland (Oregon) Art Museum, is also historical fiction: a trilogy entitled Women Absent Their Men: Betrayal - Adèle's Story, Call to Arms - Jeannette's story and Pulling Together - Emma's Story.
Settling down at last, I lived near Portland, OR for eighteen years before moving into the city in 2010. I love to read, of course, as well as to write. I'm on the board of two prominent arts organizations and was thrilled to have been a supernumerary in several Portland Opera productions. I enjoy cooking, yoga and walking for exercise, and travel. Widowed shortly before I retired, I have three grown children, and two grandsons. Since retiring, in addition to researching and writing a few books and learning a little Italian, I married Gary Piercy, gaining three grown step-children, and now five step-grandsons.
