Why did you join the Junior League?

As a newcomer to Omaha and a stay-at-home mom, I saw the League as a wonderful opportunity to learn about and contribute to the community, to make new friends and connections, and to develop new skills.

Tell us about your family? I have two married daughters and five grandchildren, all in Omaha. My husband died from ALS eleven years ago.

Hometown: Buffalo, Minnesota

College: Gustavus Adolphus, St. Peter, Minnesota

Sorority: Alpha Phi Rho (a local sorority)

Job/Business: I am retired. Most recently I was co-owner of a small business, Legal Information Services, providing online research and document retrieval for attorneys. Before having children I was a high school English teacher.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

As a newlywed, I spent two years in the Republic of the Philippines, where my husband was stationed as a Navy JAG lawyer. Until this point I had never lived more than 100 miles from where I grew up. This experience made me more self-reliant and open to people whose backgrounds are different from mine.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?

I love being on or around water, whether it is kayaking on a Minnesota lake, walking the beach in South Carolina, or watching the sunset from a balcony overlooking the Isle of Capri. 

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

At the top of my bucket list is a visit to Norway and Sweden.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?

I recently enjoyed Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger.

What are you most proud of?

My family

What is one of your favorite quotes?

In a recent column one of my favorite writers, Anne Lamott, repeats theologian Paul Tillich’s famous quote that the opposite of faith is not doubt but certainty. She says that getting older has given her more comfort in not knowing the answers, and she writes, “Sometimes faith looks like myopia; I don’t see everyone’s faults as clearly as I used to, let alone my own.”

What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?

I love to read, particularly good literary fiction. Other ways I enjoy spending my time are playing bridge or golf and having playdates with my grandchildren.

Anything else you would like to add…

For the past 25 years I have played in an English handbell choir at Trinity Lutheran Church. I also spent 15 years as the director of the children’s music program at Trinity.

Sandy shared this great page of the Junior Leagues Monthly Newsletter from her provisional year!