I am not a Worcester native, but I have grown to love my adopted city. I was born in Quincy, MA (the city of Presidents) and grew up in Braintree, Ma, south of Boston. I moved to Worcester in 1965 when I married Norm Jewers. I graduated from Bridgewater State University and taught briefly in elementary schools in West Yarmouth and Rutland, MA. I worked part-time while raising my children and then had a career in various administrative positions, retiring from Worcester State University in 2016. I have enjoyed volunteering over the years in my church (Greendale People’s Church), Worcester’s Ecumenical Council, Worcester Women’s History Project, the city’s Status of Women Advisory Committee, Commission on Elder Affairs and Senior Center, Ward3/Worcester Democratic Committee, AARP, and The Hanover Theater.
Please tell us about your current career and what you love most about what you do?
I am retired and enjoy doing whatever I want, whenever I want. I love singing with Worcester’s Post Road Chorus, Sweet Adelines International and bringing the joy of barbershop, 4 part acapella harmony to elder sites and various organizations in our community.
What is your favorite restaurant in Worcester, and what is your favorite dish?
LaCucina. I love their eggplant rollatini.
Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met?
Julie Andrews. She was at a fundraiser for Worcester Public Schools, and I attended with my granddaughter, Kali, who was playing Brigitta Von Trapp in the Barre Players production of “The Sound of Music” at the time.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
West Hartlepool, England because that’s where my mother was born in 1905. I’ve not done a “heritage trip” to visit where it all began with my grandparents, Charles F. and Mary Best. I often remind my grandchildren they are from the “Best family.”
What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
My son, Gary, plays keyboard and my grandson, Nathan, plays guitar in their band, “NRG”. They do not have a CD, but Gary recorded with “31 North”, a band he and Rodger (the “R” in “NRG”) performed in many years ago.
What is your best advice?
Sing, pray, be happy … celebrate happy times exuberantly and store up the “happy” for whatever follows. Life is challenging, and it all goes much too quickly!
What is one of the top three items on your Bucket List?
Stay healthy
What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Worcester?
The Crompton Collective and the businesses in and around the historic Canal district
Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative with whom would you love to have lunch? Why?
Boston College Professor, Heather Cox Richardson. Her “Letters from an American” have help me maintain some relative sanity over the past five years, and I’d not only love to hear/learn more, but would love to thank her personally.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Active and healthy, enjoying children, grandchildren and “greats” … stayin’ alive and rockin’ it!
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you, even your friends or family.
Some people know, but most interesting is that I walked the Bermuda Marathon in 1998 in memory of Don Langille who died of multiple myeloma in 1995 – 26.2 miles by walking the small island route twice
What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, comfort, joy
If a motion picture was made of your life, what actor/actress would you choose to play you?
Kathy Bates
What is your favorite thing or something unique about Worcester?
Worcester has awareness of becoming an “age friendly” city and celebrates diversity, not only in population, but with many ethnic celebrations and various venues for art, sports, theater, etc.
What is your favorite smell?
Apples baking in the oven
Who inspires you to be better?
My grandchildren
