City of Montclair Township

How old are you? 90 

Where were you born? I was born in Montclair, NJ. But my family came from Bermuda. My mother arrived first, and my father came later. They were married in Montclair.  I lived in several locations in Montclair before I settle into my current home.

Are you currently employed?  If so, doing what?  If you had a career, what was it? I was a dietitian through my career. I worked at places like Clara Mass Hospital in Belleville, NJ and Manhattan General Hospital in New York City. I was involved with Title III nutrition program for the elderly. I was Director of Nutrition for seven sites that fed the elderly in Patterson.  

How have you been engaged in the community?  I am member of the National Association of Colored Women’s’ Club at the regional level and have serves as Regional President of this organization.  I worked with the Status of Women organization for Essex County. We sought to improve facilities for women at the Prison in Caldwell. We trained at Bloomfield College and enacted changes such as providing for enclosures for women to get to the restrooms. I am also an Ordained Elder and an Ordained Deacon at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montclair. I supervised Sunday School at this facility and developed the Girl Scout Program for the Church. I was a docent at the Montclair Historic Society providing tours for visitors on Sundays.

What are some of the most important lessons you feel you have learned throughout your life?  You have to give (of your time) to receive. Be involved in your community in order to foster needed changes. Life is too short to have “hate” in it.

What is your mantra or words you live by? You will have ups and downs in life, but you have to be diligent about your participation in life. Be aware of things that are happening around you.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will acknowledge and direct you.

What are your plans for future? How does Montclair fit into these plans?  I hope that I can spend the rest of my life living in Montclair.  When you get older you need to hang on to all your family and friends and the memories that you have made here. Montclair is a good town to live in.  I don’t want to start over again in another area, but Montclair taxes may drive me away.