Barb was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and lived in western Pennsylvania until going away to college.

Barb and Dave met while he was in high school and she in junior high. They were friends and dated until Dave went to Penn State. Barb later went off to Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia where she received a degree in English and History.

She and Dave soon reconnected and married after their college graduations.

Dave worked for Eaton Corporation his entire career and his job transfers first took them to Buffalo where Barb taught until their children were born. They lived in the same neighborhood as some of the Sabres hockey team and they remain avid Sabres and Buffalo Bills fans.

They then moved to Bedforshire, England, which was an English major's dream come true. They enjoyed wonderful travels and Barb worked on an archeological dig in her village.

Their next move was to Yorba Linda, California where Barb taught some, did graduate work and then did contract work for Southern California Gas Company. She managed an energy conservation program for four years and loved it because it was so out of her career range yet fit her perfectly.

When this project ended, Barb worked for a not-for-profit agency called Olive Crest Treatment Center for Abused and Abandoned Children where she was their staff recruiter. That center and what they do still have a special place in her heart.

Their next move was back to Bedfordshire, England. The kids were grown by this time so they really had time to travel and loved it all over again. They then spent 3.5 years in Burlington, Ontario followed by Dave's final posting at headquarters in Pittsburgh.

They retired to New Mexico because their two sons and their families live nearby.

Barb's hobbies currently include Spanish lessons, Pilates and reading, but her real passions are her family, faith and friends.

She hopes she has not had her fifteen minutes of fame yet, but does remember being very happy about graduating from college with distinction on her oral and written exams and receiving an outstanding writing award. On a lighter note, she taught school with Joe Paterno's wife and met Salvadore Dali at a New York hotel.

If she won the lottery she would split it between breast cancer research and a system to track and prosecute child abusers.

She most admires people who can handle every day stresses in life well. She specifically admires Randy Pausch.

Barb was completely awestruck as a child when she first saw the Badlands in South Dakota. Her other favorite trips included going to the Dordogne/Loire Valley in France in the 90's and their trip to Africa in 2007 which included Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. This photo was taken in front of Table Rock on this trip:

She does not like to have regrets, but would like a few "do- overs!!"

Things she wouldn't want to live without are her dog Ben, laughter, any live theatre, chocolate, tea, books and a cool breeze.

Her favorite TV programs growing up were I Love Lucy and the Perry Como Show. As a child she once had her hair cut at Perry's barbershop!

Barb loathes people who drink too much and then drive, as well as people who aren't accountable for their actions.