"I’ve tried a lot of things...worked in  government offices,  taught aviation ground school, designed note paper, pumped gas, lectured to single-parents,  edited best-seller books, ferried old airplanes, done pet portraits,  and raised six productive, bright children.   I’ve lived in eight states, in the desert, in the mountains, in corn country  and by the beach.  I’ve owned a dozen airplanes and logged 3500 flying hours, most often fifteen minutes at a time.  What have I learned?  Never make a threat you aren’t willing to carry out. Never make a promise you can’t keep.  Think before you talk.  Smile every morning.   Keep high standards.  Watch your language and your spelling.  Love someone.  Don’t worry about things you can’t change.     Keep the airplane straight down the runway.  Survive.” 

Born in California, graduated from Wilson High School in Long Beach at age 16.  Worked in offices, married a jet pilot, started a family that numbered six...Kristel, Robert, Erica, James, Jonathan and Bethany.  Six grandchildren, six step-grandchildren.   Owned great numbers of cats, dogs, cows and one horse.  Started flying in 1958, but didn't solo until 1968.  Has been an airport ramp rat ever since, a good thing, because that is where she met Jonathan Fineman, in 1978.  Now living ever after connected to an Arizona hangar.  

This photo is by Steven Ayers, an Arizona news photographer who was doing an article on local senior women who appeared to be lively.