JD: I grew up in White Plains, N.Y., a northern suburb of Manhattan. I received a BA in English at Mount Holyoke College and a master’s at Tufts University, both in Massachusetts. I met my husband, Andy, who was at Harvard University and we were married the week of our graduation. We lived in Cambridge until he finished business school, then he went into the Navy. We wound up in Washington, D.C., living on Capitol Hill. Both of our children, Judith and Peter, were born there. Andy was at the Pentagon, and I worked on Capitol Hill, monitoring legislation for the private sector. We moved to Miami in 1973 with two tiny kids and didn’t know anyone. 

 

 

JD: It was great to teach students who were bright and receptive. They were well-prepared and really enjoyed learning. I also enjoyed having colleagues that I liked and respected. I really felt I was working with some very exceptional people. There was a group of us contemporaries who got along well and truly liked each other. We had a lot of freedom, and I appreciated that. 

 

RE: How did you see things change during your time at RE? 

 

JD: Of course, there were the physical changes to campus, a new gym and auditorium, for instance, but as the school grew, it became more diverse, which was a good thing. 

 

RE: What do you miss most about teaching? 

 

JD: I miss the stimulation and sense of purpose, but I was totally ready to retire. My mother was in her 90s and I wanted to be available to her. I do get a sense of purpose, gratification and connection through the volunteer work I do at the Children’s Bereavement Center.  

 

 

JD: I’m not a hobbyist, but I do stay busy with a lot of different activities. I’m a member of a funding arts network, which awards grants to local arts organizations, and a loyal alumna volunteer of Mount Holyoke College. I attend Zumba class, go to two book clubs and, of course, volunteer whenever possible. My husband and I have reentered the world (after Covid) and enjoy entertaining, visiting with friends and going to concerts. We spent the month of September in Australia and New Zealand.