I was born at home, 1445 N. 8th Street in Milwaukee, WI on February 23, 1941. The oldest daughter of three brothers and three sisters of which my sister, Renee passed away at 28 years of age. I attended Lee Street School, St. Benedict the Moor Grade School, St. Catherine's High School in Racine, WI, studied for three years to become a Dominican sister; returned to St. Benedict the Moor High School, graduated in 1959; graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College as an L.P.N. in 1974; graduated from ITT Career Training about 1984. My working career as various as my poems--as an L.P.N., Social Work Aide, Alcoholism/Drug Counselor, secretary to the Dean of Students in Milwaukee; secretary at the American Red Cross in St. Croix and Milwaukee; secretary to a Senator in Christiansted, and at the fi rst Kmart in Frederiksted, US Virgin Islands. My love for the Veterans encouraged me to volunteer at the USO in Milwaukee and St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. I was married for twenty-four years, have two daughters, one son, one granddaughter and two grandsons. Joe W. Cocroft died on the day before Thanksgiving, November 21, 2007 at the age of 68 years. I had a dream, three months earlier that he passed away, had written it down, but forgot about it. I truly miss Joe. We were divorced twenty-four years, yet remained friends up until his death. "My Magic Mirror," my fi rst booklet of poetry was self-published in 1988. May 7, 2017 I have had a loss of friendship, but also lots of compliments especially by my family. I reread the book to encourage myself and have found a few errors, but mostly I love the book and the design. Although it is painful for me to read, I fall back in love when I read my love store. I have been asked to write more, but nothing is stirring up there. I usually write when I have a broken heart, but nothing is being stirred up. I truly appreciate everyone that purchased my book.
