I have had a wonderful life. I was raised in Ferndale by two amazing parents, Elrid and Opal Spinas, who also inspired me to follow in their footsteps and become a teacher.

Also, it was love at first sight when I met my husband Randy when we were 17, married at 21 and are still happily married at 78. We loved raising our two wonderful kids, Brad and Heidi. We also love their spouses Stacie Bennett and Ryan Schlesiger and our four amazing grandsons, Nathan and Spencer Bennett, and Tyler and Blake Schlesiger. ​

We are both fortunate to have friends we love, with whom we have traveled and spent many happy occasions. ​

We also love our neighbors in Fortuna and are thankful we found our house here 54 years ago when my husband began his career as a teacher in Fortuna. ​

Teaching is the best job I could have chosen. I did my best to share what I knew and loved and I always learned from my students too. ​

I feel so grateful to have lived in a county that is filled with so many amazing outdoor places and to have had a life filled with so much love and friendship.