I graduated from Penn State with a BS in Textiles & Marketing.   During my time in ‘Happy Valley” I dated classmate Tom Cooper & we were even ‘pinned,’ but alas after 4 years it was not meant to be.   I moved back to Pittsburgh & waited tables before deciding that NYC was truly calling.   (a 6 month fashion internship during my junior year started my love affair with the city)   My first job was the Assistant to the Director of Advertising in the Domestics Division of Burlington Industries, the textile giant that sadly no longer exists.   In addition to shooting TV commercials, magazine ads & catalog photos, it was my responsibility to name all of the sheet and towel patterns.   So, if you have any Burlington bedding at home, know I named the print, J.   Another fun fact for any cooks out there, my first boss was Julee Rosso. I introduced her to Shelia Lukins, resulting in a union that produced the famed Silver Palate cookbooks etc.   Yes, I was offered an equity partnership but did not accept as entrepreneurship was not my thing…so young, so stupid!   A few years later a wonderful opportunity came my way, doubling my salary overnight.   Not to be stupid a second time, I joined Citicorp, now known as Citigroup, working for a division headed by John Reed, who later became the Chairman.   I remained in finance for 13 years, traveling to San Francisco monthly.   I had two small daughters so it was live-in nannies, etc.   One day it finally got to me & poof I quit!   After 6 months of ‘eating bon-bons & being brain dead in the burbs,’ I decided it was time to do something.   Everyone knew of my love & longing for fashion so I was approached about a new line of upscale women’s clothing to be sold out of the home.   I joined the Worth Collection & spent 12 years climbing the corporate ladder.   A competitor, Carlisle, recruited me away to be one of their 4 Directors, specifically, Business Development.   Three years later I was recruited by Bill Blass New York as the VP of Sales.   It was the plum fashion job: gorgeous fabrics, unparalleled design, construction & an iconic label.   Attending NY Fashion Week twice a year to see the Spring & Fall fashion shows was extraordinary!   Unfortunately, the financial Armageddon of 2008 closed the business & I have been in quasi-retirement, running a small sales & marketing consulting business.

On the personal side, I was roommates with classmate Karen Duncan until 1978 when I married Robert Parfet, a Connecticut Yankee who also attended Penn State.   We lived in NY for over 25 years & have two remarkable daughters, Katie 29 in LA & Andy 24 in NYC. Thirteen years ago we decided to have a family adventure & up & moved to Denver Colorado.   It was blissful for the first ten years & then it wasn’t. Sadly, we are divorcing after 33 years of marriage, so maybe the reunion will provide for new connections & a new future. I spend my free time doing all the amazing things that so many pay princely sums to do: ski, hike, bike & enjoy over 300 days of clear blue sky & no humidity. I like to think it keeps me young!