Biographies and photos of contributors

The Beacon Contributors

Deborah Boomer received a BA in Sociology from the University of Washington and a MA in Psychology from Antioch University in Seattle. After being central office technician at a Seattle phone company for 21 years, she spent 20 years as a private practice psychotherapist while also working as an emergency room clerk at Swedish. Deborah has one married daughter who she walked down the aisle in May 2017.

Jean Bullard graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a major in Zoology and became a writer/editor for the National Parks Service. She has also written several books. She and her husband, Bill, a national park ranger naturalist, raised four children in National Park areas and the family traveled to 36 countries. Jean also has seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. At age 93, writing is still part of her life.

Robert Christian received a BA in Education from Concordia Teachers College in Illinois and an MS in Educational Administration from Columbia University in New York. Bob taught elementary and secondary education in Lutheran Schools in the Bronx, Hong Kong, and finally in Seattle. Bob and his wife, Arleen, have five children, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Terri Erickson earned a BS in Biochemistry from Notre Dame College, Ohio and a MS in Biology from Fordham University. She was editor of her high school newsletter and wrote for the Cleveland News. Terri is mother of seven children, 16 grandchildren and one great granddaughter. “I write because I take pleasure in writing.” John Glover was born in Spokane, WA and raised in Wenatchee. He served 25 years in the Air Force as a Command Pilot. During that time he married his wife and they had four children together. Following the Air Force he spent 22 years working for Boeing. John has been living at The Mount for two years.

Joan Nilon, The Beacon’s Editor, earned a B.A. in Communications from Fordham University and a M.A. in Writing from New York University. She has published in several genres: Journalism, Newsletters, Fiction and Poetry and has taught both creative and business writing. Joan has three children and three grandchildren. Her daughter, Cathy, is a Chaplain at PMSV. “I write to reflect what I see and experience.”

Rita Schneider graduated as a registered nurse from St. Louis University’s St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing. She has been writing since childhood and put her memories of the early days of living in St. Louis into a book for her family. She has three sons and two granddaughters.

Lynn Wasson earned her law degree at the University of Michigan. After practicing law, she taught third grade for many years, which she loved. She started writing here at The Mount in her free time as ideas come to her and she illustrates her stories. Lynne has two daughters, one grandson and one granddaughter.

Joan Weeks earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Science from Oberlin College, Ohio, and did graduate work at Pennsylvania State University. Joan married an Air Force pilot who was killed in Southeast Asia. They had four children, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. “Writing has always been important in helping me to understand my life.”

Thank you to our contributing guest artists:

Jean Bullard Caroline Crabtree Sylvia Dongieux

Nancy Elliott Terri Erickson Lou Landino Pauline Lemaire, SP

Cathy Nilon Kenneth Sund Lynn Wasson

Volume 1, Issue 3 | Summer/Fall 2018 | THE BEACON 25

Sylvia Dongieux

Contributions in support of the arts, resident programs, and those in need here at The Mount, are gratefully received and appreciated. www.providence.org/themountdonate 4831 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126 206-938-6194