I am the newest member to be elected into the Board of Trustees of the RRESMC; am serving as Secretary of the Board, and would like to share some information about myself. I was born and grew up in a small town in south central Kansas and have been aware of the Masonic way of life from the time I was young. My Maternal Grandparents were members of the local Masonic Lodge and the Eastern Star Chapter in my home town.

At a very early age I was diagnosed with Scoliosis and at age 5 was accepted into the Shiners’ medical program where I was treated through the age of 18. I know that without the help of the Kansas Shiners’ I would have suffered a great deal more with the disability. During a portion of my high school years I was a member of the Rainbow Girls in my local community. I married my husband, Richard Wingate, in 1965 and we moved to South Carolina. He was in the military and we spent the next few years moving around until we finally settled in Colorado in 1973. I spent 22 years working for a national building materials distributor as the Western Regional Accounting Manager. In 2008 I retired from full time work.

Throughout my adult life I had always dreamed of having the opportunity to again be a part of the Masonic family and in May of 2004 my husband and I both joined South Gate #104 Order of the Eastern Star. He had just become a 3rd degree Mason. Immediately after being initiated I was asked if I would fill the Star Point position of Martha. Since I had just lost my only surviving brother to cancer I thought this was a good fit and was able to put a great deal of emotion into Martha’s lecture. The next year I became the Associate Conductress and went through the line until becoming Worthy Matron for the 2008/2009 year. Since that time I have again held the position of Martha and am currently serving as Associate Conductress. I am also a member of Eastern Star’s Alpha club and a member of Daughter’s of the Nile.

I am looking forward to working with the members of the Board of Trustees. It is a great group of individuals who have made tremendous strides in the Center’s profitability over the past several months. With the continued support of the Grand Chapter of Colorado, the Grand Lodge of Colorado, Colorado Eastern Star Chapters and Colorado Lodges as well as other Masonic family members, the Center has an excellent opportunity for future growth and development that I am excited to be a part of.