Michelle Warren – Jan 2023
The ‘Marie Beernink Volunteer Appreciation Award winner for January 2023 is Michelle Warren. She was born and grew up in New York City until moving to Arizona in 2002 when she was 54 years old. 54 years old – boy does that sound young, right!?
Our winner was born to an Irish-born father and Irish mother whose immigrant parents arrived in the US in the early 20th century. Our VOM is all things Irish! Her Ancestry DNA results list her as 90% Irish with small percentages from Scotland and Wales. The last time I heard, she had traveled back to Ireland only 10-12 times in her life! She has plans to travel back to Ireland again later this year, spending time with several of her first cousins.
As a financial analyst, she worked in the legal department for TIAA, a pension fund company in NYC, and retired from there after 36 years before moving to Arizona.
In addition to her interest in family history research, she is an active volunteer and Board Member of the Sun City Craft Club and helps with the planning of their spring and fall craft fairs. She is a creative and talented jewelry designer as well!
Our winner has been a WVGS Member since September 2003 and was a Member of the important Long-Range Planning Committee. She eagerly attended the British Isles and Italy SIGs, assorted Classes, and our annual Seminar. For many years, she was a member of the Seminar Committee, organizing and planning the Registration procedures for the Annual Event, putting together the Seminar packets, and representing the Seminar at our Annual Open Houses. She resigned after last year’s Seminar to spend more time with her husband of 51 years.
Her energy, hard-working skills, and devotion to WVGS are greatly appreciated.
Written by Cathy Gallagher, and presented by Stephanie Sparks.