I was born in Helsinki, Finland. When I was still an infant my family immigrated first to Malmo, Sweden where my brother was born and then six months later to Canada, where my second brother was born. My folks always said they didn't move after that because they thought a family of five was enough. My childhood was spent in Belle River a very small town in southern Ontario in the Windsor/Detroit hinterland.

In 1975 we moved to Ottawa, Canada's capital where I attended Glebe Collegiate Institute in Ottawa, the alma mater of Canadian singer, Alanis Morisette! I married and had three children….

then went back to school:

B.A., M.A. Carleton University - Ottawa, Canada
Ph.D. University of Ottawa - Canada

My doctoral degree was granted on December 15, 1997. My doctoral project is titled Charismatic Patronage and Brokerage: Episcopal Leadership in the Letters of Ignatius of Antioch, an examination of the role of "charisma" in the selection of early church leaders.

My hobbies include exercise and fitness, reading historical novels, sewing and cross-stitching.