Mitzi Harrington DeWitt, born Waterbury, Connecticut, 12-27-31, has lived in approximately 30 homes in 10 states and Washington DC. She attended eight elementary schools, three high schools and three colleges with Bachelors, Masters and Doctorates in Education and Human Development. Her father was in public relations and was a newspaperman. Her mother was an exceptional homemaker. Her only brother was a lawyer. The family thrived on their love of reading, music, free-thinking conversation, intellectual curiosity and exploration.

Her first husband of 12 years she met in the Navy where she worked in public relations and administration for five years. He was a photojournalist for newspapers and magazines, including the National Geographic. Her second and deeply loved husband, Lee, started as a beekeeper, a farmer, contractor, chemist, nuclear physicist and tax preparer. He received a national commendation for his participation in the rescue of children during the Bosnian war as an ambulance driver with the British forces. All the above family members are now deceased.

After her service in the Navy, she taught in both private and public schools until 1965 when she joined the faculty of the College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC, until retirement in 1995, with a sabbatical at the Hospital for Sick Children in DC. She did research in the fields of disabilities and handicapping conditions, provided training for graduate students in several areas of helping professions, and gave service to these children, ages 0-21, and their families to assist in the evaluation and treatment for psycho-developmental and educational needs.

Presently she works as a volunteer and was runner-up Volunteer of the Year in the most recent Times-News contest. She is on the board for R.S.V.P. and several other organizations, works front-stage at several Allegany County theatres, sings with two choral groups and is president of September Singers. She is docent at local historical sites and Gilchrist Art Gallery. She works with Red Cross disaster services, both locally and nationally, including Puerto Rico, and is also a certified Red Cross instructor. She volunteers with the local Humane Society in schools and the broader community. She leads a group of enthusiastic seniors, calling themselves Silver Liners, who provide fun and enrichment to groups, including the medically challenged and the elderly, through singing, dancing, reading and sharing. The largest part of her time, energy, and budget goes to express her love for and caring of the numerous critters of various species that she calls family.