Leila D'Aiutolo Parke
Marital Status:
Married to Kevin Parke for 22 years
Children? If so, how many?
Four boys: Chris 17, Calvin 13, Oliver 11, Tyler 8
Education:
NYU : BS in Accounting
Occupation:
Certified Public Accountant: 1980-1987
Fulltime Mother: 1987-present
Volunteer and Professional Activities:
I'm actively involved with my children's schools in many areas particularly focused on costuming for the drama department.
Current hobbies and interests:
Running, biking, reading, traveling, cooking and sewing.
What percentage of your hair is visibly gray (is this a trick question?)
More each year. Maybe that has something to do with a favorite quote: You can't scare me, I have children.
If you had one year free of all responsibility and unlimited funds, what would you do?
My husband thinks that's how I live now.
What are the most rewarding things that you have done in your life?
Raising 4 wonderful (in my eyes) sons (it has been more demanding than I ever imagined - but aren't most of the worthwhile things in life?), being part of a great marriage and having a strong faith in God.
What rewarding things do you plan to do in your life?
More of the same but with more wrinkles.
What are your favorite non-family related things to do in your free time?
Reading and biking.
And as for favorite family activities: skiing (or snowboarding - that's my 17 year old, not me), hiking (our favorite… last year we spent a week hiking in the Swiss Alps) and traveling.
How would you best describe your idea of "being successful?"
Understanding life. For me, that is faith, love and family.
What are your most vivid memories of your days in Ridgewood?
The great people: my friends and my sister Louise (RHS '74).
What achievement or activity are you most proud of in your life?
Surviving cancer and its treatment (mostly stoic), childbirth four times (barely stoic), and last year biking 260 miles in a week through the hills of Tuscany, Italy (not stoic at all - but a lot of fun).
What single piece of wisdom would you like to leave for the next generation?
Don't just do things, do things with passion. & Get plenty of sleep.
How have you changed since high school?
I don't think that I've changed very much - hopefully I've just smoothed the rough parts. I try to remember these important words: It's not always black and white. Know just when to jump off of the swing. Eat dessert first.
What else should we know about you?!
I've loved receiving emails from many of you and hearing what is going on in your lives. Thank you. I look forward to seeing many friends from all different stages of my time in Ridgewood ( high school, junior high and elementary school) at the reunion.