First Person (Barb Fulara)

Where did you grow up? Berwyn (west side of Chicago).

Family: Husband, John, (retired) and three daughters. Crystal is married to Daniel Baker, and they live in Sedalia, Mo. where she is a homemaker and the mother of my three beautiful grandsons — Isaac (2 months), Ezekiel, 2, and Nathaniel 3. Justina works at Jimmy Johns and is completing her graduate degree in school counseling. Hannah works at Subway and will attend West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, Calif., in the fall majoring in missions.

Pets: 7-year-old goldfish named Cracker.

Occupation: Library media specialist/speech teacher at Hall High School in Spring Valley. I have taught for 37 years. I love what I do and look at my job as a mission. The kids at Hall are great!

What is the last song you Listened to: “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” My favorite song is the “Hallelujah Chorus” by Handel.

What is the last book you read: The Holy Bible.

What is the last TV show you watched: “The O’Reilly Factor.”

If you were stranded on a desert island and could have just one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Rock lobster tail with drawn butter, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, baked potato with butter and sour cream, and chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be: It is not a thing. I would want my husband, John, on the island with me.

What is your favorite local restaurant: Red Lobster.

If someone handed you a million dollars, how would you spend it: I would give at least 10 percent to my church, pay off my mortgage, help my children with their college loan debt, put the rest in the bank and think before spending the rest.

People would be surprised to know that you: If you do not know me well, you would be surprised that in February, I will be celebrating nine years of survival from Stage IV ovarian cancer. I am presently awaiting chemotherapy treatment for the fifth time.