Aunt Kitty. Catherine Toppitzer. My grand aunt, a great aunt. Delivery room nurse, soroptomist, director of funeral business. She had them coming and going. Constant supporter. July 17, 1912-March 22, 2003.	Mary Helen Finucane Toner, a.k.a. Granny. My best friend for 39 years. Bluffed her way onto viewing stand at Independence Hall during Kennedy's presidential run by answering "Pierre Salinger" when asked by Secret Service who she knew. Lover of literature. On her lap is the cat she forbade in the Ocean City house. Aug. 7, 1913-Oct. 14, 2004.
My childhood dance teacher had style but lacked heart.	At work on my next novel.
Mom -- Drena -- with our family crow, Oscar.  How could I not be a writer with a mom as cool as this?	Always had my sights set a bit higher than I could reach.
My sister, Christi. Who says boys don't like to play with dolls?	I would never start a rumor about my uncle Bob having crabs. Unless I had the pictures to prove it.