Mercedes came to the Westward Ho in the summer 2000. She has helped computer users on a weekly basis ever since. She says that she teaches the fast and furious methods of using the computer, while Denise Thatcher, our other wonderful teacher sponsored by APS, teaches the slower, correct ones. Mercedes says her husband, Tom, sponsors her so she can come here. We are very grateful to him for sharing the lady with the long red hair and the sparkling personality.

After I got to talking to Mercedes I concluded that she has lived a fascinating life. She was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, but having an adventurous nature and Irish blood, (Murphy is her name) she went to Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Finishing there she went off to Spain for a year where she met the Englishman she married. He took her to live in a country house, from which she commuted to London for four years to work as a recruiter for International Banking. One day she took the wrong train, which wrecked. She nurses a bad hip to this day. Mercedes' account of house heating in England and Ireland can give you the shivers, but her sense of humor never failed her.

In 1987, after her divorce, she came to Phoenix where she met her husband, Tom, the first week. She worked as a real estate appraiser and a computer sales woman. Her love of literature led to a job in a bookstore for three years. Her love of singing resulted in the opening of a roadhouse with her partner called Open Mike's where musicians can gather to sing and play. Mercedes says she has been singing Etta James torch songs recently.

Mercedes can always give you valuable tips on computer activities. She says her main purpose as a volunteer is to help people get over being intimidated by a computer. When you've got friends like Mercedes to help you, that's a cinch. This summer her sessions in the Computer Lab are going to be very informal with a lot of laughs. Check her out Tuesdays, 2:30 to 4.