Cathy Strong flies more often than Mary Poppins

Cathy Strong with new grandson

Cathy Strong, the 1970s State Desk reporter who is on the Massey University faculty in Wellington, New Zealand, has more frequent flier miles than I do, and I’ve been to 53 countries and 43 states.

Cathy is in Massachussetts visiting her daughter, Penelope, and the latest grandchild courtesy of Penelope and her husband for the holidays.

A few months ago, Cathy visited Cathy’s sister, Janet Mullins, who lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Cathy’s daughters Rebecca, Amanda and Penelope all have contributed to her pile of grandchildren.

Rebecca is married to Dion Hewson. Both are in the New Zealand Navy. Rebecca and Dion have three daughters and a son. They were married in 2005 in the tiny historic Pukekaraka St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Otaki, New Zealand.

Amanda married Jeff Shima near Waiouru, New Zealand in 2013. They have a daughter.

Penelope married John Wayne Pint in Martinborough, in the wine country of New Zealand in 2014. She’s the new mother of the grandchildren Cathy is holding in the photo.