Her bosses wanted her to shut up and do her work, says Cate of her mother’s bosses, but that was not who Helen was.  Helen grew up in South Carolina, one of three children raised by a farming family.

Her mother insisted she leave the farming life to her younger brothers and go to college. Within a few years, she was one of 5 women to graduate  from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Helen completed her teaching degree. Though she never taught in a classroom, she did teach her daughter that women are smart, they can work and raise children  at the same time.

Helen got a second shot at life later on  and said “there’s nothing you can’t do at 60 that you can at 40.” She embraced a new career and was attentive and  fond of her grandson.

Because Helen struggled with being a perfectionist, she took motherhood very seriously, and felt its’ confines. 

Once she recognized that her daughter was a strong and confident woman, she could relax and enjoy life. Cate says about her mom “she had a wonderful personality and great fashion sense and people were drawn to her.”

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Jackie Tantillo Podcaster

Jackie Tantillo loves being on both sides of the microphone –as Voice Over Artist and Producer/Engineer and in front of the camera as an On Camera Talent. She has been featured in National and International On Camera and Voice Over Commercials and Industrials. Over the years, she has mentored students with an interest in production and broadcasting and has volunteered with elementary school aged children in theatre production. Jackie is able to draw from her many years as a spokesperson and radio talent to bring warmth and insight to her many endeavors, including representative for organizations such as D.A.R.E., March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy and Easter Seals. A mom and the youngest of seven siblings, Italian American born in Rota Spain, Jackie or ‘Juani’ as her family and friends call her, comes from a very close knit family. Her knowledge of conversational French, Italian and Spanish has broadened the scope of her work. She lives in New Jersey and loves spending time with her family in the outdoors and traveling.