She was among the first women to take the New York firefighters written
exam in 1977.
Before her film career, she worked an interesting mix of jobs -
waitress, she worked in a high school and a group home for women. She
was a cabdriver when a co-worker, who worked part time as a film
editor, inspired her to take film classes.
Studied film at Hunter College and got her first film job in 1983 as an
apprentice film editor.
New York Medical Examiner ruled her death as a suicide, however, her
family is disputing the findings.