Maureen Dwyer was born and raised in Rochester, New York, of Irish and Italian descent.
Named
after her Sicilian grandfather, Mauro, Maureen immigrated to Canada in
1963 to attend the University of Toronto.
After
completing a B. A. (history) degree in 1968, she joined Canada Law Book
Limited' s editorial department first as a proofreader and then as
production manager of Canadian Patent Reporter.
Although
tempted to pursue a career in law book publishing, Maureen chose to
return to U. of T. for a B. Ed., in order to enter the field of
education. Downtown teaching positions in grades 7 & 8 with Toronto
Metropolitan Separate School Board followed for the next six years.
Maureen found the 1970's to be a dynamic period in education and her
years teaching both
challenging and personally rewarding. However, a need for a more
creative lifestyle drove her to seek new direction. She
discovered opportunities at
Sheridan College Metalwork Department's summer workshops in
Mississauga, Ontario. Intensive instruction in metalwork techniques and
design concepts introduced her to the exciting possibilities of a new
way of life in which to find artistic fulfillment.
While
supply-teaching for income, Maureen started to practice and gather
'tips' from fellow craftsmen and night school courses at George Brown
College's Jewellery Arts Department (Toronto), continuing her process of
learning jewellery craftmanship. The 'people skills' from teaching-days,
as well as the 'paper skills' from publishing-days helped her in the
challenging tasks for survival as artisan and self-employed woman in the
late 70's and years ahead.
Maureen's struggle for self-fulfillment teamed up with Pepe Fernandez's similar struggle. In 1975, with few resources but intense determination, they created a partnership.
For the story of Pepe & Maureen Ltd., search "BUSINESS HISTORY" and discover more!
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