On Friday evening, April 23, the Women’s Board of Trinity Mother Frances Foundation will hold their fifth annual Pearls & Promises Gala at Villa di Felicita. The evening will include dinner, dancing, a wonderful auction, and prize items. Proceeds from the gala will benefit healthcare services for underserved women and children through Trinity Mother Frances’ hospitals and clinics.

     Annalisa Stenklyft, an active and dedicated servant of the Tyler community, is a member of the Women’s Board of Trinity Mother Frances Foundation and is serving as chairperson for this year’s Pearls & Promises Gala. She also lends her time as a member of both the Women’s Symphony League and the Tyler Museum of Art, and is a lifetime member of Andy Woods PTA.

     “I did not grow up in Tyler but feel that I became a part of the community through volunteering,” Mrs. Stenklyft said.  “I started out by helping with our sons’ activities in Boy Scouts, PTA, Catholic Christian Doctrine at church, and their sports’ organizations.  These activities gave me the opportunity to meet and work with people who shared a common goalspending time with family and making our community a better place.  Everyone can connect with others through volunteering.”

     Mrs. Stenklyft is originally from Houston, Texas, and has lived in Tyler for 27 years.  She received her bachelor of science degree in education from The University of Texas at Tyler and is certified in elementary education, psychology, and library science.  Mrs. Stenklyft and her husband, Jay, have three grown sons, two daughters-in-law, and a granddaughter.  Mrs. Stenklyft serves as a Eucharistic Minister at the Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception.

     “My husband and I love to travel and we have visited many countries around the world, but our favorite place in the world is Tyler, Texas,” Mrs. Stenklyft said.  “There are so many people in our community that give of themselves so that we all have a better place to live.”