• Home
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • State Board Info
    • D.B.E. Scholarship Fund
    • Charities We Support
  • Join Us
  • Chapters
    • Chatsworth
    • Commonwealth Rose
    • Royal Daffodil
    • Sandhurst
    • Contact Us
    • Membership Blog
  • The Victorian Tea
  • Fun Facts
  • More
    • Home
    • About Us
      • Our History
      • State Board Info
      • D.B.E. Scholarship Fund
      • Charities We Support
    • Join Us
    • Chapters
      • Chatsworth
      • Commonwealth Rose
      • Royal Daffodil
      • Sandhurst
      • Contact Us
      • Membership Blog
    • The Victorian Tea
    • Fun Facts
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • State Board Info
    • D.B.E. Scholarship Fund
    • Charities We Support
  • Join Us
  • Chapters
    • Chatsworth
    • Commonwealth Rose
    • Royal Daffodil
    • Sandhurst
    • Contact Us
    • Membership Blog
  • The Victorian Tea
  • Fun Facts

State Board Members

Jessica Avery - President

Christine Baumgartner- 1st Vice President & Regent, Sandhurst Chapter

Christine Baumgartner- 1st Vice President & Regent, Sandhurst Chapter

 I was born in London, but moved as a young child to the North of England, where I grew up in Lytham St Annes, a seaside town on the coast of the Irish Sea. 


After studying Psychology at Bristol University, I emigrated to the US in 1980 and attended Tulane University in New Orleans, receiving a Master’s degree in Social Work. I specialized in Child and Family Psychotherapy and, following a move to Denver in 1986, opened a private practice which I ran for many years. 


In 2004 I changed careers and opened the House of Commons Tea Room in the Commons Park area of Denver. In 2019 I sold this business and I'm now a realtor at PorchLight Real Estate group where I enjoy helping others with their real estate needs. 


I have two adult children and a dog named Theo, and especially enjoy spending time with them. My hobbies include reading, gardening, cooking, golf, and attending movies and theater, but I most appreciate being able to spend time in the mountains where I enjoy hiking and snowshoeing. 


I joined the Commonwealth Rose chapter in 2020 and have also been a member of the Royal Daffodil chapter.

Christine Baumgartner- 1st Vice President & Regent, Sandhurst Chapter

Christine Baumgartner- 1st Vice President & Regent, Sandhurst Chapter

Christine Baumgartner- 1st Vice President & Regent, Sandhurst Chapter

 I came to America in 1988 as a nurse during one of the nursing shortages and was hired in London to a hospital in Los Angeles. 

It was not until I came to Denver in 2001 that I found DBE. I have been a member since then and have been State President, 1st VP, Organizer and Regent of the Sandhurst Chapter.

I grew up in Wiltshire in the shade of the Westbury White Horse. Lovely rural country and worked on a farm as a teenager, loving the outdoor life. 

I moved to London to train as a nurse at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead and loved living in the city. I would walk miles around the town and biked miles over the bridges and around (not sure I would want to do that today with the increase in traffic!). I would go to the theatre in the West End basically every week and get the cheap five pound last minute tickets. Saw many a great British actor there, I also made sure I walked to the Mall to see the Trooping of the Color, and so had to fly home to see the Platinum Jubilee trooping of the Color in 2023.


Being in DBE lets me remain associated with many lovely British and Commonwealth ladies, and I like not always having to explain the things I say when I slip into ‘British’ jargon.

Lee Vos-2nd Vice President & Regent, Commonwealth Rose Chapter

Christine Baumgartner- 1st Vice President & Regent, Sandhurst Chapter

I was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. I worked for a local law firm specializing in conveyancing, including the preparation of deeds of sale and mortgages for clients.  In 1977, I married Henri, a civil engineer.


In October 1994, Henri and I emigrated to the United States with our two children and settled in Denver. I was a stay-at-home mom until joining Nordstrom in 1998. 


Since retiring in 2013, I have traveled extensively, both locally and overseas. My interests include cooking, reading, gardening, travel, and spending time with my two grandchildren.


I have been a member of the DBE since 2014 and have held the following positions within the organization: Colorado State Organizer, Regent of the Commonwealth Rose Chapter, Interim Regent of the Mary Wollstonecraft Chapter, and Colorado State 2nd Vice President.

Kelly Perez - 3rd Vice President

Liz Raedeke - Treasurer & Interim regent of Royal Daffodil

Patricia Miller-Co-Recording Secretary (Position shared with Suzanne Russell)

I was born in the old West Riding of Yorkshire, about seven miles from the Market town of Selby. 


After I graduated from the Royal Academy of Music and enjoyed a brief career as a singer with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, I settled in London working for the BBC in their classical music radio department. 


It was in London that I met my American born husband, Arlin,  and was married in 1978. Later that year, we moved to Boulder, where I became stepmother to two boys. We lived in Boulder for 26 years before moving to Denver after we retired in 2004. We  travelled extensively for the next few years. 


I joined DBE in Colorado in 2017 and I'm a member of the Commonwealth Rose Chapter, while also serving as Interim Regent for Royal Daffodil. 

Patricia Miller-Co-Recording Secretary (Position shared with Suzanne Russell)

Patricia Miller-Co-Recording Secretary (Position shared with Suzanne Russell)

I was born in London and grew up in Aden, now a part of Yemen. At sixteen, I moved to Perth in Western Australia to finish school and attend university. 

Following graduation, I first worked as a psychologist at a center for people with cerebral palsy, and later became a lecturer teaching Habilitation studies and Human Development at Claremont College. 

In 1988, I moved to the USA with my husband and two of our children. Since moving to America,  I've lived in Houston, Texas; Hamden, Connecticut; and Denver, Colorado. In the U.S., I've worked in the not-for-profit and university systems.

My daughters live in Australia, Los Angeles, and Denver. I have two grandchildren in LA and two in Denver. 

My interests include travel, reading, knitting, movies, animals and of course spending time with my  grandchildren. I joined the Commonwealth Rose Chapter in January 2019.

Suzanne Russell- Co-Recording Secretary (Position shared with Pat Miller) and Organizer

Suzanne Russell- Co-Recording Secretary (Position shared with Pat Miller) and Organizer

Suzanne Russell- Co-Recording Secretary (Position shared with Pat Miller) and Organizer

I was born in Paddington, England. While serving in the Women’s Royal Air Force, I met my husband, Guy, and moved to the United States in June of 1969. I have three children and six grandchildren. 


I've lived in several different countries over the years including, Italy, Singapore, Japan, England, and the United States. 


I'm a retired Clinical Nurse Specialist who specialized in oncology. I enjoy knitting, gardening, and traveling around the United States with my husband and two dogs in our little vintage Airstream.  


I joined the Commonwealth Rose Chapter in July 2019. 

Lynne Hendry-Corresponding Secretary

Suzanne Russell- Co-Recording Secretary (Position shared with Pat Miller) and Organizer

Suzanne Russell- Co-Recording Secretary (Position shared with Pat Miller) and Organizer

I was born and raised in the Kwa Zulu Natal region of South Africa. We lived on a sugar plantation and I was brought up experiencing a colonial lifestyle. My mother was a superb homemaker, gardener, cook, baker and judge at cooking shows. We often entertained, and hosting afternoon teas for neighbors was a favorite pastime. I learnt so much from her and share her interests as well as having a passion for cooking, gardening, design and decorating!

I met my husband to be when I was 18 and married at almost 21. During that time I attended Silwood Kitchen Cordon Bleu School in Cape Town and earned my Grande Diploma. Shortly thereafter we were transferred to the USA by my husband’s employer. Erie, Pennsylvania was the start of an adventure as we were transferred from there to Saudi Arabia, to Denver, back to South Africa, and finally Denver. Our two sons were born in Erie and Saudi.

My parents would visit us in the States and naturally, I took my mother to a Victorian tea one year and that was my introduction to DBE in the late 90’s. When we finally settled back in Colorado I became a member of the Commonwealth Rose chapter in 2010. I have served as Regent and Vice Regent for my chapter and Corresponding Secretary on the State Board.

Meeting several times a month with ladies of British and Commonwealth hereditary allows me to continue traditions and enjoy delicious tea and food! Volunteering on behalf of charities which we support is meaningful and I love the camaraderie that we all share.

Susan Sanders-Communications Secretary

Suzanne Russell- Co-Recording Secretary (Position shared with Pat Miller) and Organizer

I was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. My father was an American serviceman (Air Force), and met my mother while stationed in England. (My Mum was born in Cambridge). 

While growing up and moving with my parents, I lived in Bangor, Maine; Hunstanton, England; San Antonio, Texas; Luton, England; Lakenheath, England; Kincheloe, Michigan; and again in San Antonio, Texas when my father retired from the Air Force. It was there that I met my (future) husband, Mark. He also served in the Air Force. Our first assignment was Lowry AFB, Colorado. Our two daughters were born and raised in Aurora. 


I worked for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) on Lowry AFB, from 1979 until retirement in 2010 as a Financial Systems Specialist. 


Sadly, our youngest daughter passed away in 2007. We have three Granddaughters one Grandson and two (twins) Great-Grandsons.


I enjoy crochet, cross-stitching, gardening and collecting anything “cats”! My husband and I try to spend a lot of time traveling in our 5th wheel trailer, mostly visiting family and friends, and cruising to interesting destinations.


After attending two or three DBE Victorian Teas, I decided to join the Commonwealth Rose Chapter in July 2019, along with my long-time friend, Suzanne Russell. In June of 2022, I was elected to become the State Board Communications Secretary. I have found this to be a very rewarding experience.

Pam Smith- Historian

I was born in Nottingham, England, and was raised in the city. After graduating Teachers College at the University  of Manchester, I taught elementary school children for four years. With two teacher friends I decided to work for a year in the U.S., settling in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. We decided to work our way around the U.S., and then return to England. Having covered the east coast down to Key West we headed for Colorado. While working at the Broadmoor Hotel, I  met my future husband, Michael, a fellow employee. 

Before retiring in 2010, I taught in Denver Public Schools, and also developed statewide  family literacy programs while serving on Governor Romer’s staff. I spent my last 12 working years at The Colorado Department of Education, managing Colorado’s literacy programs. 

I joined DBE in 2013 and I'm a member of the Commonwealth Rose Chapter.

Marguerite Brunel- Standard Bearer

Janet C. Arce-Interim Regent, Chatsworth Chapter

 I was born on in Nottingham, and brought up in Hillingdon, Middlesex. 


I immigrated to California in the early 1970s and immediately joined the Princess Royal Chapter in Sierra Madre, serving as Correspondence Secretary. 


I joined Grosvenor Square Chapter in 2008 until 2016 and served as Regent for seven years; I also served on the State Board as 2nd Vice President for six years. 


In 2016, I moved to Colorado with my husband, Ross, to be with our only son Michael, daughter-in-law, Cassandra, and grandchildren, Alexandra and Savanah. 


I transferred to Chatsworth Chapter in 2016, serving as Recording Secretary and 2nd VP on the State Board. 

Copyright © 2026 Daughters of the British Empire

All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

  • Join Us
  • Contact Us