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Guptill, who represented Summerside in the legislature for 12 years, says spending time with her family is a top priority. "I've been really enjoying my family and this may sound corny, but I've been spending a lot of time knitting for my grandchildren," she says from her Summerside home. "There's never a shortage of things to do. I look back and wonder how I ever did it." Born and raised in Halifax, N.S., Guptill moved to the Island 25 years ago, and for the last 20 has called Summerside her home. She began her political career as a Summerside councillor in 1982 and five years later, at the urging of Liberal party members, ran in and won a by-election in her region. Guptill was re-elected three times. She served as Minister of Tourism, Labour and was responsible for the status of women during her time in the Liberal cabinet. From 1993-96, Guptill was also Speaker of the legislative assembly. The decision to step down from public office began to unfold in 1998 when, within a short period of time, Guptill lost two brothers and a brother-in-law. Being a member of the opposition party also began to lose its appeal for Guptill. "The three losses so close together really took the good out of me," says the mother of three. "It just came to the point -- call it burn out." "I'm a very strong person, but I just didn't prefer the role I had to play ain the legislature in the last few years." After announcing her retirement, rumours began to surface that she was pushed out by new Liberal Leader Wayne Carew, allegations Guptill says aren't true. "Never at any one single time did Wayne Carew ever approach me to move aside. I can only tell it as I see it and the doubting Thomas will always be there." She says she was looking for the right way to leave and for her the timing couldn't have been better. "I was honestly looking for a way to exit on a high, but how do you do that?" Guptill asks. "We had a new leader in Wayne Carew and I saw it as an opportunity for me and for our party to give him a higher profile and a renewal of having a leader from our region." Guptill says during her time as an MLA, many disagreements took place within the legislature, but they never became personal for her. "Are their personality clashes? Yes, but do I dislike anyone in legislature? No." "You win some, you lose some and we leave having respect towards each other. I may be upset at times over something said, but I'm not one to hold grudges." Guptill says she enjoyed every moment of her life in public office because it gave her a chance to do what she likes to do best - help others. "I never planned on a political career, and went up the ladder in ways I never imagined." "I hope I'm remembered as someone who worked hard for the people, the underdog and hopefully contributed to the betterment of P.E.I." While admitting she will always be a fan of politics, whean the legislature starts up again next month, Guptill jokingly says she might be a bit too busy. "I'll probably be home watching the soaps," she replies with a grin.
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