April 20, 2022

The Shea Family: Still Here!

by Sheryl Wilde

“Every ending is a new beginning.” ~ Marianne Williamson

“Our affiliation with Mountain Shadows has been a blessing to us as a family,” says Richard Shea, former Board Member and Chair, Mountain Shadows Support Group/Mountain Shadows Foundation. “So many wonderful things came out of it. It’s been priceless. We have all been blessed to be a part of Mountain Shadows.

“Our involvement with Mountain Shadows started with my wife, Lisa. She was the Recreation Therapist at Mountain Shadows for more than 25 years. She loves the residents and developed a very strong connection with them.”

“Lisa was dedicated to ensuring leisure activities were available to our residents,” says Stacy Sullivan, Director of Operations, MSSG/MSAS.  “She fought for the residents to have the same experiences we have. She was so dedicated to giving them a good life.”

“Lisa’s connection with the residents expanded to include our whole family,” adds Richard. “Over the years, we were all involved in different activities at Mountain Shadows. I was the MC for Circus Day. I remember Kenny at Circus Day and how excited he was at the parade. He was whooping and hollering, especially when the motorcycles came through. It was super cool.

“My son, Richard, was the Easter bunny for many years. He even put together a volleyball tournament to support the residents. My daughter, Stacey, worked at Camp Able. My other daughter, Amy, helped in wrapping Christmas gifts for the residents.

“My kids developed values from their interactions with the residents. I think the residents had a tremendous impact of their perspective of themselves. They became more aware of how fortunate they were to have the physical capabilities they had. They were moved by the residents’ positive attitudes and the love they showed everyone, despite having different abilities.”

“The Shea family has been an integral part of our Mountain Shadows family for over a quarter of a century,” says Wade Wilde, Executive Director/CFO, Mountain Shadows Support Group. “Lisa laid the foundation for our recreational programs for our residents. Rich joined our Board leadership when Mountain Shadows was at a critical juncture. His leadership and expertise were instrumental in leading the way into a new, more financially secure future for Mountain Shadows.”

Rich continues, “I’ve been involved as a Board Member and Chair of Mountain Shadows Support Group and Mountain Shadows Foundation. I think the highlight of my time on the Board was when we closed on the bond refinance in 2016. That was a big moment.

“Closing on the bond refinance put Mountain Shadows on solid financial footing. Now, the organization is in an unbelievably strong position to carry on the legacy of Mountain Shadows for perpetuity.

“Mountain Shadows was the first Board I served on. I learned a lot on many different levels from the experience. First, I learned how dedicated the Mountain Shadows parents were to their children – how genuine their love of their children was.

“I also learned a lot about genuine dedication. For example, Wade’s genuine dedication to making sure that Mountain Shadows, financially, survived. We didn’t always agree, but I saw how Wade ran the organization – and how he and the Mountain Shadows team really saved the organization. Basically, he and his team are the reason Mountain Shadows is here and has had the steady success it’s had.

“I also learned about dedication from others, like Stacy, and other management and staff members. The people working at Mountain Shadows are not getting rich. Their dedication to what they do transcends occupational and financial need. They are underpaid and overworked, yet they continue to be dedicated to Mountain Shadows due to the residents. They have such a strong connection with them and really care for them.

“If all of these people didn’t have this genuine dedication, the residents wouldn’t have the life they do.

“In terms of my career, I’ve been involved in the affordable housing arena, in a financial capacity, for more than 25 years. I’ve been associated with various banks, private companies, and government organizations. Together, we play a role in building housing that allows people who ordinarily wouldn’t have a house to have one.

“I remember a project I was involved with in Los Angeles. There was a woman at the grand opening. She was now living in a small studio apartment that she could afford. She told me she had been riding around in a bus for the previous month, overnight, every night, just to stay warm. She said, “I am standing here with a key in my hand and a roof over my head, and I can’t believe how blessed I am.” Then she gave me a big hug. It was very touching.

“It’s a finance job, but it helps support a program that is the largest generator of affordable housing in the country.”

While Rich says his career has been rewarding, what’s the one thing he’s most proud of?

“That’s easy. My family. That’s what I’m most proud of.

“When I was young, I had thought about becoming a priest, but my calling to have a family was a stronger calling. I decided my vocation was going to be my family. It was a conscious decision and our family has been our priority since the day we married. I’m incredibly proud of my family. Lisa and I are blessed to have three wonderful children.

“And I’m proud of my marriage. We’re very blessed, very devout. We believe we have a God that cares about and loves us.  I’m proud of our commitment to making our family the priority – to sticking with it and doing it. It’s one thing to say and another to do. There have been many challenges and lots of sacrifices. But we’ll be celebrating our 35th anniversary on May 2nd in Fiji. We’re going to the exact same place where we went for our honeymoon. It’s going to be super, super nice.

“So, it’s all the things I did outside of my career – that my career allowed me to do – that have been most rewarding. My career allowed me to work from home for 27 years, so I was at home when my kids were growing up.

“Because of my career, I could be on the Mountain Shadows Board. I could be on the Boy’s and Girl’s Club Board. I could be involved with my church, and my kids’ schools. If I didn’t have the career I have, I wouldn’t have been able to do all of that. I’m one lucky guy.”

While his tenure on the Board may be ending, and Lisa has retired from her position as Recreational Therapist, Rich says, “We still want to be involved with Mountain Shadows. Lisa and I do hope to travel more together, and we want to be more involved with our grandkids, but we’re still a resource for Mountain Shadows. We’re still here!”

Our thanks go out to Rich, Lisa and the whole Shea family, for their years of service and friendship to the Mountain Shadows Community. While one phase of our relationship may be ending, we look forward to a new beginning, with gratitude in knowing you are still here.