Sheila Maden
Sheila grew up in Framingham, Massachusetts and earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts (UMass) and a Masters in Human Resources from Central Michigan. She worked in civilian personnel for 35 years, first at a Navy Laboratory in Newport, RI and later as a Human Resources Director at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.
Now retired, she and her partner, Carol Lazzara have been together for 33 years. The couple met through friends when Sheila was working as a pathologist assistant at Rhode Island Hospital. According to Sheila, “Carol re-invents herself every few years which makes her extremely interesting and fun to be with.” Carol is currently pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience at Delaware State and is the only person Sheila knows who “receives a monthly pension, a Social Security check, and a student stipend.”
Their Myers Briggs’ results make them total opposites but “it works because we share the same values and always have each other’s backs.” Sheila and Carol like to be physically active and explore new and different places. In the past dozen years they’ve been to Africa twice, driven across the U.S. with friends in an RV, hiked in Tuscany, Provence and Cornwall, and biked in Germany and Holland. This year, they decided to escape the summer traffic and heat and looked for polar bears in Greenland and Arctic Canada.
Sheila and Carol reside in Lewes and have a feisty maltese, Molly, who’s been with them for over for 14 years.
When/why did you start volunteering at CAMP and what events/activities have you been involved with since?
My first introduction to CAMP Rehoboth was through the golf league when we first moved to Lewes seven years ago. I joined the CAMP Chorus when it began in 2009. Currently, I’m a volunteer on the CAMP production team and vice chair of the Chorus Leadership Committee. I’ve always enjoyed volunteering and over the years have found that I get as much or more from volunteering as I give. I love meeting and greeting people and working as part of a team. CAMP lets me do both, whether it’s helping with mailings, working the door at CAMP productions, or working on the PR and operational aspects of the CAMP Chorus.
What’s your best memory volunteering here?
Working with Steve, Max, and Bob on CAMP productions is really fun. Seeing Well-Strung three times—priceless!
What does CAMP Rehoboth mean to you?
CAMP really is the heart of our community. It’s a welcoming place with something for everyone.
First thought that comes to mind when you hear the word “Rehoboth.”
Home.
Assuming you live or visit here year round, what’s your favorite thing to do in the off season?
Park freely, reclaim the Boardwalk, enjoy the shows at Clear Space, and sing with the CAMP Chorus. Speaking of the Chorus (pause for a commercial), this season’s production of Oh What A Night...Back to the ‘50s and ‘60s, with two shows on February 8, 2014 at Epworth, is going to be really fun for the audience and the Chorus. Save the date and get your tickets early!
If you could spend a full day with one person, who would it be? Why?
My mother—a great lady who loved music, the beach, and lunch out, even if it was only a sandwich at Friendly’s.
Fast forward or rewind? If you could go ahead in time or back, which would you pick and why?
These are definitely the best of times for me. I’m surrounded by interesting, smart, and fun friends and have the time to play tennis, walk on the beach, go to the opera, travel, see shows and volunteer at CAMP. It’s all good.
Hostess-with-the-Mostess! If you could pick any four people to invite for dinner, who would it be and why?
Carol and I love eating in or out with our friends, but we wouldn’t mind if Bill and Hillary, Julia Child, and Yo-Yo Ma joined us too. What interesting conversations we’d have, and I wouldn’t mind if Yo-Yo brought along his cello, or if Julia showed up with a heavenly, devilishly decadent, dessert.
Lost! If you were stranded on a deserted island, what would you want with you (other than food and water)?
Definitely Carol—she’d figure out the rest.
Early bird or night owl? Why?
Early bird. I love the peace and quiet of the morning hours.
You’ve just won the lottery. What’s the first thing you’d do with your winnings?
Give a pile of it to my sister. Then give the rest away.
Favorite part of a wedding?
The champagne and cake.
Pet peeve(s)?
Negative and rude people.
What was your best job ever? Worst?
Best job was my first, working at the candy counter in the Framingham Cinema—90 cents an hour, movie passes, and free popcorn. My worst job was working summers on the automatic toothbrush line at GE. I made Lucy and Ethel look good.
One favorite food? One food you’d never eat?
Favorite is Carol’s meatballs and sauce but the crab quesadilla at Dos Locos is right up there too. I never eat oysters but only because I’m allergic to them.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Why?
I already live there. This is the best place in the world for me. There’s so much to do and I have a wonderful sense of belonging.
What are you most thankful for?
Carol, my health, my friends and family, and of course, my dog Molly.
The first thing that comes to my mind when working with you at a CAMP Rehoboth event, Sheila, is your constant and infectious smile. What a wonderful gift to all who know you, as well as the gift you give CAMP Rehoboth for all of your volunteer efforts here. Our sincere thanks!
Know someone whose efforts should be considered for the CAMP Rehoboth Volunteer Spotlight? Email your suggestion.
