Page 3 - NBY News April 2020
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Senior in Action:
Senior in Action: Rhea Zakich Living Her Purpose
Senior in Action:
Senior in Action: Rhea ZakichRhea Zakich
Senior in Action: Rhea Zakich
Rhea Zakich
Living Her Purpose
Living Her Purpose
Living Her Purpose
Living Her Purpose
restricted due to the Corona virus
Senior in Action –Rhea Zakich when most of my meditations focused
As told to Marilee Marrero Stefenhagen on letting things go. I thought of pandemic.”
Rhea Zakich, age 84, does not go by the people in the Bible whose names were When asked how she stays active,
name her parents gave her. Born in Akron, changed when their purpose changed, Rhea replied, “I’m editor of the Town
Ohio, her birth name was Marilyn. The and realized Jesus had called me for a & Country Manor newsletter. I take
second oldest of 5 siblings, she became fed- greater purpose. Since that day, I have photos of people participating in
up with baby-sitting her younger brothers used the name Rhea.” activities and submit stories for the
and by the time she turned 18, mom newsletter printed by staff. Seven
announced she was pregnant with baby In her mid-30s, Rhea lost her voice years ago, I was one of a handful of
sister Luanne. Marilyn could hardly wait and was told by doctors she might residents who owned computers.
to get out of the house. She got an never speak again. Needing a way to Now more than 80 of the 200 senior
apartment and a job at Goodyear Aircraft communicate in a meaningful way residents have computer access and
where she met and married Daniel, a with her family, she created a deck of tech support. My computer also
fellow Ohioan. When Daniel got a job offer conversation cards called the allows me to easily communicate
at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft, they UNGAME. The conversation prompts with my siblings and two
headed for the ‘unknown land’ grandchildren via email or Facebook.
called Long Beach, California. Rhea said, “I never thought of myself as a My bicycle is gathering dust because
Friends told them, “Those writer. My first book, Everybody Wins was of hazardous conditions from nearby
people out west are strange.” published by Tyndale House when construction. I walk instead, either
But at age 23, they packed up and UNGAME started to take off. It was my indoors, or to the pharmacy, a nearby
settled down in Garden Grove story about how God walked with me park, or the mall.”
and raised two sons; Darin and through times of crisis. Everybody Wins
Dean. includes my experiences after the Watts Here is Rhea’s advice to NBY
Riots, when I decided to put my faith into readers:1) Do not isolate yourself!
Are you wondering why practice by living in burned-out areas of LA How can you avoid isolation during
Marilyn changed her name to to provide desperately needed help.” this pandemic? Stay in touch with
Rhea? It happened during her family and friends. Pick up the
early faith journey. She and In June 2019, Rhea met a memoir writer phone, or use your computer. Find
Daniel were not raised in from Indiana who insisted she write another people with whom you share
religious households. By age 24, memoir. They emailed stories and feedback interests or hobbies. I’m part of a
Marilyn had two baby boys. A back and forth until Rhea completed her ukulele band and we perform for
neighbor invited her to attend second memoir, titled He Called Me Rhea. residents in the skilled nursing area.
church. She asked Alice, “What This spiritual autobiography explains how What a hoot! I also joined jewelry-
do you like about church?”Alice God led her throughout life’s journey. Rhea making and craft groups. 2) Find a
replied, “They have free said, “Just like childhood “follow the dots” purpose. I’ve led over 500 retreats in
childcare in the nursery, so puzzles, I couldn’t see the entire picture my lifetime. Often retreat attendees
adults can worship in the until I looked back at my nearly completed would say, “I don’t know what my
sanctuary with no distractions.” path.” purpose is!” I would reply, “Pick
That sounded really good to something you like to do, and do it
Marilyn, and she liked the word sanctuary. were so effective, she decided to share Seven years ago, Rhea and her husband for God. That will give you
It sounded restful and peaceful. After a UNGAME with a wider audience to moved to Town & Country Manor, a purpose.”
slow start, she attended church regularly. encourage people to talk about their Christian senior community in Santa Ana,
One day, during a guided meditation, feelings and ideas, and listen. After CA. Rhea described the change, “Living here For more information about the
Marilyn experienced a vision. She shared, numerous tries, she found someone to feels like being on a cruise ship with choices UNGAME, visit her website
“I visualized Jesus as if in a movie. Jesus publish it. The UNGAME has sold nearly of activities and meals prepared for us. My www.rheazakich.com Rhea Zakich’s
called me Rhea, as if we were old friends. 5 million copies without any advertising husband’s health deteriorated and he died in new book He Called Me Rhea is
Rhea is a Greek word meaning ‘flowing and has been translated into more than 14 2019. Sons Darin and Dean, now age 60 and available for sale on Amazon.
stream.’ I thought about the prior months, languages! 59, visit me weekly, but visits are now
NOT BORN YESTERDAY! publishes APRIL 2020 on line ONLY
edition for the first time due to the pandemic.
Call for more information about how you can access the
publication at www.nbynews.com. Sorry for the inconvenience.
April 2020 3