Page 3 - NBY News - May 2019

Senior in Action:
Senior in Action: Dona Bishop
Senior in Action:
Senior in Action:
Senior in Action:
Dona Bishop
Dona Bishop
Dona Bishop
Dona Bishop
As told to Marilee Marrero Stefenhagan sister and two brothers. Even though
we had no electricity and no luxuries,
my mother set an example by taking us
to serve meals at soup kitchens. We
volunteered at a Red Cross shelter after
a devastating Kansas flood, caring for
children separated from their parents.
Throughout my career with LA County,
I headed up charitable drives and
community giving. Then a fellow
County employee invited me to join
Soroptimist International of Norwalk,
and since 1994, I have been a dedicated
Soroptimist member, empowering
women and girls through access to
education.”

Dona Bishop, 74
Beautiful Family Photo
When Dona sat down to share her life
story, I reviewed some memorable people
featured in past Senior in Action columns,
including a Korean War veteran who wrote
a memoir. Dona chuckled, and said, “I
already have an outline of my memoir, and
even a title: Dona Slept Here! You see signs
at various historic places, e.g. ‘George
Washington slept here’ and I have many
memories of accommodations (good and
bad) around the globe where I spent the night. ON LOVE & LOSS “I met a sailor in
ON RETIREMENT “A friend of mine 1962 and fell in love. Daughter Jeana
recently retired, and my advice to her? Do was born in 1963, then our son Glenn in
what you want to do and stay busy! Some 1967. We bought a house in Norwalk
people suggested I find a part-time job to fill which lasted longer than our marriage.
my days. Heck no! I’ve been blessed with In 1975, we moved to La Mirada, and
good health, which means I can fill my time were divorced three months later. A
with more hiking, playing BUNCO with girlfriend later tried to set me up with
friends, bowling, traveling, volunteering, and her friend Jack. Neither Jack nor I
art lessons, with time to spare for interesting wanted to go on a blind date. At a Rams
talks at the public library on archaeology or vs. Raiders football game, I finally met
history. Knowledge is power. No matter Jack. It was love at first sight! We moved
what your age, stretch those brain cells by to Long Beach in 1990. Together we
adding new information.” bicycled up the coast of Oregon, went (Go Chieftains!), and finished my Bachelor’s Adventure-Seeking
ON ART & THEATER “I love to organize camping at many state parks and Degree in Business Administration at CSU Dona with Grandson
outings with friends to concerts, theater beaches, and traveled the world. My Long Beach. After five years working for a
performances or local art museums. It is favorite trip with Jack was through bank, I realized my gender was not likely to
rewarding to introduce people to the arts and Greece and Turkey, where we relived be promoted beyond teller. Having
watch them fall in love with a performance. history at ancient ruins. Jack left this volunteered at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital,
It was very gratifying to introduce my world too soon in 2006 when he lost his I decided to apply there. In 1973, I was hired
grandkids to live theater. They had a ball as fight with cancer. Friends and family at Rancho, and eventually promoted to Head
kids when we attended La Mirada Theatre helped me survive the tidal wave of of Admissions, then Head of Medical
productions!” grief.” Records. Later, I worked at LA County
ON LEARNING & SHARING ON CIVICS “My mother encouraged Health Services in downtown Los Angeles
GENEROSITY “I was a war baby, born in me to enter a contest for Miss Little Lake and implemented intensive staff training in
1944 in Bremerton, Washington. My mother Park and I agreed. When I was in middle customer service. My last county position
saved the telegram announcing my birth sent school, I crossed that park daily to Lake was Division Manager with the Registrar
to my grandparents in LA. Imagine that! We Center Middle School, and played flag Recorder/County Clerk’s office, overseeing
moved to Kansas from 1945-52 where my football there. My legs were skinny then, poll worker services and operations. . My
father was a sharecropper. Picture me; a farm so maybe that’s why I won! I never message to Not Born Yesterday readers is
girl who drove a tractor, milked cows, fed competed in another contest. I VOTE! It is a cherished privilege; make your
chickens, and helped take care of my younger graduated from Santa Fe High School voice count.”

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