Saying Yes to God's Plan - Marian High School

elationships she made with families in thosepositions are some of the dearest in her life.Even in Nancy’s community service work,she has remained an advocate for childrenand families whose voices may not alwaysbe heard. She served on Boards for the RoseTheater, Girls, Inc., and Voices for Children.Nancy is a woman who embodies peaceand justice and who has dedicated her lifeto that mission. The hope she has broughtto the families of the OPS school system isunparalleled.Joe and Bonnie SheaMarian High School honored Joe and BonnieShea, pictured back row center, with the2010 Marian Award for the many years ofselfless service they have given to the Omahacommunity and Marian High School.If one had to use a word, or better yet threewords to describe the Sheas, they would be:Faith. Family. Friends. These are thecornerstones of the Sheas’ life.Let’s begin with Faith: the Catholic faithhas been the foundation upon which Joeand Bonnie have built their life. They havealways trusted in God’s plan for them. Faithand family go hand in hand for the Sheas.Joe and Bonnie put family first. They arevery active parents in the lives of their eightchildren, three boys and five girls and their21 grandchildren.Joe and Bonnie have been members of St.Phillip Neri Parish for 35 years, and they havebeen more than just parishioners. Joe andBonnie sent their eight children to gradeschool there, and as a result, Bonnie becamea permanent fixture at St. Phil’s. She wasa Room Mom for all of their kids’ classes,which kept her quite busy. In 1986, Bonniewas given the St. Philip Neri Volunteer ofthe Year Award. Joe was an equally activedad, as his children would say: “He coachedeverything under the sun”—baseball,basketball, and softball to name a few.The Sheas commitment to Catholiceducation continued with Marian for theirgirls and Creighton Prep for their boys.There’s an interesting fact about Joe andBonnie Shea and their five daughters, Kelly,Katie, Kristy, Maggie and Maddie. Marian isblessed to have had 20 wonderful years withthe Sheas as current parents because each oftheir daughters was four or more years apartin age, so each daughter walked these hallsone at a time.Marian kept the Sheas quite busy for thosetwenty years and beyond. Joe and Bonniewere both active in the Home & SchoolAssociation, Bonnie worked on numerousFEST events and the two were supportersof FAME (Fine Arts Enthusiasts at Marian).In recent years, Bonnie chaired this parentorganization as their youngest Maddie, whograduated in 2009, was a very active thespianand choir member. Joe and Bonnie nevermissed a single performance. In fact, in 2009,the Select Women’s Choir, of which Maddiewas a member, competed in its first Festivalof Gold in New York City. With a personalfondness for NYC, Joe and Bonnie took thelead in planning this trip. The trip was a hugesuccess and, as a result, Miss Cathy Pruittecommissioned Bonnie’s assistance to planthe 2010 trip to Chicago, and Bonnie obligedher.Currently one can find Joe working nextto his three sons and two sons-in-law atRochester Armored Car Company, whereJoe is president, and one can find Bonnielunching with her “moms club” whichconsists of her four daughters, Kelly, Katie,Kristy and Maggie.Faith, family and finally friends: For those ofyou who do not know Joe and Bonnie, youcannot find a nicer, friendlier couple. It isno wonder that so many people call thesetwo “friend.” With their faith in God andtheir family at their side, Joe and Bonniealways have time for others, no matter theirobligations. As their son Bill puts it: “Myparents taught me how to enjoy all aspects oflife. No matter the situation or how busy theywere with work, they always seemed happyand made everyone that surrounded themfeel the same.”The Sheas are truly living testaments of theServite charism of service, compassion andcommunity.21