Sometimes it’s not who you know but how long you have known them. Many years ago, Ellie Nixon and Linda Gallagher told Mickey all about Soroptimist International of Huntington Beach and our mission but, it wasn’t until this September (2020) that she actually joined us…and we are so excited that she did!
What pushed Mickey to finally take the leap? She has long supported women in business and believed that collaboration with them improved all of their chances for success. So, in many respects, joining our club was just a natural extension for her. It was another way for Mickey to become involved with supporting women in our community.
While Mickey has not decided to run for a board position yet (she’s new, you know), her interest in getting involved in our signature programs, Live Your Dream and Dream It, Be It, as well as our Helping Senior Women Program, are at the top of her list.
Involved with the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) for two years (2015-17). Until Covid struck, Mickey volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Family Service Center in Huntington Beach which makes perfect sense as you get to know Mickey better.
So…on that note… who is Mickey and what does she do?
For the last 8 years, Mickey has owned her own business, Senior Living Options of California, where she helps families in Southern California find the best senior housing choices for their loved ones based on care, social, cultural, financial and geographical preferences. In her own works, “I know so many wonderful people and can be a great resource and support in the health industry. I was a hospice nurse case manager for over 30 years and used to own my own Residential Care Home for seniors. I am happy to help in any way. It really matters to me that families get support at such a difficult time. and that seniors get the best care possible.” In addition she notes, “Having your business can be a benefit with being able to be flexible to enjoy life with friends and family” which you will definitely know as you read on about Mickey’s personal life.
Mickey married her childhood sweetheart, Pete, whom she met in high school in 1978. Four years later, they married and after 39 years, they still enjoy each other’s company and are best friends. For fun, they love to go on short getaways, like driving up north to the Santa Cruz area or enjoying the wine festivals in Buellton with friends or taking in the Cambria Christmas Festival of Lights with their family. And speaking of family, Mickey and Pete have 2 children: April, 38, who is married to Corey who works in the film industry in post production. Their two amazing children are Clementine, who just turned 7 on Halloween, and Tucker, who is 4. April is a fulltime mom, an actress and an entrepreneur. According to Mickey, she is a great photographer and “they are always dressing up for some holiday or theme party.” Their son, Scott, 36, teaches school in New York. For 6 years, he worked in the Bronx helping underprivileged kids. Now, he teaches at an ALL GIRLS Charter School in Brooklyn, again for underprivileged families. Mickey adds, “his life partner, Corrinne, is so wonderful. She is also a pre-K teacher” and their “darling” baby, Genevieve, will be 2 on Christmas Day!
When they aren’t working or taking the short, fun jaunts up the coast, Mickey and Pete keep busy with family and grandkids. Family has been important to Mickey since birth. Born into a “good old Irish Catholic” family on Chicago’s south side, her family included 6 sisters and 2 brothers. She said, “Mom and Dad were busy all the time!!” While Mickey admits, “This Covid virus has cramped our style a little” she stays optimist. “This too shall pass. It is not forever.”
In her spare time, Mickey enjoys painting and crafting.
If she had only one word to describe herself, Mickey said her word would be “lucky”. She feels “truly blessed to have so much love and family and friends surrounding her”.
Welcome Mickey. We can feel your positive, upbeat energy and your love for friends, family and even people you don’t really know, emanating from your words.
“We can complain because rose buses have thorns,
or
rejoice because thorn bushes have roses”
~Anonymous~
Welcome Mickey. What a great story.