In Memory of Sheelah Mohan
Some people have given such outstanding service to the community that special recognition is demanded. Although posthumously, such recognition is due to Sheelah Mohan.
Born in Bangor, Northern Ireland, Sheelah immigrated to the United States, married, became a Sales Manager for Verizon, and then moved to Larchmont in 1977. Motivated by the birth of her grandson, Jake, who was born blind, Sheela became an active member of the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club (LMLC) as well as the Woman’s Club of Larchmont (WCL) to be able to serve the needs of the visually impaired. Through the LMLC, Sheelah received training and certification in Vision Screening and then worked with both the LMLC and WCL teams in local Head Start programs, Health Fairs, and schools. Additionally, Sheelah served in several leadership roles in the WCL. She was the creative energy behind the creation of enticing Raffle Baskets sold during membership meetings, thereby raising funds for charities, ranging from World Central Kitchen (Ukraine, Gaza) to Stem Alliance to Speedway gift cards, for laborers to use while they wait for jobs.
Sheelah unexpectedly died in her bed of a massive heart attack on April 21, 2023. Both WCL and LMLC members wanted to memorialize her in some way. Her son, Stefan, and his family (wife Kristen, son Jake, and daughter Riley), were united in asking that any funds be sent to VCB (Visions: Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired), a nonprofit centered in NYC which (l) runs programs to help their clients lead independent, active lives and (2) ”educate[s] the public to understand their capabilities and needs.”
Jake attended Visions’ 37.5-acre camp in Spring Valley, which features not only athletic fields and a large, specially adapted swimming pool but also offers job training and college counseling. He suggested using any donations toward the purchase of a specially adapted boat, and/or all-weather armed chairs that could be rearranged into conversational groupings and/or a music room where campers could jam without disturbing others. On June l, the dream became a reality. WCL members raised $2,200, which helped to pay for a pontoon boat (largely underwritten by generous donors) and several chairs. In recognition of Sheelah’s dedication (plus WCL and LMLC support), a plaque was placed on the dock as well as on the all-weather, wooden armchairs.
Through these gifts, Sheelah Mohan, so dedicated to helping others, will be celebrated and remembered in the hearts of families and communities to which she devoted so much compassion, time, and energy.
LM Lions Volunteer at Visions Camp for the Blind Attend Dedication in Honor of Sheelah Mohan
On Saturday, June 1, the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions volunteered at the VCB Summer Camp, to prepare for the season’s blind campers and their families.
The VCB camp is a year-round residential rehabilitation and training center in Rockland County and a summer camp for the blind/vision impaired and their families. The camp is specially designed to encourage freedom of movement and independence. The LM Lions sponsor a cabin and are responsible for its upkeep and preparation for each camping season.
The highlight of the day was the dedication of the new boat and dock for the camp’s lake. The dock was dedicated to LM Lion Sheelah Mohan, a strong supporter of the visually impaired who passed away last spring. It was at the suggestion of Sheelah’s family, her grandson Jake was a VCB camper, that we honor Sheelah’s memory in this way.
A portion of the funding for the new dock and pontoon boat was provided by the LM Lions and the Larchmont Woman’s Club, where Sheelah was also a member. A significant contribution towards the boat was from New Rochelle Lion Judith Goldman, in honor of her late husband Mannie Corman, in whose name the boat is dedicated. Both are previous LM Lions members.
VCB is a part of VISIONS, a nonprofit rehabilitation and social service organization whose purpose is to develop and implement programs to assist the blind or visually impaired of all ages to lead independent and active lives in their homes and communities. VISIONS and the camp provide individualized rehabilitation training, social services, employment training and job development, group and community education, and activities.
The LM Lions, celebrating their Centennial, focus on supporting community service by providing funding, volunteers, and advocacy. Their motto is “Better Together”– to bring community leaders together to determine needs and resources and to achieve solutions. The Lions’ causes are vision, hunger, childhood cancer, diabetes, the environment, and community. The LM Lions work closely with our local schools & youth programs and participate in community events. The LM Lions are part of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service organization with over 1.4 million members in more than 200 countries.