Volunteer Profile: Shirley Donovan

A smile on her face, a spring in her step and with a million stories to entertain her fellow volunteers—that’s how Shirley Donovan shows up to work at Mary’s Table.

“I miss it so much,” she says from her home, where she is observing the shelter in place order. “I really can’t wait to get back.” Shirley loves her Wednesday lunch team, which includes Marge Popp, Jacky Evans and Bob Rich. “We work well together, side-by-side, whether it’s making a salad, peeling potatoes or serving our clients. We always seem to find things to talk and laugh about! Even though we come from different backgrounds we’re all here because it’s a way of giving back to our community.” Shirley says.

Diana Morales, who coordinates volunteer scheduling and training, says she admires “the way Shirley shows up. She works hard. She’s dedicated. She wants to make sure everyone has enough to eat and that everyone has a good time.”

“And she never stops moving,” Diana says. “She may be a senior citizen, but she sure doesn’t move like one!”

That same energy and dedication marked Shirley’s professional life. She blazed trails for women, taking on leadership roles (in marketing and research) with Gillette, Wilson Sporting Goods and Dakin Toys. And she did it on her own terms.

“My second interview with Wilson, I decided, ‘I’m going to wear a pantsuit. If they can’t deal with that, they can’t deal with me.’”

Wilson proved equal to the task.

Shirley was the first woman executive Wilson hired, and she is forever grateful for the mentorship and opportunities the company provided. If you are a fan of 70s tennis, try to work a volunteer shift alongside Shirley, who can regale you with tales about Chris Everett, Jimmy Connors and Billie Jean King.

She came to San Francisco when Dakin Toys lured her away from her native Chicago to be their Director of Special Markets. After only a few weeks in San Francisco, Shirley realized that “Chicago is a nice place to visit but California is where I want to live.” In San Francisco, Shirley was finally able to own a dog, an experience that changed her life.

After 30 years in corporate offices, Shirley changed direction in 1995 and became an on-staff dog trainer for the San Francisco SPCA.  She might even still be there if it wasn’t for those pesky stairs at her San Francisco condo—there were 37 of them!

Always athletic, Shirley’s had her share of medical issues. When her condo steps became an unpleasant daily challenge (following bi-lateral knee replacements) she moved to a one level home in Petaluma. She started volunteering with COTS in 2014 and quickly became a dedicated team member; just as quickly, these team members became friends.

The depth of their friendship became clear while she was recovering from ankle replacement surgery in 2018. “Marge would send home lunch to me every Wednesday. She and my other team members would call to check up on me,” Shirley says. “Those are the kind of things that mean a lot.”

Shirley also enjoys the residents that she works with and serves.

“It’s so rewarding when folks finish eating and make a point of not leaving without saying ‘Thank You! Thank you for doing this.'”

“Janin, our new chef, is amazing. She’s a great delegator and, for a volunteer, is fun to work for. Some of the residents have culinary skills and it’s great having them help in the kitchen as well. Somehow, we all connect,” Shirley says.

Shirley lives with her two dogs, Annie and Tad. She takes exercise classes at the Senior Center and works out at a local gym. She’s also active with New Life Christian Fellowship in Petaluma.

Her advice to people who are thinking about volunteering: “Check it out! I did 6 years ago and kept going back—I find volunteering at COTS to be both rewarding and fun!”

Thank you, Shirley!