Coronavirus canceled SLO County woman’s 90th birthday plans. So friends held surprise party
When a Shell Beach resident’s 90th birthday plans were ruined by COVID-19, the community came together to throw her a very special surprise.
Donna Shook, a longtime San Luis Obispo County resident who has lived in her Shell Beach home for 20 years, turned 90 on June 7.
Her caretaker, Kim Kelly, said she originally planned a large party for Shook at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo and invited her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. But the party had to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and shelter-at-home orders.
To make up for it, Kelly hosted a socially distant surprise party with about 40 people on June 10.
A neighbor set up a microphone in Shook’s front yard so visitors could sing and share their memories of Shook as she watched from her front porch. Kelly said it was wonderful to see so many people gather and celebrate Shook.
“It was very inspiring,” Kelly said. “It makes me want to be a better person.”
One woman who made it to the event had been Shook’s 4H student in 1965, Kelly said.
“When you meet Donna, you just love her and you stay in touch with her,” Kelly said. “It was pretty overwhelming.”
Kelly said Shook, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, is a very social person that has made an impact on the community over the years.
“Every minute is a gift. She has the best attitude,” Kelly said. “She was very very happy and moved to tears that all these people showed up.”
Shook said she was overjoyed with her birthday surprise.
“Oh I loved it,” Shook said with a laugh. “It was a big, wonderful deal. ... It was so much fun.”
