Donald and Darlene
Shiley
A BENEVOLENT COUPLE
The San Diego community owes a debt of gratitude
to Donald and Darlene Shiley. This unique couple works tirelessly
improving the quality of life in our County through their thoughtful
contributions to the arts, education and health care. Each credits
their respective parents for instilling the importance of giving.
While there are so many needs that merit funding their philosophy
is to, "Select projects that might not be funded through
regular channels." Donald founded Shiley Incorporated in
1964 to manufacture the original artificial heart valves, which
he invented. His legacy includes revolutionizing the industry.
Before becoming Mrs. Shiley, Darlene was a busy drama graduate
serving as a public relations professional by day and an actress
by night. They like to think they met each other at just the right
time, "Any sooner and he might not have been ready for such
an independent woman," shares Darlene, " and no man
before Donald had the strength of character and accomplishment
that I so much admire in him." For more than 21 years, the
Shileys have been celebrating their anniversary monthly. Many
San Diego organizations, including UCSD's Alzheimer research,
KPBS- TV, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, The Salk Institute,
USD, and the Old Globe Theater are the beneficiaries of the Shiley's
time and support. Darlene's theater training no doubt contributes
to her unparalleled wit and spontaneity and her penchant for adeptly
serving as Mistress of Ceremony at high profiled events. Mrs.
Shiley, also incoming Chair of the UCSD Chancellor's Associates,
points out, "The community needs gifts of all sizes, at all
levels - time and dollars. Find a worthy project and get involved."
In 1988, through the recommendations of Ken and Dixie Unruh and
the late Ernie Hahn, Dr. Brown presented the concept of a multipurpose,
state-of-the-art eye center to the Shileys. In less than twenty-four
hours the Shileys pledged their leadership gift - launching the
eye center towards reality.
