Volunteer of the Month
Judy Tullie
September 2025
Judy Tullie is a deeply empathetic person and was perfectly positioned to be named facilitator of DMCC’s Grief and Loss Sharing Group, created earlier this year in partnership with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. DMCC President (and another facilitator of the group) Katie Militello nominated her for volunteer of the month because “In our initiative for DMCC to provide more support to family caregivers in Del Mar, Judy was very responsive in volunteering her professional expertise in counseling to help facilitate our new Grief and Loss Sharing Group. Judy's welcoming manner, compassion, and ability to create a space for participants to reflect, find strength and share their healing journey with others is an asset to this community. At DMCC we continue to be amazed, and grateful for our volunteers stepping up with their individual talents and generosity to support our efforts.”
Judy is originally from Great Neck, New York and moved to Massachusetts to earn her BA in English Literature at University of Massachusetts Amherst, followed by her Masters in Education and Certificate of Advanced Educational Specialization in School Psychology at Boston College. She worked as a school psychologist in Boston and North Carolina (where she picked up further credentialling at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in Traumatic Brain Injury and Autism), then San Diego Unified once she and husband Tom moved to Del Mar in 1996. Judy and Tom proceeded to raise three daughters, all of whom now reside in New York City – Samantha is a stage actress, Jackie is a film editor, and Anna (who you may have met as a DMCC’s incredible volunteer intern this past summer!) is studying at Columbia University to earn her Masters in Social Work.
While Tom was working as a CEO and entrepreneur, Judy was working as a mom, philanthropist, and volunteer. “I helped with small group/individual instruction as well as assisting with many special events at my daughters’ schools. My husband and I have focused much of our philanthropic support and energies in the areas of the performing arts, youth services, scientific research and civic support.” Judy cites North Coast Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, JCompany Youth Theatre, San Diego Junior Theatre, Canyon Crest Academy Conservatory, Broadway San Diego, Boys and Girls Club of Greater San Diego, Heart of a Child, The La Jolla Institute for Immunology, Del Mar Foundation, and of course, DMCC as the organizations that have received their proud support. “I also served on boards at the Hannah Fenichel Center for Child Development (preschool) and the Center for Jewish Culture at the LFJCC.”
DMCC was deeply fortunate to have Judy agree to be a facilitator of the Grief group; it was a goal of the organization for a long time to be able to offer such a crucial resource to the community, and the volunteer facilitators’ contributions and key partnership with St. Peter’s finally made it possible. Judy commented that “I have long admired the objectives of DMCC in assisting older adults to remain at home as well as being a vibrant part of the Del Mar Community. Working on site and with the staff at St. Peter’s Church adds an
additional level of interest and community connection.” The Del Mar Grief and Loss Sharing Group meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 10:30am at the St. Peter’s Library (334 14th St) – no registration required.
Thank you Judy!
Faye Detsky-Weil
August 2025
Faye Detsky-Weil is a deeply experienced advocate who spends a lot of time volunteering for causes that help protect the rights and wellbeing of older adults in the community. For almost two years now, Faye has been serving the seniors of Del Mar as the HICAP Medicare counselor (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) through our partnership with nonprofit law firm Elder Law and Advocacy (ELA). DMCC Board member Judy Schuckit nominated Faye for volunteer of the month because “Faye provides outstanding support during what is, for me and so many others, a complicated and often intimidating journey through Medicare coverage options. Faye is calm and collaborative and goes above and beyond. Her dedication brings clarity and peace of mind when it is most needed.” ELA HICAP Manager Sophie Exdell shared anonymous feedback she received from someone Faye helped, who said "I understand that Faye is a volunteer... I wouldn't have guessed that given how fluent she is with obscure details and how quickly she accessed forms and data sheets and highlighted relevant sections while explaining their significance to me.”
Faye was born and raised in New Jersey, moving to Boston for college where she studied Psychology and Secondary Education at Northeastern University. She married her husband David, they started their family, and she began a career in computer training and instructional design. In 1987, the family relocated to Del Mar and Faye began work as an instructional designer contributing to healthcare and systems engineering products for SAIC, where she worked for 13 years, later moving over to L-3 Communications. She also worked to expand her knowledge, including taking classes from UCSD Extension to earn her paralegal certificate. David was building his career at various San Diego nonprofits, serving in leadership roles at the Children’s Museum, the Computer Museum, and even as the HICAP Program Manager. Through all this, Faye and David raised two sons, who both currently live locally with families of their own: “They keep us young and active, bringing so much joy and energy into our lives.”
Faye says she has found volunteering fulfilling for quite a long time, “and I’ve had the opportunity to meet some extraordinary people.” She was an active parent when her sons were in school, serving in leadership positions for the elementary school Site Council, the high school Foundation Board, and the Student Success Services Program. She has additionally volunteered for Rancho Coastal Humane Society, the Torrey Pines Community Planning Board, and the City of San Diego’s Ethics and Human Relations commissions. In addition to her HICAP duties, for which she received extensive training and has been registered through the state of California to provide Medicare assistance for 10 years now, Faye also serves on the SD Aging and Independence Services Advisory Council, which looks for ways to strengthen the aging network in the county. Lastly, she ushers at all sorts of cultural performances across the county!
DMCC is fortunate to partner with great community organizations like ELA and the highly trained volunteers and rich resources they provide; these partnerships allow both organizations to expand their reach and help more people. Faye’s feeling about DMCC is that “I’m proud to contribute to a growing organization that makes a meaningful difference in so many lives. Del Mar is fortunate to have such a dedicated and impactful resource.” To learn more about Faye or volunteering for DMCC, visit www.dmcc.cc/volunteerofthemonth.
Thank you Faye!
Lois Higgins
July 2025
Lois Higgins is such a valuable member of the DMCC volunteer team that this is her second time being recognized as Volunteer of the Month! Lois was first recognized in December 2022 for being a dynamic member of our Essential Transportation team and leading a beachwalking group. Her dedication deepened; Lois is now the volunteer leader of DMCC Trailblazers, our monthly trailwalking group planned in partnership with the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy every third Monday morning. Commented Executive Director Ashley Simpkins, “DMCC is so fortunate to claim Lois as a volunteer program leader - we appreciate her perseverance in working to create a fun and popular opportunity for fitness and fresh air, and we particularly appreciate the careful consideration she gives to the individual needs of the various participants.”
Lois has been a resident of Del Mar for over 40 years and San Diego County for more than 60 years. Lois enjoyed a long career in project management for a utility company, overseeing coordination and customer service with commercial and residential builders. She credits that professional experience and the people she worked with for her teaching her the value of teamwork. The deep pride and joy she draws from her step kids, granddaughter, and three-year-old great granddaughter are incredibly obvious to anyone who asks her about her family. “They now live elsewhere but still call Del Mar ‘home!’”
Lois says she has volunteered in some capacity for many years and she currently volunteers for three organizations. “I have always enjoyed helping people as I find I usually get more from the people I help than I give them. I enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories about their interesting lives.” Lois spends her non-volunteering free time reading or getting exercise at the gym, beach, or pickleball court. She traveled much of the world with her late husband Ron, and now her travel is focused on visiting and spending quality time with loved ones based in Mill Valley, Tahoe, Kauai, and Wisconsin.
DMCC is able to offer so many great activities because of our volunteer program leaders, who use their unique skills and interests to create opportunities for engagement and socialization. They report satisfaction over having control over their corner of the DMCC activity calendar. Lois says “I feel DMCC is a very well organized and run organization which makes it rewarding to be part of the volunteer team.” To learn more about Lois or volunteering as a program leader for DMCC, visit www.dmcc.cc/volunteerofthemonth.
Thank you Lois!
Nancy Kane
June 2025
Nancy Kane loves gardening, quilting, and her community, and is one of those people who is organized enough to harness her artistic skills and coordinate others to serve her community. As a Del Mar Garden Club (DMGC) board member, Nancy was in charge of the Project JOY outreach partnership with DMCC over the 2024 holiday season, organizing her fellow DMGC members to create beautiful handmade gifts to deliver to the homes of community members who are homebound, recently widowed, recovering from injury, or otherwise in need of a demonstration of extra love from their community. Nancy was nominated by DMCC and DMGC board member Tanya Young, who said, “DMCC is so fortunate that Nancy headed up Project JOY last year. She designed handmade quilted “Bowl Cozies” and filled them with treats to bring joy to every recipient. The lucky DMGC and DMCC volunteers got to have fun hanging out with Nancy and learning more about her amazing work.”
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Originally from Massachusetts, Nancy has lived in in California since 1989 and has called Del Mar home since 2019. She began her career as a buyer for JC Penney before raising her four children with her husband Chris. She currently owns a small business in partnership with a friend providing a specialty quilting service called a longarm service (www.thequiltqueens.com). And she now really enjoys spending as much time as possible with her three granddaughters, “and they all live in San Diego!”
A core part of Nancy’s identity is her volunteer work; in addition to her responsibilities to the Garden Club and DMCC, she volunteered for all her kids’ schools and sports program when she was raising them. She has been actively providing service to Feeding San Diego since 2012, because “it truly fills my soul to help others.”
DMCC depends on the partnership of other community organizations for some of our most valued programs, and it’s a fun way to get even more people involved in keeping older adults in the community. Nancy says about the partnership “When the Garden Club asked for someone to head up Project JOY last year, I raised my hand right away! After delivering some of the gifts a few years back, I couldn’t wait to put my spin on it. The partnership not only brings so much joy to the gift recipients, but also to so many other Garden Club volunteers that helped put it all together.” To learn more about Nancy or volunteering for DMCC, visit www.dmcc.cc/volunteerofthemonth. If you have an idea for a way a partner organization can work with DMCC to benefit the older adults of Del Mar, contact our office at dmcc@dmcc.cc or call (858) 792-7565.
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Thank you Nancy!
Dan Maneval
April 2025
Dan Maneval is a recent addition to DMCC Team and has already made a significant impact in the lives of Del Mar older adults through his can-do spirit and positive attitude. Dan is a member of DMCC’s volunteer Essential Transportation team, which provides independence to older adults who no longer drive. He is also a new member of DMCC’s Transportation Committee, which oversees our Essential Transportation programs and plans recreational outings for active older adults. Dan was nominated by Transportation Committee Chair Judy Schuckit, who says, “As a relatively new member of our volunteer driver program Dan has jumped in with two feet and our clients often comment on his enthusiasm, kindness, and say that spending time with him is just plain fun.”
Originally from Hockessin, Delaware, Dan moved to California to attend graduate school at USC. He holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Biomedical Engineering and has spent his career working on the early-stage development of novel biologic therapies for cancer and other unmet medical needs. Currently he works as a consultant in the biopharma industry where he enjoys working with start-up companies and teams developing new technologies. Dan met his wife of 36 years, Edna, in the PhD program at USC. They lived in Los Angeles and the Bay Area before moving to San Diego over 30 years ago, settling in Del Mar in 2014. They have two sons who grew up in Carmel Valley and attended Torrey Pines High School. Their son Matt is an architect and lives in San Francisco with his wife Caroline, while their son Andrew is an MD and finishing his second year as a surgery resident in Los Angeles.
Dan has been volunteering his entire life because his parents emphasized the importance of education, community and the value of giving back. Dan was a Little League volunteer for over a decade when his kids were younger and has been active with his church and scouting. Dan has shared that “As an adult, I have met some of my favorite people through volunteer activities and it has been fun to get to know the many volunteers in the Del Mar community!”
DMCC Essential Transportation volunteers are always the most needed volunteers, and they make an enormous difference in the lives of the individuals they serve. Whether they are driving their own personal vehicles to help someone get to a medical appointment, or serving as the host on a Grocery Van, they enjoy a flexible schedule and have the opportunity to develop lasting friendships with the clients they serve. When asked why he volunteers for DMCC, Dan notes, “The DMCC team works very well together and has created an open and friendly atmosphere. I particularly appreciate that I can select the times and dates for volunteering that don’t conflict with my work schedule.” To learn more about Dan or volunteering for DMCC, visit www.dmcc.cc/volunteerofthemonth.
Thank you Dan!
Michelle Johnson
March 2025
Michelle Johnson is a person who volunteers to find personal fulfillment and spreads even more joy to others in the process. Michelle has served for a couple of years on our volunteer Essential Transportation team, which provides independence to nondriving seniors, usually as a van host for shopping trips. Michelle was nominated by Essential Transportation client Fran and Transportation Committee Chair Judy Schuckit because, according to Fran, “Michelle does an incredible job as hostess and her energy and enthusiasm are contagious. She is especially helpful to the two regulars who need the most assistance.”
Originally from Washington, DC, Michelle grew up in Sacramento, studied at UC Davis, and lived in New York City and San Francisco before making her way to Del Mar in 2020. Her husband Andy owns a branding and graphic design company, and she credits his love for surfing and their shared appreciation for the beauty of the community for bringing them here. For her part, Michelle worked in merchandise planning for 15 years, forecasting sales and purchasing, culminating in a Vice President of Inventory Management role at beauty products giant Sephora. She recently shifted her career, now working as the US Market Development Manager at a UK-based data privacy platform.
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The other love of Michelle’s life is travel; she has explored 50 countries “and counting!,” and is currently excited for an upcoming trip to Bhutan, not least because “they measure Gross National Happiness there!” She recently joined the Del Mar Women’s Giving Collective, and she’s looking forward to effecting more positive impacts in the wider San Diego community.
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DMCC Essential Transportation volunteers are always the most needed volunteers, and they make an enormous difference in the lives of the individual seniors they serve. Whether they are driving their own personal vehicles to help someone get to a medical appointment, or serving as the host on a Grocery Van, they enjoy a flexible schedule and have the opportunity to develop lasting friendships with the clients they serve. When asked why she volunteers for DMCC, Michelle notes that as she has lost her parents and in-laws, she finds “tremendous joy and meaning” in spending time with older adults: “Over the past two years with DMCC, I've found a wonderful community of friends. Each person has fascinating stories to share, and I look forward to our conversations and catching up on their lives. These relationships help fill a special place in my heart and allow me to create the kind of connections I miss having with my own parents.” To learn more about Michelle or volunteering for DMCC, visit www.dmcc.cc/volunteerofthemonth.
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Thank you Michelle!