VNA Health honored the late Marcella Rinehart Parker as its Remembered Mother during its recent Mother’s Day Luncheon.
VNA Health honored the late Marcella Rinehart “Marcy” Parker as its Remembered Mother during its recent Mother’s Day Luncheon. Parker was the mother of Eli Parker and Ashley Parker Snider and wife of the late Fess Parker. (Baron Spafford / VNA Health photo)
  • VNA Health honored the late Marcella Rinehart “Marcy” Parker as its Remembered Mother during its recent Mother’s Day Luncheon. Parker was the mother of Eli Parker and Ashley Parker Snider and wife of the late Fess Parker.
    VNA Health honored the late Marcella Rinehart “Marcy” Parker as its Remembered Mother during its recent Mother’s Day Luncheon. Parker was the mother of Eli Parker and Ashley Parker Snider and wife of the late Fess Parker.
  • Keiko Dunham was the center of attention for her family as VNA Health celebrated her as its Honored Mother during its Mother’s Day Luncheon.
    Keiko Dunham was the center of attention for her family as VNA Health celebrated her as its Honored Mother during its Mother’s Day Luncheon.
  • Coriander Stasi and Kieran Shah, the new president and CEO of VNA Health.
    Coriander Stasi and Kieran Shah, the new president and CEO of VNA Health.
  • Jelinda and Barry DeVorzon with emcee Andrew Firestone.
    Jelinda and Barry DeVorzon with emcee Andrew Firestone.
  • The VNA Health Mother’s Day Luncheon committee.
    The VNA Health Mother’s Day Luncheon committee.
  • Hula Anyone, choreography and directed by Angelita Eller.
    Hula Anyone, choreography and directed by Angelita Eller.
  • The San Marcos High School Madrigal Singers were among the performers at the luncheon.
    The San Marcos High School Madrigal Singers were among the performers at the luncheon.
  • State Street Ballet dancers Julia Kamilos and Noam Tsivkin.
    State Street Ballet dancers Julia Kamilos and Noam Tsivkin.
  • VNA Health Mother’s Day Luncheon honorees Marcy Parker and Keiko Duncan.
    VNA Health Mother’s Day Luncheon honorees Marcy Parker and Keiko Duncan.
  • Lois Mahalia and the Westmont College Chamber Singers directed by Daniel Gee.
    Lois Mahalia and the Westmont College Chamber Singers directed by Daniel Gee.
  • Togen Daiko Taiko Drummers.
    Togen Daiko Taiko Drummers.

VNA Health returned to the Rosewood Miramar Beach for the 21st Mother’s Day Luncheon and … wow!

In a spectacular celebration of moms, more than 300 guests, 50 performers and nearly two dozen volunteers filled the Montecito resort’s ballroom with animated conversations and laughter two days before Mother’s Day.

A small army of hotel staff transformed the space into a magical setting, with beautiful table arrangements designed by Hogue & Co. and orchids donated by Westerlay Orchids. The wine was donated by Fess Parker Winery.

The luncheon’s lead sponsor was Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, who was unable to attend but was ably represented by her daughter, Suzette Chafey, a Los Angeles nurse practitioner who worked for VNA Health for many years.

The luncheon’s tradition of honoring two mothers of distinction continued this year with a remembrance of Marcella Rinehart “Marcy” Parker, mother of Eli Parker and Ashley Parker Snider and the longtime wife of the late Fess Parker. She died in 2019 at age 91.

Also honored was Keiko Dunham, who has been a key member of the VNA Health Mother’s Day Luncheon committee since its inception more than 20 years ago.

Dunham and Parker’s family were each given “Caring Mother” statuettes that renowned artist and sculptor Aris Demetrios generously donated each year before he died last year at age 89.

Following a champagne reception, guests were seated and emcee Andrew Firestone led a live auction that was followed by musical performances by the Togen Daiko Taiko Drummers, San Marcos High School Madrigal Singers, State Street Ballet, and Lois Mahalia and the Westmont College Chamber Singers, along with a hula performance by Hula Anyone.

Keiko Dunham and family
Keiko Dunham was the center of attention for her family as VNA Health celebrated her as its Honored Mother during its Mother’s Day Luncheon. (Baron Spafford / VNA Health photo)

One of VNA Health’s most notable changes was the retirement earlier this year of stalwart president and CEO Lynda Tanner, RN, MSN.

Under her 14-year leadership, VNA Health grew from a small community care agency into a nationally recognized, regional health-care organization providing comprehensive in-home health care and palliative, hospice and bereavement care.

Tanner also oversaw one of VNA Health’s most significant projects: the 18-bed Serenity House, Santa Barbara County’s only Medicare-licensed in-patient hospice facility. Serenity House, at 930 Miramonte Drive on the Westside, opened in 2011.

To succeed Tanner, VNA Health hired Kieran Shah, a nationally recognized leader in advanced illness care operations and patient access. He most recently served as chief growth officer with Falls Church, Virginia-based Capital Caring Health, following tenure as chief strategy officer with Hospice of Santa Cruz County and the California Hospice Network.

I recently caught up with him at D’Angelo Bakery.

“I am blessed to have a supportive family life, including my amazing wife and partner of seven years, Coriander,” he said. “We are very excited to join this community and help … grow and nurture VNA Health for future generations.”

In addition to VNA Health’s range of direct care and programs like Serenity House, its popular Loan Closet has offered the community an enormous amount of free medical equipment and supplies since VNA Health’s founding in 1908.

Click here for more information about VNA Health. Click here to make an online donation.

On June 9, VNA Health will host its annual Men’s Night for an evening of fundraising amid camaraderie, food and drinks. The annual benefits have raised more than $1 million for the organization over the years. Click here for more information.

— Judy Foreman is a Noozhawk columnist and longtime local writer and lifestyles observer. She can be contacted at news@noozhawk.com. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are her own.

Judy Foreman is a Noozhawk columnist and longtime local writer and lifestyles observer. She can be contacted at news@noozhawk.com. The opinions expressed are her own.