<div><strong>Shiela has recently experienced rapidly progressing and severe medical issues, requiring constant supervision and 24/7 care. Her condition is changing day by day, and the level of support she needs is increasing just as quickly.</strong>
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<div>For more than 30 years, Shiela Ortiz poured her heart into Metuchen High School, teaching accounting, typing, and business education with a passion that reached far beyond the classroom. Sheila spent her entire career lifting her students, coworkers, and community up.
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<div>Anyone who knows Shiela knows she was never *just* a teacher. She is a mentor, a cheerleader, a steady presence, and for so many, a surrogate mom. She connects with people because of her kindness, fairness, humor, and a genuine love for others that makes everyone feel seen.
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<div>She still keeps in contact with so many of her former students. If you take a look at any of her many Facebook walls, you'll see her former students share only the best sentiments and memories:
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<li><em>You were the only person who could see the real me and let me shine.</em>
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<li><em>Best teacher and friend ever.</em>
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<li><em>Not just a teacher — a friend, a parent, someone who never let me down.</em>
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<li><em>A beautiful person inside and out.</em>
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<li><em>A legend.</em>
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<li><em>You did so much more for us than you ever realized.</em>
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<li><em>One of the best teachers I ever had.</em>
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<div>Shiela was the teacher who bought lunches for kids who needed them, brought in birthday cakes, and gave students their first taste of sushi before it was popular. She stayed after class to listen, went out of her way to help, showed up at every game as a huge sports fan, and created a classroom full of warmth, laughter, and belonging. For many, she was and still is their favorite teacher of all time. She is family.
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<div>She spent her life giving to others. Now she needs her community to give back.
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<div>Insurance is covering very little.
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<div>Her pension cannot meet these demands.
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<div>And expenses are escalating faster than anyone can keep up.
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<div>She is already moving out of her apartment (after 48 years) and into an assisted care setting, where she now shares a room due to cost. Even with that, the out-of-pocket bills are overwhelming.
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<div>This fundraiser is being organized by people who love her and her family deeply and cannot stand by while her only child, Sean Thompson, tries to shoulder this alone. We are stepping in because Shiela would never ask, and Sean sees caring for her as his responsibility as her son. Sean did not ask that we do this fundraiser.
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<div>Sean has been caring for her emotionally, physically, and financially by taking time away from work and doing everything possible to keep her safe, supported, and comfortable. But Shiela’s needs are growing beyond what one person can manage, and both she and Sean need the help of the community she served for decades.
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<div>All donations will go directly toward Shiela’s ongoing medical and daily-living needs, including:
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<li>24/7 caregiving and supervision
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<li>Out-of-pocket medical costs already exceeding $10,000
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<li>Assisted-living expenses not covered by insurance or pension
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<li>Apartment cleanout and moving expenses (~$4,000)
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<li>Medical supplies, equipment, and transportation
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<li>Respite support
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<li>Basic necessities to keep Sheila safe, comfortable, and cared for
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<div>Her situation is rapidly progressing, and the level of care required will continue to increase.
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<div><strong>OUR GOAL</strong>
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<div>To fully reflect the true and growing needs, we have set a goal intended to help cover Shiela’s medical, caregiving, and living expenses in the months ahead. Any amount you can contribute will make an immediate, meaningful difference.
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<div>If Shiela ever touched your life with a lesson, a smile, a hug, advice, one of her countless acts of quiet generosity, or a McMuffin, please consider donating or sharing this page. Your support will help Shiela receive the dignity, comfort, and care she deserves, and will help Sean continue caring for his mother during this time.
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<div><em>Please note that GoFundMe does take 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction. </em>
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Linda Pellis

Angela Ortiz

Steven Ruth

Jonathan Hood

Barbara Miller

Tyler Locke

Robert Austin

Anonymous

Christine Tambini McCann

Travia Charmont

Elaine Small

Sharon Counts

Team Shiela: Rallying for Our Favorite Teacher

Team Shiela: Rallying for Our Favorite Teacher

Still $1,395 to go. Help us build momentum.