Today, for "Women's History Month", we are celebrating this fantastic lady
Meet Tari-Lea O'Neill, 53, wife, mother of 1 beautiful daughter, business owner, a strong Irish woman..
Tari-lea is a 53 year old mother with her only daughter, Katie and husband Gene. Tari-lea was born to a single, hardworking mother. Her mother kept a strong will and good family connections despite being a single mother in the late 60’s early 70’s. Her mother finally married when she was 5 years old. After Two years she was given a baby brother and later a baby sister who became her best friends for life. After a divorce and a move Tari-lea while juggling her own career at an Irish Pub by age 12 and later a Highschool life, she helped her now single mother out by helping take care of her siblings at home. Her Career at the irish pub lasted 22 years as she started as a busskid and moved her way to cook, waitress and then bartender as she made many lifelong connections; like meeting her husband through friends there in 1988.
In 1982, her sophomore year in high school her mother and siblings along with herself moved to Old Orchard Beach. She made many friends and played her favorite sport field hockey and later softball at Old Orchard Beach Highschool; where she also was the mascot, Sandy the Seagull. Her years in OOBHS grounded her to this town and she continues to have many connections and memories as she helps the community. In her late teens she began working as a lifeguard in a local campground where she met a family, who at age 20 offered to have her move in with them to earn her EMT license in Massachusetts. Tari-lea had already been enrolled in Maine Med’s school of Surgical Technology, but she found that wasn't what she wanted to do in the medical field. She moved down to Massachusetts and lived with her newfound family while coming back on weekends to see her mother and siblings and work at the irish pub. While earning her EMT license she found employment in Massachusetts at a lighting factory which she continued to juggle with her job at the pub in Maine.
1988, started her EMT career with a job at B+L Ambulance which eventually became American Medical Response. She held a career there for 25 years and during that career was awarded the Star of Life award in Washington D.C in 2008. The ceremony for that lasted 4 days, and the award further proved her dedication to helping others and her community.
In 2001 she and her soon to be husband opened her own seasonal food business Shipwreck Foods along with her mother; and married in 2002. In 2003 they welcomed their daughter, and Tari-Lea still continues to work that food business with her family every summer in Old Orchard Beach which she refers to as her happy place.
When being asked to participate in Women’s History Month, Tari-Lea and Susie wanted a Special Picture Taken. They are holding pictures of two of the Best Ladies! Their Nanna and their Mum. Generations are where people start. Knowing, the two of them, gave Tari-Lea and Susie the foundation, the kindness and the drive to Be who they are.
Tari-Lea mantra for living a good life is:
"Always Be Kind"
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If you are from the OOB area or if you are enjoying a vacation time there, make sure to stop by Tari-Lea's place, the "Shipwreck Foods"
located at 40 East Grand Ave.
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Thank you, Tari-Lea, for sharing your journey and for being so awesome!
#whm #womenshistorymonth #womansupportingwomen #womenempowerment
3 Comments
Mar 18, 2021, 3:41:25 PM
Pearl May Begin - These are so beautiful, Love them
Mar 17, 2021, 8:06:50 PM
Denise Bentgen - Wonderful!
Mar 17, 2021, 3:07:25 PM
Arlene Mckim - Congratulations! Thank you for sharing!