Calabasas woman continues to work with cause despite husband's death
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

IN MEMORY—Calabasas resident Sheila ScottKendall shares a moment in happier times with her husband Ben Kendall. Scott-Kendall will continue her leadership in organizing the annual golf tournament fundraiser for Guide Dogs of America Foundation in spite of her husband's death on July 29. Scott-Kendall has overseen the benefit event for 15 years.

Ben Kendall and his wife, Sheila Scott-Kendall, didn't know July 29 would be their last day together.

Kendall had seen his doctor earlier in the day to have his heart checked. Though the certified public accountant seemed in good health, he died unexpectedly that evening. The couple would have celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary on Aug. 11.

Kendall's sudden death at age 66 happened just weeks before a large fundraising event ScottKendall has organized for 15 years—the Guide Dogs of America Foundation's annual golf classic. This year it will be Sept. 15 at Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo.

Though grieving the loss of her husband, the Calabasas resident has continued to work on the fundraiser for the foundation.

"When this happened to me, I felt compelled to go forward and finish it," Scott-Kendall said. "This is something I'm going to carry on with because it's the right thing to do."

The purpose of the allvolunteer foundation is to support and raise money for Guide Dogs of America, a nonprofit that provides guide dogs free of charge to people who are blind or vision- impaired. The organization celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

Foundation President Graham Henderson said it "means the world" to the 23-member board that Scott-Kendall will still handle the arrangements for the tournament. All proceeds support the guide dog school in Sylmar and pay for the nonprofit's operating expenses.

"We've relied on her to do it so many years, and not having her would be devastating," Henderson said.

The foundation is also feeling the loss of Kendall, he said, a longtime tournament supporter who assisted his wife, encouraged fellow golfers to sign up and was one of the sponsors.

"He was certainly a fellow willing to help give a hand," Henderson said.

Patti Feddersen, a friend of the Kendalls since volunteering with Guide Dogs of America 12 years ago, said it's very moving to watch Scott-Kendall persist with the cause despite suffering such a tremendous loss.

"(Ben) wouldn't have wanted it any other way and neither would she," Feddersen said. "It's just an incredible story because how many of us could do this?"

Scott-Kendall said the two dogs she adopted several years ago when they didn't pass the guide dog training program are helping her cope with her husband's death. She'll do her best to make the tournament a success because she's seen how guide dogs can change lives. People who've lost their vision gain independence with a guide dog at their side, she said.

"I feel this is my calling in life, and I just can't give it up. I can't."

For more information about the golf tournament, email ScottKendall at sscott707@aol.com.