Marvelous Moms

Eleven women were recently honored in a variety of categories by the Clark County Mother of the Year Awards Committee.

The awards were established 29 years ago to honor women in the community -- "unsung heroes" -- for their achievements in the lives of their families and the community.

At a ceremony May 2 at the Gold Coast hotel-casino, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev, presented the awards to the following:

Tracie Stits: Motivational Mother

Autumn Stits says her mother, Tracie Stits, gave her three children courage and helped them overcome obstacles. She encouraged them in their education, never letting them settle for an average grade.

"I told them that they didn't have to go to school, that they could stay home," Tracie says. "But if they did that, they would have to learn this phrase: 'Would you like fries with that order?' "

Autumn says she talks to her mother like a sister. She says none of the children would have such high expectations and goals if it weren't for their mother.

"She taught us never to doubt ourselves," Autumn says. "Her philosophy is 'never say should have, would have, could have. Always do what you can when you can.' "

Vicki Messner: Exemplary Mother

Kathy Yanke says of her sister, Vicki Messner: "She has been a most wonderful example of charity and love. She gives and gives and never asks anything in return."

Vicki cared for her mother until her mother's death from cancer. Then she cared for her father, who died a month later.

The mother of three children, she opened her home to her sons' friends. One friend stayed for a year while he completed high school in Las Vegas after his parents moved out of state. Another teen has been with the family for five years after moving to Las Vegas from Hawaii and having no one to take care of him.

Vicki has volunteered through church and other activities to help women and their families. She worked with special-needs children in the Clark County School District, and develops a bond with the students for whom she cares.

Teresita Smith: Military Mother

Born in the Philippines, Teresita Smith came to the United States in 1961 to marry a retired Navy chief. They have four grown children.

After serving in the Vietnam War, her husband received a medical discharge and Teresita took up where he left off. She earned her licensed practical nurse degree and enlisted in the Army at age 38. She trained with 18-year-olds, but the petite woman often outshone them. She was nicknamed "Road Runner" for completing the 300-mile desert run. After receiving many awards and recognition, she retired as first sergeant after 21 years.

Teresita instilled in her children the importance of education. Her daughter, Gia, says her mother has an insatiable quest for knowledge.

Teresita says her home was always filled with children. They often performed shows for the neighborhood. She enjoyed getting right in and playing with them. She says they could make as much noise as they wanted, with only one caveat: That it be happy noise.

Heather Saxe:

Endearing Mother

Heather Saxe instilled in her sons the value of education. All attended dental school.

Heather, who has had many challenges in her life, says she's grateful for a second chance. She was diagnosed with a disease that resulted in a kidney transplant. As she became stronger, she was tested again in January 1998 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, earlier this year she was cleared of the cancer.

Her son, Michael, says Heather has shown the family strength, survival, determination and what a mom and grandmother should be.

Barbara Nickerson: Humanitarian Mother

Daughter-in-law Linda Pettaway says the younger generation looks up to Barbara Nickerson, and the older generation looks toward her.

Barbara, who has five birth children, one adopted child and several grandchildren, counsels street people. She had known hard times early in her life, but later turned things around completely, Linda says.

Everything Barbara had lost was returned to her "double," Linda says.

She helps feed the homeless, and tries to get them off the streets to become productive members of society.

Julie Gilday Shaffer: Professional Mother

Angie Wallin says her daughter, Julie Gilday Shaffer, "has been the glue that holds her family together."

Julie teaches her two young sons the value of sharing with those who are less fortunate. They distribute toys to the homeless and have donated play equipment and toys to the Nevada Association for the Handicapped.

Julie volunteers to teach weekly religion classes to neighborhood children, and leads the parents group at her son's school. She has served the community through various positions with the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and helps raise funds for the handicapped association.

Julie has strong business and professional ethics, and teaches her children the importance of the community and their Nevada heritage, Angie says.

Marilyn Ming: Supportive Mother

Victoria Keisic describes her mother, Marilyn Ming, as "the most amazing, selfless and loving lady that has ever existed.

"It is incredible that one single person could accomplish so much in her life, while facing such tremendous setbacks along the way," Victoria says.

A single mother of two, Marilyn fulfilled the role of both mother and father when it was badly needed, Victoria says, noting that her mother is her best friend. "I have learned more about love and self-sacrifice from her than anyone, ever. She has shown me what grace means and, because of that, I know what love means."

Gayle Bowles: Nurturing Mother

Lisa Bowles-Goldstein says her mother, Gayle Bowles, is proof that "you can have it all."

Gayle obtained her master's degree and became a school principal. Yet she still managed to put her two children's needs first, Lisa says.

Lisa lived with her mother before her wedding and until Lisa passed the bar exam. Lisa joined her new husband in Las Vegas and Gayle retired here. She was a comfort to her daughter, whose husband's job required him to be on the road.

When Lisa broke her leg in her ninth month of pregnancy, her mother was there to help. She also was in the delivery room and with Lisa for five weeks while her leg was in a cast.

Gayle heads the communications committee for Los Prados, is a member of the Niners ladies golf group and is board secretary for Nevada Senior Games.

Lisa says her mother's home is "filled with love, warmth and family."

Marzette Lewis: Community Service Mother

The mother of two, foster mother of six and grandmother of two, Marzette Lewis has been a community activist who has worked to improve the lives of children.

Her daughter, Tracey Lewis, says she is "the mother of a lifetime."

She has worked as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor, and attended the Community College of Southern Nevada and UNLV to study early childhood education.

She formed WAAK-UP, the Westside Action Alliance Korps -- Uplifting People, to stop the busing of children out of West Las Vegas for the majority of their education. As a result of her efforts, the area's predominantly black community got its first new school in 27 years. Five years later, a middle school was added.

Marzette is also active in the Band Booster Club at West Middle School.

Vinnie Morton: Inspirational Mother

Judy Morton-Pelto says her mother, Vinnie Morton, "does good-hearted things for the people who come into her life simply because she wants to. She does not do it for recognition, prestige or pride."

A year and a half ago, Vinnie put her life on hold to care for one of her three daughters who had been injured in a car accident. She was unable to use either leg and her right arm. She relied on her mother for her every need.

Vinnie taught her daughters the value of an education and the importance of becoming independent women. "She made us believe there wasn't anything we couldn't accomplish," Judy says. "We believed because she believed."

Vinnie is a leader in the Stephans Ministries at her church and is a Court-Appointed Special Advocate volunteer with Family Court.

Nyla Mahood:

Volunteer Mother

Friends say Nyla Mahood reaches out to parents with "tenderness and compassion, wise words and counsel."

Nyla is the leader of the Tough Parenting Network, which helps parents learn better coping strategies for dealing with troubled children, especially teenagers.

She goes to court with parents to lend emotional support, and has opened her home to rebellious teens when they and their parents needed time away from each other.

Parents say Nyla has taught them that they cannot change the child, only themselves and the way they deal with the problem.

"Through slow, sometimes painful steps, these parents often emerge with a greater sense of self-value," a friend says. The credit, he says, goes to Nyla, who has never turned down pleas for support.

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