Hearing what Ada Shissler has to say, one can’t help but be inspired by her clarity of purpose and deep sense of gratitude. At age 86, with six great-grandchildren and a lifetime of rich experiences, Ada radiates wisdom and warmth. Her story is a testament to what it means to live fully, work hard, and then give back in a way that leaves a positive lasting mark on the world
. “I’ve had a good life,” Ada says simply. “I worked hard, I was fortunate, and now I want to do something meaningful with what I’ve built.”
Ada’s legacy giving journey was sparked by a transformative trip to India in 2009. Traveling through Rajasthan, she was struck by the stark contrast between the grandeur of the palaces and the hardship faced by so many people outside those spectacular walls.
“I experienced beauty and heartbreak at the same time,” she recalls. “I remember wondering, how a place be so rich in culture and faith yet have so much poverty? That stayed with me.”
The experience planted a seed. Years later, when Ada met Edda and Suri Sehgal at the Captiva Island Yacht Club, where she served as commodore, she learned about the work of S M Sehgal Foundation in India. The Sehgals’ vision for empowering rural communities resonated deeply with her. “The work wasn’t about charity,” Ada explains. “It was about helping people to help themselves with education, improved farming practices, local participation and leadership, empowerment and entrepreneurship. That’s how real change begins.”
“If you’ve worked hard all your life and reached a place of comfort,” she says, “then doing good with what you have just feels right.” Supporting Sehgal Foundation through a legacy gift was a natural extension of Ada’s values and life experience.
As a successful realtor who also had deep connections to hybrid seed corn production in Illinois, Ada well understands the importance of modernization and grassroots innovation. Her commitment goes beyond generosity to reflect her worldview. She believes that empowering women and improving education are key to creating “the light side of the world.”
Ada is especially inspired by the stories of women in rural India who have gained self-confidence, learned new farming techniques, and lifted their families out of poverty through the programs of Sehgal Foundation. Women are strong, smart, and hard working. When they are given opportunity, guidance, and support, their accomplishments are transformative. “When women thrive, everyone does,” she says.
Planned legacy giving, for Ada, is not just about money. It’s about meaning. “It gives me peace,” she says with a smile. “To know that something I’ve worked for will keep helping others long after I’m gone—that’s a good feeling.”
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