On a quiet stretch of Lido Isle, where the rhythm of the bay has marked time for nearly a century, one family’s story continues to unfold—layered with memories, traditions, and a deep sense of gratitude. For Linda Witherell Schaefer and her family, their Lido house lovingly known as “Nuestra Belleza” is far more than a home. It’s a legacy.

 

“Our family is probably one of the only families on Lido that has had five generations enjoy the island and original house from 1932 with the same rotary phone and phone number and no garbage disposal.”

 

The story begins in the late 1920s, when Linda’s grandparents, Wilbert and Ora McHenry, purchased a waterfront lot on Lido Isle with dreams of building a summer retreat. After an unexpected change of plans involving a neighbor’s overly enthusiastic dog attacking their smaller dog, they moved a few lots over to Via Quito, creating a home that would become the heart of the family for generations to come. Summers were spent fully immersed in island life—sailing, fishing, sunbathing, and gathering with friends and family.

 

The home was always meant to be a seasonal escape. Each summer, the family would leave their San Marino residence behind and settle into beach life, with Wilbert commuting back to Los Angeles for work. When the season ended, they would close up the house until the next summer called them back again.

 

Over time, the home passed to their daughter Lucille, Linda’s mother, who brought her own warmth and personality to the space. Known for her beauty, vibrant gardens, and love of cooking and hosting, Lucille filled the home with laughter, dinner parties, and celebrations. Evenings often ended with simple pleasures—sitting on a bench by the playground with her husband Chester, martinis in hand, watching boats drift by as the sun dipped below the horizon.

 

For Linda, childhood memories on Lido were filled with adventure. Sundays meant driving down to the beach, exploring vacant lots with her brother, playing ping pong at the clubhouse, jumping off the high dive, and catching smelt off the dock with their drop lines—later fried up by her mother for a fun treat. It was a carefree, sun-drenched upbringing that left a lasting imprint.

 

By the 1980s, Linda was creating her own traditions at the beach house, bringing her family for summer stays that quickly became unforgettable. Days were filled with trips to the Balboa Pier, ice cream runs, fishing, bonfires, and visits to beloved local spots. Friends came along, and the memories they made still come up in conversation today.

 

Those years were also marked by time on the water. Linda’s husband owned a 25-foot Skipjack, which he used to shark fish off Dana Point. He would return later in the day and enjoyed taking Linda’s parents, Lucille and Chester, out for harbor rides that quickly became some of their favorite moments together. After Linda’s husband passed away from cancer in 1994, she found a meaningful way to honor family traditions, selling his Skipjack boat and using the proceeds to purchase a Duffy for her parents so they could continue their sunset rides on the bay.

 

Today, the legacy endures through Linda’s daughter, Charina Schaefer, and Linda’s grandchildren, Kenna and Shane Napuunoa. For them, the beach house was just as magical—a place of scooter rides, dock jumps, shell collecting, and the irresistible pull of great-grandma’s cooking and freshly baked cookies.

 

The island remains woven into their everyday lives. Shane, known for his daily runs around Lido and friendly greetings to neighbors, works nearby at Avila’s El Ranchito and is pursuing his dream of becoming a firefighter. Kenna, recently engaged, experienced a full-circle moment when her fiancé proposed right on Lido Isle—an easy choice given how meaningful the place is to her.

 

Linda herself has lived a full and meaningful life beyond the island. A proud USC graduate, she went on to teach Spanish for 26 years at Ayala High School in Chino Hills, earning multiple accolades including Teacher of the Year. Even more special, she had the opportunity to teach both of her grandchildren.

 

In retirement, Linda splits her time between Lido and Chino Hills, embracing what she calls the best of both worlds. On Lido, she can often be found riding her beach cruiser or walking the stradas with Charina—favorite activities for both mother and daughter.

 

One of the most defining parts of her life today is her dedication to animal rescue. Deeply involved with Priceless Pets, she volunteers multiple days a week and leads a weekly “Sunday Hike,” inviting others to walk shelter dogs through the scenic hills.

 

Her compassion is evident not just in her volunteer work, but in her home life as well, which includes five rescue Persian cats, each cared for with extraordinary devotion. Older animals, often overlooked, find comfort and care in Linda’s hands during their final years.

 

Linda and her family’s spirit of giving extends to the holidays as well. Each year, she and Charina host a Christmas party the week of the Boat Parade that doubles as a donation drive for Priceless Pets, collecting supplies and support from friends and neighbors. It’s a tradition rooted in generosity, and one that continues to grow.

 

For their family, holidays on Lido take on an extra layer of magic. Halloween brings full-size candy bars, treats for dogs, and even margaritas for parents strolling the stradas. The Fourth of July is a patriotic celebration, complete with parades, candy, and their Persian cat named Louis Vuitton stealing the spotlight. Easter egg hunts and the coveted golden egg continue well into adulthood, proving that some traditions are simply too special to outgrow.

 

Through it all, the beach house remains the heart of their family—a place where past and present meet. Photos of earlier generations line the walls, quietly reminding the family of the legacy they’ve inherited and filling them with deep gratitude for those who first chose Lido Isle as their summer getaway.

 

As their home approaches its 100th anniversary in 2032, its name—Nuestra Belleza, “Our Beauty”—feels more fitting than ever. It’s not just a house. It’s a story, a gathering place, and a testament to the power of family, memories, and gratitude.