The Sheridan Family

Feeling Right at Home

by Sheila Turner-Hilliard

Photos by Crissy Everhart Photography www.CrissyEverhart.com

This month we are pleased to introduce you to The Sheridan Family: Tori, Ryan, Scarlett, Rowan and Russell. Life for the Sheridans is rewarding and fun, filled with family, friends and a deep appreciation for their community.

Ryan grew up in Lancaster County, though most of his family is from Ridley and West Chester. He went to Quarryville Elementary School, Smith Middle School and Solanco High School where he ran track and played on the basketball team. He has a younger brother, Kyle, who lives in Glen Mills and a younger sister, Carly who is in Quarryville.

Ryan earned his degree in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University, though he and Tori studied on different campuses. After graduation, Ryan began working for SEPTA as a Railroad Signal Maintainer. Today, Ryan is a Railroad and Transit Project Manager specializing in railroad signaling.

Ryan’s work involves writing and testing software that enhances the safety and operational efficiency of our rail and transit systems.

I enjoy problem-solving,” Ryan explained. “I also love being a part of commissioning efforts for local rail lines.

Some recent projects Ryan has worked on were for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), implementing positive train control systems, and recently completing a project to expand the SEPTA Media/Elwyn line extension.

Tori grew up in Middletown Township with her parents, her younger brother, Shane and her younger sister, Hailey. She attended Glenwood Elementary School, Springton Lake Middle School and graduated from Penncrest High School. Tori enjoyed participating in many activities while in school. She took dance lessons, sang in the choir, participated in the theater program and was a member of the cheerleading and tennis teams.

Ryan and Tori Sheridan

After high school, Tori went to Penn State, where she earned her degree in Communications. She then went to Drexel University to earn a master’s degree in the Science of Instruction. While finishing her master’s degree, Tori also earned her Home Staging and Redesign certification.

In 2009, I started my own staging company and began working with Realtors to stage their listings,” Tori explained. “At the same time, I was working as a project manager for a real estate renovation company.

She decided to get her real estate license, and passed the test, but did not sign on with an agency. Instead, she continued to stage homes and oversee residential and commercial renovation projects successfully.

Fast forward a few years to when Tori’s father was listing one of his investment properties for sale. “I was introduced to Vince May, who was representing my dad,” she said. “Vince asked if I would join him in creating the Vince May team.” Tori was interested, but it had been almost three years since she passed her test. She wasn’t even sure if her license had expired.

I looked back at my licensing paperwork and discovered I had just three days left before I would have to retest. So, Vince and I jumped in the car, drove to Harrisburg to make it official, and became the first member of the Vince May Team.

Tori said that today, the team has grown to seven agents. “I love what I do and genuinely love helping my clients achieve their goal of home ownership,” she said. “I also love my colleagues, and although it sounds cliché, we really are like family.”

Ryan and Tori said they met through mutual friends. “My friend, Alicia, was dating Ryan’s friend, Steve,” Tori explained. “They both kept telling us separately that we really needed to meet each other.” After some convincing from their friends, Tori invited Ryan to her parent’s house for a backyard barbeque. She said that Ryan showed up with his guitar and the rest is history. “We hit it off immediately and started dating right away,” Tori said. “It’s funny now because Alicia and Steve argue over who gets the matchmaking credit.”

The happy couple married at The Reeds in Stone Harbor, NJ overlooking Shelter Haven Basin. Tori said that the location was very special because of her family’s history. In 1908, her great-grandparents came to the United States from Norway and purchased a home in Stone Harbor. Her grandparents also lived there, and Tori and her siblings have very fond childhood memories of summers spent in Stone Harbor.

Rowan, Russell and Scarlett Sheridan

Ryan and Tori then decided that they wanted to settle down and start a family in a place they knew they could call home –Edgmont.

We both wanted to be close to our families,” Ryan said. “My father is in Westtown, my brother is in Glen Mills, and most of my cousins are in Thornbury Township. Tori’s family is just minutes away, too.

They didn’t have to look too far to find the perfect home because it was a property that Tori was hired to sell. “It was an estate being sold by the original owners, and it needed extensive work,” Tori explained. “But it was on a beautiful piece of land, and we both fell in love with it.” The extra special part for Tori was that it was located in the Rose Tree Media School District and that their kids would someday attend the same schools as she did.

Tori and Ryan’s oldest is Scarlett. She is an active first-grade student at Glenwood Elementary School who loves dance, gymnastics and tennis. Her parents describe her as outgoing, talkative and friendly, and Tori said she is just the best big sister to her younger brothers.

Their second child is Rowan, who joined his sister at Glenwood Elementary for Kindergarten. Rowan loves to play soccer and little league baseball. Tori said that although Rowan is friendly and sociable, he does have a bit of a shy side. She also said that the name Rowan is special because it’s her mother’s maiden name and that in Gaelic, Rowan means “red.” Fitting since their daughter is Scarlett.

Ryan and Tori Sheridan with their children

Russell is Tori and Ryan’s youngest. Although he is just 17 months old, he does his best to keep up with his older brother and sister. “Russell is a real ham bone,” laughed Tori. “He is always trying to make his siblings laugh and they think he’s absolutely adorable.” Russell is named after Tori’s father, and the name means “little red.”

Last but certainly not least is Finnegan, the family’s nine-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Finnegan isn’t shy about making his presence known in the family; the kids just adore him.

Spending quality family time is important to Ryan, Tori and the kids. Some of their favorite activities are hiking the trails around Ridley Creek State Park and the Okehocking Preserve, visiting Arasapha Farms and participating in community events like Edgmont Community Day. They also love to host impromptu dinners and backyard bonfires with their neighbors and extended family.

When the Sheridans hit the road for fun, they like to do so with their siblings and cousins. Last month, they traveled to Disney World with Tori’s family – a party of 15, including seven kids under the age of seven! They also love to spend summers in Stone Harbor and recently purchased a condo in Naples, FL, just one mile away from Tori’s parents.

No matter how far they go, Tori and Ryan agree that their favorite place to be is right here at home. They feel fortunate to be a part of a wonderful community surrounded by beautiful parks and trails, the very best neighbors and the love of their families.

Thank you, Ryan and Tori, for sharing your story with our Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors. We wish your family the warmest holiday season.

Do you know a Newtown Edgmont family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.