Mary has been helping others her whole life. At age 12, she first volunteered to raise funds for the March of Dimes. She was a candy stripper at 15, and by 16 she was a nurse’s aide. At age 4, Mary fell and injured her head. She never forgot the nurse who cared for her before her surgery, and Mary served her whole life in health care. She filled many hospital jobs, including an OB Tech in C-Section deliveries, before earning her Registered Nursing degree. She raised her family and had a full nursing career, even helping to deliver five of her six grandchildren. Mary now treasures the many memories she shared with her husband who passed away in 2015.
She keeps his memory alive with her stories of him. In her 30’s, Mary was hit head-on driving home from work and has suffered disc issues in her back and neck since then. “Aside from the death of my family members, not being able to drive is the single worst loss of my life. When you lose the ability to drive, you lose all privacy and most of your independence.”
Mary is very grateful for the DRA’s drivers who take her to doctor’s appointments. In fact, at 80 years old, she is one of DRA’s faithful online donors. “It may not be much, but I still find a way to give to bless others.”