Mary Maurer’s relationship with Aidan’s Heart Foundation is both one of tragedy and yet joy. Brian, Mary’s son, is married to Erin, Christy Silva’s (Aidan’s Mother and Board President) cousin. History reveals that both Brian and Erin babysat Aidan and younger brother Devin in their early years. Upon learning of Aidan’s passing through Brian, Mary quickly developed a strong bond with Christy over the devastating loss of their sons. Just one year prior to Aidan’s passing, Mary’s son, Christopher, also suddenly passed away.
Born and raised in The City of Brotherly Love, Mary attended Holy Family College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and began her career as an Emergency Room nurse in Philadelphia, PA. Upon relocating to West Chester, Mary accepted a position at Chester County Hospital where she has been employed for 35 years. In addition to her nursing responsibilities, Mary has participated in educational seminars helping to educate and guide future medical professionals.
Mary and her husband, David, are avid cyclists, and prior to the COVID pandemic, the Maurer’s cherished their annual ski trip tradition. While the pandemic placed a pause on their ski trips, Mary, along with her children, Brian and Julie, and grandchildren, take advantage of every opportunity to escape for a long weekend at the beach. With two grandchildren currently, and a third on the way, Mary is always “on call.” Her unconditional love and admiration for her family became very evident during our interactions and was emphasized when I asked Mary to share her favorite activities and hobbies outside of her hospital responsibilities. There was no hesitation on her part as she proclaimed, “anything that involves family.”
In addition to Mary’s work in the emergency room, she has immersed herself with organizations serving individuals on the autism spectrum. Mary’s son, Christopher, was diagnosed with autism, and Mary shared that her work with autism holds a special place in her heart and is a vital reason of who she is today.
Observing the evolution of Aidan’s Heart Foundation, and the family, and friends’ commitment to passing Aidan’s Law with the intention of placing AEDs into schools and other areas where children congregate for sports and play was nothing short of inspiring for Mary. When her ED Unit Council at Chester County Hospital initiated pediatric symposiums, it became evident to her that Christy was the perfect guest speaker to jumpstart the occasion. Mary added that Christy’s presentation was beautiful and inspirational while outlining the multiple ways she is honoring her late son and ensuring that other children do not meet a similar fate.
When Aidan’s Heart Foundation began their annual CPR and AED hands-on training classes at the Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center, Mary knew that many of her generous, credentialed, and talented Chester County Hospital employees, several of whom tragically buried a child, would be inspired to lend a helping hand now, and at future events.
When asked to describe the most rewarding aspect of working with Aidan’s Heart Foundation, Mary did not hesitate to declare the amazing people she has met along the way, and the awe-inspiring mission the foundation seeks to carry out routinely, “I am blessed to work with amazing people who readily donate their time and expertise, and am equally blessed to be involved with an organization that has provided Aidan a profound legacy, while honoring children who were lost suddenly, by working to prevent other families suffer the same fate.”
As retirement nears, Mary insists she will never “retire” from performing service work honoring both her son, and Aidan’s memory. “No space exists between the minutes a family misses or feels the grief burden of the loss of a child. This kind of work honors our children, and it mends our own hearts.” One can describe Mary as a diligent and extremely competent Emergency Room nurse, and educator. However, this would only touch the service of this special individual. Mary is a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and an inspiration for the rest of us.