In 1943, Mary Therese Dvarecka graduated from what was then the Springfield Hospital School of Nursing.
Fifty-five years later she made what would be her most powerful charitable gift.
Always a strong annual supporter, Mary established a charitable trust to support the mission of Baystate Health Foundation. In doing so, she ensured her annual support lives on forever.
Passionate about giving back, Mary focused her generosity on three main areas at Baystate Health: scholarship funds for nursing students like herself; funds for medical research to help make once life-threatening diseases and conditions just a memory; funds to support medical services for the indigent.
Gifts from Mary's trust will provide a permanent source of income for areas of care that were close to Mary's heart.
Her loving gift to Baystate Health Foundation also celebrates the love of her life, Colonel Alterio "Terry" Gallerani, an Air Force veteran and her devoted husband for over 40 years. The impact made from her gifts honors both of their memories.
While we knew Mary through her years of loyal annual support, which she continued as she and Terry moved around the country, the news of this powerful and enduring gift was a surprise, coming only after she passed.
Mary and Terry showed that they cared deeply about Baystate Health by making a gift that will fight disease, support the education and training of nurses and also helps those in need receive quality healthcare for generations to come.
To learn more about planned giving, contact Kylie Johnson at 413-794-7789 or kylie.johnson@baystatehealth.org.