Mary Shea didn’t set out to become a nurse. But after “flopping around” in college and applying to nursing schools, she was accepted to Boston Children’s School of Nursing—and found her calling.
She graduated in 1976 and began caring for patients at the hospital, where she felt supported at every step. Boston Children’s encouraged continuing education, offering tuition assistance, scheduling flexibility, and a culture in which learning was seen as essential to better care for kids. That support helped Mary earn her bachelor’s degree and later pursue graduate study to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Mary Shea
Mary eventually moved to Maine for a quieter life, but she never left pediatrics behind—traveling to rural communities to provide immunizations and care for children with limited access to health services.
Today, she’s giving back annually through her IRA and a bequest in her estate for the Lattice Program, which helps new nurses enter the profession through mentorship and financial support—so more children can receive the skilled care they deserve.
I’m getting to see the effects of my giving now and creating something that will last forever.
Mary Shea
Her hope is that other nurses and staff will recognize what’s possible—and how their own planning can help strengthen nursing for the children and families who need it most.
