The Mary Catherine Smalley Memorial Scholarship

The Mary Catherine Smalley Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: ($500 Award) The Mary C. Smalley Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to assist disabled nursing students who embody the values that Mary embraced to achieve her goal of becoming a nurse. It is hoped that by providing this assistance a worthy student will go on to make contributions that will improve the delivery of healthcare. Further, that the recipient’s personal hardships will be a source of strength and inspiration for themselves, their colleagues, and those they nurse. Applicants must be enrolled in the Nursing Program at Worcester State University and have at least a 3.0 GPA. Preference will be given to candidates who are disabled.

Mary Smalley fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a registered nurse in 1996, just one year before she lost a long battle with cancer. Scheduling treatments around her classes and clinical requirements, Mary’s unfailing optimism and undaunted spirit were an inspiration to all who knew her.

Born June 3, 1960, in Worcester, Mary was one of nine children born to Catherine (Fortune) and Harold Smalley, Jr. Almost immediately diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s Disease, she had her first surgery when she was only seven days old. Multiple surgeries followed from childhood into adulthood to control the disease. Despite her illness, Mary found great joy in living. She loved spending time with her nieces and nephews and found personal happiness with her friend and partner, Jeffrey Toney.

Mary worked at UMass Medical Center, where she became a role model for many of her co-workers. A friend wrote of her, Mary challenged us as nurses to be more compassionate, more empathetic, and to be strong patient advocates.”

When she graduated from Worcester State University, she received the Faculty Recognition Award. The presentation of the award included these words from the faculty: “Mary embodies the spirit of a true nursing professional, providing care and nurturance to others even in the face of personal adversity. Mary’s courage, perseverance, and dedication to her chosen profession during a time of personal challenge have provided all of us with a renewed enthusiasm and energy for dealing with our own personal challenges. She overcame many obstacles to achieve this goal and in so doing, has gained the respect, love, and admiration of her classmates and faculty.”

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