After a long and courageous fight against cancer, Maria Jane Turco-McArdle passed away at the age of 29 on March 13th, 2021, and Mimi’s Light serves to carry on her vision of love, empowerment, empathy, and kindness.
In her many roles as daughter, sister, niece, cousin, “doxie mom”, “aunt Mimi”, and in her final days, as wife, Maria gave herself freely without any fear of being hurt, judged, or criticized–dedicating her time to loving those closest to her and to those in need.
In 2013, Maria graduated from Nazareth college with her degree in social work and carried her vision of love, empowerment, empathy, and kindness into her community. From leading support groups for struggling teenage girls, helping refugee children, or participating in programs for kids with different abilities–Maria was “all in.”
She connected with those around her and reminded them of their intrinsic value, their humanity, and their dignity. Maria believed that everybody deserves love. Despite an aggressive cancer treatment during her final year of life, Maria graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Master of Social Work (MSW) still seeking to realize her dream of working with underserved youth.
Maria carried her vision of selflessness and compassion into the arts by performing with the Cobblestone Players and supporting the local theater during the last years of her life. She saw the arts as more than entertainment, and deeply connected with her husband and many others through music and theater.
When Maria was asked for her final words for her younger brother Nick, she wrote a song and then, despite her sickness and fatigue, Maria sang and danced from her hospital bed.
At the end of Maria’s life, her thoughts fixated on the grief and loss that she saw in her family and friends. Rather than turn inward upon the pain of her cancer or the fear of her own death, Maria expressed love. In one of her last conscious moments, Maria stated, “no matter what love looks like, it comes in all shapes and sizes, it doesn’t matter who it’s with, everyone deserves it.”
Despite the darkness, Maria gave her love and her light to all around her, she gave “Mimi’s Light”, and it’s her legacy that our foundation carries forward.
Every year Mimi’s Light provides a monetary award to a deserving senior at Penfield High School, Maria’s alma mater. All graduating seniors who exemplify the values of love, empathy, kindness, and empowerment are eleigible. For more information on how to apply, please see our application portal below.
Mimi’s Light celebrates the life of Maria through inviting our community to join us each Spring at the Cobblestone Arts Center to enjoy craft vendors, food trucks, live music, painting, drumming, and a silent disco led by Wildbyrd Productions! See our event for more details and contact us directly for information on sponsorships and partnering.
In partnership with with Cobblestone Arts Center, we have built a community garden which is maintained by students and overseen by the Cobblestone staff. We engage youth in connecting to nature through the cultivation of flowers, herbs, and vegetables!
We spread empathy through education and healing from loss, grief, and trauma, encourage high-school youth with college scholarships to embody values which promote love for those around them, empower therapeutic programs for people facing adversity, and help individuals in our community meet their basic needs through charitable acts.
After a long and courageous fight against cancer, Maria Jane Turco-McArdle passed away at the age of 29 on March 13th, 2021, and Mimi’s Light serves to carry on her vision of love, empowerment, empathy, and kindness.
In her many roles as daughter, sister, niece, cousin, “doxie mom”, “aunt Mimi”, and in her final days, as wife, Maria gave herself freely without any fear of being hurt, judged, or criticized–dedicating her time to loving those closest to her and to those in need.
In 2013, Maria graduated from Nazareth college with her degree in social work and carried her vision of love, empowerment, empathy, and kindness into her community. From leading support groups for struggling teenage girls, helping refugee children, or participating in programs for kids with different abilities–Maria was “all in.”
She connected with those around her and reminded them of their intrinsic value, their humanity, and their dignity. Maria believed that everybody deserves love. Despite an aggressive cancer treatment during her final year of life, Maria graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Master of Social Work (MSW) still seeking to realize her dream of working with underserved youth.
Maria carried her vision of selflessness and compassion into the arts by performing with the Cobblestone Players and supporting the local theater during the last years of her life. She saw the arts as more than entertainment, and deeply connected with her husband and many others through music and theater.
When Maria was asked for her final words for her younger brother Nick, she wrote a song and then, despite her sickness and fatigue, Maria sang and danced from her hospital bed.
At the end of Maria’s life, her thoughts fixated on the grief and loss that she saw in her family and friends. Rather than turn inward upon the pain of her cancer or the fear of her own death, Maria expressed love. In one of her last conscious moments, Maria stated, “no matter what love looks like, it comes in all shapes and sizes, it doesn’t matter who it’s with, everyone deserves it.”
Despite the darkness, Maria gave her love and her light to all around her, she gave “Mimi’s Light”, and it’s her legacy that our foundation carries forward.
Every year Mimi’s Light provides a monetary award to a deserving senior at Penfield High School, Maria’s alma mater. All graduating seniors who exemplify the values of love, empathy, kindness, and empowerment are eleigible. For more information on how to apply, please see our application portal below.
Mimi’s Light celebrates the life of Maria through inviting our community to join us each Spring at the Cobblestone Arts Center to enjoy craft vendors, food trucks, live music, painting, drumming, and a silent disco led by Wildbyrd Productions! See our event for more details and contact us directly for information on sponsorships and partnering.
In partnership with with Cobblestone Arts Center, we have built a community garden which is maintained by students and overseen by the Cobblestone staff. We engage youth in connecting to nature through the cultivation of flowers, herbs, and vegetables!
We spread empathy through education and healing from loss, grief, and trauma, encourage high-school youth with college scholarships to embody values which promote love for those around them, empower therapeutic programs for underprivileged people, and help people meet their basic needs through charitable acts.
