Marianne Vasas, BSN, RN

Some nurses you appreciate; others change how you survive a crisis. Marianne was that person for me and my family during my mom's ICU stay. This has been an incredibly complicated and emotional hospitalization, with constant ups and downs, difficult conversations, fear, exhaustion, and so much uncertainty. Through it all, she became our rock. What meant the most to me was that she was the first person in the hospital who was truly straightforward with me while still being compassionate. She didn't give false reassurance, avoid hard conversations, or talk around things. She treated me like someone who deserved honesty, and in a situation this overwhelming, that mattered more than I can explain. She helped me understand what was happening without taking away hope or humanity. At one point, when I was completely confused, overwhelmed, and frustrated trying to process everything happening around us, she quickly rallied a patient family meeting. That meeting brought clarity, direction, and a sense that we were finally being heard.

When I felt like I was drowning emotionally, she stepped in and helped create space for communication and understanding when we needed it most. At the same time, she cared for my mom with such dignity and patience. Even on the difficult days, even through confusion, frustration, and all the chaos that comes with a long ICU stay, she never made my mom feel like a burden. She showed kindness in the little moments that families remember forever. ICU families are hanging on by a thread emotionally, and somehow she always seemed to recognize exactly what we needed. Some days it was reassurance. Some days it was honesty. Some days it was simply someone walking into the room with a calm energy when everything felt terrifying. As a daughter trying to navigate anticipatory grief while also advocating for my mom, I cannot fully express what her presence meant to me. She gave me clarity when I was overwhelmed, steadiness when I was falling apart, and compassion during one of the hardest seasons of my life. Her clinical skill was exceptional, but her heart, honesty, and ability to care for both the patient and the family truly set her apart. We will never forget her.