My husband was hospitalized at your facility due to COVID in July. He passed away 6 days later. We were married for 18 years. My husband needed lots of medical attention, but he had so much to offer. I want to thank everyone at your facility who shared in his care.

The nurses were all so kind and compassionate. However, I must say that Maria went over and beyond for us. I have so much love and gratitude for her that words cannot express. I love my husband so very much. He was such a sweet, respectful, and kind person. He was a very hard worker. As sick as he was, he was the breadwinner and supported me not only financially but emotionally and most of all, spiritually. He kept me entertained and there was no doubt in my mind that he loved me. We have no children and since he depended a lot on me, we spent so much time together. So, you can imagine how crushed and torn up I was to know that I was probably going to lose my husband within days. In fact, they had said I would probably lose him Tuesday night. So very quickly. I was allowed to see my husband twice a day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It brought me so much peace to talk to him, to tell him how much I loved him, to pray with him, and to share scriptures with him. I even got to play a song for him from his phone. It was a song that talked about marriage and that God had united us. Those moments give me so much comfort to this day.

Unfortunately, on Friday evening I was notified that I could no longer go and visit him. I was so heartbroken but completely understood the reason for the decision that was made. So, on Saturday morning when I got an update on my husband, Maria had me call his phone and said she would answer so that he could hear my voice. She gave me an estimated time of when I could call so that he could hear me. I don’t recall all of the details, but I know that on that phone call I talked to him and his great-niece and nephew who are 2 and 3 years old said hi to their uncle for the last time. This was only possible due to Maria’s kind heart and willing attitude.

On Saturday afternoon I was notified that my husband was deteriorating. So, I again was emotionally torn. I called and asked Maria if she would allow me to speak to my husband. She lovingly agreed to answer my call at a certain time. We did a three-way call with my nephew and friends. A friend prayed with my husband over the phone, and I was able to tell him again how much I loved him. I could not say it enough. That Saturday evening, Maria asked the charge nurse if I could go see my husband. Thanks to Maria and the charge nurse, that was the last time I got to hold my husband’s hand before he passed. I will forever be grateful to her for that very special moment. It was also the last time that I prayed by his side.

On Sunday morning, Maria called me with an update on my husband. She also took the time out of her busy schedule to learn how to get into his phone and do a video call with me and his friends. That was the last time I saw my husband alive. Our friend prayed with us, and I was able to talk to him via video chat. That is what you call going over and beyond. Maria always answered my questions and compassionately listened to me express myself. She most definitely deserves to be recognized. I did not get to see my husband the day he passed other than through the video call. Unfortunately, my husband passed before I made it to his room. So, you can imagine how much that video call means to me.

Maria is a true DAISY Nurse. I am so grateful to her. She not only took care of him physically but took care of me emotionally. She gave me meaningful and valuable time with the love of my life that I will cherish forever. I have enclosed a picture that I would like for you to share with her of my husband and me.