Who is the St. Mary Memorial Hospital Auxiliary?

Two of the St. Marys Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s newest members, Peggy O’Brien and Vivian Reid. Photo courtesy of St. Marys Memorial Hospital Auxiliary

By Janis Fread

Meet our two newest members, Peggy O’Brien and Vivian Reid.

Peggy has lived most of her life in St. Marys, both her children were born at St. Marys Memorial Hospital and, at one point, she was employed at the hospital, so it was a natural next step to join the hospital auxiliary when she retired!

Because she worked in health care and enjoyed both the experience and the people, it has been an easy transition to spend volunteer hours working in the hospital Boutique where she interacts with both patients and staff. Since joining in the fall of 2025, Peggy has participated in fundraising events and is now a member of the fundraising committee. She is happy to support the hospital auxiliary saying, “Our hospital has a connection to everyone.”

Vivian, a newcomer to St. Marys, having moved here just over two years ago, is “enjoying everything St. Marys has to offer.” Her working career was in health care, so when looking for ways to get involved in her new community, the hospital auxiliary was an easy choice.

She has brought fresh ideas to the hospital Boutique from her experience staffing a small giftshop in her previous community. Watch for her handmade cards that will soon be available for sale at the Boutique.

Once the weather settles down, there will be a few more finishing additions to the gazebo on the hospital grounds in preparation for a grand celebratory reopening! Details to follow. The next project for the auxiliary is a cheerful mural in the patient lounge. Our 2026 fundraising will be directed towards the mural and another piece of equipment for the hospital, which has yet to be decided.

For updates on fundraising events or to become a volunteer, follow the auxiliary on Facebook at The Boutique at St. Marys Memorial Hospital or email smmhauxiliary@gmail.com.