Family remembers loved one with project to comfort young patients

A program designed to provide reassurance to young patients at Maury Regional Medical Center has been established by a Maury County family in memory of a loved one whose life brought joy to others.

Mary Margaret Bolton—affectionately known as “Tootsie” to her brother Ben, family and friends—was a special needs child whose “infectious smile and giggles ruled our household” for more than 47 years, according to her parents, Rick and Diane Bolton. “Without speaking a word, she could express every emotion through her beautiful brown eyes,” Diane recalls.

When Mary Margaret’s health required a hospital stay in January 2016, her parents searched for a way to ease the apprehension, confusion and fear they saw on her face. During that stay, Mary Margaret’s cousin, Dr. Taylor Rayburn, and his family presented her with a white teddy bear that was promptly named Rayburn. Diane said when the bear was placed beside her daughter in the hospital bed, a look of calm and peace appeared in her eyes and face.

“When we lost her this year, we felt our hearts breaking and knew the best way to mend this was to bring the joy to others that every day of her life had brought to ours,” Diane said. “The idea came to us to share the joy with children at Maury Regional who may be facing the same fears in strange surroundings.”

Shortly after their daughter’s passing on May 9, the Boltons started a project known as “Tootsie’s Bears” as a memorial to their daughter’s life and in thanksgiving for the care she received while a patient at Maury Regional. The program will purchase teddy bears to be given to children who are patients at the medical center. The Maury Regional Health Care Foundation will administer the program through its Pediatric Fund, which provides funding for equipment and other needs to support pediatric care.

To date, memorial gifts have raised over $5,000 for “Tootsie’s Bears.” Those who would like to provide a bear for a young patient can make a monetary donation to the Maury Regional Health Care Foundation’s Pediatric Fund in honor of “Tootsie’s Bears.” Donations in any amount may be made online at MauryRegionalFoundation.com or by calling 931.380.4075.

The Boltons are encouraged that their daughter’s life will be honored each time one of the bears provides comfort to a child who is hospitalized. “We have no doubt that the power of healing begins with the power of love,” Diane said.