WESTFIELD, Mass. — Kate Malone is training for Sunday's Miles for Mary 5K Run.
What you need to know
- Kate Malone trains for the Miles for Mary 5K run at Stanley Park in Westfield this Sunday
- This run is in memory of his late sister, Mary Malone Regan, who died suddenly of a stroke at the age of 30, shortly after giving birth to her first child.
- Mary was a registered nurse who graduated from the Springfield Technical Community College nursing program. She also served as a nanny for children in Hampden County and babysat for her family as they attended nursing school together.
- Sunday's event will raise money for academic scholarships for STCC's nursing program
“So this is the playground in Stanley Park, where Mary used to come with the kids she nursed,” said Malone, who also organized the run.
The 5K is a fundraiser in memory of her late sister, Mary Malone Regan, who suddenly passed away from a stroke at the age of 30, shortly after giving birth to her first child.
Mary was a registered nurse who graduated from the Springfield Technical Community College nursing program. Sunday's event will raise money for the program's academic scholarships.
Her caring nature was felt by many in the community.
“She was working around the clock, going to school with people who had children or had families, with a very rigorous curriculum. If they needed time to work independently. She often helped babysit,” Malone said.
Kate has competed in several races over the past 10 years, often with Mary cheering her on the sidelines. Kate said it has been difficult for her to continue running since Mary died about two years ago. But by Friday, she was slowly regaining her form.
“I guess I just didn't have the energy to run as far and as often as I used to,” she said. “So the race in honor of her sister, which funds scholarships for others to pursue an education at Springfield Technical Community College, is a great incentive to get out there and have fun again.” ”
Kate said Miles for Mary would become an annual event and that her sister's legacy of care would be carried on through future nurses.
“We not only want to remember the 30 years that Mary lived and had a huge impact on people, but we also want to give people in the future the opportunity to be educated,” she said. . She said she is “pursuing a nursing degree and specifically to support parents in her STCC nursing program.”