For Florence resident and retired teacher, Marie Lococo, giving to local non-profits was something her parents brought her up to do. “When I was a child, people went door to door collecting for different causes. My mom and dad were continually giving their last dollar. That’s how they were.”
On September 30, 2023, Marie’s beloved mother, Doris, died at Cooley Dickinson at the age of 100. Marie was her mother’s caregiver for seventeen years. During the last, difficult year of her life, Cooley became almost a second home. “Mom was in and out of the hospital numerous times. Her physicians and nurses were just wonderful, and they were extremely supportive of me.”
Gratitude for outstanding and compassionate care has always motivated Marie’s and her mother’s giving to the hospital. Cooley Dickinson is included in Marie’s will, and she recently made a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) by giving directly to the hospital from her Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Instead of taking the required minimum distribution from her taxable IRAs, she has donated an amount to us. “I’m so happy to be able to support the hospital that has meant so much to my family, and the tax benefit is an added bonus.”
Since her mother’s passing, Marie has been staffing our volunteer desk across from the Gift Shop two days a week. “My career was teaching, which is helping people. Volunteering is still helping people. I like that.”
Thank you, Marie, for the many ways you give to Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
