My mom, Jo Mangan – a hero in life and death. Someone you could count on. Someone always down to plan/host the next party. Someone who was known to bring people together. A dedicated nurse who advocated for the tiniest of patients and a strong arm for their families. A leader who inspired hundreds of nurses who came after her. A certified “chaos coordinator”. A charge nurse that lead with integrity and was a true team player. A loving wife of 34 years to the one who immigrated with her to the United States thirty years ago from London in hopes of giving their children the American Dream. A world traveler, a fantastic cook and a questionable dancer. Of all of her claims to fame, her favorite was that of being a mother. She raised two girls who were everything to her. She would lovingly refer to us a her “broke best friends”. We would spend all of our time together going on trips, learning something new to cook or bake, and good conversation. Mom was always down for whatever, once she had it on her calendar she was there, but she was also known to be rather spontaneous. She was a giver, a teacher, a lover and a fighter. I believe she made us strong to go through what will have been the hardest endeavor we have ever gone through. Strong parents raise strong daughters. While this is horrific and every families worst nightmare, we know she is doing what she was always meant to do – saving lives.