The Frailty of a Butterfly

Follow the incredible journey of Mary and John as their newborn is diagnosed with a condition that guarantees her rapid demise. In the brief time they have her, how do they care for her, introduce her to her siblings, and deal with their own heartbreak? As they struggle to understand what is happening to their child, their strong belief in God guides and comforts them. They will take the revolutionary step of bringing their dying newborn home from the hospital, and later, transformed by this little girl who left them too soon, pioneer one of the first perinatal bereavement groups in the New York metro area.

It is 1977 and Mary's third child, Cathy Anne, doesn't breathe at birth. Diagnosed later with Trisomy 18, a life-threatening syndrome, Cathy Anne is destined to be left in the care of an institution—but Mary and her husband John want to give her normalcy and love for the short time she spends on Earth. Facing multiple challenges with the pressure of rapid-fire decisions, they advocate for Cathy Anne to spend her final days at home. The only way for them to survive their heartbreak is to lean into their faith, the presence of God, and His strength and peace for their family. After this life-altering experience, Mary and John decide to pioneer the first perinatal loss bereavement support group in Westchester County, New York. Mary, a nurse by profession, transforms her career trajectory to become a family therapist specializing in bereavement—opening both her heart and home to grieving parents.

Mary Wasacz is a family therapist and clinical specialist certified by the American Nurses Association. She was the bereavement and spiritual care coordinator for hospice for over twenty years. Mary and her husband have three children and eight grandchildren. She and her husband are avid travelers who have visited all seven continents. They currently live in New York's suburbs, where they dote on their three parrots.