Aurora Woman Is Daughter's 'Hero, Friend, Amazing Advocate'

AURORA, IL— Moms do so much for everyone around them. We try to celebrate them all year long, but Mother's Day is a perfect opportunity to shout it from the rooftops and post it on Patch: Mom rocks!

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize the awesome moms and mom figures in communities like yours.

This submission comes from Hillary J. Colby, who nominated Mary Colby of Aurora.

What makes your Mom extra special?

My mom is 71, I am 48 and her adult disabled daughter that lives with her. We lost her husband and my dad August 2020 and since then I have made six trips to the operating room for procedures big and small. Since it was the pandemic, during the first three she was forced to spend hours in her car waiting for phone calls and updates, just to drop me off and pick me up post op. These last 2 surgeries in April were only 18 days apart, and the second one required a five-day hospital stay. While I have amazing sisters and friends to help and provide respite, she is the one here 24/7 giving the physical and emotional support needed to recover. I am in awe of her tenacity, compassion and depth of coping skills (my favorite being our gallows humor)—laughing is painful but priceless! She did all of this and more despite her own surgery and the grief of losing her husband. She is my hero, friend and amazing advocate.

Why do you feel your Mom deserves the spotlight?

She rarely is in the spotlight—in fact she generally prefers to work behind the scenes—but a little love and appreciation could go a long way towards lifting her exhausted spirit.

Happy Mother's Day to Mary Colby, and thank you for all you do!

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Know an amazing mom? Nominate them here.