Within the span of one month last year, REALTOR® Ann Walter, Walter Homes and Coldwell Banker Advantage, experienced the best and worst days of her life.

On June 13, 2009, her wedding day, she was “the happiest and luckiest woman in the world.” On July 13, 2009, Ann lost her mother, Mary, to a sudden stroke – and became “the most heartbroken women in the world.”

“Although I was devastated at the loss of my mom, I knew that it meant that I was going to have to do something," Ann says. "Like many who have also experienced the sudden death of someone they loved, I changed my priorities and my thoughts on how life was really meant to be lived. And, I started making changes to my everyday life. However, it soon became apparent that those changes weren’t going to be enough for me. I needed to do something big to honor her memory and help somebody else."

Ann decided to run a half marathon and call it “The Half Mary for Proud Mary.” In conjunction with the race, Ann is raising funds to benefit the KU Endowment and University of Kansas Hospital, where her mother stayed during her last days.

“They (University of Kansas Hospital) took wonderful care of my mom and they took wonderful care of us. However, this unit does need help to take care of the families of their patients,” Ann says. “As you can imagine, many family members do not want to leave the bedside of their ill family member. Unfortunately, spending countless hours in those rooms can be very uncomfortable as the supply of comfortable, reclining, relaxing sleeper chairs is quite small.

“I would like to provide more of those comfortable chairs. These family members need a comfortable place to rest as they support and comfort their ill family member.”

Ann hopes to raise $5,000 by July 13, 2010 (the anniversary of Mary’s death). Help her reach this goal by mailing a tax-deductible donation to: Ann Walter, 1005 N. Lincoln, Olathe, KS 66061. Checks should be made payable to KU Endowment. Or, donate online here – be sure to specify that your donation is in memory of Mary Barrows or in honor of Ann Walter.

Ann has also started a nonprofit organization, the Proud Mary Foundation, in honor of her mother. Proceeds from the organization will benefit local literacy and educational efforts, as well as the Episcopal Church and University of Kansas Hospital. For more information about the Foundation and how you might become involved, e-mail Ann at ann@annbwalter.com.