A Legacy of Kindness

Mary McCarthy’s $2.5 million contribution to the Beaufort Memorial Foundation is largest gift in the nonprofit’s history

This summer, the Beaufort Memorial Foundation received the largest donation in its history – an extraordinary $2.5 million gift from longtime Okatie resident Mary McCarthy.

This historic contribution marks a major milestone for the nonprofit and will allow Beaufort Memorial to continue its mission of expanding access to high-quality healthcare throughout the Lowcountry.

A Transformative Gift for a Growing Community

Mary’s philanthropic generosity will directly support the Beaufort Memorial mission and its commitment to expanding crucial healthcare services for the region’s rapidly growing communities.

That generosity will bolster several key initiatives to improve access to emergency care, primary care and state-of-the-art services in southern Beaufort County and beyond.

“This remarkable act of generosity is a defining moment for the Foundation and for the future of healthcare in our region,” said Kim Yawn, Chief Development Officer for the Beaufort Memorial Foundation. “Mary’s gift will help us deliver care that touches lives for generations to come.”

When Yawn called to personally thank her for the historic gift, Mary recalled the excitement in her voice.

“Kim’s appreciation confirmed that I made the right decision,” she said. “Beaufort Memorial is a community hospital. I am part of this community, and leaving it better than when I arrived is what matters to me.”

Rooted in Compassion and Connection

Mary’s connection to the Lowcountry runs deep. Originally from Long Island, N.Y., she moved to the area with her late husband Edward and quickly fell in love with the region’s natural beauty and the area’s sense of community.

Just a few miles from her Okatie home is the future site of the Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Community Hospital – a cornerstone of the health system’s efforts to bring accessible, advanced care to the southern end of the county.

Mary’s historic gift will support the new hospital, where the Emergency Department will be named in her honor, and other current and future expansion projects, including:

• A 5,000-square-foot primary care facility in southern Beaufort County
• The Beaufort Memorial Emergency & Urgent Care, a two-in-one facility that just broke ground on the southern end of Hilton Head Island

These expansion initiatives, aided by Mary’s generosity, will help thousands of residents access convenient, high-quality care close to home.

A Life Shaped by Service, Education and Empathy

A lifelong educator, Mary spent over 30 years teaching kindergarten, finding daily inspiration in her students’ kindness, curiosity and joy. It was more than a job, she said, calling it a “labor of fun.”

“Kindergarten is the best. They’re such nice people,” she said. “They look out for one another. They love each other.”

After the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, Mary turned to photography as a source of healing, capturing images of everyday beauty and compassion. Photography became a way to reconnect with the good in the world during a time of profound grief.

That love for capturing the spirit of a place was something she shared with her late husband. Together, they traveled the world, documenting people and places through candid photographs that revealed the unique character of each community they visited. Their shared mission was simple but powerful: to find and celebrate the good.

Choosing a Legacy that Lives On

When considering where to leave her mark, Mary’s mindset was intentional. She wasn’t interested in something generic; she wanted to support a place that was doing meaningful, compassionate work right in the heart of the community.

Her choice to support the Beaufort Memorial Foundation was deliberate and full of heart.

“It wasn’t just a coin flip,” she said. “I meant it, sincerely. People need hospitals. They need good hospitals. They need emergency rooms with people who think on their feet, who care for you first and guide you through. I hope this gift will help many people for years to come.”

Shaping the Future of Healthcare

With Mary McCarthy’s historic generosity, thousands of Lowcountry residents will have greater access to lifesaving healthcare. Her support ensures that Beaufort Memorial can continue its mission of providing that exceptional healthcare close to home for all its patients, today and for future generations.

And perhaps, in those quiet moments of healing, they’ll feel gratitude for Mary and the remarkable gift that made it possible.

 

Learn more about how you can leave a lasting legacy and shape the Lowcountry healthcare landscape with the Beaufort Memorial Foundation.