Maureen Palmer Favret

“Organ donation is not a tragedy, but it can be a beautiful light, in the midst of one”

My mom, Maureen Palmer Favret, gave the gift of donation and impacted the lives of three people. Her kidneys, liver, and pancreas were recovered for transplant. My mom was born on December 8, 1962 and entered eternal rest on January 8, 2009. It has taken me this long to write something about her, but her story deserves to be told.

She was one of five children. She too lost her mother at a young age. I was 15 when I lost my mom. She was in her twenties when she lost hers.

She had a smile that could light up any room she walked into. Not only was she beautiful on the outside, but on the inside, too. She gave birth to six children. She always showed us unconditional love, and for that, I’m incredibly lucky.

She loved to cook jambalaya, loved fishing, loved crabbing at the New Orleans Lakefront, loved going to all of her kids activities, and loved dancing around the living room to make us laugh. She was a shoulder to cry on or a huge hug as you walked in the front door of our house.

She never met a stranger. She would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need. To be in her presence could instantly make you feel safe. Her work on this Earth, and even from up above, inspires me every day to be the best person I can be. She inspired me to sign up to be an organ donor. She inspired me to sign up on the Bone Marrow Registry through Be The Match.

Although our time together was cut way too short, her mark on this world lives on. To know her was to love her. She was the most selfless human being. She will always be my superhero. I send all of my love to her recipients. I hope that my mom’s selfless donation gives each of you the hope to live a happy and fulfilled life.