Mary Ann Venturelli has been very active in community service for many years, as was her 21-year old daughter Trina, an emergency medical technician. When Trina died after being thrown from her horse, there was no question about donating her organs and tissues – the subject had already been discussed in the Venturelli family. After personally seeing how Trina’s life has given life to others, Mary Ann has become more involved in volunteering and is president of the local Habitat for Humanity which is building a home in memory of Trina.

Mary Ann's Story

No one had to ask Mary Ann Venturelli if she wanted to donate her 21-year-old daughter’s tissue. “I asked the nurse first before she asked me,” Mary Ann remembers. “There was no hesitation.” Mary Ann had discussed the subject of donation with her daughter Trina, an energetic young woman who loved animals—especially her horses Molly and Willie—and was well known in the community of Globe, Ariz., where the family had lived for 27 years. In October of 2004, Trina was busy in her role as Miss Gila County Championship Rodeo. Trina was carrying the American flag during opening ceremonies at the Gila County Fairgrounds, when she was suddenly thrown from her horse and died from her injuries. Trina’s family donated her bone, skin, heart valves and veins, in addition to tissues for research.

An Emergency Medical Technician, Trina volunteered with the Gila County Search and Rescue organization. Because she worked as an obstetrics technician at Cobre Valley Community Hospital in Globe, her death had an impact on the hospital’s staff members. “They took it hard,” says Mary Ann. Trina had also volunteered with the March of Dimes and Habitat for Humanity.

An assistant customer services manager for Bank of the West in Globe for the past 26 years, Mary Ann found steadfast support among her co-workers. A special account was established at the bank in Trina’s memory, with donations benefiting the March of Dimes, the Gila Humane Society and the Globe/Miami Habitat for Humanity.

Mary Ann is a March of Dimes volunteer and serves as president of the Habitat for Humanity organization, which is building a home in memory of Trina.

The family’s donation experience has affected Mary Ann’s views and her involvement in donation. She has committed herself as a donor and has discussed her decision with her husband, mother and 31-year-old son Gary, who works as a paramedic for the City of Chicago.

In addition, last July Mary Ann attended the National Donor Recognition Ceremony and Workshop, a biennial event held in odd numbered years in Washington D.C. to honor families who have donated organs, tissues, or bone marrow to improve the lives of others.

Mary Ann says she’s happy that Trina’s donation is an extension of her daughter’s love of helping others. “We’re proud that she’s still helping people. She always wanted to help people and she still is.”