If you thought you could make it through one day without being moved to tears by the strong women in this country [1], today is not that day. Mary Tanasse, an 87-year-old hospice patient, wasn't going to miss the Women's March in her state of Washington for anything, so she told her doctors, "Please let me live until this march."
💗 87-year-old Mary asked her hospice: "Please let me live until this march." She explains why today is so important to her, via @ElisaHahnK5 [2] pic.twitter.com/tmKxSCKLfy [3]
— KING 5 News (@KING5Seattle) January 22, 2017 [4]
The incredible woman with 27 grandkids and great-grandkids is described by her grandson Jacob Jonas Williams as the matriarch of the family. Mary told King 5 News [5] that despite being diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer in December, she wanted to be able to attend the march in Olympia, WA, with her family.
"I asked them, 'Please let me live until this march, because it's so important to me for me to model what I feel is right for my family,'" the former teacher said. "Can't ask more than that. I made it, and it's a beautiful day, and I praise God and hopefully the nation will make an impact so it will be heard."
From the photos, it seems like Mary had an incredible time at the march, and it's fortunate that she was able to witness the historic event.
Tonight - a daughter talks about Mary Tanasse's legacy @KING5Seattle [6] 5p and 630p pic.twitter.com/EQeR0WyEZC [7]
— elisa hahn (@ElisaHahnK5) January 24, 2017 [8]
Mary Tanasse, 87, is on hospice but the #marchonoly [9] was on her bucket list. So she made it here! pic.twitter.com/YLyCSqUIlo [10]
— Amelia Dickson (@Amelia_Oly) January 21, 2017 [11]
87y.o. Mary Tanasse of Lacey is in hospice care w/ terminal ovarian cancer. Taking part in #WomensMarch [12] was on her #BUCKETLIST [13] @KING5Seattle [14] pic.twitter.com/9BTA0eG4Oo [15]
— elisa hahn (@ElisaHahnK5) January 21, 2017 [16]
Mary's grandchildren have launched a GoFundMe [17] page to fund a women's educational scholarship in her name. Sorry for ruining your mascara.