Employee Spotlight: Mary Lonergan

Mary Lonergan swears she’s NOT the diet police. As a dietitian, her role is more about providing guidance and support. She helps patients and families understand how illness and medications can affect dietary needs, and suggests nutrition options to help them feel comfortable.

Mary’s work with Angela Hospice began 24 years ago. In addition to her position here as Nutrition Consultant, Mary also manages her private practice in addition to teaching at Eastern Michigan University and Oakland Community College.

“I love what I do,” said Mary, who believes hospice is about “shining a light on the patients who need care.”

When her own mother needed care and was admitted to a hospice program on the west side of Michigan, Mary supported her decision. “Mom had been given six months but was a spitfire who lived three years!” she said.

As a Nutrition Consultant, Mary is available to confer with 
hospice team members to help patients achieve their goals.

When her mom would come to visit and stay with Mary, she would transfer to Angela Hospice Home Care. Volunteers would stop by Mary’s home to visit her mom.

“The volunteers were awesome and Mom loved when they would come,” Mary said. “She entertained the volunteers with her stories.”

Mary was deeply moved by the compassionate care her mom received from her colleagues at Angela Hospice.

When it comes to the care Mary provides, she said, “My favorite scripture, 1 Corinthians 13:8, ‘Love never fails,’ is what guides me everywhere, and especially here at Angela.”