Honoring Mary Jo: Support Her Family's Journey

My family was expecting to welcome Mary Josephine Fugate on April 17th, 2024. Due to complications during delivery my sister Lauren Thompson along with her partner, Jimmy Fugate lost their precious baby girl April 18th at 12:45 am. Mary Jo was a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, a niece, and a cousin to a family that anticipated her arrival with awe.

Mary Jo is what we consider a miracle baby or rainbow baby. Her mother’s battle with underlying health issues that began when she was a young child herself has caused pregnancy complications in the past; but, to our family’s astonishment, Lauren experienced a mostly healthy (albeit swollen) pregnancy with her sweet baby girl who was delivered at 7 lbs. 15 oz., 18.5 inches long. She had a perfectly baby round face, jelly rolls in her arms, and a head full of hair. Mary Jo’s legacy will proceed her and through organ donation she will go on to save the lives of up to three other babies.

I am asking for funds to relive the medical and memorial costs associated with this tragedy and to hopefully allow Lauren, Jimmy, and their surviving children the resources needed to process this devastating loss.

Lauren and Jimmy are kind giving souls. Jimmy is father to Niklaus Xavier Fugate and his angel Mary Josephine Fugate, and bonus dad to Lilly. Jimmy’s family means the world to him. He is a good friend to have in your corner, cheering you on. Jimmy served in the National Guard Army for many years. Jimmy (Rusty) now volunteers his time with the United States Military Veterans Motorcycle Club. A community that welcomed Lauren in with open arms. I am personally grateful for the unshakable love and support he has provided his family during this impossibly hard time.

Lauren is a giving, kind, and resilient soul. No stranger to hardship and hospital stays, Lauren has spent years off and on in hospitals. Despite this hardship Lauren is quite literally the first person to give someone the shirt off her back. To make a joke or lend a shoulder when you need it. She LOVES her family, her children, and nieces and nephews with her whole heart. Mother to Lillian Grace Opfermann and Mary Josephine Fugate; and bonus mom to Olivia and Klaus, love and care for children is at the very core of her soul. Lauren will be pumping and donating her breast milk to babies in need at the Toledo Hospital even as she grieves the loss of her own baby. Just one more example of how she gives without question.

A healthy pregnancy of Mary Jo was a miracle and a true gift from God and the resulting loss has come as a shock. Please keep my family in your prayers as they navigate their new normal.

Any donation will help but more importantly I know Lauren and Jimmy would ask that you give your children an extra hug tonight. Call your siblings. Go spend a morning with your grandparents and tell your parents what they mean to you. Family (both blood and chosen) is everything to them.

Additionally, Lauren would like to donate the items she prepared for Mary Jo’s arrival to any moms in need. Please reach out to Lauren directly if you know of a mother in need, even during this time she would be grateful to help so please do not hesitate.

“Every child you encounter is a divine appointment” – Dr. Wess Stafford

With love,

The Fugate & Thompson Family