CurePSP Tribute Funds

Maria Concetta Molinaro, was born November 7, 1946 on the small island of Malta.  She was the first girl after 5 boys; a birthday gift to our grandfather.  In 1950, the entire family immigrated to the US when she was just 4 years old.

Her infectious positivity made her loved by many. Some knew her as Maria, Connie, Nana, A caregiver a wife or a friend but to us she was Momma.

Our momma was a very spirited and vivacious woman who was faced with many challenges throughout her life, however she always approached every situation with dignity, grace, strength, and positivity. She was patient, selfless, compassionate and giving when she had nothing.  She made everyone feel welcomed and loved. She brought levity to every situation. And there was always room at the dinner table for all.

Her spirit touched all she came in contact with. She was loved by all, but had a special gift when it came to children. She gave generously of herself to help raise and care for many throughout her life and as such,  they have become an extension of her.

She loved music, dancing and Disney world. She was always active, on the go, working or having fun. She didn’t like to stand still.  That all changed in 2009 when she started to show signs that something was wrong.  We went through almost 3 years of tiresome testing, research, and misdiagnosis.  It was a scary and difficult time for her, but she never complained. It wasn’t until she finally experienced a serious fall, that an angel, in the form of an ER doctor came into our lives.  While all of his testing suggested that she was fine, he knew by looking at her that she wasn’t and he was compelled to figure it out. After days of research, he finally came up with the diagnosis and on December 27, 2012, she was correctly diagnosed with PSP.

Mom was wide-eyed with wonder and her eyes always twinkled with joy when she smiled, but this disease took a toll on her.  First it took away her ability to see clearly, then it took away her balance and the ability to walk and do simple tasks, then it affected her speech and her ability to eat.  In such a short period of time, this incredibly strong, independent woman, lost her vitality, but her spirit remained.

She's lived herlife with grace, dignity, independence, strength, drive, commitment, unconditional love for all, forgiveness and selflessness. She was witty, sarcastic, fun and funny. On July 4th, 2016, she gave up her battle and moved on to a better place. She passed very peacefully in the comfort of her own home surrounded by her two daughters, family and friends.

We are unbelievably grateful for having been blessed to have such an incredible woman as our mom. She wasn't just a mom, she was a hero, a sister and a best friend. She will be missed and loved for eternity. We know her spirit is with us always and we can only hope to be a reflection of who she was.

She is at peace, and rests among the stars. We know she is dancing with the Angels. Now every 4th of July, we will look up into the sky and remember just how extraordinary she was.

In memory of this extraordinary woman and to celebrate her 70th Birthday, we are looking to fund raise $7,000 in her name for CurePSP. This money will help fund clinical trials for the cure and assist those suffering with this terrible disease in getting proper care. On behalf of our family, we thank you for your support in our mission for a cure. 

Mark was born in Clinton to the late James Evans and Mary Boland Evans.

He was raised in Hudson alongside his late brother James Evans Jr. where he graduated from Hudson Catholic High School in 1966. He later graduated from Mount Wachusett Community College and Emmanuel College.

Lover of electronics, Mark began his career at HH Scott in Maynard and moved on to spend 24 years at GenRad in Concord, MA. He then moved on to work at Micromass, Lam Research, and GSI Lumonics. Never one to sit still, he spent many weekends as a wedding videographer for Diamond Video in Billerica.

Mark, an avid sports fan, played football during high school and following for the Marlboro Shamrocks. He also continued playing hockey, darts, basketball and softball for many years and was also a basketball referee through the IAABO. When he wasn’t playing or officiating, he could be found coaching or participating in one of his children’s activities. He was also a former member of Hudson’s and Lunenburg’s Republican Town Committee, and the Lunenburg Water Commission. He enjoyed local politics and campaigned for his friend and former Governor Paul Cellucci.

Mark is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years Carol (Chipman) Evans; son Matthew Evans of Shirley, MA; and daughter Megan (Evans) Caforio, her husband Jason, granddaughters Gianna and Mia Caforio, and step-grandson Tyler Caforio of Ashburnham.

Mark Crompton met his wife, Diane, in Chapel Hill, NC, over twenty years ago doing something they both loved; tennis. They enjoyed an active life together during their time in Atlanta, GA, where Mark was a Senior Treasury Analyst for Southern Company. Mark was smart beyond measure and humble to a fault. He had a passion for finance and, being a natural athlete, all things sport related.

Mark and Diane got special enjoyment partnering together in heated tennis matches against Diane’s sister and her husband over the years, traveling back and forth to Chapel Hill. During their marriage, Mark and Diane spent a lot of time on the tennis court, hiking, dining, and drinking with friends, golfing, and had the benefit of traveling to Germany, Italy, and the UK before Mark became sick with PSP.

Mark and Diane returned to Chapel Hill in 2016 to be closer to several teaching hospitals and Diane’s family. They were fortunate to rekindle relationships with old friends and enjoyed the generosity of new friends during this challenging journey.

Mark’s family would like to thank all of his caregivers, especially Pastor Sibrian from Homewatch Caregivers. Pastor cared for Mark from the beginning of his starting caregiver support. Pastor’s unwavering commitment to Mark’s care, his loyalty, empathy, professionalism, and generosity of spirit made all the difference in Mark finishing his life with love and unmatched support.

We would also like to thank other caregivers including Veronica, Raquel, and the staff at Charles House, Adult Day Care Center in Chapel Hill. In addition, the entire hospice staff from Transitions LifeCare provided seamless support during Mark’s end of life with thorough responsiveness to his needs and an empathetic, compassionate approach to care.

would also like to thank other caregivers including Veronica, Raquel, and the staff at Charles House, Adult Day Care Center in Chapel Hill. In addition, the entire hospice staff from Transitions LifeCare provided seamless support during Mark’s end of life with thorough responsiveness to his needs and an empathetic, compassionate approach to care.

Mark was a caring and devoted son to his parents, Rita and Jack, and a supportive and loving brother to Jim and Cathleen. Special memories from growing up include watching and cheering for Mark as he excelled on the football field and basketball court. Uncle Mark will be remembered as active and fun-loving by his nieces and nephews, and as godfather to his great-nephew.

While Mark will be remembered for a multitude of reasons, it was his innate ability to bring joy and laughter to those around him, in any situation, that set him apart. His strength and perseverance shone through regardless of the circumstances. The impact he has left on his family will be felt through generations of Cromptons that will strive to follow his lead.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to CurePSP through the Mark Crompton Tribute Fund, to support research into PSP and other prime of life brain diseases.

Mary Lou Figanmese was an American woman of Pennsylvania-Dutch heritage. She had been married to her Turkish husband, Isik, since 1981, whom she met in Pennsylvania. Known to her friends and family for her loving and hard-working personality, Mary Lou's favorite pastime was always helping and doing things for others. She had a B.S. in Education and was a retired Special Education teacher. Mary Lou and Isik raised three daughters and fought progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) for seven years. 

Like many others with PSP, Mary Lou was initially diagnosed with Parkinson's, but she knew it was something else. She searched online daily for similar symptoms and stories, she took herself to countless doctors’ appointments to better understand her condition and to receive an accurate diagnosis. The early symptoms were loss of balance and shakiness in her hands. The ability to chew and maneuver food in her mouth was also a symptom within the first few years. After falling and breaking both hips her ability to walk declined rapidly, though despite this she continued to walk until just days before she passed. The last two years before her passing, Mary Lou still walked to and from the bathroom with a walker. Never complaining, always pushing herself.  

A life-long adventurer, she lived for 10 years in Turkey on the south-eastern coast in a beach town called Bodrum. A swimmer, dancer, and truly filled with life, she was described by people as “among the most amazing people on this earth.” But there was nothing in her life that mattered more to Mary Lou than family. She fought her disease every day so she could spend one more moment with her grandchildren, daughters and husband. 

At her funeral, one by one people shared their individual stories with us about how Mary Lou made an impact on their lives. Mary Lou stepped in as caregiver for a woman with Cerebral Palsy; she adopted an entire family whose father was deployed in Iraq by babysitting and preparing meals; she built a skate park for local skateboarders when none of her children even skated. When she saw a need, she stepped in. 

Her joy for life, wanderlust and enormous heart will be forever missed.

Her family are kindly asking for donations to find a cure for this terrible disease, in loving memory of Mary Lou. Please make your gift in the form below.

As a young woman, Mary Lou also wrote a cookbook of Turkish recipes that she learned by shadowing her mother-in-law during her time in Turkey, and, for Mother's Day 2017, her daughters published that cookbook. She was able to see the hardcopy of her cookbook just a day before passing.

Mary Lou’s cookbook, Turkish Specialties, is now on sale, and 100% of proceeds will be donated to CurePSP. Please consider purchasing this book as a gift to yourself or a loved one, in memory of our amazing mother. (Click on the link to view the book.)

Born October 15th, 1953, in Royal Oak, Michigan, Paula Klein was a force to be reckoned with from early on.  The daughter of Edward and Audrey Rutherford, who raised their family in Ann Arbor, she was a tomboy through and through, the only girl of four children.  Her presence was felt as soon as she entered a room, and warmth and light emanated from her.  A fighter until the end, Paula finally succumbed after a six and a half year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. She had a deep impact on countless lives and is missed by so many.

Paula graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1976, and worked several office jobs before meeting her husband, Peter, at work after “accidentally” stepping on his foot. Before the age of texting and emails, Paula and Peter would send inter-company memos to one another as they began to court. Paula was also known to embarrass Peter from time to time by sending a delivery of flowers to his office. Peter and Paula were married in 1985, and went on to enjoy a beautiful 39 year marriage. 

Paula loved her children and stepchildren fiercely, and was highly involved in their schools and at church groups, making her love and presence felt throughout their lives.  She was also an active member of her church. She took part in the church choir for many years, her most notable role being that of “Olivia Orange” in the annual Christmas Pageant. Over the years, Paula also taught Sunday school, volunteered in the children’s area, and was a loving and trusted counsel to many young women in the youth group.

Paula was a loyal and steadfast friend, taking care of many of her friends throughout the years as they fought their own health battles. After surviving a battle with cancer in 2015, Paula spent many hours volunteering in the same chemotherapy room where she had received treatment.  Even throughout her struggle with PSP the last six years, Paula’s faith in God and desire to serve were unwavering.

After her faith, nothing was more important to Paula than her family. She devoted her life to her husband, children, stepchildren, and grandchildren. There was nothing she loved more than having all her family gathered in her home. Paula left this world to be with the Lord on December 7th, 2024, but she will forever reside in our hearts, and her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us. We find comfort in knowing that she is now at peace and free from suffering in the arms of her savior.

We are very grateful to the CurePSP team for their crucial work helping families navigate PSP, and wish to support them as they collaborate with doctors and researchers toward a cure for this terrible disease. It is our fervent prayer for a discovery that will help future patients and families.

On the morning of October 3, 2016, Pierre Gervais passed away, peacefully, and in the company of his wife Jocelyne.

The many messages that were sent in the days leading up to his passing were a great comfort and support for the family, and were heard and understood by Pierre. When told that we at CurePSP were further impassioned to fight to find treatment and cure he gave the advice, “don’t quit.” 

Pierre was a great advocate for treatment and cure of PSP and it was through his insistence that his wife Jocelyne organized the NC PSP support group. He leaves a legacy in the Pierre Gervais Fellowship grant at the Neural Stem Cell Institute, including donation of his own skin cells for research. Pierre also donated his brain to the Eloise H. Troxel Memorial Brain Bank as a final act of giving.  

Pierre is known by many as the face of PSP for his contributions through videos and photographs, telling his story and enlisting support of researchers and physicians to find a cure for these dreadful diseases. He was a great advocate for the fight on all fronts, including the rights of patients to die with dignity. He lived these commitments with purpose.

Pierre was loved like family by CurePSP, the staff, the board and the advocates, and will be dearly missed. 

Pierre’s obituary can be read here.

All donations made on this page are in loving memory of Pierre Gervais and go to the Gervais Family Tribute Fund. For donations by check, please make check out to CurePSP and mail to CurePSP, 325 Hudson Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Indicate on the check, “In memory of Pierre Gervais.” Thank you for your gift recognizing the extraordinary life and legacy of Pierre Gervais.

Priscilla J. (Whipple) Wirt, 80, of Muncy, Pennsylvania died Friday, June 16, 2023, at Heritage Springs Memory Care in Muncy. Born July 12, 1942, in Williamsport, she was a daughter of Robert M. and Vida B. (Fleisher) Whipple. She married James H. Wirt on December 26, 1965, and shared 49 years of marriage.

Priscilla was a loving and very devoted mother, sister, aunt, grand-mother, great grand-mother, sister, sister-in -law, mother-in -law, and friend. 

Priscilla was a member of the Montoursville Presbyterian Church and her family members reflect on her selfless contributions to her community through her involvement in the Lyter school PTO, as a Red Cross phone operator, long time swim team parent organization leader, Muncy Hospital Auxiliary member, Sunday school teacher, painting instructor, church board member and kitchen volunteer. 

Priscilla was raised as an Air-Force “brat” and her time spent living in Germany as a child influenced her to return during her Lycoming college pursuit of a degree in German (as well as political science). During her stay in Germany, Priscilla worked with an advocacy group who traveled between East and West Berlin to help families separated by the Berlin wall.

Priscilla had a creative soul which was reflected in her cooking (always in volumes), painting, crocheting (rugs and blankets), and the elaborate way she loved to decorate her home for holidays. The family recently learned that Priscilla was first taught how to knit at a knitting shop in Ocean City, NJ where she while also worked as a waitress during her high school summers.  

Priscilla courageously and boldly fought through a rare disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), which is desperately in need of awareness and research.  Priscilla donated her brain to this cause so that research can be conducted to help understand this disease, assist in accurate diagnosis, and find treatments.

Priscilla is survived by two daughters, Carolyn (Kevin) Lynch, of Montoursville, Laurie (Bingo) Jenkins, of Hughesville; three grandchildren; Ryan Taylor, Andrew Taylor, Elijah Jenkins; three great grandchildren, Kelsey, and Gavin Taylor, Francesca Rundio-Taylor; two sisters, Malinda Allen of Leland, NC, Stephanie Hanna, of Cogan Station, and by a brother, Barry Whipple, of Montoursville. 

In addition to her parents, Priscilla was preceded in death by her husband, James Wirt.

Ray Lewis Nunnally was a warm, brilliant, funny man with a smile that lit up the world.  Ray earned his PhD in Biophysics and did scientific research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and the University of Oregon in Eugene.  As a pioneer in MRI and spectroscopy, Ray also worked for several Biotech corporations working to develop low cost MRI scanners and better MRI contrast agents.

Born in Denver, CO on December 19, 1945, Ray was devoted to his wife, Mary Hrapchak Nunnally, whom he met in graduate school at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and to his daughter Elizabeth (Lisa) Nunnally Gunderson, a commercial real estate management executive.  He is also survived by his mother, Ethel Williams; sisters Jennifer Loftus Carlson and Christine Nunnally Smalley; brothers John Loftus, Kevin Loftus and Nate Nunnally; and all of their spouses and children. 

Ray loved cycling, reading, photography and travel. He and Mary traveled extensively in Europe and the U.S. both professionally and for fun.  One of his favorite places was Santa Fe, NM where he and Mary had hoped to one day retire. 

Ray first exhibited symptoms of PSP in early 2013, and was finally diagnosed in November 2014 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He participated in a clinical trial working on treatment options at the University of California, San Francisco Aging and Memory Center and will further contribute to research efforts to find a cure for this cruel and devastating disease through the donation of his brain to the Mayo Clinic Brain Bank in Jacksonville, FL. 

The family wishes to express its enormous gratitude for donations made to CurePSP in Ray’s name.

Richard J. McCoid, born to the late Richard and Mildred McCoid, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2024 at the age of 76. Formerly a longtime resident of Spring Lake, New Jersey, Richard recently relocated to Sarasota, Florida, where he enjoyed relaxing by the water, taking in shade under palm trees and experiencing tropical breezes. Despite confronting the effects of PSP for many years, Richard remained courageous and cherished time with loved ones.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Janet; three children: Jean Hausmann (Andrew) of Chicago; Robert of Atlanta; and Meredith of Sarasota; and grandson, Finley Hausmann; sisters Patricia, Deborah, and Barbara; brother Timothy; and all the other countless persons that he also playfully teased over the years, leaving everyone grinning! Richard's dedication to wife and children was unwavering and he actively supported their various educational pursuits and extracurricular activities.

Born and raised in Nutley, NJ, Richard attended Nutley High School and later graduated from Southern Freehold Regional High School in Howell, NJ. Richard received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City. He later became a Certified Public Accountant and practiced accounting at Seaman and Company, Perth Amboy, NJ, and William E. Antonides & Co., Brick, NJ.  Richard’s expertise in financial planning inspired a venture, Key to College, which provided guidance to families navigating the complexities of funding higher education.

Among his interests, Richard was an enthusiastic sailor for many years. He and Janet navigated the waters around the Chesapeake Bay, coastal New England, and the Eastern Caribbean. Richard was thrilled that his children had the opportunity to learn sailing at a young age and that they continue to enjoy the sport along with his wife. Richard also felt at home when barbecuing ribs. If you ever struggled to polish them off, Richard was always more than happy to help. Later in life, his fascination with the art of bread baking took center stage. Richard not only enjoyed the therapeutic process but also loved when family and friends raved about his baked perfections.

Prior to his relocation to Florida, Richard was a member at the Metedeconk River Yacht Club in Brick, NJ. His grilling mastery was not a secret for long and often shared his bounty of savory barbeque ribs during yacht club events such as Friday Night Dinners and on bus rides to NYC theater shows.

The McCoid family thanks the staff at Westminster Point Pleasant in Bradenton, FL, for the special care given to Richard as he battled the advanced stages of the disease.

Toale Brothers Funeral Home will oversee his cremation. A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at a later date.