In February 2000, Mary complained
of constipation and bloating. After an exam by her family
doctor and gynecologist, she was diagnosed with a large
fibroma tumor. Thinking everything would be fine, Mary underwent
a full hysterectomy as recommended in April; two days later
she was told she had ovarian cancer. After another immediate
surgery for cancer staging and debulking, Mary was diagnosed
with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer.
Over the next five years Mary had three
major surgeries and switched from one treatment to another,
going into remission for only nine months. Notwithstanding
her courage and willingness to undergo aggressive treatments,
Mary passed away on her grandson’s birthday, March
15, 2005, in her home with John, her devoted husband for
32 years, her son and other family members by her side.
Mary was the essence of compassion, duty
and loyalty—the symbol of selfness humanity—and
a champion who transcended strength, hope and love. She
epitomized courage, even though she suffered each day. In
the last five wonderful years that God granted her, Mary
danced at her son’s wedding, traveled to Europe, watched
her son graduate law school and purchase his first home,
witnessed the birth of her grandson, and finally, shared
in the same communion bread as her grandson did when he
was baptized just days before her passing.
Mary often told
her husband that something must be done to help other women
avoid so much pain and suffering. For this reason John Ainilian
set up Mary’s Fund which supports the Lynne Cohen
Preventive Care Clinic for Women’s Cancers at USC/Norris
Comprehensive Cancer Center. As John tells us, “By
having the Fund with The Lynne Cohen Foundation, I am carrying
out what Mary wanted—to help prevent other women from
enduring this deadly disease.”
