In Austinburg, Ohio, at the Austinburg Nursing & Rehab Center, a video capturing a deeply moving moment has gone viral, striking a chord with over half a million viewers. The footage shows hospice worker Joshua Woodard singing a heartfelt rendition of “How Great Thou Art” to his former mentor, Mary Redmond, just days before her peaceful passing.
Mary Redmond: A Life Dedicated to Music and Mentorship
Decades ago, Mary Redmond was not only a cherished voice and piano teacher in her community but also a vibrant member of the local arts scene, starring in productions such as “Hello, Dolly!” and “The Music Man.” She taught out of her home and at arts centers across Madison and Ashtabula, touching many lives with her passion for music.
Joshua Woodard’s Heartfelt Tribute to Mary Redmond
One of those lives was a young Joshua Woodard, who met Mary while she taught at the Ashtabula Arts Center (AAC). She became his first voice coach, leaving a lasting impression that endured through the years. “She always stuck in my mind,” Woodard recalls. As fate would have it, their paths crossed again years later when Woodard, now a hospice worker at Tridia Hospice, recognized one of his patients as his beloved mentor.
RELATED: Dying Man Participates in Full-Immersion Hospice Baptism as His Final Wish
Reunion and Recognition in Hospice Care
Reunited under these poignant circumstances, Woodard knew he had a unique opportunity to give back to the woman who had so profoundly impacted his life. After consulting with Mary’s family, he performed a series of Christian hymns by her bedside, a gesture that Mary’s son, Chuck, believes she truly appreciated. “She was coherent enough to hear him sing three or four solos to her, and I really think she enjoyed that,” he shared.
The video of this tender serenade, recorded by Mary’s daughter-in-law, Marti, quickly spread across the internet, making its way onto at least 15 different websites and generating tens of thousands of comments on social media. This global recognition was unexpected but welcome, as Chuck noted with a laugh, “It was pleasant to see, but we never thought it would be that big.”
Mary’s profound legacy as a music teacher and her love for music resonated far beyond the classroom, affecting many, including those in her final days. “Her love of music—it touched more people than you could ever imagine,” Chuck reflected.
RELATED: A Hospice Nurse Talks About the ‘Rally’ and Other Unexplained Phenomena Right Before Death
Joshua Woodard’s tribute to Mary Redmond stands as a testament to the lasting bonds formed through music and education, and a reminder of the powerful role caregivers can play in the lives of those they serve. This story not only highlights the exceptional care provided at Austinburg Nursing & Rehab Center but also celebrates the remarkable life of a woman whose passion for music and teaching continues to inspire even after her passing.
