Meet Maggie

In loving memory of Maggie, the beacon of inspiration that ignited the founding flame of The Yellow Door Foundation. Maggie, Yellow Door’s first patient, initially found refuge and love with JoAnne and her husband, Jeff.  

At a critical juncture, JoAnne, was introduced to little Maggie and her mom Brooke by future board member Ann Marie Gathright, and opened her heart and home to them. Making the journey from southwest Virginia to Charlottesville for Maggie’s extended-stay outpatient treatment at UVA Children’s Hospital, they had nowhere to stay until JoAnne and Jeff embraced them into their lives.

Together, they navigated the challenging road of pediatric illness, sharing not only living space but countless moments of care and compassion. Emergency hospital runs with Maggie provided JoAnne and Jeff with invaluable first-hand insight into the daily struggles faced by families in similar circumstances.  

It was within these shared moments that The Yellow Door Foundation found its purpose. Maggie’s stay with JoAnne and Jeff illuminated the pressing need for a haven, a comforting space for families enduring the hardships of extended medical treatments. Through this profound experience, the mission and vision of The Yellow Door Foundation became clear – to offer solace, support, and a home away from home for families navigating the arduous journey of pediatric illness.

Maggie and Brooke did stay in a Yellow Door Apartment for a few days during a subsequent visit to UVA Health Children’s where Maggie found comfort cuddling up on the Corduroy chair.

Maggie’s memory lives on, forever intertwined with the inception of The Yellow Door Foundation, a lasting tribute to her strength, resilience, and the love that binds us all.