Community-Centered Giving
A legacy of local health care support
Mollie Byrnes has long believed that strong communities depend on access to high-quality health care close to home—a belief that has guided her support of Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals.
Her connection to the North Shore began decades ago, when she and her late husband regularly visited Rockport after his parents retired there. What started as a family connection quickly became something deeper. “I came to the North Shore and immediately fell in love with it, and very quickly it became home—it’s the kind of community where you recognize people, where things feel connected, and where local institutions like Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals really make a difference,” she says. After living for years in Boston, the couple made the move permanently. “I realized I didn’t want the pace of the city anymore. I wanted somewhere quieter, where you feel part of something,” she reflects.
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That sense of place—and community—continues to shape both her life and her philanthropy. While she and her late husband initially relied on receiving care in Boston, the realities of travel eventually shifted their approach. “Over time, going into Boston to get health care became exhausting—especially when you are going frequently,” she says. “Being able to receive that same level of care closer to home changes everything.” She emphasizes that proximity is not just a convenience, but a necessity. “Some people don’t have transportation, or the time and energy to travel far from home. Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals being right here in the community means that people don’t have to go far to get the care they need.”
Byrnes also recognizes the ongoing effort required to sustain strong health care institutions. “People don’t always see what it takes to keep a place like this running well,” she says. She often compares hospitals to a home—something that requires continuous care and investment. “You have to take care of it, update it, and sometimes expand it to meet new needs,” she explains. “And all of that takes resources.” This way of thinking has led her to contribute to both hospitals, supporting capital projects, cancer care, and most recently, the Walter and Yvonne Wood Birthing Center.
Her philosophy on giving is both personal and practical. Raised to be charitable, Byrnes began with small gifts and increased her giving over time. “I was raised to give, even in small ways,” she says. “Now I can give more, and I choose to support places like Beverly and Addison Gilbert because I know firsthand that they make a difference.” She adds, “My family always believed that spending too much on yourself doesn’t bring real happiness. Giving to something meaningful does, especially when you can see the impact in your own community.”
For Byrnes, giving is not about recognition. It is about impact, responsibility, and care for the community she calls home. “I use Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals. My neighbors use them. You see the difference they make in people’s lives,” she says. “If you’re in a position to help sustain that, it feels like both a responsibility and a privilege.”
Through her enduring support, Mollie Byrnes is helping ensure that high-quality, accessible health care remains close to home for North Shore residents—today and for generations to come.