Celebrating Mary Chapman, Executive Director of Elderly Wish

On February 28th, 2026, The Elderly Wish Foundation celebrated in style at the

Lone Tree Golf Course in Antioch with their annual Gala. They also celebrated their Executive Director, Mary Chapman. For 25 years Mary stepped into a role that would quietly change the lives of hundreds of seniors in Contra Costa County.

As the Executive Director, Mary didn't just manage a non-profit-----She nurtured a mission of compassion, dignity and joy.

Now after 25 years Mary is retiring from her position and passing the wand to Nora Von Ubin. We know that Nora is as passionate about this foundation as Mary. We will watch it grow as Nora will continue to grant wishes to our community of seniors.

Good luck to both women as they follow their hearts to enjoy life and share this wonderful

foundation with others. May God Bless them always.

A poem that Nora wrote for Mary, with Love:

For twenty -five bright, tireless years, YOU carried hope in Steady hands.

And built a bridge of tender grace across life's later fragile hands.

At An Elderly Wish Foundation, your heart found both its work and Call

Not a simple tasks or titles held, but love poured out, your truest of all.

You listened close to whispered dreams of seniors facing shadow days.

Serious illness, chronic pain, yet still found a thousand ways

to lift their eyes, to spark delight, to prove no life is small or through:

For every wish your hands set free was dignity restored by you.

Through halls and rooms in Contra Costa County, YOU shared the story,

year by year at senior homes, with kindred groups, your voice made

Elderly Wish clear:

That hope does not retire with age, that joy is not by time dismissed, And

even in the winter season a life can still hold sunlight kissed.

You gathered hearts around the cause, a circle strong, faithful throng

Supporters of the gala night who learned from you that love is strong

Because you led with humble fire, with steady vision, patient art,

You built far more than fundraising dreams You built a family of the heart

And speaking still of family Your proudest role your truest treasure

A mother's strength in all you've done, a grandmother whose love none measure.

Three children blessed by your embrace, four grandchildren wrapped in cheer

They know the secret that we all see...Your greatest wish is gathered here.

So as you step from daily pace into a well-earned, gentler day,

Know this The Wishes still take flight because of you showed the way.

The legacy you leave behind is written not in stone or wall, But in the laughter,

tears and thanks of lives you lifted one and all.

Mary, your work was never just a role...It was compassion, pure and true.

And every wish still granted on will carry a quiet trace of you.