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Who We're Here For
Your generosity fuels organizations that provide care, relief, and hope to people facing illness and caregiving challenges.
Who We're Here For
Your generosity fuels organizations that provide care, relief, and hope to people facing illness and caregiving challenges.
Caregivers Carrying the Weight for Others
Your support helps fund trusted organizations that provide relief, resources, and care for caregivers who are emotionally, physically, or financially exhausted.
Individuals Facing a Cancer or Auto Immune Diagnosis
Your generosity supports organizations delivering compassionate assistance to people navigating treatment, recovery, and uncertainty.
Lung Transplant Patients on a Difficult Path
Your gift strengthens organizations that help non-smoking lung transplant patients address medical, emotional, and financial challenges.
NO ONE SHOULD SUFFER ALONE
Our Purpose in Action
The Living Kindness Fund is a donor-advised fund held at The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) that provides grants to trusted nonprofit organizations supporting caregivers and individuals facing cancer, autoimmune diseases or non-smoking related lung transplant journeys.
Inspired by Kindness
The Living Kindness Fund honors Mary Cretu, whose life was defined by compassion, generosity, and always showing up for others.
Born From Experience
This fund exists because Mary understood firsthand how overwhelming illness and caregiving can be - even when love surrounds you.
Support When It's Missing
The Living Kindness Fund steps in for those facing cancer, lung transplant journeys, or caregiving without the support they need.
Help That Matters
Through practical assistance and compassionate giving, the fund supports caregivers, cancer patients, and non-smoking lung transplant patients when it matters most.
A Legacy In Action
Every gift carries forward Mary’s belief that kindness isn’t just remembered - it’s lived.
Mary's Story
mom, wife, sister, and most importantly, everyone's friend
Mary Cretu grew up on a farm in south-central Pennsylvania, where she learned the values that shaped her life - hard work, compassion, and showing up for others. She had a rare gift for making every gathering brighter. No matter the room or the moment, Mary was the life of the party, bringing laughter, warmth, and connection wherever she went.
Above all, Mary was a protector. She looked out for the people she loved with quiet strength and unwavering devotion. A devoted wife and mom of two, she was also a sister, aunt, cousin, and a treasured friend to many. Mary never missed an opportunity to make someone feel seen - whether through a handwritten card, a thoughtful call, or simply being there when it mattered most. Mary loved to travel and experience the world, embracing life with curiosity and joy. Even as she faced significant health challenges, her focus remained on caring for others.
In 2018, Mary was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), specifically Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP). In 2020, she received a successful lung transplant through Johns Hopkins. During this time, she was also a caregiver to both her husband and her mother-in-law - balancing her own health journey while supporting those she loved.
Over the following years, Mary faced ongoing medical complications with resilience and grace. On November 2, 2025, she learned she had adenocarcinoma of unknown primary, likely biliary or pancreatic in origin. Despite uncertainty and hardship, Mary remained steadfast in who she was - kind, selfless, and deeply connected to others.
The Living Kindness Fund honors Mary’s legacy by continuing the care, compassion, and generosity she so freely gave. Through acts of kindness and support for others, her spirit lives on.
An Update on Mary's Story
A Love That Couldn’t Live Apart
Just two months after losing Mary, our family experienced another unimaginable loss—her husband of 52 years, our dad.
The grief is difficult to put into words. To lose both parents so close together feels unreal. But if there is any comfort, it’s in knowing this: theirs was a love that simply couldn’t live apart for long.
Our dad was fun-loving in his own quiet way. He cherished his children, his dogs/granddogs, and the simple joy of being outdoors—especially hunting. While the world may not have always seen it, those who knew him best understood the depth of his love. He showed it in small, consistent ways—never missing a birthday or holiday card, always reminding us how proud he was.
Life was not easy for him. After being hit by a car when I was young, his health became a lifelong battle. In his later years, that struggle only grew harder—but he never stopped fighting. And even as his body weakened, his love never did.
In his final days, something shifted. The love he had always carried quietly came pouring out. It filled the room. It filled our hearts. It is something I will carry with me forever.
He taught us the value of showing up for the people you love—even in the smallest ways. He taught us to hold onto what brings us joy. And he taught us that strength isn’t always loud—sometimes it’s simply the decision to keep going.
Before he passed, he told my brother something he will never forget: “It’s okay to cry.”
So he does. He cries in sadness. Cries in love. And cries in acceptance—knowing he is no longer struggling, and that he is finally at peace.
We believe he is with our mom again—together, healthy, and living life the way they once did.
This is not goodbye.
It’s simply, we’ll see you later.
The Living Kindness Fund was founded by Mary Cretu’s family and loved ones, inspired by her lifelong devotion to generosity, protection, and showing up for others when it mattered most. Guided by trusted advisors this memorial fund is a donor advised fund administered through TFEC, the fund is rooted in strong stewardship, compassion, and a shared commitment to turning kindness into meaningful support for those in need.
Meet The Advisors
Staci Cretu
Founder + Daughter
Brandon Cretu
Co-Founder + Son
Mary Malanowski
Advisor + Social Worker
Katina Palm
Advisor + Medical Professional
Ways to Donate
Check Donation
All tax-deductible check donations should be made payable to The Living Kindness Fund c/o TFEC.
Checks can be mailed to Living Kindness Fund - The Foundation for Enhancing Communities 200 N. 3rd Street
8th Floor Harrisburg, PA 17101
Online Donation
All tax-deductible online donations can be made directly through TFEC website. These donations can be set up as a one-time donation or annual.
For all online donations click here.
Non-Profits
The Living Kindness Fund will support select nonprofit organizations aligned with our mission—including those serving caregivers, lung transplant patients, and individuals facing cancer—while continuing to identify and fund additional partners whose work reflects Mary’s spirit of living kindness. Know a non-profit that fits our mission please contact us.
