Mercy Hospital's Forsley Award posthumously honors Maddy Corson

Date: 10/29/2024

Established in 2015, the annual Forsley Award is named in honor of longtime Gary’s House champion, Fred Forsley. The award recognizes a remarkable leader and advocate who works to make our community better for all with a special focus on our neighbors in need. On Tuesday, October 29, Northern Light Mercy Hospital posthumously honored Maddy Corson (pictured below) with this year’s award.

Maddy Corson, a philanthropist and former Guy Gannett Communications board chair, passed away on April 28, 2024. Maddy served as honorary co-chair of Mercy’s Fore River II capital campaign and helped raise the funds necessary to complete the hospital’s historic expansion. In addition to her commitment to Mercy, Maddy was a strong advocate for the arts and human rights, actively supporting the Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine, founding the Institute for Family-Owned Business, and fundraising for numerous Maine and national non-profits. Serving her community through volunteerism and philanthropy was central to Maddy’s lifelong commitment to helping people and organizations thrive.

Event co-hosts, Fred Forsley and Margo Walsh, 2022 Forsley Award recipient and MaineWorks founder, shared personal stories of the tremendous impact Maddy had on their lives and how her generosity, commitment, and counsel helped thousands of people in Maine and beyond. 

“Maddy was a wonderful friend who provided me guidance and helped open doors to advance Mercy’s mission. She was remarkable in every way and part of the greatest generation who constantly gave back to their communities,” said Charlie Therrien, Mercy Hospital president. “Maddy left a lasting mark at Mercy, and she will be remembered for her tremendous compassion, humor, and love. It’s an honor to celebrate her and pay tribute to her incredible legacy of helping others.”

In the photo above from left to right: Judy Forsley, Fred Forsley, Margo Walsh, Ben Corson (accepted award on behalf of his mom), Joe Minard, Melissa Skahan, and Charlie Therrien.