As parents of two babies who needed critical care after birth in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), Molly and Ryan Jones were deeply grateful for the care and support they received from NICU staff. Their gratitude led the couple to dream about ways they could give back to the NICUs that cared for their daughters. Now 3 years old, Shay Jones was born at 32.5 weeks and received lifesaving care at the Providence St. Vincent NICU in Portland. Born at just 28 weeks, her sister Maeve was treated by staff at the Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital NICU in Spokane. Now 9 months old, Maeve was born at 28 weeks, weighing under 2 lbs, and steadily recovered through around-the-clock NICU care.

In September 2023, almost 2 months after giving birth to Maeve, Molly’s life was tragically cut short in a car accident at the age of 34. She leaves behind her loving husband, two beautiful daughters, and countless family and friends who cared for her deeply. 

A loving daughter, wife, sister, mother and friend, Molly brought joy and happiness into the lives of everyone she met. Those who knew Molly would agree that she was one of the most genuine, selfless, caring, fun and joyous people in the world. Honoring her generous spirit and desire to help other newborns needing critical care, Molly’s family established the Molly Jones NICU Miracles Fund at Innovia. 

The fund will begin supporting the NICU at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, with the goal of expanding to eventually invest in additional NICUs across the region, such as Providence St. Vincent in Portland, where Shay was born. As the largest NICU facility in the region and one of the few level-four NICUs in the entire Pacific Northwest, the Sacred Heart NICU provides lifesaving care for newborns across the region. The Molly Jones NICU Miracles Fund will invest in critical resources for families and their newborns, such as new monitors, beds, video equipment for far-away parents to see their babies, clothing, swaddles and more.

Still relatively young and underfunded, the neonatal medical field treats up to 10-15% of babies born in the United States each year. With first-hand experience of the life-changing care NICUs provide, Molly and Ryan recognized an opportunity to give back to future children and families just like theirs.

In the months since Molly’s passing, generosity has poured into the fund from across the region and nation, endowing it to benefit babies for generations to come.

Remembered for her selfless joy and compassion, Molly’s legacy is now providing more precious babies with the lifesaving care they need.