Nursing & Navigating: Maura Lessard's Lifetime of Love

By Seth Stutman | Photos by Heather Lynn Photography
Published in Longmeadow Neighbors June 2025

You may know Maura Lessard by this moniker, or as “Mat Mom, Nurse Maura, or by Missy Murphy, and all would resemble an enthusiastic, energetic, and compassionate woman who has dedicated her life to helping others.

While Maura was born in the Bronx, she feels as if the Pioneer Valley is her home. Maura attended elementary school at Blessed Sacrament in Holyoke, graduated in 1983 from Westfield High, where she was runner-up for the Bronze Tablet Award, awarded to a member of the graduating class “who has done the most for the welfare, good name, and progress of Westfield High School.” Additionally, Maura was on the honor society, a member of the student council, and participated in the Student Alcohol Advisory Board.

Lessard always had close ties to Holyoke - her grandparents lived there and her grandfather owned the Liggett Drug Store. Additionally, Maura was celebrated in the Westfield’s Colleen Court and she looked forward to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day festivities annually.

Upon graduation, Lessard went to Baystate Medical Center School of Nursing, then to AIC for a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

“I always knew that I wanted to be a nurse, and I chose to attend a hospital-based nursing program because it offered more hospital-based clinical and on-the-job training,” Maura said.

Maura’s desire to be a nurse fell in line with the strong work ethic, formulated with encouragement from her parents.

“I always worked through high school and college [often working two to three] jobs,” she said. “Work ethic was emphasized strongly in our family and all my friends worked growing up so it was our social time.”

Not satisfied with just Hospital-based floor nursing, Lessard constantly pushed herself to become more and more informed and well-rounded. She also became board-certified in Rehabilitation Nursing and Case Management and more recently certified Dementia Practitioner. In her work as a consultant, Maura educated hundreds of nurses and case managers nationally on the case manager role in the post-acute setting and coordinated education programs for healthcare professionals nationally.

After decades in medical education and working to launch new drug products, she started Nurse Advocates LLC in 2018, transforming her client’s healthcare experience by providing solutions-focused services to assist adult individuals and families facing challenges coordinating care for themselves and their loved ones. Nurse Advocates is now celebrating seven years in business.

“I’m passionate about the work that I do, and find that it works for me, and could also be considered a hobby - it’s who I am. Outside of work, I educate families and friends and volunteer to help families, many of whom live in Longmeadow, in my free time.”

Lessard has seen how difficult the healthcare system is to navigate, and how overwhelming the process can be and is thrilled to be able to provide a service that allows her clients to get the care, treatment and kindness they deserve.

“By providing guidance, advocacy, and case management services, we transform our clients’ healthcare experience. We provide significant education so our clients understand how the healthcare system functions. Our services are necessary for well-informed decision-making and care choices. Through communication and collaboration with providers, we help families navigate care, solve problems, and create solutions. Lately, there has been a lot of emphasis in helping people to pull together the pieces and apply for LTC insurance claims; which can be quite complicated and people don’t know what they don’t know. Nurse Advocates is your FIRST CALL to find helpful resources and direction. It is never too early to call!”

Maura’s passion for helping others is only rivaled by her passion as a mother. Jonathan Lessard, now 27, graduated from East Longmeadow High School and then went into the carpenter’s union before helping to build the MGM casino in Springfield. In High School, he wrestled and played volleyball and Maura was an ardent supporter of his sports career. Affectionately referred to as a “Mat Mom,” Maura was a friend to many and was incredibly grateful for her long-standing friendships and the support of the many strong women in that community.

In addition to her immediate and extended family, the folks she’s met along the way: supportive women, her clients, and her in-laws have become part of a larger, handcrafted family - now with two cats - Charlie and Smudge.

“My friends are very much my extended family. Women really support each other at this time in our lives and I feel closer to many of them than my own family,” she said.

Lessard remembers spending summers in Otis, boating, dancing, and sitting by the fire. She recounts her son being an advocate lauded by staff as they helped his grandmother in her battle with Alzheimer’s. As a mom, she glowingly recounts building snow forts in the winter, LEGO creations, and vacations.

In her limited free time, Maura enjoys nature, walking, and hiking. When living in Wilbraham, MA, she and her son volunteered for the Minnichaug Land Trust to raise funds for the Rice Nature Preserve and volunteered on the stewardship committee for the McDonald Farm Preserve, and was on the Wilbraham’s town Agricultural Planning Committee. She was known for her incredible gift of gardening and her perennial gardens. These days, Maura is appreciative for time with friends and family.

“Women supporting women at this age is very important to me and gathering with like-minded friends. I spend a lot of time with the seniors in my community, even when not working. I love listening to their stories. I live in a community in which I can volunteer my time to help my neighbors,” she says proudly.

While she never thought apartment living was for her, Maura is enjoying the community at Park Edge and the larger Longmeadow community after moving a few years ago.

“Everybody looks out for each other - I even help my neighbors with their own healthcare navigation. People are kind and welcoming. Honestly, I found Wilbraham to be quite clicky and Longmeadow is very welcoming.”

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