Meet the Moms
Tu Nidito’s 2020 – 2021 Class of Remarkable Moms!
What is a Remarkable Mom?
A Tu Nidito Remarkable Mom is someone whose life and community contributions speak to the heart of Tu Nidito’s mission. Each year, a select group of mothers are celebrated among friends and family at Tu Nidito’s signature fundraising gala, The Remarkable Celebration, which raises essential funds to help ensure that no child grieves alone. As our community navigates unprecedented grief, Tu Nidito is able to serve and support Southern Arizona’s grieving children and families, thanks to the generosity of our REMARKABLE community.
After the cancellation of this annual gala in 2020, we are looking forward to coming together on May 8, 2021, with even more to celebrate at The Remarkable Celebration: A Night Under the Stars!
Learn more about the upcoming hybrid (in-person/virtual) event here. Virtual attendees will enjoy live raffle prize drawings, special tributes, guest appearances, and of course, the highlight, a live honoring of our Remarkable Moms.
See our full list of event sponsors here.
Without further ado, meet this year's Remarkable Mom Honorees!
Donna Crawford
A Legacy of Giving
Donna Crawford is a Tucson transplant originating from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. However, this hasn’t stopped her from being fiercely devoted to our community since she and her husband Mike made Tucson their home in 2004. From an early age, Donna’s mother inspired her to do as much as she can to help others with her time, gifts and talents. And now, as a mother to her three wonderful children, Emily, Jack and Molly, Donna is proud to see her mother’s legacy transcending time, as this tradition of giving is emulated in her own children. Donna glows with pride to see her children thrive and succeed not only professionally and academically, but in their character as they become amazing and generous young adults. Tu Nidito was fortunate enough to have Donna’s vision and leadership for the Remarkable Celebration, serving as chair of the silent auction for seven years and three years as the event chair. She has served Tu Nidito in many other capacities as well, including as an executive board member. But, her work in the non-profit world doesn’t end there. Donna has helped improve the lives of children in our community through her dedicated volunteer work with the Tucson Ladies Council, The Christina Taylor Green Memorial Foundation, First Tee of Tucson, and Angel Charity for Children, to name a few. Above all else, Donna serves her family, friends and community with a spirit of gratitude – seeing each and every day as remarkable in itself.
Make a donation to Tu Nidito in celebration of Donna here.
Serena Jain Scott
“Head Up and Hair Free”
Serena Jain Scott approaches her roles as mother, physician, educator, leader, and now after being diagnosed with breast cancer, patient, with the highest levels of dedication. Serena serves at Banner-University Medical Center where she practices as an Internist. She holds a faculty position as Assistant Professor of Medicine as well as a number of leadership and educational roles. Serena is well-respected in her field but her greatest joys are the roles of mom to her son Remy, age 3, and wife to her husband, Aaron. As a new mom Serena faced the unthinkable when she felt a lump and was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer before Remy was even 2 years old. Serena’s life seemed to spin in an unplanned direction, yet she persevered with an infectiously positive attitude, always remembering that her diagnosis is just a chapter in her life, not the whole story. Throughout her treatment journey and after losing all her hair to chemotherapy, Serena’s motto has been “Head Up and Hair Free.” She continues serving as a mentor to medical students and residents, always challenging them to be not only better physicians, but better human beings. All the while, she remains enthralled with the “artistry” of motherhood; her role in shaping Remy into the young man he will become. She successfully models life as a working mom, while openly and honestly discussing the challenges that come with it. Through it all, Serena demonstrates profound empathy, and humanism. Her peers and co-workers state that she is a true role model, which she is—most of all to her son who absolutely adores her.
Make a donation to Tu Nidito in celebration of Serena here.
Kirsten Cloutier Grabo
The Dignity of Risk
Kirsten Cloutier Grabo is a proud member of the Tucson community, caring for friends, family and strangers in a diverse set of ways. As a former baton twirler and current coach for the Pride of Arizona marching band, she is ever growing in her role as a coach and mentor. She also works at the UArizona helping future scientists embark on careers and educators and researchers in the field of neuroscience. In 1994, while working for ReSolve, Inc., she collaborated with local nonprofit agencies to establish the nation’s first national Diaper Bank. Kirsten’s success in uplifting her community has always been profound, even in the face of grief. In 2014, she experienced the sudden death of her husband, John, due to leukemia. Around the same time, both of their sons, Beckett and Brady, were diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) for which there was no known treatment until 2016. Thanks to new medications and treatments that slow the progression of SMA, Kirsten has tremendous hope for her boys’ futures. Throughout her unique and multifaceted grief journey, Kirsten lives a joyous life, giving her sons the “dignity of risk.” Her demonstrable hope encourages Beckett and Brady to lead full, engaging lives. Her sons, friends and colleagues all look up to her. Kirsten’s life is a testament that each day is a gift and that there is power in fighting for the people you love.
Make a donation to Tu Nidito in celebration of Kirsten here.
Ellen Yasmer
Never Too Late
Ellen Yasmer is a mother to two fantastic adult children, Emily and K.C. She cherishes her grandsons Logan and Sawyer, as well as her amazing son-in-law, Adam. Ellen has made incredible contributions to our community over the years, volunteering her time with the Junior League of Tucson, Southern Arizona Dental Auxiliary, and the Tucson Festival of Books. She proudly served the Tucson Jewish Federation escorting Holocaust survivors to speak at various schools in Southern Arizona. Ellen’s desire to give back is inspired by her own experiences with grief, which began when she was just 10 years old when her father died tragically following a warehouse explosion. Years later, her mother died suddenly from a heart attack following an elective surgery. Ellen was devastated by grief once again when her husband died during an outpatient cardio catheterization when he was just 51 years old. Her life experiences have made Ellen not only familiar with death, but the emotions that come with a sudden death. She notes that her volunteer work with Tu Nidito has helped her navigate the unfinished business that remains when people die. Her favorite part of each month are the days she comes to Tu Nidito to do activities and support grieving children. In the midst of her grief, Ellen also started The Tucson Cinema Club – a movie group for divorced and widowed friends. Because of the support of her community, she understands loss in a new way that honors her 10-year-old self, recognizing that it’s never too late to grieve.
Make a donation to Tu Nidito in celebration of Ellen here.
