Director of Community Relations and Staff

Director of Community Relations:

Mary Kayser

I have a degree in Communications from WSU and have been a lifelong volunteer, from tagging along with my Mom at a young age to youth service organizations, and later leading Girl Scouts and CampFire, volunteering and serving on Boards with PTSA, church organizations, Boys and Girls Club and our local Wine Alliance among others. My husband and I own and operate a boutique vineyard on the river growing grapes for local winemakers. We have two grown daughters and are looking forward to the birth of our first granddaughter this spring. In my spare time I love to sew, craft, cook and enjoy lots of outdoor activities. I am excited to bring my non-profit experience and organizational skills to the Foundation and look forward to supporting Health and Wellness in our wonderful community.

Remembering Emmit Aston and Virginia Murphy

Emmit Aston joined the Lake Chelan Community Hospital Foundation over 25 years ago. He was truly a dedicated, passionate and foundational figure both in the community and on the board. Very few people have committed more time, energy, or money to the support of our hospital. Arguably the only thing Emmit was as committed to besides his family and the hospital was the University of Washington Husky’s! Emmit was a constant.

A quiet, but pivotal individual in our community and on our board. He did all things with a thoughtfulness and a gentle and funny way. He always had a joke at the ready and sparkle in his eye. Even though Emmit faced a number of health challenges, he never let them get the better of him or his spirit. He loved his family, his community, his Husky’s and this hospital.

He will be truly missed, but we know two things for sure: he will be present on the day we dedicate our new hospital and he will be forever wearing his purple and gold!

Virginia Murphy joined the Foundation in 1993 and served us faithfully for almost 30 years. Among the many tasks she did was managing the Scholarship and Continuing Education funding processes. Every student applicant and hospital caregiver and staff heard from Virginia.

She proudly considered this important work a great responsibility. She was organized and reliable. Virginia also had a sweet tooth and it was not unusual to spot at least one cookie or piece of cake in her office.

She had an easy smile and a friendly word for everyone – and everyone in the hospital knew Virginia. We will miss her