She lost her sister to a car crash. Now, she’s running the Boston Marathon in her honor.

"Every step will be a tribute—to her dream, to the caregivers at Tufts, and the incredible power of love."

Samantha Kelly and her mother. Samantha Kelly

March 12, 2025

1 minute to read

In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston.

Name: Samantha Kelly
Age: 30
Location: Lynnfield, Mass.

On Jan. 9, 2021, my world shattered. My sister, Mary Trant, was tragically killed in a car crash. That night, my family rushed to Tufts Medical Center, believing we would support Mary’s recovery. Instead, we were met with the devastating words no family should ever hear: “We are so sorry, but Ms. Trant is no longer with us.”

Mary wasn’t just my baby sister—she was my best friend, my light, my inspiration. She was months away from graduating as a nurse from Salem State University, driven by a passion to help others. She even dreamed of running the Boston Marathon one day.

As we grappled with our loss, my family endured even more heartbreak. The day after Mary passed, my mother—already battling stage 3 breast cancer—had to undergo chemotherapy. Since then, my father has suffered three strokes, a cruel reminder of the unrelenting weight of grief.

Yet, amid the pain, we chose hope. We founded the MMTrant Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting aspiring nurses and honoring those who embody the same compassion and dedication Mary had.

In April 2025, my mother and I will run the Boston Marathon in Mary’s honor. Every step will be a tribute—to her dream, to the caregivers at Tufts, and the incredible power of love.

Tufts Medical Center was there for our family in our darkest moments, and now, we are running to give back. The funds we raise will support the hospital’s mission, helping it continue to provide life-saving care for families like ours.