Mary H.
Mary joined the Navy in 2007, serving as a Flight Engineer in the Pacific Fleet’s Patrol Squadron. In 2011, she switched to the Navy’s intelligence services. Her husband Jerry Heath enlisted in 2005 as a Quartermaster on the USS Porter before turning to his true passion, Cryptologic Technician Networks.
They met in Augusta, Georgia, where Jerry was stationed and where Mary was deployed as an analyst for the Office of Naval Intelligence. They married in 2012, moved to Norfolk, and welcomed their son, Jerry “JJ” Lee Heath Jr., in 2015. Months later, they transferred to Hawaii.
In 2018, Jerry suddenly fell ill at work. He underwent several operations to save his life, but he passed away a week later. In the next year, JJ was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Mary also learned that JJ had the same genetic condition that claimed her husband’s life. To access the specialized care JJ required, Mary relocated to Maryland to be near Johns Hopkins University Hospital.
Mary spent the next couple of years wavering between grief and hope. Though she performed well enough to earn promotions to leadership positions, she struggled with insomnia, depression, migraines, and other traumas related to her husband’s death. Eventually, Mary left the Navy in 2022 with a permanent and total disability classification. Today, she is working toward a degree in business management at the local community college. She and her partner, Christopher, are raising JJ and their daughter, Isla.
Mary learned about Reinforcements Inc through her association with the Gold Star Mothers Maryland Chapter. We recently finished her home inspection and will start soon on flooring, tile, electrical and plumbing repairs.
