Ali, the youngest of three, was an energetic child who loved animals, even mice! At St. Patrick Catholic Church, she was a mass server and commentator, which inspired the Christian Citizenship Award she earned in eighth grade. She enjoyed participating in sports, especially volleyball, basketball, softball and cross country. In college, Ali began working in the home health care field, which was not surprising to her parents, Loren and Cyndi Held, because they said she had an incredibly compassionate heart.

Her heart grew even more when she fell in love with Jeremy Herman. Against all odds – including Jeremy “brainwashing Ali into being a Michigan fan” and proposing with a Ring Pop – Ali and Jeremy got married in 2007. Their son, Casen, was born in 2011; their daughter, Amelia, was born in 2014; and their son, Cole, was born in 2017. Ali enjoyed being home with her children and providing daycare services for others. Ali ensured her home was full of activities ranging from board games to dance parties, and she instilled the importance of respect and love. One day, the children found a nest of bunnies burrowed in the yard. Ali showed them how to nurse the bunnies by feeding them goat’s milk through a syringe. Once the bunnies were healthy and strong, Ali released them back into nature. In addition to encouraging the children to be kind to animals, she shared how important it is to be accepting of everyone.

Ali’s impact was felt by the parents who entrusted their children to her care. One such mother wrote this about Ali: “She was one of a kind, beautiful on the inside and out, and a person I counted on and trusted every day with the most important part of my life. She was my kids’ bonus mom. Her smile, strength, patience and love will live forever in the countless lives she has touched.”

As a mom, Ali was “off the charts,” Loren said. “She was so nurturing, and it was important to her that the kids always had a role model. She taught respect, and it’s pretty cool to see the kids now and how they treat others,” he said.

Jeremy was constantly amazed at Ali’s status as super mom.

Ali’s generosity extended beyond the children she cared for, and she was a force in the community. Whether she was helping organize a benefit for a neighbor with cancer, anonymously covering field trip fees for those who could not afford it, or ensuring she had plenty of snacks and drinks to offer delivery drivers, Ali always went out of her way to show kindness.

When she was not serving others, Ali took a little time to enjoy herself. She frequented Stoney Ridge Winery, country concerts and sporting events. She loved being outdoors, especially running, riding her bike and catching some rays by the pool. Ali had a unique laugh that everyone loved hearing – Jeremy still has a recording featuring it on his phone.

But those good times came to a halt on the evening of March 25, 2021. Jeremy remembers “everything down to the second,” especially the loud crack of thunder at 11:15 PM that prompted Ali to say, “I need to go to the hospital.”

Ali called her parents and asked them to come over to be with the sleeping children. She sat on the side of the bed and fell to the floor. Jeremy called 911, Loren and Cyndi arrived, and Ali was rushed to Parkview Bryan Hospital and was immediately transferred to Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center.

At the hospital, Loren and Jeremy noticed a Donate Life poster.

“I said, ‘If we get to that point, that is what’s going to happen,’” Jeremy said. “I’ve been an organ donor since I was 16, and Ali said ‘yes’ one of the times she renewed her license.”

Jeremy, Loren and Cyndi were given the news that the aneurism had done too much damage, and 35-year-old Ali passed away on March 26, 2021. But her generosity lived on through her decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor.

The Honor Walk is something Ali’s family will never forget.

“The Honor Walk was so inspirational and truly does honor the donor and their family. The solemn quietness, everybody standing… You see their eyes and you know they care,” Loren said.

Jeremy agreed.

“I will always remember the Honor Walk. During it, I could literally feel the pressure lifting off me,” Jeremy said.

Two years later, Ali’s family had the opportunity to truly understand the power of organ donation when they met Beth Winhusen, Ali’s grateful heart recipient.

“It was an emotional and gratifying moment for all. To witness the improvement that an organ donor can give to a recipient is incredible. It is truly giving the gift of life,” Loren said. “Beth is a very compassionate, kind and caring individual. She is a part of our family forever. We are blessed that God gave us Ali and Beth, and it’s inspiring to know that someone like Beth has Ali’s heart.”

Cyndi smiles when she thinks about that emotional reunion of sorts.

“Meeting Beth was very healing and rewarding. Just to see her walk in and to hear her voice was amazing. It was good for the kids, and I think they really understood it when they listened to their mom’s heart beating in Beth. I think it was God relating that this is where Ali’s still living,” Cyndi said.

Jeremy said hearing Ali’s heart was remarkable.

“I had some mixed emotions, but it was pretty awesome to hear her heart beating again,” Jeremy said.

After that meeting, Ali’s family became even more passionate about encouraging recipients to reach out to their donor families for healing on both sides.

“It’s important to the recipient but to the donor family as well. We are happy for them and want to know how they’re progressing. As a donor family, it makes us feel good,” Loren said.

Another aspect that makes Ali’s family feel good is continuously keeping her memory alive. Along with three of Ali’s first cousins, Loren and Cyndi established the Ali Held Herman Memorial Scholarship through the Bryan Area Foundation, which is awarded to a Bryan High School graduating senior annually. Ali’s family also organizes the Ali Held Herman Memorial Run/Walk every July. The event is held in honor of Ali’s final run on March 21, 2021. Loren can still hear Ali’s voice on the other end of the phone that day.

“‘Dad, I just had my best run ever! It was eight miles in one hour and five minutes!’ Five days later, she passed away to be with our Lord Jesus Christ,” Loren said.

In addition to the memorial run, whose proceeds benefit the scholarship fund as well as community organizations, Ali’s family participates in the Hero Hustle 5K, hosted by Life Connection of Ohio and Solvita. They also make frequent trips to the cemetery to be with Ali, especially on her birthday, Mother’s Day and the anniversary of her death.

On March 25, 2021, the day before Ali passed away, she ordered a t-shirt that read “A little more kindness, a little less judgment” from Fearfully Made, a boutique in Bryan.

“Although she was not able to wear the t-shirt, it was a reminder of the lesson she was teaching to all of her children and the kind of life she exemplified,” Loren said.

Ali and Jeremy’s children were 9, 6 and 3 when their mom passed away. But Ali’s gift of life means Casen, Amelia and Cole get to grow up knowing that their mom is a true hero.

Ali’s family is proud that even in death, her generosity continues to touch so many people.

“It’s a journey of grace,” Cyndi said. “We’ve been able to share Ali’s story, and organ donation is one of the reasons that we’re still standing.”