Donor Spotlight: The Smith Family and "Adina's Butterfly"

A magnificent swallowtail butterfly stands in Darwin and Myra Smith’s yard near Lake Norman—but soon, “Adina’s butterfly” will make its permanent home at Holy Angels, welcoming families to the new Children’s Campus for years to come.

The original sculpture was commissioned for the children’s section of the Dallas Arboretum in Texas. This replica was made to remind them of the brief, but impactful life of their second daughter, Adina, who lived briefly at Holy Angels 56 years ago. “Butterflies symbolize new beginnings, rebirth and hope,” says Darwin.

Born with multiple disabilities, Adina came to what was then Holy Angels Nursery at just 9 months old. She lived only another month and a half, but the Smiths' lives changed forever. “Adina showed us there’s something beyond ourselves,” said Myra. Darwin called her life and death “a wake-up call to look at life differently.” Following her passing, the Smiths stayed involved—Myra made clothes for infants and Darwin helped with repairs in the nursery. They later joined the “Aid Our Angels” Auxiliary and supported many fundraisers. “Part of being human is giving back,” Darwin said. “You don’t have to be wealthy–giving is a concept, an attitude.”

In addition to the butterfly, the Smiths generously supported the Children’s Campus Expansion project, and named Holy Angels in their estate plans. Their gifts will serve as a lasting reminder of Adina’s impact—and the brighter future their generosity helped create for Holy Angels residents.

Read more stories like this in the Summer edition of our HeartLine Newsletter..