Nurse Saves Preemie in 1972, Now 95 and Still Family

When doctors declared newborn Carole Flynn stillborn in 1972, nurse June LaJeunesse refused to accept it and did something she'd never attempted before.

LaJeunesse worked at UMass Memorial Medical Center when Cheryl Flynn unexpectedly delivered her baby girl three months early on September 30, 1972. The tiny infant weighed just one pound, 11 ounces, and medical staff believed she hadn't survived.

But LaJeunesse saw something others missed. "I resuscitated her, and when the doctor came in, I said, she's breathing, and he said, she is," June recalled in an interview with NBC10 Boston.

Cheryl was overjoyed. "I was just thrilled that I had this beautiful baby girl," she told the outlet.

The story of Carole's miraculous survival ran in the local newspaper. When LaJeunesse read it, she reached out to the Flynn family, beginning a relationship that would span decades.

June became Carole's godmother. Their bond survived cross-country moves, career changes, and the passage of time. "I always just know I'm loved," Carole said, becoming emotional while discussing her birth story. "There's nothing better than that."

The connection inspired Carole to follow in her godmother's footsteps. She now works at UMass Memorial, the same system where June once saved her life. "It'll be 10 years in October," Carole shared.

Sunny's Take

Today, the roles have reversed in the most beautiful way. At 95 years old, June lives in a nursing home where Carole and her family visit regularly. "When I came to the nursing home, they took over and took care of me," June said.

For Cheryl, the story represents something larger than one family's experience. "Nurses are like angels sent down from God to take care of us," she explained.

The nurse who refused to give up on a one-pound preemie created a legacy that extends far beyond that September day in 1972, proving that one moment of determination can ripple through generations.