Tarentum couple says 'I do' at UPMC St. Margaret so hospitalized mom can attend

Tarentum residents Chaz and Amanda Wilburn were married earlier this month in the chapel at UPMC St. Margaret, in a ceremony they called a dream that arose from a nightmare.

Chaz Wilburn spent 38 days in the hospital this summer with congestive heart failure.

While he was recovering, his mom, Ajeana Schuler, was admitted to St. Margaret with a lengthy illness.

“When she went in there, (Amanda and I) decided we didn’t want to wait until January to get married,” Wilburn said. “We wanted to have the wedding in her room so she could be there.”

Hospital staff not only made it happen on Oct. 2, they went a step beyond to organize a chapel wedding with all the amenities of a traditional ceremony.

“We didn’t have to do anything,” Wilburn said. “Our wedding was perfect and beautiful.

“All we wanted to do was get married in the room so my mom could be there, but we knew, with covid, we couldn’t have people gathered. We didn’t even know if it was possible. They made everything possible.”

Baliegh Cannistraci, the hospital’s senior social worker, teamed with several of her co-workers to produce a dream experience for the couple.

Saundra Jones, director of patient experience and volunteer services, became the unofficial wedding planner for what she thinks might have been the first ceremony ever at the hospital chapel.

Shawn Krebs, director of food services, secured a traditional ivory-colored cake from Potomac Bakery.

Terri Pellegrino, administrative coordinator of care management, was able to get “bride and groom” champagne glasses, a unity candle and a cake-knife set.

Flowers were provided by the St. Margaret Foundation’s Emergency Family Fund and a donation by Burke & Haas Always in Bloom floral shop.

“It was a team effort and an amazing day,” Jones said.

Senior Clinician Julie Forbes and Patient Care Technician Dawn Greiser helped Wilburn’s mother prepare for the big day, styling the patient’s hair and assisting her to the chapel.

Amy Cober, patient relations coordinator, coordinated private rooms for Chaz and Amanda to primp prior to the event — Amanda wore a red lace dress and Chaz wore a matching jacket with floral lapels.

Wilburn’s friend, Pastor Jerry Jefferson, presided.

“I’ve watched so many wedding shows, trying to get everything ready, but nothing could’ve compared to this,” Wilburn said. “They went above and beyond.

“Just my mom being present, let alone being all dressed up, it meant everything.”

When he first proposed, Wilburn said he never expected to be saying “I do” at St. Margaret.

“It’s wild I was able to be married at the hospital, to come full circle,” he said. “By the grace of God, I’m here and walking around with my bride. I have no complaints.”