PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Hardworking. Compassionate. Brave. That’s how friends and family of Mary Kuhl describe her, saying she’s the definition of a hometown hero.

“She’s just an inspiration to us all,” Putnam County school nurse Beth Krall said.

Mary’s dedication to the community can save lives and prevent tragedy. She and her husband Jess Kuhl started a foundation to equip every school in Putnam County with an AED and met their goal.

“We’re a very strong faith-based family,” Jess said. “We knew it would happen. We just didn’t expect it to happen that quickly.”

“Our goal is statewide … we’re just starting in Putnam County,” Mary said.

Mary worked with school nurses to make the AEDS a reality, and they’re rallying behind her as the foundation grows.

“Jess and Mary Kuhl have provided a great community resource … we’re actually one of the few counties that now have AEDs in every school building,” school nurse Delberta Riffe said.

Even more remarkably, Mary’s drive to serve others springs from tragedy. She and Jess lost their baby daughter Maura nine years ago – when she was only three days old. So they started the project in her memory.

Now, they’re proud and amazed to watch the Maura Rae Kuhl Foundation blossom and touch hundreds of lives.

“When something tragic happens, you can either let it ruin your life or make something good of it and move on," Mary said.