When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.

So reads the plaque dedicated to former Wareham resident Marie Auld in the main lobby of Tobey Hospital.

Auld's family gave a $600 check to the hospital last Wednesday in memory of Marie, who spent many years getting treatment at Tobey during her 28-year battle with lung cancer.

"As a non-profit hospital, donations are very important for our programs, services and equipment," said Sarah Gonet, philanthropy officer with Southcoast Health.

Auld died in 2011 at the age of 66. Every year since, her family members have collected money and donated to a nearby organization that was close to her heart. Last year, her family paid for a bench in a butterfly garden in Deerfield.

The family holds a cancer walk a week or two after Labor Day every year; they charge nothing for the walk but put out a bucket and accept donations. Additionally, Auld's three grandchildren have a change jar they collect for all year.

After the walk this year they decided to donate the money to Tobey.

"She walked in the door here and everybody knew who she was," said Megan Greene, one of Auld's daughters.

Auld had five children, Greene, Kristen Murphy, Ronald Auld Jr., the late Paul Metivier and Kenneth Metivier.

Kenneth said that initially they wanted to plant a tree in front of the hospital for Marie, but after speaking with Gonet, they decided to place a plaque next to a painting of the hospital in the main lobby hallway.

"As a boy I remember seeing plaques in the hallways of a place like this and thinking 'Wow ,that person must have been important," he said.

He said he can imagine someone walking up and down the hallway waiting to hear good or bad news about a loved one, seeing the plaque and finding comfort in it.

"We know it's always here for us too," Greene said.