Motherhood has a different meaning, depending on who you ask to define the experience.

Last Wednesday, 10 women and one man shared their stories about motherhood along with the triumphs and trials that come along with it.

Chicora’s Amy Cannard recalled fondly how her mother shared her love of theatre with her. Ila Lombardo, of West Sunbury, explained why it was important to her mother that her family always be together at Christmastime.

Others — like Denise Lavenets, of Buffalo Township, and Kayla Yepez, of Chicora — shared their own journeys. Lavenets discussed her sobriety, while Yepez talked about postpartum depression.

For the full stories, listen to the Alter Eagle podcast by visiting the Butler Eagle’s YouTube channel or finding Alter Eagle on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

— Photography by Austin Uram

Amy Cannard, of Chicora, refers to her late mother, June “Mama June” Cannard as “the matriarch of theatre kids.”

June Cannard shared her love of theatre with Amy, instilling a similar life-long love for her in the process.

Amy Cannard said her mother filled stages and hearts” with her larger-than-life presence.

“She was, and is, my role model,” Cannard said, “my very heart.”

Denise Lavenets, of Buffalo Township, is strengthening her relationship with her children amid 19 years of sobriety.

Lavenets cited mental health and substance abuse as challenges in her own journey and called her story of motherhood as a message of “hope.”

“It’s a journey toward ‘us,’” she said, “learning integrity in the face of adversity.”

Lavenets is the mother of six children, Tashia, 41, Richie, 36, Adrianna, 35, Chad Jr. 29, Alexis, 19, and Isabella, 15.

Sherry Jo Matt, of Wexford, founded the Stop the Judgment Project after the death of her daughter Siena in 2020. Siena died of fentanyl overdose at age 21.

As part of the project, Matt has been working ever since to combat stigma surrounding mental health and substance abuse in young adults.

She is the mother of Dylan, 21, and Siena, “forever 21.”

Terri Schultz, of Center Township, has always been a working mother. She called “time management” one of motherhood’s greatest challenges.

“Being a mom requires finding a balance of ‘being there for your children’ and ‘being there for yourself,’” Schultz said.

She is the mother of four adult children.

Nedra Casey, of Butler Township, called motherhood “the greatest joy and happiest, most important job” she has ever had.

The mother of twins Meagan Casey and Meredyth Pribis, Casey has strived to strike a balance between patience and perseverance.

“Remember your children’s journey is their journey, not yours,” she said. “I try to never interfere but am always there as a source of advice and comfort as needed.”

Dennis Casey, husband to Nedra, lauded his wife’s integrity and devotion.

“My wife Nedra is a committed mother, grandmother and educator,” he said, “whose dedication to her family is an inspiration to me.”

Ila Lombardo, of West Sunbury, said it was always important to her mother that the family be together on Christmas.

Lombardo’s grandmother left her family on Christmas when her mother, Madeline Fay Fisher Lombardo was young.

It was important to Madeline Lombardo to change that memory of the December holiday, Ila Lombardo said.

She said it’s a mother’s responsibility was to “love and nurture a child.”

Ila Lombardo, a retired letter carrier, is mother to one stepson herself.

Phyllis Bowser Bonzo, of Franklin Township, has watched her role as a mother evolve since 1956.

Bowser Bonzo is mother to two children — Denise Lyle, 67, and David Bonzo, 66 — grandmother to six grandchildren, and great-grandmother to 16 great-grandchildren.

The challenge and key to motherhood, she said, was to “always be there” for her children — loving them through the hard times.

“Always put God first,” she said. “Pray about everything.”

Lynette Beattie, of Butler Township, said one of the best pieces of advice she could give mothers was to “always listen to and trust your children.”

Beattie, mother to “Alter Eagle” host Laura Crago, is also mother to Scott and Jason; grandmother to five grandchildren; and great-grandmother to four great-grandchildren.

The greatest challenge she faced, she said, was the death of her husband.

“I have accomplished many goals in my professional career, but my most rewarding accomplishment has been to raise three self-reliant adults,” she said, “who contribute in their own way to make this world a better place.”

Kayla Yepez, of Chicora, found herself recovering from postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter in 2022.

Yepez moved to Butler County as the co-founder of the Downtown Bagel House on Butler’s Main Street.

She is the mother to Ella, 15 months old.

Min Barlowe, 16, of Butler, said her grandmother, even in death, and her mother have greatly influenced her own life.

The junior at Butler Area High School said her grandmother always accepted her for who she was.

“I appreciate them,” Barlowe said.