Thanks to your past donations, Rick was able to spend time with his wife Barb here at May Court Hospice during her final days. Thanks to your generosity, Rick didn’t have to provide 24-hour care by himself, when Barb needed Rick at her side as her husband.
Thanks to you, Barb’s grandson was able to visit her in the gardens at May Court Hospice before she died.
Thanks to you, Barb’s grandson was able to visit her in the gardens at May Court Hospice before she died.
"Sometimes in life, you get these little glimpses of the best humanity has to offer. "
As Barb’s husband Rick so poignantly wrote: “Sometimes in life, you get these little glimpses of the best humanity has to offer. Three weeks ago, I had never heard of May Court Hospice. When I first heard of it, my reaction was “NO”, I am not sending my wife away to die!
After an awakening type of discussion with her doctor, I was convinced that I could be a better husband by being a husband and leaving the hard work to you. In the little over 2 weeks that Barb and I spent with you, I was in constant admiration of the care, love, and tenderness that everyone has shown Barb. You are ALL most incredible.”
As Barb’s husband Rick so poignantly wrote: “Sometimes in life, you get these little glimpses of the best humanity has to offer. Three weeks ago, I had never heard of May Court Hospice. When I first heard of it, my reaction was “NO”, I am not sending my wife away to die!
After an awakening type of discussion with her doctor, I was convinced that I could be a better husband by being a husband and leaving the hard work to you. In the little over 2 weeks that Barb and I spent with you, I was in constant admiration of the care, love, and tenderness that everyone has shown Barb. You are ALL most incredible.”
"When Claire's beloved husband Bob died at May Court Hospice, he was 53 years old."
Claire’s memory of the day Bob was admitted to hospice was one of comfort, kindness and reassurance that Bob was in good hands. Claire could step back and be a loving wife again instead of a caregiver. She remembers the feeling and speaks of it to this day with great emotion.
Bob was a Glaciologist and sea ice expert who spent many years facilitating navigation in sea ice, and who spent many years travelling and working in the Arctic. He was instrumental in developing FedNav’s ICENAV system, which is vital to shipping in ice infested waters. It was very fitting that Claire’s first major fundraiser was a viewing of the remarkable movie “Wonders of the Arctic” at the IMAX theatre at the Museum of History. The movie was dedicated to Bob and the evening was a sellout, raising over $10,000 for Hospice Care Ottawa.
Claire has been supporting Hospice Care Ottawa since her beloved husband Robert (Bob) died at the May Court Hospice on September 8, 2010. From Hike for Hospice, to participating in the annual Holes for Hospice golf tournament, to being a Partner in Comfort monthly donor and leaving a legacy gift in her Will, Claire is committed to continue supporting Hospice Care Ottawa. We very much appreciate Claire’s support which helps Hospice Care Ottawa to provide palliative and end-of-life care at no charge to individuals and their families.
"On June 7, 2021, my Mom, Elizabeth Hale passed away at Hein House at Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice."
Before this experience, I honestly never thought about hospice care or the role its operational and nursing staff would play in someone’s end-of-life journey. I always just assumed someone goes to the hospital and slowly fades away into their afterlife. What never crossed my mind is how slowly that process can sometimes go, taking days, weeks, or even months, and how both the “patient” and, equally importantly, their families need to be supported during that time. When I think back to my Mom’s end-of-life journey, and her time at hospice, it is a beautiful memory; which seems like an oxymoron, given the circumstances. In truth, it was the nursing staff and volunteers that made the experience so memorable and “enjoyable”. I watched as they quickly bonded with my Mom, my young daughters, and our other family and friends (even if they were sitting outside for a window visit). They were more than healthcare professionals and volunteers, they were counselors, companions, waiters and waitresses, and also magicians. |
"One of the "magical experiences" the staff created for our family was allowing my girls to have a popsicle party with their grandmother."
One of the “magical experiences” the staff created for our family was allowing my girls to have a popsicle party with their grandmother, a person who played such a significant role in their young lives but who they will almost certainly forget as they get older. This popsicle party is a memory I cherish and this photo is one we will use to help our children understand their grandmother's love for them one day.
It was a beautiful moment made possible by the care of your staff. As a way to thank everyone at Hein House, our family and friends made donations to Hospice Care Ottawa in memory of my Mom. We felt this was a special way to honour her memory and ensure that others can experience the same care in the future.
A "Magical Experience" at Hospice by David Hale was featured in our Spring 2022 Newsletter.