Our Stories

"Sometimes in life, you get these little glimpses of the best humanity has to offer."

​​“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.” 
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CLICK HERE to read more about Barb's story and the wonderful words shared in 2022

"A place where we met other families going through the same experience"

​"I think the main thing that Hospice gave us was a place as a family to be cared for and to give Dad a place to die with dignity and support.

A place where we met other families going through the same experience, staff who know what we needed and the peace in which to celebrate life and respect death."

From the Pyper family, whose loved one received care in Hospice Residence

"Held our hands and gently guided us through a process we knew nothing about"

"We cannot express the gratitude we felt having had our loved one spend his last two days in your care. We could never have had the quiet restful last hours with him that we did, without your help. The kindness and empathy from all of you is beyond anything we would have expected. We are eternally grateful that the end of his life was spent there, rather than where and how we expected it to be. The staff and volunteers accommodated our endless enquiries and fears; held our hands and gently guided us through a process we knew nothing about. They were there when we didn't expect but needed them, at all times. What a pile of gems you have there. Angels who walk among us. You made our future mindset and memories much more pleasant and will cherish them, as they allow us to carry on in peace, as he was."

From a wife and daughter whose loved one was in the Hospice Residence


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Please tell us in your own words, and let us know if you'd like us to share with others here on our website, or in our community letters.

Your Impact continues

"My husband Bob was admitted to Hein House at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice on March 15, 2020. We lived there together for 6 weeks, and at the time, no other visitors were allowed. The pandemic raging around us changed some of my expectations of how Bob’s last few weeks would unfold; but there were no changes in the excellent and compassionate care he was given. He and I were both treated with gentleness, patience and empathy. I will be forever grateful."

From Karrie, whose husband Bob was in the Hospice Residence



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​"Thank you for all your wonderful staff did for my dear father. You made his last two weeks very comfortable and dignified. He really appreciated all you did for him. To the wonderful nurses, PSWs and the palliative care doctors, thank you for all the support you gave his wife and to me, his daughter."

From a daughter whose father was in the Hospice Residence




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"I know you have heard this many, many times over but I must express it one more time on behalf of my brother, sister, myself and our families...

We have never experienced such depth of peace and calm before. The staff and volunteers made our physical and mental burden seem much more manageable. They were professional and gentle at the same time and all focused on providing the best care for our Dad in his last days, hours and minutes.

The gathering of staff, volunteers and family and the last walk from his room was so very respectful for this 99-year old veteran of WWII.  It's what dad would have wanted and appreciated.

Thank you.  You gave us such peace."

From a daughter whose father was in the Hospice Residence

​"We feel so fortunate that my mom was able to spend her final days in Hein House at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice.  The care and compassion we all received was absolutely amazing.

The beautiful environment helped us to feel comfortable and relaxed.  We are a large and loving family, and at times were almost too many to count in my mom's room, yet the staff so graciously put up with all of us, sometimes navigating through a relay of people sleeping on the floor in the dark:)

The fact that we were all able to roll my mom's bed outside, gather around her, play her favourite music, while the sun shone brightly on her, has left us all with fond memories we will never forget.

Thank you again."

From a daughter whose mother who received Hospice Residence Care at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice

"Thank you all so very much for your exceptional attention to our loved one, his family and me during his time in your care. You were without exception kind, gentle and especially sensitive to both his physical and emotional needs and we are all so grateful to each and every one of you."

From a family whose loved one was in Hospice Residence Care
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"My brother was admitted to the hospice. It was a very short stay but it was beautiful. I can't thank you enough for your kind and gentle care, your respect and compassion and love that you showed all of us.  Thank you all so much."

From a family whose loved one was in Hospice Residence Care​

"One of my most challenging clients had great difficulty speaking. Nevertheless, we got our ideas across to each other through repetition, an alphabet board and lots of laughs. Each time I was about to leave, I would take his hand and tell him how much I had enjoyed our visit and looked forward to the next. On one of our last visits, he held my hand and lifted it to give it a kiss. That special connection will stay with me for a very long time!"

From an in-home Volunteer

​"To the Hospice Care Staff & Volunteers,

On behalf of my mom and myself, I wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful care you gave to my father this last month.  It gave my mom peace of mind and allowed her to transition back into the role of "partner" once again during these last weeks.  Your kindness and care was so appreciated. Thank you."

"All of us here, at the Kanata Skin Clinic, have experienced the loss of a loved one requiring palliative care. As we endured those difficult final days, we saw how hard the palliative care team worked, yet their compassion never wavered. They were gentle, patient and kind, not only to our loved ones, but to us all. They understood. And we are deeply grateful.

Sponsoring Hospice Care Ottawa's Girl's Night Out is our small way of saying "Thank You" to those very special people."
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Monica Hegmann, Kanata Skin Clinic

"My wife spent five days at the May Court Hospice but those days were filled with love. She was surrounded by her family but she was also surrounded by caring, compassionate and loving doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers. I can't thank you enough and I will be forever grateful."

"It was a poignant day for Lucille...and for her daughter Lyse and myself who accompanied her to the May Court Hospice. Lucille knew that she was leaving her home for the last time - and we witnessed a rather uncharacteristic moment of fragility when she briefly choked up in the lobby of her building as she said goodbye to a neighbour.

Lucille was of course worried about what was in store for her. She was, as many of you have come to know, a stubbornly independent woman - and we knew on that day, that she was worried that loss of control and independence was just around the corner for her.

The ambiance and personal welcome she received at the May Court Hospice quickly started to alleviate her concerns ... and as she settled in over the next few hours, we could sense her increasing comfort in her new surroundings. Because that's exactly how the staff and volunteers at the May Court Hospice made her feel ... that this was Lucille's place and that they were concerned for her comfort.

The care was thoroughly professional from staff - and that was what we fully expected. What we did not expect however was the degree of personal compassion for, and empowerment of, the patients in palliative care - and this from both staff and volunteers. To put it rather colloquially, we expected that staff and volunteers would surround themselves by a bit of a "protective bubble." It would only be natural to protect oneself by not getting too close to patients ... or too involved ... or too attached.

Yet, without exception, we noticed that both staff and volunteers, gave of themselves to such an extent that we often wondered how this could be sustainable.

I spoke on several occasions to both staff and volunteers about their obvious deep compassionate concern for the welfare of the patients ... and wondered if it didn't leave them feeling somewhat vulnerable? To a person, the response was usually along the lines of: "it wouldn't be the best possible care otherwise" ... and "we receive even more than we give."

It obviously takes a very special kind of person to work in palliative care. And that is why we are writing to you today. To let you know that it was noticed and appreciated! Lucille certainly expressed her appreciation every day she was there - and she would definitely echo the sentiments that we express today.

We just want to let everyone know that the kind and compassionate work you do has been deeply appreciated. And that you deserve acknowledgement for the values that you quite obviously uphold so well every day of the year: Courage; Compassion (and respect); Community; Collaboration; and Commitment.

Thank you for being there. You make our world a better place."

"I can't thank the staff enough for the small kindnesses that my husband received in his last weeks.  Nothing was too much trouble and he was truly spoilt. Not only him but the family also were made to feel cared for and after he died I was able to receive help to ease and understand my grief. I don't know what we would have done without the hospice...it eased my stress and enabled my husband to end his life in comfort with warm and compassionate caregivers."
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“After attending the one - month follow-up session this evening, it occurred to me that I should thank Hospice Care Ottawa and its great volunteers.

There has been a lot of press lately on hospice care, the need to increase beds and therefore the huge demand for fundraising. I, like most people, assumed that hospice care was intended for the dying at the end of their journey. Until a life-changing event happened to me...

After my husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness, it was important to both of us to connect with support groups. Through Hospice Care Ottawa my husband was able to join the day hospice program that provided him with a once weekly respite day in the company of like-minded, albeit ill-stricken guests where they could share life stories, fond memories, hobbies, photographs, etc. and participate in mild exercises, games, music therapy and, most importantly, bonding. The excellent home-prepared meals and snacks were a bonus!

On my part, I was able to join the once weekly yoga classes given by a very knowledgeable yoga therapist. Not only did the classes help reduce the stress of being a 24/7 caregiver, it helped create a bond with other caregivers in the same situation.

Following my husband's passing, Hospice Care was there to support me once again. I had access to the semi-monthly bereavement drop in sessions, the semi-monthly care and share walk, the two-month spousal bereavement program and a special Retreat Day. All of this at no cost and with the dedicated and compassionate support of wonderful volunteers.

Now, when I hear someone mention hospice care in the same breath as a patient's end-of-life medical care, I am the first one to point out the total benefits to patients and their families. All of this to recognize the wonderful team of volunteers associated with Hospice Care Ottawa.”

"I wanted to send along a little note of thanks to let you know how much I enjoyed the Caregiver Yoga class yesterday. I guess it has been a while since I did something like that just for me and it felt so good. Also, maybe it was because it was through the Hospice, or that it was with other caregivers, but I did not feel guilty being there. It was wonderful. Many thanks."


"Thank you so much for your care and the wonderful volunteers that you have sent us.  They are amazing people."


"Our volunteer is the perfect match - we could not ask for a more wonderful person. She is quiet and it is like she is not there and then she is there when you need her. She is a gentle soul."


"I couldn't help but smile after reading about the May Court's Day Hospice Program. I was reminded of when my grandfather was in a hospice. While he wasn't there long, I really hope he had something like this to enjoy.

The hospice deserves every "thank you" it gets from guests using the day program; being able to give people in that situation something to smile about is what matters. They've taken the old saying "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away" and brought it to life in the most spectacular way possible. 

So to the hospice, thank you."


"I cannot tell you what a contrast there was, both for her and for me, between the hospital and your hospice.  Without exception, every single person we encountered at the Hospice was kind, competent, sensitive and so caring. All the touches, big and small, made her feel like a real person again - not just a body in a bed.  She was only at the Hospice for her final couple of days but I am so, so happy that she was there rather than in hospital.  She died with dignity, surrounded by respect and tender care. For that, I can't thank you enough.


"No gift would be adequate to thank the staff and volunteers for the care my mom received during her final days.  We are so incredibly grateful."


"Your level of care for hospice patients is amazing both for their physical needs and the emotional needs of the patient and their family.


"The care that he received from the staff was always compassionate and comforting.  They often went above and beyond.  I was always asked how I was doing, and was comforted many times myself.  The volunteers were all so kind and giving."
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"I would like to thank you and your group of volunteers for the support given to my family during the last two years. The journeys of life and death are so unimaginable till it happens to you! The organization stands alone in efforts to the family before, during and after the passing of a loved one. Please convey my sincere wishes to the hospice for the wonderful work done."