Name: Cheryl Paul-Ward How long have you been a volunteer? Nine years. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? Has done patient care in the Care Center, prepared dishes for Thanksgiving dinner and pediatric families, clerical work, and the Tree of Life. What made you decide to become a volunteer? I did hospice [volunteering] on the east side because my husband had passed away from pancreatic cancer. It seems like a lot of times those are the reasons. When I talk to other volunteers they’ve had similar situations. Cheryl has a long history with the Felicians, including going to Ladywood High school. Why Angela Hospice? I went to Ladywood High School and I grew up in Livonia. So having dealt with the Felicians before, that was probably the reason why. The other hospice on the east side had no affiliation regarding religion, and not that Angela Hospice necessarily does, I know all patients are welcome; they still have the s...

Name: Cecilia Hartsock How long have you been a volunteer? Five years. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? Clerical work, baking, needlework, mailings, and hospitality. What made you decide to become a volunteer? My mother was in hospice care at St. Mary’s for about five days…Just the information they gave us, they told us what to expect so we could tell when the time was getting closer. I told them when I retire that I would become a volunteer and it worked out. Why Angela Hospice? I’ve been very, very impressed, especially with this new facility. I’ve seen several people that I’ve known from my parish go through this system and how much it’s helped them. It’s such a beautiful facility and they make them so comfortable. Then all the volunteers and the staff are so friendly. It’s very worthwhile . Cecilia at the Walk of Remembrance mailing. What is your favorite part about volunteering? Even though I don’t work wi...

Name: Kristin Liabenow How long have you been a volunteer? Three years. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? Hospitality cart in the Care Center, works holiday parties, and makes desserts for weekly Caregiver dinners. What made you decide to become a volunteer? My kids are grown and they moved out of the house, and I work full-time, but I had some extra time on my hands, so I decided this would be a good opportunity for me to fill some of that time. I felt like I wanted to do some more volunteering. I do a little bit of volunteering for soup kitchens but I felt like I wanted to do something in addition to that. Why Angela Hospice? I found Angela Hospice through a donation that I made for a friend’s grandmother who had passed. In lieu of flowers I made a donation to Angela Hospice, and that’s how I got on the website, to make the donation. Then I saw the volunteer tab on there and just perused it from there. Kristin mak...

By: Dana Casadei When a doctor suggested hospice for Rita Leonelli’s aunt-in-law Ella, she first thought that was like giving up on Ella. She quickly learned that wasn’t the case. “I had some guilty feelings about putting her on hospice,” Rita said. “But once I kind of got what it was all about, then it was like a weight lifted. Something goes wrong...I have somebody to call. You have a huge support system.” Ella’s previous support system (aka Rita and her husband Lance) may have been small, but it was mighty. In 2012 the decision was made to put Ella in assisted living after she was diagnosed with dementia. At the end of 2012, Ella had a hospital stay that seemed to escalate her dementia, leading to lots of anxiety and confusion. That’s when Rita and Lance hired caregivers for Ella at her assisted living home because she couldn’t be alone. A year went by before Ella’s anxiety got worse and the combativeness started. Rita Leonelli with a photo of her aunt-in-law ...

By: Kate McNamara, Angela Hospice Volunteer Angela Hospice volunteer Maureen Hassien is a rare one in our “look at me” culture. She is not one to seek the spotlight. In fact, she shared that most people in her life did not even know she volunteered for several years. Considering how much she does at Angela Hospice, this is a hard feat to imagine. But, as she emphatically explained, her work at Angela Hospice “is not about me.” Maureen with Volunteer Services Manager, Syndie Best, at last fall's Light Up a Life gala. Maureen began volunteering at Angela Hospice in 1997.  Since that date she has used her time and formidable talents in countless ways to bless the patients and families in our care.  She is a beautician by trade and shares her talent for hair care with patients at the Care Center and in home care. She tells her patients who cannot believe they don’t have to pay her, “all I charge is a smile.” She has participated in the high tea for nine years and th...

Name: Sue Scappaticci How long have you been a volunteer? 11 years. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do?   Wednesday caregiver dinners, events, and used to do patient care. What made you decide to become a volunteer? That’s the interesting thing. A friend of mine was a volunteer and it seemed so rewarding for her. She always talked about the patients inspiring her, especially this one particular patient. She said to me, “You’ve got to see about volunteering. I think you’d make a good volunteer.” At the time my mother was diagnosed with lymphoma and I was busy with my mom. Then, shortly after that I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so I had a two-fold worry there. Unfortunately, my mother passed away. But I’m still here, so I told my friend to give me a little time after my mom had passed, and I’ll think about it. Sue cooks for the weekly caregiver dinners. My friend brought me here and it was just so different from what I expected. S...