Name: Judy O’Meara How long have you been a volunteer? 17 years. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? Patient care in the Care Center. What made you decide to become a volunteer? In 1989 my brother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and he died that year. I knew he had hospice care and it was wonderful. I thought, “Well, when I retire, if I have some time, that’s what I’d like to do.” And I love it. Why Angela Hospice? I had heard very nice things about Angela Hospice. It’s in the area…at the time [I started volunteering] I was living in Livonia. It was a wonderful place. Judy volunteers in the Care Center, where she performs many different tasks. What is your favorite part about volunteering? Being with the patients. Absolutely. What is one of your favorite stories or memories from volunteering? I was a teacher for 30 years, and one of my students ended up here. That is one of my fondest, one of many fond ...

For volunteer Sue Cousino, Christmas Eve isn’t a time to begin cooking for the next day’s festivities, it’s a day to volunteer at Angela Hospice’s Tree of Life , and she wouldn’t have it any other way.     Sue normally works around 10 shifts at the Tree     of Life, this year she's working 12 shifts. “I always work the 24 th because lots of the ladies [volunteers] are cooking and no one wants me to cook,” Sue laughed. “I’d like people to live through the holidays so I don’t volunteer to cook, and no one would eat it anyhow if they knew I did.” So Sue has spent every Christmas Eve for the past 15 years sitting at the Tree of Life table, helping others and not cooking. What started as only working weekends has now turned into volunteering multiple times per week since she retired. She tends to work around 10 shifts per season. This year, she’s going above average and working 12. “I love to do it,” she said. While some things have chang...

Being cared for in the comfort of home is one of the many benefits of home hospice care. But for those residing in the Angela Hospice Care Center, the Care Center can become a comfortable home away from home as well. Our volunteers seek to make the holidays memorable by creating special opportunities for patients and families to come together and experience holiday festivities – such as Thanksgiving supper at the Care Center. Patient Jean Henegar was able to attend with six of her family members. While Jean is bed-bound, her nurses were able to wheel her bed right into the Day Room, and found her a spot where she could see the whole room – and all 91 of the other guests! Jean’s daughter, Patti Wert, saw how much it brightened her mother’s spirit. Jean Henegar’s family was happy to be able to attend Thanksgiving dinner with her at the Care Center. “It meant so much to her,” Patti said. She said Jean’s appetite improved and she was happy to be able to spend the holiday with her f...

There is no way around it: grief is tough. And the holidays can complicate those feelings. Take a look at some of these ideas that might help you or someone you know who is grieving during the holidays. Talk to your family and friends. Let them know the holidays are going to be challenging, and you may need to make some changes in the way you celebrate this year. Try to spend time with the people who make you feel comfortable and supported, and don’t be afraid to tell them how you feel. Let go of obligations. Don’t take on too much. Allow yourself to say “no” when you need to so that you don’t wear yourself out. Remember, you can’t please everyone all the time, but that’s OK. Change your plans. It might be easier to face the holidays if you approach them in a new way this year. Try a change of scenery, eat out, or switch your traditional brunch to an evening meal. Switching up your routine could make the day easier. Keep it simple. Remember you don’t have to do it all. Consi...

Name: Kate Mudry How long have you been a volunteer? One year. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? Patient care in the Care Center. What made you decide to become a volunteer? My mother died about three years ago, and she had in-home hospice care in St. Louis. It made a huge impact on her life, and how she died with dignity in a way that she wanted to, on her own terms, and as comfortable as she possibly could. I have daughters at Ladywood High School and so I drove by Angela Hospice all the time, and I was like, I need to touch base with them because I think there’s a purpose in that. What is your favorite part about volunteering? I would say the best part is knowing that you’re making a difference in calming someone or making them more comfortable. Or just showing you’re someone who cares. There’s a lot of caring people out there who aren’t afraid of death. Kate volunteers in Wing B, where she helps with lunch...