Irish Blessings

Humor to a man is like a feather pillow. 

It is filled with what is easy to get 

but gives great comfort. 

                       ~ Irish proverb

Social Worker Ann-Patrice Foley has been working with

Bob Diebolt since August 2015. They've bonded over

their Irish heritage and love of humor.

A true Irishwoman, Ann-Patrice Foley loves to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But in 2016, she had just returned from vacation a few days before the holiday, so she couldn’t take another day off. That was the first time she worked on St. Patrick’s Day as an Angela Hospice social worker.

Of course she was going to make the most of it. She was making her regular visit to her patient Bob, and as her Irish luck would have it, that visit would make a big impact on Bob.

“I started telling Irish jokes,” Ann-Patrice said, and Bob was loving it. “I had no idea he was Irish!”

With a name like Diebolt, Ann-Patrice  wouldn’t have guessed Bob was Irish, but that day a new bond was formed, and it’s been a delight to Bob and Ann-Patrice ever since. Now every time she visits, they tell each other Irish jokes.

It’s great for Bob’s wife too, because she can see her husband’s jokester personality shining through.

“She said he can be his old self again,” Ann-Patrice recalled. “He forgets that he’s dying and he’s just one person telling jokes to another person.”

Bob is also special because he’s been Ann-Patrice’s patient now for over two and half years. He has Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, and his condition often fluctuates. He was almost discharged once when his condition improved, but other times it looked like he wasn't going to make it.

Around Christmas 2016, Ann-Patrice made Bob a promise: “If you’re here on St. Patrick’s Day, I’m doing an Irish jig.” Sure enough, Ann-Patrice was doing a jig a couple months later.

Bob is cared for at home by his wife Rosemary, a retired nurse, with the help of their Angela Hospice team. His condition continues to change – and in fact Bob was minimally responsive for six days earlier this week, and Rosemary began making final arrangements. But when Ann-Patrice came the next day for an early St. Patrick’s Day visit, Bob perked up and was ready to celebrate.

“I can’t even believe this!” Rosemary said. She told Ann-Patrice it was one of the best St. Patrick’s Days ever.

Bob, age 71, celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

Ann-Patrice and nurse Lee Brancheau were wearing their green gear and Ann-Patrice did another jig for Bob.

“His wife and he were both so happy!” Ann-Patrice said.

Here’s wishing this Irishman another round of blessings.


May God grant you many years to live, 
For sure He must be knowing 
The earth has angels all too few 
And heaven is overflowing.
                       ~ Irish blessing