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Let’s call him Joe.
Joe had lived alone, very alone, for a longtime. His home, if
you could call it that,was down a long, dirt road, down along dirt
driveway, behind a gate hekept locked at all times.
Joe’s history of erratic behavior, hisflashing anger and his
unkempt ways hadalienated his family long ago and haddriven away
anyone who tried to help.
When Joe was referred to hospice care,he was reluctant to accept
the help, to saythe least. Literally no one had been nearhim or in
his home for a very long time.It took a while for the staff to earn
histrust, to get him to unlock the gate so thatthey could drive to
his house, to get himto agree to their help with his pain
andsymptoms. Because they never knew whatthey might find at Joe’s,
and for their ownsafety, the Hospice staff always went inpairs,
usually two nurses, sometimes anurse and a chaplain, always one of
thema male. Very gradually, Joe softened a bit,
and most of the time he was receptiveand cooperative. The staff
knew thatliving alone like that wasn’t the bestsituation for Joe,
but it was okay fornow, the best anyone could do.
One day when nurses Alice and Brianarrived at Joe’s locked gate
for theirregularly scheduled visit, they honkedthe car horn as they
always did, signalingtheir arrival so that Joe would comedown the
drive and let them in. No onecame out of the house. They
honkedagain and then again, and finally Joecame onto the porch,
keys to the gate inhand, but very unsteady on his feet. Hereached
to steady himself, and then he fell.
Brian climbed the fence and ran to Joe,got him comfortable, then
ran back toopen the gate for Alice and the medicinesand supplies
they had in the car. Joe wasconscious, but suddenly he began to
havea seizure, then another, then another.Brian called the Hospice
office, reachedStacy, the chaplain, and asked him to geta doctor’s
order and bring medicines that
Fall 2018
Sometimes you don’t know the value of a moment until it becomes
a memory.
HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS
Down A Long Dirt Road
Because of you,we can provideour unique brandof
extraordinaryend-of-life careto everyone whoneeds it.
“
”
Continued on next page.
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2
could stop the seizures. Recognizing that Joecould not stay
alone any longer, Brian called foran ambulance to transport him to
HomePlace,Hospice of East Texas’ in-patient facility.
Alice and Brian and Stacy stayed with Joe,administering the
medicines Stacy brought,doing what they could to comfort and
soothehim while they waited for the ambulance. Ittook a long time,
because medical transport of ahospice patient is not an emergency.
Brian foundJoe’s daughter’s phone number in his records andshe came
to his home, reluctantly. The Hospicenurses were able to explain to
her that her fatherhad a brain tumor. Maybe he had had it for along
time. Maybe it might explain the violenceand anger that had
alienated him from everyone,even from those who once loved him.
Maybe.
Once at HomePlace, the staff bathed and shavedJoe and he was
clean, for the first time in a longwhile. They nestled him in a
clean room, in cleanpajamas, in a bed with clean sheets. Though
henever regained consciousness, Joe was quiet andcomfortable, pain
free and at peace. He passedaway that night with his daughter by
his side.
At Hospice of East Texas, one of our core beliefsis that every
person deserves a peaceful, dignifieddeath, as free of pain and
distress as modernmedicine and deeply compassionate people canmake
possible. With your help, we give that giftto thousands of patients
every year, to people inall kinds of circumstances. People whose
Sundaydinner tables are filled with family, people withnot one
friend. People who live in lavish homesand in travel trailers, to
people who will not beremembered and people who will forever
bemourned and missed.
With your help, Hospice of East Texas was able togive the gift
of a peaceful, dignified death to Joe.With your help, we hope we
also provided someclosure and healing for his daughter.
Thank you.
Continued from front page.
If you have a heart to serveHospice of East Texas, give us a
call.Have we got a job for YOU!
Have We Got A Job For You!When you think of the term “Hospice
volunteer,”what comes to mind? Probably you envision
someonevisiting a hospice patient in their home or in a
nursinghome, providing companionship and support to thepatient and
their family. At Hospice of East Texas, we havemany volunteers who
provide that valuable service. It canbe a Godsend to patients
andfamilies, and it is a joy to thosevolunteers who serve in this
way.
We also have volunteers whoserve in ways you mightnot
imagine!
The “pick up crew” (top 2 photos)picks up donated items for
theHospice shops in Henderson andNacogdoches. Their strong backsand
hard work make it easy fordonors to contribute to the shopsand help
make sure we have lotsof quality merchandise for sale.
Gin Ables (pictured at right) hasvolunteered for 13 years,
doingmuch-needed paperwork inHuman Resources. Logging about16 hours
each week, she gives theequivalent of a part-time salary toHospice
of East Texas.
Allen Riley and Ellen Wallace(pictured at right) lead theLoss of
Spouse Support Groupeach month (they were having a“beach” party
when we took thisfun photo!), and Pam Ramsey(pictured at bottom
right) putstogether mailings for theBereavement Department.
Hospice of East Texas’ resaleshops in Henderson andNacogdoches
are staffed primarilyby volunteers, keeping overheadlow so that net
proceeds cancontribute to our mission.
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3
From long ago and far away
A Letter From Marji
At Hospice of East Texas we don’t always knowwhat our care means
to a family. This dear notereminded us that even with the passing
of manyyears, our unique brand of extraordinary careis not
forgotten.
For twenty years, Mrs. M has sent donations toHospice of East
Texas in appreciation for the careher husband received, small
gifts, and not everyyear, but gifts that obviously come from
herheart and touch ours. Mrs. M lives far away fromEast Texas now,
and her connection with us waslong ago, but she will never forget
her husband,and she will never forget Hospice of East Texas.
I am so proud of the incredible staff andvolunteers who make
Hospice of East Texas’unique brand of extraordinary care
possible,and grateful to the boards of directors of Hospiceand the
Hospice of East Texas Foundation whoinspire us. As a nonprofit
organization, wedepend on your financial contributions to helpus
fulfill our mission, and we are very gratefulfor the many ways you
support our work.
Thank you!
Marji ReamPresident/CEO
A Good MatchFelicia Reese was so excited to become a volunteer
for Hospice ofEast Texas, but she was a little nervous when she
received her firstvolunteer assignment. Could she do this? Would
she be helpful inany way?
Felicia needn’t have worried. When she walked in the door of
herpatient’s home for the first time, the two recognized each other
rightaway! Patient Doris Dorsey’s mother and Felicia’s great aunt
hadbeen best friends for years and years. Felicia and Doris knew
manyof each other’s friends and relatives and shared the same deep
faith.
The two ladies soon settled into a comfortable routine. Each
week,Felicia shares the Bible study from the weekly Sunday School
lessonat church with Doris. As Doris is no longer able to attend
churchservices, this is a special blessing for her and a connection
to thecommunity of faith she misses. From time to time, Felicia
alsopaints Doris’s nails, something perhaps not as meaningful as
theSunday School lesson, but important for a lady, nonetheless.
Felicia and Doris are a good match, indeed!
I could never put in words for all you did formy husband. May
the Lord bless all of you.Susan was so good to my husband. He
passedaway 20 years ago the 24th of June.
“”
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If you own an IRA and are at least70 1/2 years of age, the law
requiresyou to take a minimum distributionfrom your IRA each year
and payincome tax on the distribution.
If you want to support Hospice ofEast Texas, you may now do
sothrough a gift that will satisfy thisminimum income distribution
andnot be counted as taxable income.
You can give all or part of thedistribution from your IRA
toHospice of East Texas, tax-free, andhave it count as all or part
of yourrequired minimum distribution forthe year.
Consult with your professionaladvisor or call us at Hospice
ofEast Texas to see if these benefitsmight be helpful to you:
• The amount of your gift is countedtowards your required
minimumdistribution for the year
• The amount of your gift is excludedfrom your reported income
forfederal tax purposes – your gift is100% tax free!
• Most importantly – your gift maybe used immediately to
supportHospice of East Texas’ patientsand their families.
Contact Nancy Lamar, Vice Presidentof Community Relations, for
moreinformation: [email protected]
Take advantage of theIRA Charitable Rollovertoday!
4T H E H O S P I C E O F E A S T T E X A S F O U N D A T I O
N
Light Up A Life…In loving memory of a friend or relative
As a holiday gift in honor of family, friendsor business
associates
In honor of someone who lights up your life
Each year, proceeds from Light Up A Life,Hospice of East Texas’
signature fundraiser, helpto ensure that our staff and volunteers
are ableto serve each and every patient who needs the
extraordinary care, compassion and commitment forwhich Hospice
of East Texas has always been known.
We hope you will consider a gift to Light Up A Life.What better
way to give than to make a contribution
that will directly touch the lives of patients and their
familiesat a time when they need it most?
Watch your mail for Light Up A Life materials, arriving in
lateOctober or visit our website at www.hospiceofeasttexas.org.
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5
It doesn’t seem like a big thing.
As a part of Hospice of East Texas’We Honor Veterans Program,
everyveteran of our country’s armed serviceswho becomes a patient
of Hospice of EastTexas is given a certificate of appreciationfor
their service to our country.
It doesn’t seem like a big thing, but moreoften than not, it IS
a big thing. A verybig thing.
The day after “Steve” was admitted toHomePlace, Kim Reel, the
volunteercoordinator, went to his room to presenthis certificate.
When she explained thathonoring veterans is important toHospice and
that she was going to put aspecial marker on the door to his room
so that everyone would know an honoredveteran was inside, “Steve”
began to cry.
“You don’t understand,” he said. “Vietnamwas my war. No one has
ever honored me.”Kim and Steve had a long talk and a longcry while
he shared his memories and thepain of all those turbulent and
troubledyears. He was so pleased and so very, verygrateful, saying
he couldn’t wait to sharehis certificate with his family.
Two days later, Steve passed away. Whatdidn’t seem like a big
thing, just a pieceof paper and a word of appreciation, wasindeed a
very big thing. On behalf of agrateful nation, Hospice of East
Texas wasable to thank a man for his service andhis sacrifice and
bring a little healing tothe wounds of war which still
lingered,decades later. Steve’s “We Honor Veterans”certificate is
now a treasure to his family,tangible evidence of what he meant
tohis country, a remembrance of the giftof his service.
It is a great honor for Hospice of EastTexas to re-dedicate the
Walk of Friendsin Nacogdoches in memory of one ofHospice’s dearest
friends and supporters,Martha Jo Price.
Partnering with the City of Nacogdochesand the Nacogdoches
County MasterGardeners, Hospice of East Texas createdthe walkway as
a way to offer a space toremember friends and loved ones.Bricks on
the walkway are etched with
lasting memories, joyful tributes andfond farewells.
At the recent dedication ceremony,family and friends of Martha
Jo Price,and families who had purchased a brickon the walkway,
gathered for a time ofremembrance and celebration.
For information on purchasinga brick, visit our website
atwww.hospiceofeasttexas.org.
We Honor Veterans
The Martha Jo Price Walk of Friends
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6
Mr. Kennedy is very grateful to Hospice ofEast Texas for the
care Hospice provided tohis beloved wife, June. With the help
ofwhat he calls “Team Blue,” Mr. Kennedywas able to honor his
promise to Junethat she remain in their home until shedied. Those
last months, in the belovedretirement home they built together,were
very special to the couple who hadshared more than 60 years of
marriage.Since June’s passing in 2015, Mr. Kennedyhas expressed his
gratitude to Hospice ofEast Texas by being a regular and
generousannual donor.
Recently Mr. Kennedy notified Hospiceof East Texas that he plans
to make a giftto our mission through his will. ForMr. Kennedy, this
gift is the “ultimate”gift, not only because it is the last
financialgift he will be able to make, but because itis a gift that
is very important to him. Itreflects his devotion to Hospice of
EastTexas’ mission and his desire that otherpatients and families
receive the sameextraordinary care that his wife received.
Mr. Kennedy has not told us the amount
of his gift, and that is just fine. He prefersthat the other
friends of Hospice of EastTexas not know his real name, which is
fineas well. (We made up a name for him forthis article.) Mr.
Kennedy is proud of whathe is planning to do, but he is also
ahumble man and just wants to remainanonymous to most people.
Though we don’t know how muchMr. Kennedy’s gift will be one day,
we doknow something very important about it.We know that this
“ultimate” gift means agreat deal to him, and we also know that
itmeans a great deal to Hospice of East Texas.We are so glad that
he told us about hisplans so that we can thank him in personnow and
can share with him the ways giftslike his will help us provide
extraordinarycare for years and years to come.
Thank you, Mr. Kennedy, and many thanksto others of you who have
made similarplans to include a gift to Hospice of EastTexas in your
wills. We understand if youwish to remain anonymous at this time,
butif you would like to share your plans withus, we would be so
honored.
For Mr. Kennedy,this gift is the“ultimate” gift,not only
becauseit is the lastfinancial gift hewill be able tomake, but
becauseit is a gift that isvery importantto him.
“
”
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When you make a gift to Hospice of East Texasin your will, like
Mr. Kennedy is planning to do,you will be leaving a legacy that is
more thanmonetary. You will be creating a legacy ofproviding
extraordinary hospice care for peoplein our community for years and
years to come.
Often families express their desire to “give back”to Hospice of
East Texas in a meaningful way.A simple bequest to Hospice of East
Texas inyour will is a wonderful way to do that andcould be the
most important charitable gift youever make. You may designate a
specific dollaramount, a particular asset such as securitiesor real
estate, a fixed percentage of your entireestate, or leave your
residuary estate after youhave provided for loved ones.
We encourage you to speak with your attorney,accountant or
estate planning advisor about
ways to take care of your family and meetyour individual goals
while helping to supporta cause you care about – the mission
ofHospice of East Texas.
A commitment you make today can influencethe future of Hospice
of East Texas with no effecton your resources during your lifetime.
You willbe helping to ensure that East Texans in thefuture will
have the same extraordinary care andcompassionate support that
Hospice of EastTexas has provided for more than three decades.
If you would like more information aboutwhat a difference your
legacy can make,please contact us. Visit our
website:www.hospiceofeasttexas.org,email:
[email protected],or call us at 903.266.3402.
Provide supplies for WINGS camp forgrieving children. The WINGS
programalways needs craft supplies for its camps andworkshops.
Contact Chantel Longino, ChildrensBereavement Specialist, at
903-266-3400 tosee what’s needed, or purchase a gift card
atWalmart, Hobby Lobby or Michaels.
Hold a “coffee drive.”Yes, a “coffee drive,” not a “food
drive!”One of the special touches at HomePlace is“the coffee that’s
always there” for families andguests. A little thing like free
coffee can meana lot, but to have free coffee at
HomePlacearound-the-clock for thousands of families eachyear adds
up to quite an expense. If your group
or organization is looking for a service project,why not host a
“coffee drive” to help Hospiceof East Texas provide this small
gesture of comfort?Ground coffee, any brand, caffeinated
ordecaffeinated, all are welcome.
Invite us to speak. Just the word “hospice” canbe frightening,
until you know something abouthow extraordinary our care can be and
what ablessing it is to patients and families. Perhapsyour civic
club or Sunday School class would likean interesting, informative,
thought-provokingpresentation about hospice care in general
andHospice of East Texas in particular. We areavailable to speak
throughout East Texas!
Remember the Hospice Shops. The Hospiceresale shops in Henderson
and Nacogdoches areimportant sources of revenue for the mission
ofHospice. You may drop items at the shops, bringthem to the Tyler
office, or if you have a large load,we can come and pick up. Call
Wendy Frizzell at903-266-3400 ext.140 for information.
To inquire about any of these opportunities,contact Jamie Benson
at 903-266-3400.
The Ultimate Gifts
Looking for a way to help Hospice of East Texasserve patients
and families? Here are some ideas!
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Jeb JonesChairman
Scott MyersVice Chairman
Bob RosemanTreasurer
Kristen SeeberSecretary
Nancy AbernathyPrice ArredondoBob BondurantGillian Brasfield
Garnett BrookshireShelley Brophy
Tom BrownRev. Ralph Caraway
Twinkle DuncanSherry Dunn
Jonna FitzgeraldJohnna Fullen
Rev. Reginald GarrettEddie Howard
Rick Jett (Ex-Officio)Jim Mazzu
Milton McGee, Jr.Jason ProctorPeggy Smith
Linda ThomasKasha Williams
Joseph Woelkers
HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS
2018 Board of Directors
Dawn FranksChairman
Robert BailesChairman-Elect
Rick RayfordTreasurer
Craig AdamsSecretary
Rick Allen, ex-officioBobby Curtis
Bob DyerSharon HowellBob Hughes
Rick Jett (Ex-Officio)Jeb JonesNeal Katz
Mel LoveladyDavid NelsonRick Rayford
Marjorie Ream (Ex-Officio)Whit Riter
HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS FOUNDATION
2018 Board of Directors
Marjorie Ream, RN, MNPresident/CEO
Tom Beets, MDMedical Director
Linda Navarro, CPACompliance Officer
Christi BaggettVice President of Operations and Innovation
Nancy Lamar, MSSWVice President of Community Relations
Shaune Martinez, MSHRDVice President of People
Kristy Morris, RN, BSN, CHPNVice President of Clinical
Affairs
Wes Bynum, BS, ChpDirector of Care Support
Jennifer Brashear, RN, CHPNDirector of Outpatient Care
Carol Hemken, RN, BSN, CHPPNDirector of Inpatient Care
Jessica Henderson, LBSWDirector of Operations – Nacogdoches
Kurt Lorenz, PharmDDirector of Pharmacy
HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS
2018 Leadership Team
4111 University BlvdTyler, Texas 75701
903-266-3400 | 800-777-9860
Non ProfitUS Postage
P A I DTyler, Texas
Permit No. 130
Newsletter Editor • Nancy LamarNewsletter Design • Autry
Design
Contributors • Wendy Frizzell,Courtney Waggener, Denise
Smith
If you would prefer not to receive mailings from Hospice of East
TexasFoundation, please email us at
[email protected]
or call us at 903.266.3400 ext 140 (1.800.777.9860.)
