WINTER 2006

Home team ralliesaround teacher, coach

Three bid farewellafter 60 years of service

It’s about livingPatient enjoys second chance at lifeafter beating the odds 18 years ago

From the Executive Director:

HospiceCare a trailblazer for West Virginia

2007 HospiceCare Board of DirectorsH. Dill Battle III, President

Carol J. Hartley, Vice PresidentJoshua Bach, TreasurerBetty Ramsey, Secretary

Michael AdelmanJennifer Baldwin-Cox

Richard D. BishoffFreddy DavisJoy Kleeman

Miriam KnightRuth R. Lemmon

Kurt Olmosk

Tammy Jo PainterDrema Pierson

Robert E. RichardsonJohn Rollins

Sharon RoweJesse W. Samples

Martha B. StathersDavid Wallace

2

by Larry E. RobertsonExecutive Director

O NE of the most famous inspirational quotes is by Muriel Strode who said

“Do not follow where the path maylead. Go instead where there is nopath and leave a trail.” In the pastfew years, I think that HospiceCarehas done just that.

As an example, there were no inpatient hospice facilitiesin West Virginia until HospiceCare opened the HubbardHospice House in 2001. The HospiceCare Board waswilling to step out where no one had gone before and takethe risk of developing inpatient hospice care for theKanawha Valley. Based upon the success of our program,comparable facilities have recently opened in Huntingtonand Beckley and are in the development stage in at leastthree other markets in West Virginia. HospiceCare blazedthe path, left the trail for others to follow and as a result,people throughout West Virginia have access to qualityinpatient hospice care services and facilities. A second program, only offered in West Virginia byHospiceCare at this time, is Kids Path. Kids Path provideshospice-like services for children who are suffering fromchronic life threatening illnesses whose life expectancy iswell beyond the “less than six month prognosis” requiredfor admission into the hospice program. HospiceCare hasbrought pediatric palliative care to central West Virginia withhopes that other hospice programs will join the bandwagonand offer a similar service to kids throughout the state. The growth of these two new programs and the growthof hospice services in West Virginia and in the UnitedStates for that matter is unprecedented as hospice

organizations continue to reach out to those in need andfind new ways to serve. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization(NHPCO) has just released figures for 2005 indicating thatthe number of licensed hospices in the U.S. has grown from1 in 1974 to over 4,100 programs. Nationally, hospiceutilization has risen nearly 70% from the year 2000 when700,000 citizens benefited from hospice services to theyear 2005 when more than 1.2 million patients and theirfamilies received end-of-life care and support. In 2005,about one-third of all deaths in the U.S. were under thecare of a hospice program. In our own region, which encompasses 16 countiesstretching from Mason County on the western edge of thestate all the way across to Pocahontas County on theeastern border, we have seen a significant increase indemand for hospice services. In 2000, on any given day,HospiceCare was providing end-of-life care for 135patients. During the past year that number has increased toan average of 250 patients daily. Along with the increasein census we have seen our organization grow in terms ofthe number of staff and volunteers needed to provide theincreased level of care. I recently bumped into David Clayman, KanawhaHospice Care’s first Board President, who was also one ofour organization’s original founders. Our conversationcentered around the growth of an idea from its humblebeginnings in 1979 and a budget of $500; to anorganization that is regarded as a major health careprovider in the community with an annual operating budgetexceeding $15 million. I’m not sure that David and the other founders wouldhave ever dreamed that such growth would have beenpossible but our thanks go out to all of those who “blazedthat original path and left a trail for us to follow.”

3

Visit us online at: www.hospicecarewv.org

Winter 2006

It’s about livingFamily and HospiceCare team members share somememorable stories about patient Eloise Sodaro, whohas returned after beating the odds 18 years ago.

In the gardenEmployees from the H.C. Nutting Co. and membersof the Summit Garden Club helped get the gardens atthe Hubbard Hospice House ready for winter as partof the United Way’s Day of Caring this past fall.

6

44444 Toast to Hospice raisesmore than a glass

Annual wine auction attracts connoisseurs to galaat West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

55555 Golf tourney chips inGolfers had a ball at the 5th Annual HospiceCare

Golf Tournament at Edgewood Country Club.

88888 A real team effortFriends stop by the Hubbard Hospice Houseto honor patient Jeff Holliday for his 13 yearsof dedication to Herbert Hoover High School,

both on the field and in the classroom.

10 10 10 10 10 Three bid farewellBlanche Reynolds, Boyd Purcell and Betty

McLeod bid farewell to HospiceCare this fallafter a combined 60 years of service to the agency.

1212121212 WVSOM studentsdedicated to the CORE

Medical students enjoy community involvementthrough HospiceCare program in Lewisburg.

1313131313 Nurse named‘Best in the Valley’

Connie Boggs, LPN, earns readers votes inCharleston Newspapers’ annual poll.

13

4

quality wine auctionthat was both fun and purposeful. Our sponsors included: Jay Baker;Dill and Emily Battle; Ann Bell andcompany; John Bell and company; Blake& Boone Accounting; Cherokee PestControl; City National Bank; ColonialFord; Harvey and Naomi Cohen; Samand Vivian Conley; Freddy Davis; Tagand Annabelle Galyean; GreenbrierHome Inspections; GreenbrierLimousine; Greenbrier Medical ArtsPharmacy; Greenbrier Valley MedicalCenter; Greenbrier Valley Urology;Harmony Ridge Gallery; Heritage HouseAppraisals; Pat and Willa Izzo; Jeff andAnnie Jeffus; Bob and Cindy Jones; Tomand Andrea Karrs; Mark and DebbieKilcollin; Lewisburg Floral; LewisburgVeterinary Hospital; Mark and AllysonLiebendorfer; Morgan & MorganInsurance; Josh and Judith Polan;Riverbend Nursery; the Honorable andMrs. James Rowe; Stardust Café; Rodand Donna Stoner; The Brier Inn; TheGeneral Lewis Inn; The GreenbrierClinic; The Greenbrier Sporting Club;Tuscawilla Farm; David Wallace; Wallace& Wallace Funeral Homes, Inc.; Ken andTerri Warner; Jim Wilkerson; and the WV Physical Therapy & Wellness Center.

New Developments . . .

by Tracy DransfieldGreenbrier Regional Director

HospiceCare hosted its eighthannual Toast To Hospice onNov. 3 at the West Virginia Schoolof Osteopathic Medicine Alumni Centerin Lewisburg. The event was a success,raising over $20,000 to benefitHospiceCare’s continuing effort toprovide special care to patients andfamilies affected by life-limiting illnesses. Mark and Allyson Liebendorfer(above left), proprietors of The CountryVintner, hand selected the fine wines tobe auctioned, and Mark served asauctioneer for the event. HospiceCarevolunteer Judith Polan , served aschairwoman for the auction. Othercommittee members included Jeff Jeffus,Terri Coleman, and Janet Pickles. HospiceCare would like to thankthose who supported this importantevent. It is through the continuedgenerous community support thatHospiceCare is able to provide valuablesupport to patients and their familiesthroughout the Greenbrier Valley. Additionally, HospiceCare isblessed with dedicated event sponsorswho made it possible to present a

Toast to Hospicea real corker

Photos: top, Mark and AllysonLiebendorfer; middle, HospiceCareMedical Director Dr. Tom Mann andJosh Polan; bottom, Kathy’s CustomCatering chef; center, Susan Meadows,Rick Leatherman and Judith Polan.

5

Fore!! Golfers chip in to help HospiceCare18 holes, reception tee up fun for allby Jim WilkersonDevelopment Director

HospiceCare would like toexpress sincere appreciation toKeith Stonestreet (pictured atright in lavender golf shirt)and other sponsors for hostingthe 5th Annual HospiceCareGolf Tournament Oct. 6 atEdgewood Country Club. Theshotgun tournament gotunderway by 9 a.m. andlaughter could be heard allover the golf course. Keith, an insuranceexecutive with StonestreetAssociates in Charleston, hasorganized this tournament for anumber of years. He and hisassociate, Myra, have it downto a science. In its first fiveyears, the Stonestreettournament has raised nearly$25,000 for HospiceCare. Thisyear’s event raised $5,700. “I believe in the mission andI appreciate the compassionthe HospiceCare staff providestheir patients and families,”Keith said. “It is a valuedservice and we are lucky tohave such a fine organizationin our community.”

6

Hospice –– it’s about livingFor the past 18 years,Eloise Sodaro hasmade the most of hersecond chance at lifeBy Jeff SikorovskyDevelopment andCommunications Assistant

F OR Eloise Sodaro, HospiceCare turned out to be a real lifesaver.But for everyone on staff whohas had the pleasure ofworking with her, they’ll tellyou Eloise did most of thework herself and knows howto make life worth living.

Eloise, 82,was a hospicepatient whilebattling lungcancer 18 yearsago. Back thenthere was nocap on how longa patient couldstay. She waswith KanawhaHospice Carefor three yearsbefore her

cancer went into remission with thehelp of radiation therapy and a strongfaith in miracles.

As a patient 18 years ago,Eloise Sodaro, above left, enjoyed visiting with herhospice nurse Sarah Browning, center, and social workerBetty McLeod, right. She always made a point of serving coffee witha little something sweet, usually cake. Below left, HospiceCare nurse JillVigliotti, RN, Eloise’s case manager since August, holds the photo from abovewhile sharing stories with Sarah and Betty last month at the Dunbar office.

Continued on next page

ELOISESODARO

In those three years, Eloise endearedherself to all who came in contact withher due in large part to her obvious innerstrength, fun-loving character andcharming personality, not to mention herenduring faith and love for her family:her husband Kaiser, now 94; her twodaughters, Sharon Lunsford and RoseannFrench (and Roseann’s husband,George); her grandson Jason Lunsford,his wife, Stormy; her great grandsonDawson; and her sisters, GenevaWherle, Mary Ash, and Grace Huffman. Retired nurse Sarah Browning, whowas Eloise’s case manager 18 years ago,said, “She talked constantly to me abouther children and grandchildren. She alsoalways had a way of prying out of us ourfamily stories, which you’re notsupposed to talk about with patients. Itold her I had 10 grandchildren. Shesaid, ‘Ten?! I just have one and I thinkthat’s just wonderful.’”

Eloise not only was there to helpraise that grandson, but she saw himgraduate from high school and college,get married and now enjoys visits fromher great grandson, Dawson.

So when her cancer returned thispast year, she knew well enough to callHospiceCare again for help. Only thistime she brought with her 18 yearsworth of stories, thanks to a secondchance at life well lived.

Social Worker Betty McLeod washappy to see Eloise again, despite herpresent condition. Betty had startedwith Kanawha Hospice on Valentine’sDay 1988 and Eloise was one of herfirst patients, not to mention the mostmemorable. Betty, Sarah and Eloise’s presentcase manager, nurse Jill Vigliotti, gottogether recently to share their fondestmemories and stories about Eloise. “The first day I met her at her housewe had to have coffee and dessert,”Betty said. “That was weekly. I had tohave coffee and cake even last weekwhen I came to visit her. I told her,‘Eloise, I’m not eating a thing. I stillhave all my pounds that you started meon 18 years ago.’” “She always had to prepare for ourvisit,” Sarah said. “She was alwaysimmaculately dressed, makeup done, hair

done just right and she made sure she hadfood in the house. She also had Kaiserdressed and ready for guests. It was a realsocial visit for her and still is.” Betty said Eloise always had anindependent spirit and she loved to keepup to date on the latest fashions andhome furnishings. “Everything stilllooks amazing,” she said. Sarah said that, on occasion, Eloisewould even bring home a stray fixer-upper from a garage sale, treat it withtender, loving care to bring it back tolife and make it her own. “Everythingaround this woman was perfect,” shesaid. “My house, on the other hand,looks lived in . . . it’s the ‘Early-American Lived-in’ look.” When asked what they loved andadmired most about Eloise, Jill said,“Her sense of humor.”

Sarah replied, “Ditto, and her strongwill and feistiness.” Betty said, “Her loving, kind spiritand her love for her family. She alsohas always had a good sense of humor.”

Continued on page 14

‘She talkedconstantly tome about herchildren and

grandchildren.She also

always had away of pryingout of us ourfamily stories,which you’renot supposedto talk aboutwith patients.’

‘The first dayI met her at

her house wehad to havecoffee and

dessert. Thatwas weekly.I had to have

coffee andcake even last

week whenI came tovisit her.’

‘I love hersense of

humor. If youlaughed at onething she said,she’d pick upon it and do awhole comedy

routine,practically.She would

make a goodstand-up comic.’

7

by Monica OroszCourtesy of theCharleston Daily Mail

T HIS past spring, Pam and Jeff Holliday noticed the scoreboard

at Herbert Hoover HighSchool’s baseball field wasn’tworking properly and decidedthey’d like to replace it. Itwould be a way of sharing theblessings in their life. Their son, Cory, wasshowing steady improvementhis sophomore year on theteam, where Jeff serves asassistant coach. The team wason its way to a successfulseason (ending up with a 30-4 record, a school record invictories). And the Holliday family was feeling optimisticafter a scare in March when Jeff had discovered aswollen gland that was diagnosed as melanoma, a seriousform of skin cancer.

They looked at scoreboardsand “I found out the price was alittle more than we wanted tospend,” Pam recalled, “andnothing else was said.” A week later, on June 8, Jeffsuffered a seizure before a game.Doctors found four tumors inhis brain and though theyperformed surgery and heunderwent both chemotherapyand radiation, their prognosisfor the 45-year-old wasn’t good.“We’ve always had a perfect life.It was very scary,” Pam said. Friends, fellow coaches andtheir church family stepped in tooffer support and prayers. “And then people started

coming up with the idea to take up donations and get ascoreboard in honor of Jeff,” Pam said. The evening ofNov. 1, about a dozen of his fellow teachers and coachesvisited Holliday at Hubbard Hospice House to present

Continued on next page

A REAL TEAM EFFORT

Teacher, coach gets lift from home team

HospiceCare patient Jeff Holliday (below), an assistant baseball coach at Herbert Hoover High School,welcomed family, friends and fellow coaches to his bedside Nov. 1 at Hubbard Hospice House. Pictured are,from left: Jo Ann Watt; Jeff’s son, Cory; Charlie Watt; Larry Estep; Dana Humphreys; David Hall; KevinBruckner; Pete Kelley; and, Joyce and Lew Burdette. Kneeling are Jeff’s wife, Pam, and Pat Quinlan.

8

DAILY MAIL PHOTOS BY TOM HINDMAN

9

‘I hope to see it in person.’

him with a plaque explaining thehonor and to show him a photographof the new, $6,000 scoreboard andsign beneath that names the field forhim. “I hope to see it in person,” Jeffsaid. Dana Humphreys, Hoover’sassistant principal and former coachwith Holliday, was appointedspokesman and grew emotional whenreading the inscription on the plaque. Jeff responded, “I’m not going tosay a whole lot. I don’t deserve it,but I appreciate this. Next.” “I guess it’s up for debate,”Humphreys piped in. Jeff’s visitors Wednesday includedfellow math teachers, coaches forboth baseball and basketball andfellow basketball officials — sportsfans all around. “He is my Fridaynight date for away football games,”Humphreys said. A Williamson High School Hall ofFamer, Jeff went on to play forMarshall University. He came to theKanawha Valley in the late 1980s tocoach and teach math, first at theformer Elkview Junior High and toHoover in 1990, where he’s been headbaseball coach and assistant and hascoached girls basketball. Pam, a certified public accountantwho works in their home, describes

The new $6,000 baseball scoreboard at Herbert Hoover High Schoolincludes a sign naming the field in Jeff’s honor. His friends andcolleagues presented him with a plaque to that effect on Nov. 1.

happen and recalls one evening whenshe was feeling panicked, clearlyhearing God speak to her. “He said, ‘Bestill and know that I am God,’ ” shesaid. Next spring, Cory will again takehis spot as a third baseman forHoover’s team. Pam will likely be inher usual spot, working the concessionstands. Jeff will be there, too.

him as a strict coach, but one for whomwinning isn’t everything. “He’s always been more about beinga good influence on the kids,” she said.He’s been tough on their son, Cory, too. “He’s not a star by any means,” Pamsaid of Cory, “but he has steadilyimproved.” And he’s an A student. She said the family’s strong faith hasprepared them for what is going to

Main Office1143 Dunbar Ave.

Dunbar, WV 25064(304) 768-8523 / (800) 560-8523

Fax: (304) 768-8627

Hubbard Hospice House1001 Kennawa Drive

Charleston, WV 25311(304) 926-2200

Boone County Office467 Main Street

Madison, WV 25130(304) 369-0183

Lewisburg Office540 N. Jefferson St., Suite D

Lewisburg, WV 24901(304) 645-2700 / (800) 237-0842

Fax: (304) 645-3188

Summersville Office1277 Broad St., Suite 3

Summersville, WV 26651(304) 872-4731 / (800) 523-0561

Fax: (304) 872-7432

Contact UsBoone, Braxton, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Monroe,

Nicholas, Pocahontas, Putnam, Roane, Summers and Webster

10

Staff bids fond farewell to three whonurtured heart and soul of HospiceCareBy Jeff SikorovskyDevelopment and Communications Assistant

I T was with a heavy heart that HospiceCare bid farewell this fall to three retiring colleagues whose combined tenure here represented nearly 60 years ofdedicated service, care and invaluable experience. Hubbard Hospice House CNA Blanche Reynolds,hospice Chaplain Boyd Purcell, and Social Worker BettyMcLeod served HospiceCare in different capacities, yetall three exhibited compassion, dignity and peace inperforming their daily tasks and certainly will be missed.

Blanche Reynolds After 20 years of helping brighten everyone’s day,Blanche had the tables turned on her as the HospiceCarestaff honored Blanche with a retirement reception Sept. 20at the Hubbard House. Family, friends and co-workersshowed up to honor the former home health aide anddietary assistant for her two decades of stellar service.HHH Administrator Chris Zinn said Blanche was alwayswilling to help out wherever needed. “She is the most devoted employee that we’ve had.She’s been a true blessing to all the patients and familiesshe’s worked with,” Chris said, stressing Blanche’s greatsense of humor. “She’s loved by all. We’ve been lucky tohave her at the house.”

Blanche –– who still gets letters from the families offormer patients thanking her for all her help and wishing herwell –– said, “I’ve enjoyed every minute that I’ve workedhere, even when I was out in the field.” CEO Larry Robertson told Blanche at her reception,“Thank you for being a friend.” Clinical Director Jeff Carrier noted her “meticulous”approach to caring for her patients. “It was a pleasure and aprivilege to work with Blanche. I depended on her. Thepatients and their families loved her and I loved her,” he said.He added that patients would complain if a substituteshowed up. “She spoiled them.” Blanche is looking forward to spending more time withher family and taking care of her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Continued on next page

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others . . . cannot keep it from themselves.

– James M. Barrie

Blanche is looking forward to spending more time withher family and grandchildren. Here she is pictured withher grandson, Jeff Reynolds.

Thanks for the memories . . .

11

Boyd Purcell Pulling himself away from the arduous task of packingup dozens of boxes of spiritual books and 14-and-a-halfyears of memories collected in his office, Boyd found timeOct. 12 to let the Bereavement Department celebrate hiscareer and wish him well in retirement. Boyd started with Kanawha Hospice Care Inc. in 1992after teaching and coaching high school basketball in Ohioand serving as the pastor of a church here in West Virginia.He dutifully provided spiritual support to all of our patientsand their families in our ever-growing service area. In October, Boyd began an extended leave to tend tosome health issues before his formal retirement in February.Besides serving as pastor for a church in Whitesville, hisplans include writing a book about overcoming spiritualabuse and developing a college curriculum on the subject. Bereavement Director Michael Dupay said what heremembered most about Boyd was that he was verypunctual with patient referrals, no matter what time of day.He would often see patients and families regardless of howbusy his day was. He had time for everyone. With a wealth of personal experience he understood wellthe concept of God’s Grace through Jesus Christ. His ability totransmit that sense of healing through his work comforted a lotof patients. Boyd ministered to patients and their familieswhere they were in their own spiritual lives. He offered comfortthrough reading Scripture, quoting beautiful poems and sharingthe good news of God’s abundant grace and mercy. Now Boyd will also have more time to spend visitingwith his two grown children; his daughter, Polly, a doctorin Lexington, Ky., and his son, Brent, a captain in theMarine Corps. Boyd also has one grandson, Zaydn, and anew granddaughter, Payton, born Oct. 18.

Betty McLeod From her first day at work on Valentine’s Day 1988,Betty helped develop the heart and soul of HospiceCare.When she was hired there were only two social workers onstaff, compared with the dozens employed now. Betty had just taken early retirement after 30 years ofservice with the state and was only looking for part-timework. “I just wanted to leave my resume. I was respondingto an ad for a part-time social worker and they hired mehere fulltime without my even knowing it,” she said. “It wassomething I fell in love with on my very first visit. “Hospice is such a spiritual, rewarding job. I’ve alwaysfelt that I’ve gotten more than what I’ve been able to give tomy patients that I’ve been on the winning end, even thoughthey tell me that is not so,” Betty said. What she has learned most by working at HospiceCareis that “life and time are precious and you should enjoy allyour blessings while you can.” Betty’s last day was Dec. 15 and the staff held a goingaway party for her for Dec. 6. She is looking forward tospending more time with her husband, Julius. The couplejust celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary Oct. 16 afterhaving first met as nurse aides doing summer work forLincoln State Hospital. “Both of our plans are just to gohome and enjoy each other and do whatever comes about,”she said. “We just hope and pray to have good health andenjoy being with our family.”

Bereavement Director Michael Dupay looks on asBoyd flips through a bound journal filled with notesfrom fellow colleagues wishing him well in retirement.

Betty and CNA Supervisor Judy Dunnett haveworked closely together for more than 15 years andhave many interesting stories to share.

12

WVSOMstudents areare dedicatedto the COREby Penny ColeVolunteer Coordinator, Greenbrier County Office

E ACH year since 1997, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) selects second year

student applicants for the CORE (Community Outreach andRelief Efforts) program. The program started as a communityservice project developed by the American Medical StudentAssociation and initiated by WVSOM fellow students. This year seven students were selected: Lane Holbrook,Lauren Miller, Beth Mossing, Nathan Roberts, SarahRoesch, Thomas Stauffer, and Andrea Whitfield.Involvement in the community, with emphasis on anopportunity to work within a family setting of a patientwith a life-limiting illness, is the focus of the program. It gives the students an opportu-nity to deal with the feelings andemotions of a patient and theirfamily, as well as their ownfeelings, thus helping them becomemore compassionate doctors. These students attended an inten-sive three day CORE hospice volunteertraining on Aug. 7-9, 2006, at HospiceCarein Lewisburg. They volunteer with HospiceCarepatients and their families providing in-home volunteerservices. It is the hope that these future doctors will learnto see the patient as a whole person, emotionally, physically,and spiritually, as well as develop caregiving skills focusedon restoring dignity and a sense of personal fulfillment to thedying by giving them choices, listening, and caring. Dr. Marlene Wager, D.O. is the clinical advisor to the

CORE members include: Thomas Stauffer, in front;middle row, left to right, Lauren Miller, SarahRoesch, Beth Mossing and Greenbrier VolunteerCoordinator Penny Cole; and back row, AndreaWhitfield, Lane Holbrook, and Nathan Roberts.

It gives the students an opportunityto deal with the feelings and emotions of

a patient and their family, as well as theirown feelings, thus helping them become

more compassionate doctors.

group and Meg McKeon, Ed.D., Associate Dean forStudent Affairs, serves as the administrative advisor. TheCORE students have at least two meetings per semester on

campus with their clinical advisor and amonthly meeting at

HospiceCare’s Lewisburgoffice. Volunteer CoordinatorPenny Cole facilitates the

monthly CORE meeting, whichconsists of two components: education and peer support.The group confidentially discusses their hospice experiencesand learn from each other and HospiceCare staff members.In September, the group attended its first meeting withJennifer Norton, RN/CHPN, presenting a case study withemphasis on Comfort Care/Pain & Symptom management. HospiceCare patients and their families are grateful forthe compassionate service the students provide and we areproud to be associated with these dedicated future doctors.Many of the CORE participants over the years have becomestrong hospice advocates.

13

Hubbard House Day of Caring

Steve Williamson and LewisEplin (above), along with JimSmith and Mark Gorman of H.C.Nutting Company, a geotechnicalengineering and testing firm, spentthe day Sept. 13 helping weedand clean up the gardens at theHubbard Hospice House. The menvolunteered their time as part ofthe United Way’s Day of Caring.Co-worker, Rick Carney, alsohelped house maintenance worker James Thayer give the northkitchen a fresh coat of paint. House Administrator Chris Zinn (aboveright) accepted a check for $500 from MaryAnn McMillen, director ofthe Kanawha District Garden Club, to help pay for needed materialsand maintenance of the garden. With them are Jeanne Grubb,Jackie Evans and Martha Ferrell of the Summit Garden Club, whoalso helped brighten up the garden that day with new plantings. “Thegarden is really a very important part of this place,” McMillen said. “Itrepresents peace and serenity to people who need it the most.”

HospiceCarenurse named‘Best in the Valley’ Congratulations are in order forHospiceCare nurse Connie Boggs, LPN, whowas named Best in the Valley for 2006 inCharleston Newspapers’ annual People’sChoice Awards. Results were published in theJuly 30 edition of the Sunday Gazette-Mail.

Connie Boggs, LPN

Connie waslisted as the BestNurse in KanawhaCounty and in the“Other” counties

category (except for Putnam County, whichwent to another nurse). Throughout May andJune, thousands of Charleston Newspapersreaders cast ballots to vote for their favoritepeople, TV personalities, restaurants,businesses, service providers, etc. As a Best in the Valley 2006 winner,Connie received a certificate and customizedlogo to display at the Dunbar office, her workhome base since 1999. “I had no idea about anything,” Connie saidabout being notified of the award. “I was atTarget shopping and Denise (Miller) called totell me. A patient had called to tell her. I wasjust dumfounded.” She couldn’t put her finger on exactlywhy she was voted this honor, but said, “I justcare a lot about my patients. I try to helpthem all I can. I’ve tried hard enough thatpeople have actually noticed. We have a goodteam and I’m just proud to representHospiceCare. That means a lot to me.”

14

It’s about living continued from page 7 “If you laughed at one thing she said, she’d pick up on it anddo a whole comedy routine, practically. She would make a goodstand-up comic,” Jill said. “She had her picture on a hospicebrochure from her last stay and enjoys telling people, ‘I was theHospice poster girl.’” Even this past summer, after Eloise met hospice ChaplainBoyd Purcell –– whom she found rather handsome –– Jillsaid, “She told me when Boyd came to visit that I needed totake the DNR (do not resuscitate order) off her paper work.She said she would play dead so he would have to give hermouth-to-mouth. “She really hammed it up, lying back in her chair withher eyes closed and tongue hanging out. And when you havea patient like this who still has her sense of humor in theface of death, it makes your day a lot better.”

All three also agreed that Eloise is a very loving, kindwoman. “We started hugging the first day we met,” Jill said.“She told me, ‘This was meant to be.’ Anyone she meetsbecomes her friend because you can’t help but like her.” Eloise’s family is also very receptive to the helpHospiceCare provides. “They had a lot to say about Eloise’sCNA Tamra Shaw. They said she’s been a Godsend tothem,” Jill said. Overall, however, they said Eloise’s strength is her undyingconcern for the well-being of others, but never herself. Sarah said Eloise had planned her own funeral and evenbought a casket and the outfit she would wear. “She washed theclothes regularly to keep them clean and fresh,” Sarah said. But when Eloise’s sister passed away from cancer duringher first term with hospice, Eloise decided her sister neededthose things more than she did, Sarah said. One thing that Eloise did not give up was Sarah’stelephone number, which she held onto for 18 years. Bettysaid the two decided to give Sarah a call last month to sayhello and reconnect after all those years. “When she called, tears were running down her cheeks,”Betty said. “She told Sarah, ‘I have the best HospiceCare team.’” “She’s still trying to put a guilt trip on me,” said Sarah, whoretired in 2000 but has gone several times recently to visit withEloise. “She said, ‘I want you there when the time comes.’”

Betty said that when Eloise first came to hospice, “she wasopen to it, but she had her own goals and had a good outlookon life. Her personality has not changed.” Betty stronglybelieves that goals help people live their lives better and shewas impressed with Eloise’s ability to set and achieve hers. “If you have the strength and determination to achieveyour goals, then you can enjoy the other things in life, aswell. If it’s meant to be, it will be,” Betty said.

“Eloise said one of her first goals was to live to seeChristmas,” Betty said. “Another goal was to live to see thefirst flowers of spring blooming in her back yard and thebirds on the eaves of her house. During that visit she said,‘Come with me,’ and took me to the window. I just grabbedmy heart. There were so many daffodils and they were soyellow and beautiful. But also, perched up on the roof, shepointed to the first bird of spring. Just to see that bird upthere . . . it was awesome.”

Intake Coordinator Judy White started with HospiceCarein October of 1988 and Eloise was her very first referral case.“Being new, I was nervous and wanted to make everythingwork out for Eloise and her family,” Judy said. “Because shewas my first case, her name always stuck out.” When Eloise needed the services of HospiceCare againthis summer, shecalled Judy. “We probablytalked a goodhour,” Judy said.“We talked aboutall the time shewas given to dothe things sheneeded to do overthe past 18 years.What a goodspirit. She wasjust so grateful.She told me(jokingly) that wewould have to hither over the head this time. She had me laughing and shewas laughing about it. She was not in anyway depressing.” Judy said people have a misconception about hospice,that once you’re admitted you’re going to die soon. “We try to reassure them that where there is life, there isalso hope,” Judy said. “Hospice is there to support themduring the disease process. In some situations remissionoccurs and patients are indeed discharged, as we can see inEloise’s case.” Even if a patient is discharged and needs to return, he orshe is always welcomed back with open arms and with thepromise of professional, compassionate care that respectsand preserves their dignity. It’s a promise that Eloise cameto depend on, and one that everyone else should expect.

‘We probablytalked a good

hour. We talkedabout all thetime she was

given to do thethings she

needed to doover the past 18years. What agood spirit. She

was just sograteful.’

If you have any questions regarding HospiceCare’sadmissions policy, please feel free to contact ourmain office at (304) 768-8523 or (800) 560-8523.

15

WV Automobile & Truck Dealers Association’sIntl. Auto Show VIP Charity Gala for HospiceCare,will be Jan. 10 at the Charleston Civic Center.

9th Annual HospiceCare Tennis Tournament,Feb. 2, 3, and 4 at the Charleston Tennis Club.

Volunteer Training Classes will be in March.To register, call the Volunteer Dept., (304) 768-8523.

WomanSong Benefit Concert, March 24 at theClay Center, Charleston.

9th annual Smoke on the Water Chili Cook-offwill be held in June.

2nd annual HospiceCare/Tidewater DinnerGala, April 10, at the Tidewater Grill, Charleston.

Grief Recovery Groups will meet in theBereavement Dept. at the Dunbar office,1143 Dunbar Ave. Call (304) 768-8523.Adult Support Group, 6-8 p.m.... Tuesdays: • Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 and Feb. 6 and 13 • Feb. 20, 27 and March 6, 13, 20 and 27 • April 3, 10, 17, 24 and May 1 and 8 • May 22, 29 and June 5, 12, 19, and 26Kids Grief Group (ages 6-11), from 6-7:30 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS

on Thursdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, and 22Teen Grief Group (ages 13-19), from 6-7:30 p.m.on Thursdays, Mar. 8, 15, 22, and 29

‘Tis the season . . .Plants Etcetera owner Darlene Fise stands in front of thenew HospiceCare Gift Corner display located in hershop at 102 S. Jefferson Street in downtown Lewisburg.Customers can shop for ornaments, candles, quilts, andbooks, with all proceeds going to benefit HospiceCare.

23rd annual Love Light Tree displays HospiceCare welcomes everyone to help us decorate fourChristmas trees as part of our Love Light Tree display at theCharleston Town Center Mall now through Dec. 22, as wellas trees at the Hubbard Hospice House, Greenbrier ValleyMedical Center, and Boone Memorial Hospital. With adonation to HospiceCare, people can hang an ornament inhonor or memory of a loved one on one of the trees. As this is also Charleston Town Center’s 23rd year inbusiness, we would like to offer a heartfelt thank you toMarketing Director Lisa McCracken, PromotionsAssistant Tim Anderson and the rest of the mall staff whohave been so helpful to us over the years, as well as themall’s owner, Forest City Enterprises, for its years ofgenerous support. Each year HospiceCare sets up the treedisplay free of charge in the mall, which is a huge gift inand of itself.

Lighting up the season with love . . .

“We’re pleased to once again showcase one of our favoritecharities, especially during the holiday season, by having theLove Light Tree display,” Lisa McCracken said.

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Kanawha Hospice Care, Inc.1143 Dunbar Ave., Dunbar WV 25064

(304) 768-8523 / (800) 560-8523www.hospicecarewv.org

NON-PROFITORG.

U.S. PostageP A I D

Permit No. 9DUNBAR, WV

Boone

Braxton

Clay

FayetteGreenbrier

Kanawha

Lincoln

Mason

Monroe

Nicholas Pocahontas

Putnam

Roane

Summers

Webster

JacksonHubbard

Hospice House,Charleston

Main Office,Dunbar

Boone County Office,Madison

Greenbrier County Office,Lewisburg

Nicholas County Office,Summersville

Service Area