Fall 2014 - Angela Hospice

Newsletter of Angela Hospice Fall 2014
the
Inside:
Walk of
Remembrance
Pictured: Christine Leach and Dorothy Pape
New and
improved!
Remembering
Angela Hospice is
excited to announce
the launch of its newly
redesigned website at
AskForAngela.com.
In addition to a fresh,
colorful look, the
site now includes
new sections and resources to better serve our clients, partners, and
supporters.
Grandpa Paul
Walk of Remembrance
brings families together
P
aul Peters was a man to look up
to. With an upbeat attitude and
loving family, he faced life’s difficulties
with character to be admired. Even
cancer couldn’t damper that.
“Grandpa lived 32,375 days without
complaining about anything, except
perhaps the Lions,” said granddaughter
Christine Leach.
p The Memory Keepers created T-shirts in Paul Peters’ honor, with the
phrase “Ja Cie Kocham,” Polish for I love you. From left are Dorothy
Pape, Christine Leach, Cletis Leach, Dorothy Peters, and Kathleen Bloom.
Paul didn’t even complain when the prostate
cancer spread to his bones, and it was obvious he
was in great pain. But his family knew he needed
better care.
“He was heavily medicated with painkillers that
did nothing to ease his pain, but only succeeded in
making him loopy and barely able to communicate,”
said Christine. “We began looking into what our
care options were.”
That’s when someone recommended Angela
Hospice. The family was grateful that there was a
room available in the Angela Hospice Care Center,
and Paul was able to move in. Right away his
symptoms began to improve.
“The change in care was drastic,” said Christine.
“Not only were the staff patient and compassionate,
they were able to actually relieve his pain without
affecting his mind.”
Paul and his family were able to spend quality
time together, and make special memories, such as
the Easter brunch they shared, that was organized by
Angela Hospice’s volunteers.
“Angela Hospice gave us time back with Grandpa,
and for that we will be forever grateful,” said
Christine.
This experience motivated Christine and her
mother, Dorothy Pape, to form a team in Paul’s
honor for the Walk of Remembrance. Called
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the “Memory Keepers,” teammates helped to
raise money and awareness for Angela Hospice’s
programs. They’ve been coming to the annual event
for three years now.
“The Walk of Remembrance continues to grow
each year, and it’s a testament to how powerful this
event is,” said Bob Alexander, Angela Hospice’s
Business Development Manager. “Many people
return year after year to take part in it, and it has
even become a tradition for these families.”
Angela Hospice will hold the 7th annual Walk
of Remembrance on Saturday, September 20. The
2.3-mile walk will begin at Madonna University at
10 a.m., and continue through the peaceful, idyllic
property of the Felician Sisters, including Ladywood
High School, the Sisters’ Central Convent, and
concluding at the beautiful Angela Hospice grounds.
A hot dog lunch and rock painting activity will
follow.
Registration for the Walk of Remembrance
includes a commemorative T-shirt and is $25 in
advance for adults (increases to $35 on day of event),
$15 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for 5 and
under. Day of event registration begins at 9 a.m.
All proceeds will benefit Angela Hospice’s free
community outreach programs for grieving children
and adults.
You can register online, and get more information
about Angela Hospice’s grief support programs, at
www.AskForAngela.com, or by calling (734) 464-7810.
It will also feature more personal stories about the heart of Angela
Hospice – our people: patients, volunteers, benefactors, and friends.
If you are interested in sharing your story, call Public Relations
Coordinator Lisa Norton at (734) 953-6008.
Remember to visit us online today, plus follow us on social media to
keep up-to-date on Angela Hospice’s programs and events.
Board of Directors looks to the future
A valued member of Angela Hospice’s Board of Directors, Ken
Dabrowski, retired this September after three years of service on
the Board. Mr. Dabrowski led Angela Hospice’s strategic planning
committee, guiding management in developing goals for Angela
Hospice’s growth in the community, program expansion, quality
outcomes, and fiscal viability.
Angela
Hospice
Cookbook
Novice and veteran
chefs and bakers alike
will be delighted with
Where the Butter Flies,
Volume 2, Angela
Hospice’s cookbook
due out this fall. We’ll
also be re-releasing
Volume 1 in time for
holiday gift-giving. You
can reserve your copies
now by calling Lisa
Norton at (734) 953-6008.
Cookbooks are $10 each
and can also be shipped
to you for a small fee.
Look for them at our
online gift shop this fall at
www.AskForAngela.com.
“Ken Dabrowski played a crucial role in our stragetic planning, and
leading us into the future,” said Mary Beth Moning, Angela Hospice’s
interim president and CEO. “He will be greatly missed.”
Assuming this role on the strategic planning committee will be David
Parr, who joined the Board earlier this year.
“Dave is very
forward-thinking
and brings much
experience to the
committee,” said
Syndie Best, fellow
committee member
and volunteer
manager for Angela
Hospice. “We’re
looking forward to
working with him.”
MAKES A
GREAT GIFT
TOO!
p Mary Beth Moning and Board Member David Ward present a certificate
of appreciation to Ken Dabrowski for his service to Angela Hospice.
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You Are the Star!
You are invited
to join us for an
elegant evening
honoring someone
very special to
Angela Hospice:
you! We’re
preparing a special
event for our supporters and friends next
month. You Are the Star is sponsored
by The Riley Foundation, and will take
place Friday, October 24, 6 p.m., at the
beautiful Laurel Manor.
“Angela Hospice is forever grateful
for those that support our mission, and
we want them to know how much their
involvement means to us,” said Sister
Giovanni, founder of Angela Hospice.
“The theme of this event is to honor
those who help to make Angela Hospice
successful, and a valuable resource in
our community.”
Guests will enjoy gourmet dining,
an open bar, silent auction and
raffle, plus dancing to live music by
Steve King and the Dittilies.
“We are excited to have such a
great band,” said Melanie Miller,
one of the event’s organizers. “The
music will be playing, people will
be dancing, and everyone will be having
a great time.”
Guests can also look forward to
performances by classical musicians,
violinist Hektor Qytepi and pianist
Pierre Fracalanza.
Tickets are $100 per person, with all
proceeds going to benefit Angela Hospice’s
compassionate, charitable programs.
For more information, or for an event
invitation, visit AskForAngela.com or
call Lisa Norton at (734) 953-6008.
Sponsorship opportunities are also
available.
Letters to hospice
Dear Staff of Angela Hospice,
know where to begin
As I write this note today, I don’t
de to Angela Hospice
to express my overwhelming gratitu
brother, Dennis. Prior
staff for their wonderful care of my
r’s care, his quality of
to your involvement in my brothe
ggling to perform the
life was very poor and he was stru
fear was that he would
most basic functions. His greatest
a nursing facility. My
have to leave his home and enter
way this could be
sister, wife, and I could not see any
the answer and in this
avoided. But, as always, God has
a Hospice. With your
case it came in the form of Angel
lity of life improved
continuous care, my brother’s qua
how kind the nurses
day-by-day. He spoke so often of
he thrived on their
and staff were to him, and I know
umstances and family
companionship. Although job circ
ld spend with him over
r Dennis
health issues limited the time I cou
n with his sister Peggy and brothe
Joh
the
by
ed
atly comfort
his last several months, I was gre
acle in his
knowledge that he was not alone.
witness to nothing short of a mir
s
wa
I
l
fee
I
,
life
his
of
ks
wee
l
Over the last severa
past year could truly
his tremendous struggles over the
n
see
had
o
wh
one
ly
On
ry.
ove
was able to
amazing rec
a few weeks before his passing, he
t
Jus
.
ent
em
rov
imp
his
of
e
tud
appreciate the magni
g with only a cane.
bing up several steps and walkin
clim
e,
hom
my
at
ty
par
y
hda
birt
video
attend my
prior, my wife had given me a new
s
day
few
a
ly
On
us.
of
all
for
It was a very happy day
my brother’s happy
use was to capture the event and
t
firs
y
ver
its
and
y,
hda
birt
my
well as the
camera for
several weeks for my brother, as
last
se
tho
of
gift
the
for
d
Go
to
face. I am so grateful
him.
lifetime I was given to share with
With Sincerest Gratitude,
John D.
This was one time I had feared for years – what would I do when it was
mom’s time to die? We were so close and I didn’t think I would survive
it. The staff of hospice was nothing short of a gift from God! Everyone we
encountered and every question answered was of love and patience. This
experience turned out to be one of the most beautiful experiences in my life.
(That’s not to say there wasn’t stress involved with each new step I took
in the process.) Every time I was about to have a major issue or decision
to make, hospice was there putting me at ease. I have journaled about all
the wonderful people that allowed my mom to stay in her apartment and
feel safe and loved through her last days. I never could have imagined the
genuine love and support, direction and guidance hospice provided. I felt like
they were family – that I had known for years…only better
☺
Guests at last year’s benefit, from left to right: Jerry and Marion Rozum, Lori and Dave
Bean, Erin Kopkowski, David Virgin; Dana and Dan O’Connor; Marianne Eliassen and
John J. Emerson.
4
Colleen Donakowski and Pat Ward
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me let go of the most
important, loving, supportive person in the world, my “Mommie Salami” in
the most beautiful way – God’s way.
Colleen
5
Golfers show support for hospice patients
Angela Hospice was honored to be a part of the 9th annual Bob-O Golf Outing, organized by Bob
Washer. Eighty golfers attended the event, raising nearly $7,000 to benefit Angela Hospice programs.
Bob had originally become familiar with Angela Hospice through his friends’ experience, but more
recently saw what hospice could do for his own family.
A love story till the end
“My wife Debbie’s dad passed away last year in the Syracuse, New York, area,” said Bob Washer,
“and hospice was involved with his last few days. It was truly the personal exposure to hospice and
the way I viewed the good things that
they do, that made me understand the
process and why it was so important
to helping everyone deal with a sad
situation.”
“Aren’t you going to ask me out?”
she asked him, as he was riding his
bike down her street.
“Well, I did,” he said, stopping in
front of her, “and you said ‘no.’”
“I didn’t mean ‘never!’” she replied.
“We are so grateful to Mr. Washer
for his support,” said Barb Paul, Angela
Hospice Development Supervisor.
“Not only does he put on a great event,
but he does so much to help out the
organizations that he believes in.”
Josephine and Roger began as neighbors.
A few years after this exchange on the
bicycle, they were married. Josephine had
been widowed before, and had three young
daughters. They readily accepted Roger as
part of the family, and for 28 years he and
Josephine enjoyed a happy marriage.
So when Roger got sick, Josephine
wanted to make sure he got the best care
available. She was frustrated with the care
he was receiving and wanted to be doing
more for her beloved husband. Her mission
led her to Angela Hospice’s Care Center.
She was immediately impressed with
the care. They cleaned him up, shaved off
the beard he had come to wear, and began
managing his symptoms.
“I said to my daughters, ‘It’s like he’s in
a spa!’” said Josephine. “They were able to
do what I couldn’t do and it put me more
at ease.”
The relief that came with Roger being
taken care of was a blessing for Josephine,
and the rest of their family. Josephine
was able to stay the night by Roger’s side,
and the care he received exceeded all her
schembri
 The Bob-O Golf Outing winning
foursome with event organizer Bob
Washer. From left: Doug Moffat; Peter
Osterhout; Joe Marr, Jr.; Bob Washer;
and Mike Manchester.
MISSION IN ACTION
Promoting the sacredness of human life is one
way Angela Hospice demonstrates the core
values of its founders, the Felician Sisters. Perhaps
this is most poignantly enacted in the Prenatal
Hospice Program.
expectations. Their grandchildren even
got snacks and toys from the hospitality
cart whenever they would come to visit
Grandpa.
“They’ll remember that. That’s great,”
said Josephine.
Eventually, Roger slipped into a coma.
But his caregivers gave Josephine a precious
gift when they told her he would still be
able to hear her.
“Boy, did I start rattling off then!” she
said.
For Josephine and her family, it wasn’t
only about the care given to Roger, but
about the affect it had on them as well.
“You can’t put a dollar amount for the
comfort I got from the care he was getting,”
Josephine said. “I was there with him in
his final hours and it didn’t scare me. It
didn’t scare me at all. I could accept things
so much better. These people around him
were like angels and they were getting him
ready to go. At Angela Hospice, he was a
step below heaven!”
Now Josephine visits the granite bench
she donated to Angela Hospice, and had
engraved in her husband’s memory. When
she first came to see it on the Angela
Hospice grounds, she was comforted by
another surprise: it was placed just next
to a bench that was donated in their
neighbor’s honor; a moment of serendipity
that assured her it was all meant to be.
Parents who learn their unborn child is expected
not to survive or to be born with a severe
abnormality may be devastated by the news.
“From the point of diagnosis, Angela Hospice’s
Prenatal Hospice Program can be of support to
parents having a baby whose life is expected to
be brief,” said social worker Ann-Patrice Foley.
“We help the parents to make memories with
their child for whatever time they have, during the
pregnancy or after the birth. Those parents will
cherish the memories forever.”
Realizing every life has value, our prenatal team
works with families to capture special moments
and keepsakes, while providing counseling and
other resources to help them on their journey.
“Families who are facing a complicated
pregnancy should know that they don’t have to
go through it alone. We’re here to help them and
allow them to find joy, even within their grief,” said
Ann-Patrice.
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To learn more about personalized memorial items at Angela Hospice, visit www.AskForAngela.com
or call Barbara Paul at (734) 953-6014.
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Respect. Dignity. Peace of mind.
14100 Newburgh Road
Livonia, Michigan 48154
Toll Free (866) 464-7810
www.AskForAngela.com
The Monarch is published by
Angela Hospice to keep our
friends and supporters informed of
our latest news and events as we
continue to provide quality care to
people in need.
Mary Beth Moning
Interim President/CEO
Sister Mary Giovanni
Founder/CEO Emeritus
Tom Lesondak
CFO
James Boal, MD
Medical Director
Bob Alexander
Business Development Manager
Lisa Norton
Public Relations
Board of Directors
Art Cole, CPA
W. Michael George
Barb Hendrickson - Chair
Tom Lesondak - Treasurer
Sister Mary Francis Lewandowski
Sister Felicity Marie Madigan
Sister Mary Thaddeus Markelewicz
Mary Beth Moning - President
David P. Parr
George M. Smrtka, P.C.
Nancy Tochman
David Ward - Sole Member
Angela Hospice Home Care, Inc.
is dedicated to provide
comprehensive, compassionate,
and Christ-like care to adults and
children in the communities we
serve.
Angela Hospice is a Felician-sponsored ministry
Giving to help others
Charitable remainder trusts are great ways for donors to provide income
for their family or loved ones, as well as a charity that is near and dear to
their hearts. Through a charitable remainder trust, payments are made to one
or more beneficiaries at a fixed dollar amount or percentage over a specified
period of time. The balance or remainder of the trust is then distributed to
the charitable organization when the trust is closed.
Benefits to the donor include:
• The donor may claim an immediate charitable income tax deduction
• The donor may not have to pay an immediate capital gains tax when the
trust disposes of the appreciated asset and purchases other property to
diversify the trust portfolio
• Charitable remainder trusts providing a percentage payment offer some
flexibility in the distribution of income and may be helpful in retirement
planning
• The donor can be confident that the remainder of the trust will be
donated to the charitable organization s/he has personally selected
Angela Hospice offers many services to the community at no charge, such
as extensive bereavement programs which includes group and individual
grief counseling, workshops for adults and children, and more. For more
information on the types of programs at Angela Hospice that your Charitable
Remainder Trust can help to support, go to: www.angelahospice.org/donate
*These “split interest” trusts are defined in §664 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 as amended and are normally tax-exempt. A section 664 trust makes its
payments, either of a fixed amount (charitable remainder annuity trust §664(d)
(1)(D)) or a percentage of trust principal (charitable remainder unitrust), to
whomever the donor chooses to receive income.
This article is intended for informational purposes
only and does not contain legal or tax advice.
written by Barb Hendrickson
Chair, Angela Hospice Board of Directors