THE HEART OF HOSPICE YOUR IMPACT, OUR GRATITUDE.
• A Message From Our CEO
• The Mensinks & Pilgrims: A Life-Changing Experience
• The Samuelsons: Teeing Up for Pilgrims
• Meet Mator: Paws for Healing
• A Spring Recipe: From Chef Thomas
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
Gratitude is at the heart of everything we do at Pilgrims Hospice Society. In this issue of The Heart of Hospice, you’ll read stories of generosity, love and lasting impact — stories that remind us why patient- and family-centred hospice care matters so deeply.
You’ll meet families like the Mensinks and the Samuelsons, who experienced firsthand what compassionate end-of-life care can mean — not only for the individual but for their family and friends. Their journeys are a testament to the power of community and the difference your support makes. You’ll also get to know Mator, one of our beloved pet therapy dogs, who brings comfort in the biggest yet gentlest of ways, and you’ll get a special recipe from our chef — because nourishment comes in many forms.
Every act of kindness, every donation and every moment of care help create a space where people can find peace, dignity and even joy in the face of death. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Your generosity makes our work possible.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Monica Robson CEO, Pilgrims Hospice Society
PAWS FOR HEALING AT PILGRIMS
MEET MATOR
“I saw the joy that the dogs brought patients, staff and families at the hospital when my mother was there during her cancer journey. That was the catalyst that led to Mator being certified as a therapy dog in November 2024. We came to Pilgrims for Mator’s very first therapy visit, where he met Conrad, an equine veterinarian. He was a perfect fit for Mator.”
Lisa Last knew that Pilgrims Hospice Society was the place for Mator as soon as he was certified as a therapy dog. In fact, the therapy dog journey was in honour of Lisa’s mom, who died in hospice in Kamloops.
“My mom was a dog lover. We lived on a farm in B.C., and Mator was her favourite boy. Mom lived in a fifth-wheel on our property, and Mator would go and bang his head on her door to get pets and food. He watched over her.”
What training has Mator received?
Lisa: Mator spent time in a busy room to go through a variety of lessons and tasks, including walking on a loose leash and practicing basic commands. A big part of the training is what they call “crowding.” Mator was surrounded by civilians and trainers using crutches, walkers and wheelchairs to determine his comfort level with different sights, sounds and approaches. Dogs can sense energy. When people are in distress or nearing the end of life, Mator can pick up on that and be gentle.
What makes volunteering at Pilgrims so meaningful for you?
Lisa: It would be hard to find a better organization to be connected with. We are here for the staff and the families, to give them a break for a minute, to share a moment with a cute, fluffy dog. I would love to see therapy dog programs used more throughout different facilities like firehalls after a tragedy, schools or even dental offices.
Tell us more about Mator.
Lisa: Mator is a six-year-old St. Bernard that weighs 175 pounds and eats a lean 6 to 7 cups of dog food a day. He’s named after the character in the Disney movie Cars. He came to us as a puppy and he just loves to be hugged. His favourite thing in the world is to run off-leash in the mountains. He loves scaling hills, swimming and snow sports
too!
THE MENSINKS AND PILGRIMS
A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE
Dianne Mensink came to Pilgrims in November 2024, but her path to Pilgrims wasn’t direct. Or easy. Having stayed at home as long as she could, Dianne needed a place in hospice quickly. The family took the first hospice bed in another facility that became available to them, but Dianne wasn’t comfortable there. They knew they had to leave.
Dianne hadn’t been back at home long when they got a call from Pilgrims — a suite was available, and it was hers if she wanted it. That’s when the family’s hospice experience took a dramatic turn.
“Before even walking in the door, we got to experience the ethos of this place,” explained Kerri, Dianne’s daughter and a home care nurse herself. “The person I talked to on the phone was so kind. He asked about my mom — who she is and what she likes. I was on the phone with him for an hour. I felt the difference right from that moment.”
Dianne arrived at Pilgrims later that night. “When we walked in and saw it for the first time, it felt like home,” remembers Kerri. “I knew this was where mom needed to be. I knew, with her here, that I could be her daughter — not a nurse, not an advocate — I could just be here with her.” “We all had tears of joy,” added Bill, Dianne’s husband.
Bill and Dianne had been married for more than 43 years. “We did everything together, including owning a business! Dianne was my sounding board for everything. She was always so gentle and caring. We weren’t married that long by accident. It takes a positive attitude and a lot of compromise.”
The family met with one of Pilgrims’ physicians the next day. “Dr. Fanous came in the morning after Mom arrived. He sat down and calmly asked us how things were going, how our experience had been so far and how Mom’s symptoms had been. We reviewed her medications, and he asked about what was important to her. He also explained what we could expect over the next few days. He was able to answer all our questions.”
And then something happened that the family wasn’t expecting at all — a visit from Pilgrims’ inhouse chef! Eating had been a struggle for Dianne for a while. She wanted to eat but didn’t have much of an appetite, and she had an aversion to certain foods and smells. “The chef asked what Dianne likes and what she doesn’t,” remembered Bill. “He created a meal plan based on her preferences so she would enjoy what she was eating for as long as she could eat. That he cared enough to do that was really special.”
But for Bill and Kerri, the most impactful part of their experience was Pilgrims’ whole-family model of care. “We talk in health care all the time about wanting to be patient-centred and family-centred,” explained Kerri. “At Pilgrims, it truly is. They walked us through the entire process and answered every question we had. I didn’t question the doctors or nurses here once. I knew that if there were a change, they would let me know what they were doing and why. When I left at night, I felt totally confident leaving my mom in their care.”
“I’m
a donor because I see the cause. You do it so right here. The care and compassion are overwhelming. The joy and love that you get here are second to none. Being here was life-changing for Dianne and for us.”
Bill felt it, too. “Of all the places you could be during your dying days, this is it. I know Dianne was happy those last few days, knowing that there was so much care and compassion surrounding her. Pilgrims has it figured out. They understand what the patient and family are going through.” Dianne was only at Pilgrims for a few days, but that was long enough to have a lasting impact on the entire family. “Being at Pilgrims took death from being a scary experience to a beautiful one,” reflected Kerri. “The process of dying can be beautiful and calm and supported. That’s what we felt here. That’s how it should be everywhere.”
Bill, now facing life on his own for the first time in over 40 years, has found comfort in Pilgrims’ grief programs. “I mentioned to a volunteer one day that I was going to have trouble once Dianne was gone because she did all the cooking. They told me about the Men’s Cooking Group, and next thing you know, I’m registered!”
Since experiencing Pilgrims’ care, Bill has become a strong supporter of Pilgrims, both personally and through the charitable foundation he works with.
For Kerri, being a donor means helping others experience care and compassion at the end of life. “It makes such a difference in terms of your grief and healing,” she explained. “If my donation helps Pilgrims support more people, what a beautiful gift that would be.”
PILGRIMS
$25/ month
Enables a grieving child to attend our Children, Teens and Families Grief Program.
$50/ month Provides soup, snacks and beverages for visiting families and friends.
$100/ month Provides enhanced staffing levels and specialized equipment for resident care.
THE SAMUELSONS
TEEING UP FOR PILGRIMS
Joy. It may not be the first emotion that comes to mind when you think of hospice care, but for Zoria Samuelson, joy is what she remembers most.
“Everyone at Pilgrims is so positive, compassionate and respectful. It’s hard to understand how they can maintain that given the work they do, but they are always happy, telling jokes and smiling. It’s everything you need when you’re facing the death of someone you love. It helps to ease the burden.”
Zoria’s husband, Neil, was diagnosed with cancer in July 2022. A plumber and gas fitter by trade, Neil was known for his strong work ethic and generous nature. He and Zoria lived in Edmonton but spent their leisure time at Pigeon Lake, where Neil took great pride in the home they built themselves, often looking around and saying, “We did good.”
As Neil’s illness progressed, the Samuelsons learned about Pilgrims Hospice Society. It was a place Neil wanted to be — a place they had heard was warm, welcoming and peaceful. With support from one of Pilgrims’ Home Visiting Hub physicians, Neil received care at home until a suite at Pilgrims became available.
“The doctor came once a week for a while. He knew Neil wanted to go to Pilgrims, but they didn’t have an opening at the time. The doctor sent Neil for a blood transfusion in the hope he could hold on long enough for a room to open up. And he did!”
Neil Samuelson moved into Pilgrims on August 3, 2023.
“The first time we came here, I was surprised. It was nice and bright. The fireplace in the lobby is very welcoming, and the suites are so spacious. I wasn’t thinking at the time that this would be the last place Neil would live, but I’m really glad it was.”
Neil spent his final month at the Roozen Family Hospice Centre. For the Samuelsons, it was a time to simply be together, free from the constant worry of caregiving. For Neil, it was a time to connect with family and friends.
“Neil had lots of visitors, which he loved. He wanted people to be able to come and visit. Even people we hadn’t seen in years came to see him. And everyone was amazed by Pilgrims.”
Neil died in September 2023 at the age of 63. He and Zoria had been married for 36 years, had two children — Brad and Sarah — and had just welcomed their first grandchild. “Pilgrims was a great place to bring our grandson, Hudson,” recalled Zoria. “It’s welcoming and calm, and you can visit any time of day that you want. I often stayed the night so I could be close to Neil, and it felt like I was being looked after, too.”
Shortly after Neil’s funeral, Zoria’s nephew suggested holding a golf tournament to raise funds for Pilgrims Hospice Society. Zoria wasn’t sure at first — Neil never liked being the centre of attention — but Neil’s love for golf (and her nephew’s enthusiasm) soon won her over.
The Neil Samuelson 1st Annual Memorial Golf Classic took place on August 2, 2024, at the Dorchester Ranch Golf Course, Neil’s favourite course near Pigeon Lake. The 114 golfers were mostly family and friends, which is precisely what Neil would have wanted — everyone coming together for a bit of fun.
The weather was perfect that day — 24 degrees and not a breath of wind — and the Samuelsons felt joy again. The joy of being together with family and friends. The joy of honouring Neil’s memory in a way he would have loved. The joy of giving back to a place that gave so much to them.
“Giving back to something I’ve experienced myself is so meaningful. I know how important Pilgrims is, and I want to make sure it continues so others can experience it too.”
With the support of donors and sponsors, raffles, a hole-in-one award and a silent auction, the Neil Samuelson 1st Annual Memorial Golf Classic raised an incredible $13,485!
The Samuelson’s story is one of love, family and generosity — a lasting legacy that lives on through every swing of a golf club, every dollar raised, and every life touched at Pilgrims Hospice Society.
THE POWER OF A FAMILY MEAL
“Food can be powerful. We all understand that these are the last meals our residents will have so it’s an honour and privilege for us to fill these last wishes and give comfort through the expression of food.”
-Chef Thomas Nguyen
FROM OUR KITCHEN
MONTE CRISTO TIRAMISU
Serves 8
Ingredients:
• 375 ml (1 1/2 cups) thickened cream (heavy or whipping cream)
• 500 g (17.5 oz) mascarpone cheese
• 66 g (1/3 cup) caster (superfine) sugar
• Zest of 1 medium orange
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 28-30 savoiardi biscuits (ladyfingers or sponge fingers)
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) orange curd or marmalade
Soaking Liquid:
• 180 ml (3/4 cup) fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp orange-flavoured liqueur (Cointreau or Grand Marnier) – optional
• 50 ml (1/4 cup) strong coffee
Directions:
• In a medium bowl, beat the cream with an electric beater to soft peak stage.
• In a separate bowl, beat the mascarpone, sugar, vanilla and 1 tbsp orange juice for 30 seconds. No longer or it may split.
• Mix in the orange zest with a spatula.
• Fold 1/3 of the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture gently so as not to knock out the air and repeat two more times until all incorporated.
• Combine the orange juice and liqueur in a bowl just big enough to fit the sponge fingers in flat.
• Quickly dip each biscuit into the soaking liquid and lay them side by side in a 9 inch square tin – roughly 14 in the first layer – press down lightly to make them all level and trim some if you need to.
• Top the cookies with half the mascarpone cream mixture, spreading it over evenly with a spatula.
• Spread the orange curd over the cream layer.
• Add another layer of savoiardi biscuits then drizzle over any remaining soaking liquid mixture.
• Pipe or spread the remaining mascarpone mixture over the top of the curd.
• Refrigerate 6 hours or overnight before serving. If you want clean slices, place in the freezer for 45-60 minutes before slicing. Make sure it’s not firm inside when you serve though as this should be a nice soft set dessert.
• Right before serving, add some orange slice quarters or zest to garnish along with some cocoa powder.
Recipe provided by Chef Thomas
- Rupi Kaur
Pilgrims Hospice Society is an independent, charitable organization. The funding we receive from Alberta Health Services provides only a base level of care.
The generosity of donors ensures that our endof-life care is free of charge. It also enhances the standard of care for our residents and their families by providing complementary services like:
These services can cost up to $8,500 per resident (on average).
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THANK YOU FOR GIVING!
Please consider making a one-time donation or join our GEM (Give Every Month) Club today. If you have questions about our funding model, call 780-413-9801 or email donations@pilgrimshospice.com.