Reflections - Winter, 2020

WINTER 2020

Your support is granting wishes for patients.

Masonic Village Hospice

Helping Students Expand Their Knowledge in End-of-Life Care There are many stigmas about hospice care. However, as those who work in hospice come to find, hospice isn’t just about death and dying. It’s about making every moment count and cherishing what’s most important in life.

Masonic Village Hospice provides internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students studying social work. It’s an opportunity for these individuals to discover what hospice is truly about while gaining experience working in end-of-life care, which is a field unlike any other. For the past few months, staff have been hosting interns Nathan Vargas, Karen Flowers and Anna Umholtz (pictured above, left to right).

“While, at times, it’s an intense experience, I’ve been able to participate in the unique opportunity hospice workers have to provide love, care and support for patients and families at critical times,” Anna said.

Outside of social work, interns are able to shadow hospice nurses, chaplains and those in administrative roles to understand how a team, made up of various professionals with different skill sets, can work together to provide a service that changes lives.

“The whole team gets to be part of each person’s journey as they collaborate, celebrate, remember and bring closure for many patients and families,” Anna said.

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All three students are inspired by the team environment created by the staff, who take their jobs to heart.

“These are all people who are willing and passionate about serving others,” Nathan said.

For the interns, working with hospice has also provided a safe place for them to personally experience the variety of emotions and discover the questions they have about the end of life.

“The staff take the time to be present with the patients and to meet their needs wherever they’re at,” Anna says.

“This makes such a difference in helping people pass in their own way. I’ve learned it’s an individual process.”

As the interns carry this experience with them in their own professional journeys (some have a new desire to work in hospice or with the geriatric population), they’ve also learned the importance of self care. “[This field] can be emotionally trying,” Karen said. “It can be emotional seeing a decline in an individual who you work with, but you also have to be a support to the family. You have to know how to care for yourself.”

“This is an incredibly resilient and caring group,” Anna said. “If I was a patient, I would want the care this team provides.”

The Game of a Lifetime For Marty Walker, watching the Philadelphia Phillies takes him back to childhood. In his family’s home outside of Philadelphia, Marty’s father’s love for the Phillies was contagious. Even at 94 years old, Marty remembers when his mother “had enough” of his father’s obsession. She told Marty’s father he had to watch his games somewhere other than in the living room. Soon after, he enclosed the family’s car port and made it into a TV room – a place where he and Marty could shut out the world.

When Masonic Village Hospice staff heard this beloved story from Marty’s childhood, they knew they had to arrange a trip for Marty to enjoy one last game. The trip was no small effort for the staff, who coordinated everything from medications to wheelchair accessible transportation.

On one September morning, the van was loaded, and Marty was on his way to see his Phillies. The sun shone during the afternoon game, where Marty enjoyed “the best” slice of pepperoni pizza and a cold beer.

“It was wonderful and beautiful,” Marty said. “I never thought I’d get there, but I made it.”

At 19 years old, Marty was shipped to Europe to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. He distinctly remembers the pain of having two nearly frozen legs and the fear of losing them. Marty was hospitalized for seven months due to his injuries. He was later awarded a Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice.

“He was the recipient of countless ‘Thank you for your service, Sir’ greetings from staff and fans,” Kevin Jacoby, hospice social worker (pictured above with Bethann Lizzi, hospice nurse), said. An usher even tracked down and presented Marty with a game ball.

A digital picture frame which flashes memories from the day sits on Marty’s night stand. On the opposite wall hangs a white board with game dates for all of his favorite sports teams, including the Phillies and the Philadelphia Eagles. The dates are written in red and green by Kevin.

“I thank God for the people who help me when I need help,” Marty said. “They couldn’t be nicer.”

Donors, you made this special moment possible for Marty, a well-deserving veteran. Thank you!

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One Mother’s Strength

A mother’s strength is unparalleled. Chad Thomas’ mother, Eileen, was no exception.

Eileen was Chad’s rock, his phone call on the way home after work in the evening.

It didn’t surprise Chad to learn that when his mother was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2013, she first thought of her family and how they would cope with the journey ahead.

“She was protective of the family and didn’t want us to worry,” Chad recalls. “No matter what she was going through, she never complained.”

Eileen always had a heart for caring for others. She was heavily involved in her church, in the lives of her eight cherished grandchildren and in her position in the registrar’s office at Gettysburg College.

“She touched the lives of so many people,” Chad recalls.

“She used to take foreign exchange students under her wing to make sure they had someone to check in on them and someplace to go during the holidays. She got so many calls from grateful students and parents.”

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As her disease progressed, Eileen had one goal in mind – to make it to her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband, Kenneth. Years of advanced treatments had taken a toll on Eileen, but she did joyfully meet her goal. Chad and his siblings, Eric and Molly, held a 50th anniversary party for their parents (pictured above), complete with a dinner and the couple’s best man in attendance.

Soon after, Eileen’s doctor informed the family that it was time to explore options for comfort care. Masonic Village Hospice was the family’s first choice.

“Even though everyone knew it was just going to be a short amount of time, hospice wanted to get to know her,” Chad said. “One night, while Dad and I were having dinner, they sat down and talked with us.”

Chad was most comforted knowing the hospice team would respect all of his mother’s wishes.

“She didn’t want to be on strong pain medication,” Chad recalls. “She didn’t like the way she felt on them, and she wanted control. Hospice talked to our family and followed those wishes. The team was there to help support us every step of the way.”

In September 2019, Chad and his family participated in a butterfly release hosted by Masonic Village Hospice. The event, which took place at a park in Lititz, included a service and a therapeutic release of more than 200 butterflies in memory of lost loved ones.

“We all deal with things differently,” Chad said, “but hospice has reached out to us a few times to ask if there’s anything they can do. I think it was great that they provided literature on how to talk to children about loss. We appreciated that.”

“It was a nice event,” Chad said. “My kids released the butterflies for our family. I work in Lititz, so over the next week, I kept seeing butterflies, which reminded me of Mom.”

The Thomases will be reminded of Eileen’s strength as they heal and move forward as a family.

Over the last few months, each member of Chad’s family has been grieving in their own way.

Thanks to you, Chad found peace in knowing that his mother’s wishes were respected at the end of her life.

Bouquet of Flowers: $15

Blanket for a Veteran: $25 Catered Meal for a Family: $75

Fill the Comfort Cart: $50 Dinner for a Couple: $50

Giving Catalog: New Items Inside View and purchase items to benefit Masonic Village Hospice online by visiting MVGivingCatalog.org.

To receive a catalog in the mail, call 1-800-599-6454, email giving@masonicvillages.org or complete and return the enclosed envelope. You can make a difference for patients and families!

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Hospice’s First Butterfly Release In September, family members, whose loved ones were cared for by Masonic Village Hospice within the past year, were invited to partake in a butterfly release. The event, which took place at a local park, featured a service performed by hospice staff and the releasing of more than 200 butterflies.

“We saw the need for a non-traditional memorial service and decided to hold the butterfly release,” Jasmine Rakszawski, hospice social worker, said. “Our hope is that it continues to be a way for families to celebrate and remember their loved ones in a meaningful, significant and unique way each year.”

Thank You Memorials

Memorials and honors received Aug. 1 - Oct. 31, 2019

MEMORIAL

DONOR

Doris A. Adams

Elaine Alexander

Martin H. Bayer

Gabriele Bayer

James A. Brecht

Lou and Rose O’Brien

Geraldine Bricker-Vaughan Bruce and Joan Howarth

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Fern E. Cathcart

Michael Cathcart

Leslie B. Chapman

Michael and Arline Rochkind

Betty L. Charles

Robert Gepert and Anne Labat-Gepert

Charles and Shirley Miller

Glenn Nauman

N. Hope Clark

Craig Dayton

Jean K. Dent

Joyce Allan

Diane Brokenshire

Marianne Grybowski

Jean K. Dent

John Leverentz

Robert and Dorothy Maschal

Kathryn H. Diffenderfer

Bob and Karen Rummell

Karen M. Dohner

Clair Dohner

Jay F. Eberly

John and Patty Baker

Martha Benner

Charles W. Boohar, Jr.

Don and Mary Anne Brubaker

Ronald and Sylvia Crawford

Mary Darrenkamp

John and Kathryn Enck

Mary Kirtley and Family

Robert Minnich

Eric Nordstrom

Bill and Sue Phifer

Kenneth and Margaret Pineda

Ronald and Joyce Pullen

Russell and Helen Whitney

Thank You Memorials

Memorials and honors received Aug. 1 - Oct. 31, 2019

MEMORIAL

DONOR

Ruth G. Emberger

Robert Emberger

Robert Henry Forney, Jr.

Kirk Bernhard and Joyce O. Zangari

Dian Feaser

Anne Ketchum

Jacob and Nancy Olweiler

Jane Severson

Dennis and Stephanie Workinger

Miriam Kay Forrey

Ferne Edmonds

Mike Greider

David E. Shafer

Robert Kauffman

Charles and Jacqueline Leddy

E. Marie Shearer

Armstrong World Industries, Inc.

Bill and Linda Sinclair

Johanne Krause

Constance (Connie) Gehman Betty Deibert

Dolores F. Shott

Thomas Shott

Bryan and Eileen Hill

E. Louise (Emily) Tumolo

Charles and Carol Curry

Ray and Pat Horn

Ralph and Elizabeth Davis

Virginia Locker

DCSA, Communication and

Deanne Molinari

Shirley Lou Thomas

Betty Deibert

Elvin and Jestena Yeagley

Patricia Eicherly

Dina M. Gibson

David and Mardell Mullaly

Elizabethtown Masonic

Norma I. Gunzenhauser

Becky Vickers-Gross

Betty L. Keeney

Albert Kenney

Robert and Marilyn Forney

Theresa Messersmith

Bertha Geib

Elizabeth Miller

Ralph, Frank, Diane, and Martha Gifford

(Bebe) Mae Rudy Kreitz

Jayne Cumiskey

Bryan and Eileen Hill

Susan Musselman

Bruce and Joan Howarth

Joyce A. Kurtz

Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home

Gerald and Pat Kemmerer

Julia Linn

and Crematory, Inc.

Customer Service Office

Village Shrine Club

John Z. Lentz

Millersville VFW Post 7294

Harry and Audrey Moseley

Edwina S. Letcher

Scotty and Jane Davis

Donald Page and Family

Angeline R. MacIntire

Scotty and Jane Davis

Richard Page and Family

Richard C. Mann

Audrey Mann

Richard and Joan Pusey

Randall (Randy) Mase

Kathy Irwin Lentz

Bill and Barbara Quinn

Robert E. McCombs

Brian McCombs

Beverly Schreadley

Thomas J. O’Donnell

Donna O’Donnell

Elvin Silvius

Gloria G. Pritsch

John Pritsch

Mary Stauffer

Fay Rauschkolb

Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home

Charles and Audrey Storm

Ellen Sunderman

Donald Hoffman

Sergei and Linda Szortyka

Darlene Placek

Tuesday Night Movie Gang

Clarke Starnes

Larry and Carol Wolford

Jenny L. Rodger

Barry and Linda Brown

Marguerite Yiengst

Barb Seabold

George L. Schmitt, Sr.

Sandy Schmitt and Family

Schmitt Family

Marg Shelley

Gretchen Woerner Peverley

and Crematory, Inc. Dolores L. Reuter

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MASONIC VILLAGE HOSPICE 98 Masonic Drive, Suite 101 • Elizabethtown, PA 17022 717-361-8449 • MasonicVillages.org/care-support/hospice

Who We Are Since 2009, Masonic Village’s trained, compassionate hospice staff have cared for thousands of patients and their families, focusing on the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients so they may complete their lives joyfully. Our hospice staff promote comfort and self-determination, enabling patients to participate in making decisions about their care.

Based in Elizabethtown, Masonic Village Hospice is pleased to offer services to patients in the comfort of their homes throughout Lancaster, Dauphin, Lebanon and Eastern York counties.

Open for Everyone.

Masonic Village Hospice does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, ancestry, national origin, familial status, age, sex, limited English proficiency (LEP) or any other protected status in admission, treatment or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment.

Masonic Village Hospice cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo.

Masonic Village Hospice iss willich, die Gsetze (federal civil rights) vun die Owwerichkeet zu folliche un duht alle Leit behandle in der seem Weg. Es macht nix aus, vun wellem Schtamm ebber beikummt, aus wellem Land die Voreldre kumme sinn, was fer en Elt ebber hot, eb ebber en Mann iss odder en Fraa, verkrippelt iss odder net.