Reflections - Fall, 2019

FALL 2019

Your support is helping families overcome loss.

Masonic Village Hospice

Making Connections

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105-year-old Florence Methlie has been the connecting link for many people throughout her lifetime. Whether she was connecting people to their loved ones via her job at the Bell Telephone Company or being the glue that held her own family together, Florence has always had a way with people.

More than a century of living gives Florence, a Masonic Village Hospice patient, quite a bit to reflect on. Like a crystal ball, when in her presence, countless individuals ask Florence for the secret to a long life. She discovered the secret to her health and longevity may be the bond she shares with her family. Raised in a family with six children, Florence took on the role of “mother” after her own mother passed away at age 56 from cancer.

This motherly love didn’t stop with one generation, and she remains close with her entire family.

“She was always there for us,” Florence’s niece, Nina Gaskill, says. “If we needed anything, Aunt Florence was the one.” Nina is the daughter of Florence’s only sister, who passed away a few years ago while receiving Masonic Village Hospice services.

Hospice staff planned a 105th birthday party for Florence, who is pictured above with her family.

Florence also credits her longevity to another of her lifelong choices. “Never run to the medicine cabinet,” she says. Florence never took medications for her ailments, unless she truly needed them. This, coupled with a steady exercise routine and a healthy diet (although she has always loved her sweets), has allowed Florence to enjoy life for more than a century.

Florence had met her husband, Charlie, at Bell. He had four sons, whom Florence had immediately grown close with. Today, she has a total of 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Each year is a great milestone for Florence, so, as age 105 approached, hospice staff knew they had to do something special to celebrate her.

However, life at 105 can be bittersweet. “It’s hard for her because she’s seen members of our family pass away, sometimes at a young age, and she wonders why it isn’t her,” Nina said. “I tell her, ‘God will take you when He’s ready.’”

Staff also knew Florence isn’t one who likes people to “make a fuss” over her, so they planned an intimate party for her friends and family to enjoy. The party was Philliesthemed, in honor of Florence’s favorite sports team, and featured chocolate cake, requested by Florence herself.

After Florence reached age 100, as expected, everyday living became difficult. She started lacking energy and an appetite. Nina and Florence’s granddaughter, Jan, began visiting Florence frequently to assist her with meals and to ensure she saw the face of a loved one each day.

“What hospice did that day was truly special,” Nina said. “They’re so good with her. I would recommend hospice to anyone. If you have a need, you should call hospice, if nothing else, to help you as a caregiver.”

When Florence’s health care providers suggested the idea of hospice to Nina, she was open to it.

“I knew what hospice was all about, since I experienced it with my mother,” Nina said. “I can’t believe the level of compassion they have. I cared for my mother and my aunt, but I’m not sure I could do it for someone I don’t know. It takes a special person, for sure.”

A family of strong faith, Florence’s loved ones do not dwell on the future. They realize her memories and the connections she has made with others will always remain.

Your support allows hospice to create moments of celebration for patients like Florence and their families.

Florence’s family believes she deserves the best quality of life. “Hospice does just that,” Nina says.

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Caring for a Caregiver

Lee Beach’s wife, Betty Jane, loved ice cream, specifically classic vanilla topped with pieces of a Snickers candy bar. She radiated positive energy and found joy in life’s littlest pleasures. As a registered nurse for more than 40 years, she also had a kind and nurturing heart. This is why Lee, upon first sight of Betty Jane, knew he’d found the one he’d spend the next 65 years chasing after.

“I was in the Air Force at the time, and Betty Jane’s nursing school invited us to a dance,” Lee recalls. “When I saw her from across the room, I knew she was the girl I was going to marry.”

One dance and six months later, they were married.

Together, the Beachs had four daughters.

“She was such a special person,” Lee said. “She had so many talents. She was intelligent, hard-working and a beautiful mother – she even hand-made our girls’ clothing. I couldn’t have asked for a better woman.”

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What made their relationship so strong and unique was the triumphs and tribulations Lee and Betty Jane faced together. They had lost one of their daughters when she was just 5 years old.

“It was just devastating,” Lee said, “but together, Betty Jane and I made it through. We used our faith. There will always be sadness, but we were able to come out of the grief together.”

Betty Jane healed by continuing to be a strong mother and example for her daughters. She began teaching Sunday school and continued her nursing career, eventually taking a management position at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown’s Masonic Health Care Center, where she worked for 16 years.

“Betty Jane just loved everyone,” Lee recalls, “and she wasn’t afraid to step in and give help where it was needed. She had the ability to know when someone needed help or when something was wrong.”

In 2008, 14 years after Betty Jane’s retirement, Lee discovered the true breadth of her talent. She was facing some unusual symptoms and knew something wasn’t quite right. Soon after, her doctor confirmed what Betty Jane had suspected. She was facing Parkinson’s disease, of which there was no cure.

Betty Jane lived with the symptoms for more than 10 years before her everyday life began to drastically change.

“I just kept on praying for her and taking care of her as best I could,” Lee recalls. “What else could I do?”

When the weight of becoming a full-time caregiver became too much for Lee, he knew hospice was the best option.

“I loved to be with her all the time,” Lee said.

“Hospice allowed me to do that. The staff were always interested in how we felt. They were a great help, even just talking with them.”

Since Betty Jane passed away in June 2018, Lee has found that hospice’s bereavement support group has given him guidance and hope. He even met a former co-worker of Betty Jane’s in the group, whom he has been able to reminisce with.

“It’s easy to get really upset in not having her, but with hospice helping me and with trusting the Lord and letting Him direct my life, I know I will be okay,” Lee said.

He has also benefited from the individual grief support sessions provided by hospice. “It’s been great,” he said. “They have even taken me out to breakfast and lunch, which is nice because I don’t have to cook.”

Lee’s grief also seems to lessen when he is surrounded by his daughters. “I still have Betty Jane because each one of our daughters has a part of her in them,” he said.

“Can you imagine three daughters loving and helping each other? It’s because of the love of Betty Jane.”

Lee with his wife, Betty Jane.

“Everything reminds me of her,” he said. Lee believes even the simplest of things can remind you of the one you love.

At Betty Jane’s celebration of life, her family paid tribute to her love for the little things. After outlining the service, the program read: “Join the family in the cafeteria for her favorite food – ice cream.”

“I still talk to her a lot,” Lee says. “I just know I’m going to spend eternity with her.”

Thanks to donors who give to Masonic Village Hospice in memory of their loved one or just because they are touched by our mission, Lee is able to benefit from bereavement support services at no charge.

Each morning since June 2018, Lee sends a text to his daughters, who are located in different states, through a group message. While the messages may vary, he makes sure to send a scripture and tell his girls to have a great day and that he loves them. While Betty Jane is no longer a physical part of their lives, her memory is continuing to keep the family close.

One of the most difficult challenges for Lee has been living alone in the home he once shared with Betty Jane.

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Staff Unite in the Fight Against Cancer Through fundraising efforts, like bingo and basket raffles, the Masonic Village Hospice team raised $15,647 for the 2019 Relay for Life of Lancaster, benefiting the American Cancer Society.

caregivers who are traveling for treatment. During the Relay for Life, an 18-hour walk, staff took to the track for the caregiver lap and purchased luminary lanterns in honor of loved ones and patients affected by cancer.

The donation will help the American Cancer Society provide free information sessions for those diagnosed with cancer, rides to and from treatment, wigs, personalized care kits and lodging for patients and

Hospice staff are already beginning to plan their involvement in next year’s event, committed to finding a cure in honor and memory of family, friends and past patients.

Letters of Love from Family Members

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We consider ourselves very fortunate to have had you provide service for our father at the Mennonite Home. It was very important to keep him in his familiar environment, and your service allowed that to happen ... You provide an invaluable service to persons who are in their final days of life, and you assist families through this process so well.”

Mother was tenderly cared for by what our family experienced as an extraordinary team of caregivers. We honor their ministry to Mother and to us. Hospice was instrumental in allowing her to end her earthly life with dignity and in peace. We are deeply grateful.”

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Thank you for all the kind work and support you give your patients and their families … I know when my mother passed away a few years ago, I would have never gotten through it without the hospice staff support that I was given.”

We cannot thank you enough for your caring and support offered to [my mother] and us. She spoke so fondly of all of you, so we knew she was in good hands.”

Thank You Memorials

Memorials and honors received May 1 - July 31, 2019

MEMORIAL

DONOR

Robert L. Batdorf

Combined Generations Class

Jay F. Eberly

Glenna Book

Anna May G. Ebersole

Audrey Daggett

Betty Huffman

Doris Longenecker

Gary and Debbie Morris

Melvin and Diane Snyder

Sandra Taylor

Bernadine V. Glosser

Dennis and Brenda Loveless

Robert P. Grogan

Scot and Lisa Conway

Paul and Dolores Buckley Family

Four Sisters Enterprises, LLC:

Harry and Chris Habecker

Grace M. Plumbo

Susan Lentz

Michael Mercurio

Michael and Joy Milligan

Willliam E. Riggle

Kegel’s Produce

Stanley H. Roth

Marlene Roth

William C. Rowland

Dorothyann Rowland

James P. Sabatino

Barbara Collura

Sabatino Family

Albert H. Shader

Ralph and Elizabeth Davis

David E. Shafer

Brian Jackson

Michelle Koser

Alison Shafer

Michael and Lynn Shafer

Madeline Romano and Julie

Richard and Eileen Wise

Raymond A. Simpson

Bill and Kathy Cooke and Many

Charles and Carol Curry

Robert and Margie Gregoire

Warren and Helen Heidelbaugh

Second District Volunteer

John R. Swarr

Brian and Chris Anderson

Dave and Marsha Gallo

Devera Kazmerski

Bern and Linda Weisser

Nancy B. Tondora

Lisa and Sekhar Ramaswamy

Jay P. Williams

Vicki Gillmore

Don White

Matt and Sharon Wolniak

Nick and Trudi Zandes

Pamela Jane Wilson

Scott and Megan Clark

Walborn and Family

Friends in Southern Maryland

Joyce Dunkelberger-Maher, Doris Dunkelberger,

Thomas J. O’Donnell

Norma Dunkelberger, Jane Dunkelberger-Long

Don and Shirley Miller

RE/MAX Pinnacle

Mary Shaud

Elaine W. Hammer

Teresa Arment

Craig and Patti Hammer

James and Nancy Hammer

Robert and Wendy Hammer

Bob and Gail Harker

Warren and Helen Heidelbaugh

William and Linda Montgomery

Larry and Carol Wolford

Clyde H. Herr

Edwin and Mary Garman

Dean and Martha Otto

Beverly White

Constance M. Light

Ralph and Elizabeth Davis

Richard C. Mann

Audrey Mann

Eileen McNiff

HE&R Legal Team and Executive Committee

Kathy Jeffrey

Chuck and Debbi Oswald

Ann Rafferty and Family

Robert D. McRedmond

Wilsbach Distributors, Inc.

Carla J. Menchey

Nancy Shaffer

Ann E. Miller

Jim and Molly Miller

Kathryn M. Naugle

Alan Hostetler

Jeff, Karen and Nanette Strickland

Stanley Ober

Hondru Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/

Fire Department and Rescue Squad

James Criswell

Phyllis Dechene

Donna Lang

Mike and Pat Minick

Ryan and Mandy Minick

Shawn and Nicki Minick

Walter and Brenda Rank

Joel, Steph, Colton and Cara Shank

David and Linda Stapler

Honors HONOR

DONOR

Hope Clark

Craig Dayton

Ram of Elizabethtown

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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.