Reflections - Spring 2021

MASONIC VILLAGE HOSPICE

SPRING 2021

Your Gifts Are Supporting Spouses Through Grief

A Love So Special

Vernon Witmer met the love of his life, Doris, at a Saturday night fire hall dance.

“She was a very sweet person,” Vernon said. “I enjoyed being with her.”

His favorite thing about Doris was the way she treated others.

“She was definitely a people person,” Vernon said.

He remembers one day, he and Doris were in a crowd of people.

He looked back, and she had struck up a conversation with someone.

“My brother asked her if she knew the person,” Vernon recalled. “She said, ‘No, we just met.’ We couldn’t believe it.”

In her early years, Doris taught Sunday school for 3- and 4-yearolds. Vernon and Doris had two sons together, but unfortunately, one of their sons passed away too soon.

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“I can remember when we got to the hospital,” Vernon said. “They sent us to a little room and told us. It was hard on us. Doris said, ‘Your child isn’t supposed to die before you.’”

that she wouldn’t get that kind of care anywhere else, and I believe it.”

In Vernon’s opinion, that’s what makes a love so special, surviving the best and worst of days together.

“I can remember her peeking out the door from her bed and waving to me,” he said. “We still loved each other so much.”

The Witmers faced another challenge when Doris began experiencing health problems – complications with diabetes and a progressive heart condition.

“It got to the point where I couldn’t care for her anymore, even though I wanted to,” Vernon said.

He remembered Masonic Village, as Doris had received rehabilitation care there. A short while later, Doris began receiving hospice care within the Masonic Health Care Center.

“I was relieved,” Vernon said. “A family friend from church told me I was lucky to have her where she was,

For months, Vernon would visit Doris every day.

Vernon appreciated the love and care the Hospice team provided Doris.

“I was impressed with them,” Vernon said. “They knew what they were doing and how to care for her.

Sometimes, someone from Hospice would just come in and visit with her.”

As it became more difficult to encourage Doris to eat, Hospice began educating Vernon on what to expect as his wife neared the end of life.

“I appreciated that, and it was helpful,” Vernon recalled. “Even though she had health issues for a while, Hospice encouraged me that it was OK to still be upset.”

One evening, Vernon visited Doris after church.

“She wasn’t paying much attention to me,” Vernon said, “and I could tell her breathing was labored.”

When Vernon left the room, Doris passed away.

For the last year and a half, Vernon has continued to live his life the best he can without Doris.

group began asking him questions, he opened up.

“Once I got to talking, I shared a lot of my memories of Doris,” Vernon said.

One of his favorites was when they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

“I miss her every day,” Vernon said, “but I’ve been able to function, to go on and do what I have to do for myself.”

“We had a party in the basement of our church,” Vernon said. “We had our friends and family there. It was really special.”

Prior to COVID-19, Vernon was able to attend some of Hospice’s bereavement support group sessions.

Vernon’s son, two grandsons and one great-grandson (due in April) continue to provide him with joy.

“I enjoyed the group,” Vernon said. “Heidi [Young, bereavement coordinator] is a very nice person. It’s a pleasant experience. You can talk or you can just sit and listen.”

“My son calls me every morning on his way to work,” Vernon said. “Hospice helped our family. Hospice isn’t something you necessarily want to think about, but I would recommend them to any family caring for a loved one.”

Vernon felt guarded at first, but once members of the

Planned Giving Made Easy with New Website Masonic Charities’ Office of Gift Planning has created a new website to offer resources to help you with your tax and estate planning and to offer some ideas for you to consider if you are thinking about making a gift in support of Masonic Village Hospice. We appreciate your support in keeping our mission thriving with your legacy gifts!

Do you need help planning? All gifts, large or small, now or in the future, make a meaningful impact for the future of Hospice and our patients.

If you are thinking about creating or updating a Will or trust, we can help. We have a number of free tools available on the new website

to assist you in creating a plan that reflects your goals and dreams.

No matter the size of your estate, everyone needs a plan for the future.

A plan helps to ensure your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are well cared for after you are gone.

If you are like most people, chances are, you need to do some planning, or at least update the plans you already have in place. By adding a few simple words in your Will or trust, your gifts will make an impact for generations to come by helping us provide compassionate care to those at the end of life. It’s easy. Here's how:

Create a meaningful legacy with a gift in your Will or trust. You can begin planning online.

Creating your plan is easier than ever before when you use the online Wills Planner available on our new website. Organize your family, estate information and goals using the secure system. When finished, you may share your information with an online attorney to complete your Will or trust plan. If you have questions, information can be shared through the system so we may better assist you.

To get started, please visit our website: MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org.

Or, call 1-800-599-6454 to have the Wills Planner mailed to you.

MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org 3

As Sweet as Pie Some may think butterscotch pie is overly sweet, but to Juanita Keesey’s late husband, Dave, there was nothing better. Juanita made the beloved dessert for Dave’s birthday each year.

One year, she accidentally dropped the entire pie in his lap while presenting it to him. It didn’t ruin the day, as the Keeseys always believed in “laughing it off.”

“He was a very kind man,” Juanita said.

“He was just a very gentle person.”

Dave owned his own TV repair business, and Juanita handled everything behind the scenes.

“He loved to be with people and talk to people,” Juanita said. “I’d have to keep him on track.”

The Keeseys shared a beautiful life and raised four daughters together, which was one of their proudest accomplishments.

Dave was a man of strong faith, and as the Keeseys grew older, he knew Masonic Village was were God intended them to be.

“We met so many people here,” Juanita said.

She remembers when Dave started a Bible study on campus.

“Our doctor on campus said he was having trouble scheduling appointments for Mondays,” Juanita recalled. “He said the residents didn’t want to miss Dave’s Bible study.”

When Dave’s congestive heart failure worsened, the Keeseys began receiving personal care at Masonic Village. They felt blessed to have a suite big enough for them to share.

One year later, as Dave became a little more quiet and reserved, Juanita knew his health was declining.

“His body was failing, and I knew he was frustrated by that,” Juanita said.

Thankfully, Hospice was able to ease the pain for Dave while supporting Juanita.

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“Hospice was very kind and very helpful,” Juanita said. “They knew how to talk to Dave and how to soothe him. He lit up when they walked in the room.”

After Dave passed away, Hospice staff visited Juanita several times.

“I realized that I did a lot of my grieving when Dave’s health was declining,” Juanita said, “but I appreciated all the support and information they gave me and my girls.”

Juanita had witnessed the passing of loved ones before, but it was different with her husband of 64 years.

“My nature is more quiet and reserved,” she said. “Dave was kind of like my alter ego, but I’m learning how to adjust.”

Juanita has faced loneliness due to COVID-19 restrictions, but tries to remain positive and looks forward to the day she can be with her family and friends again, without worry.

“The bad is all part of life,” Juanita said. “I try to look for the good. Dave could stay near me while Hospice was caring for him, and that was the biggest blessing.”

Some might say a blessing as sweet as pie.

Meet Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Angela Ortiz After college, Angela became a music therapist at Masonic Village. For eight years, she enjoyed witnessing first-hand the impact music had on residents who were receiving memory care and support.

Angela now hopes to use her experience as a “tool box” to pull from when it comes to thinking of new roles and educational opportunities for Hospice volunteers.

While COVID-19 has stopped all of Hospice’s volunteer opportunities, Angela is excited to meet the volunteers when the time is right.

Angela Ortiz has always loved music and believes in the power it has to lift someone’s spirits. In fact, music led Angela to her new position as Hospice’s volunteer coordinator.

In 2011, Angela completed an internship with a hospice program while earning her bachelor’s degree in music therapy.

“I quickly became aware of how important hospice care was for the patients, but also for their loved ones,” Angela said. “Since then, I have always felt a strong pull to continue my work with hospice in whatever capacity possible.”

“I would love to share what I’ve learned with volunteers to enhance their experience and support their efforts to provide meaningful and creative engagement opportunities for our patients,” Angela said.

It’s Angela’s hope to build the volunteer program and increase the amount of volunteers who visit patients outside of Masonic Village.

For anyone considering volunteering with Hospice, Angela has many words of encouragement.

“We have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities that suit many different interests,” she said. “They can range from bringing your animal to visit with patients to playing music or simply taking a patient outside on a nice day and reminiscing.”

In addition to meeting the volunteers, Angela is looking forward to building relationships with her co-workers.

“Everyone has been very welcoming to me,” Angela said. “I always knew the strength of the Hospice team. I’m excited to be part of it and to bring my past experience and new ideas to the group.”

If you’re interested in making a difference through Hospice’s volunteer program, contact Angela at 717-367-1121, ext. 33024, or visit MasonicVillageHospice.org/volunteer.

“Spending time with those at the end of life can be incredibly rewarding,” she said. “The experiences and relationships you gain are life-changing.”

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Thank You to Our Donors Memorials

Gifts received Nov. 1, 2020 - Jan. 31, 2021

MEMORIAL

Margaret “Peggy” Adams Bessie T. Amour Helen M. Arnold Carol O. Barkley Martin H. Bayer Naomi E. Beiler

Archie W. Bethard Virginia L. Boyd Sandy Breckenmaker Clyde E. Burkholder Robert J. Butcavage Fern E. Cathcart Miriam J. Coyne Ralph C. Davis Anna K. Deik

William Fatzinger J. Gordon and Joyce Fenstermacher Dwight and Mary Fetterhoff G. Emory Freet, Jr. Grace M. Frishkorn Rudolf and Marg Galli J. Miriam Gibble William H. Gibson Sam Goldstein William K. Grosh

William P. Hannum, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Harding Eva S. Hardy Roseann M. Jones Jack H. Kelley Lois P. Kiegel Kathleen L. Kuhn Edwina S. Letcher Harry K. Longenecker Alma H. Madenford Mary Jane McDowell

Mona S. Murray Richard M. Musser

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DONOR

Ron and Ardee Adams Richard and Kathleen Amour Palmer Arnold and Joann McGurk John Barkley Gabi Bayer Saxton and Stump Yvonne Miller Dianne Bethard Janet Brandt Alan Breckenmaker Kenneth and Katherine Burkholder Betty Deibert Michael and Barbara Cathcart Virginia Leidich Betty Deibert Cynthia and Richard Deik Robert and Mary Anne Deik Larry and Nancy Webster Karen Miller Donna Robinson Kay Freet Cynthia and Richard Deik Marina Galli Karen Nolt Patricia Thompson Philip Goldstein Denise and Kevin Brumbach Nancy Wenger Shirley Hannum Mike and Joan Kauffman Harold Hardy Edmund and JoAnn Jones Joan Kelley Dave and Judy Kurtz Tom Kuhn Gary and Shirley Letcher Doris Longenecker Douglas Madenford Donegal Chapter No. 422 O.E.S. Family of Mary Jane McDowell Carlet McKain Marge and Ken Pineda Joseph and Barbara Murphy John Musser

Anita L. Pence Thomas W. Pfahler, Jr. Beatrice K. Phillips Arwyn Potter Mary J. Purcell Dorothy E. Reifsnyder Paul A. Remaly Rose Resanovich Arline R. Rochkind Shirley M. Sagerer

George L. Schmitt, Sr.

Samuel G. Seinberg Suzanne M. Shankroff

Shirley L. Shay Robert K. Sloan Blanche D. Smith Roland J. Snyder

Roland J. Snyder Arthur L. Sowers

Arnold Stackhouse Bud and Peg Starr James “Jim” Steely

Michael H. Suydam

Karen L. Swope Mary Jane Trout Emily Louise Tumolo

Michael and Sarah Pence Nancy Pfahler John Phillips Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. Judy Scharf Susan Ostermueller Dorothy Remaly Marie Bowman Judy Scharf Marlene Arnst Roxanne and Donald Geib Sandy Ober Gus and Pat Sager Susan Williams Sandra Schmitt Marg Shelley Hobart and Gerri Seinberg Brock and Helen Brockman Dwight and Lorna Davis Thomas Davis Diane Griffiths Susan Loehr Allan and Mary Newstadt Butch Read and Dave Rudisill John Musser Edna Sloan Arthur and Dorothy Wert Kenneth and Janet Burd Betty Deibert Judy Gragg Scharf Judy Gragg Scharf Alta Sowers Elsie Stackhouse Shirley Starr Anthony and Pamela Casciani Betty Deibert Paul Eshenaur Terry and Barbara Miller Harry and Audrey Moseley Vaughn Terrinoni Diane Houser Ken Rice Kathleen Suydam Ronald Swope Susan Trotta Spergel Scott and Susan Zerr

Mary L. Walter John Robert Weaver

John Musser John and Mindy Elmer Leslie Grahn Gretchen Greene Virginia Jones Maryland Foreign Language Association Walter and Patricia Musselman Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

Cindee and David Saska and Family

Wayside Publishing ID Team Earl Wenrich Alan Breckenmaker Carroll Robert “Bob” Wentz, Jr. Cathy Wentz Carl and Neda Mae Wert Terence and Joyce Wert Henry M. Wildasin Ann Wildasin Jay P. Williams Linda Williams G. Ronald Winger Carole Gibbons Judith B. Wollenhaupt Sam and Lois DeMore

Jere and Myrna Fridy

Janet Hestor

Joanne Hickl

Joan Lacy Janet W. Yost Susan Trotta Spergel

Hospice’s Wish List Item

Cost Per Item

Ticket to a baseball game

$13

Trip to a local diner

$20

Trip to a local restaurant

$50

Gift card for grocery deliveries

$75

Transportation costs

$100

Visit to a local spa

$100

Fill the comfort cart for families staying with a dying loved one

$100

Massage/Aromatherapy for a patient

$100

Week at the shore for a patient and their family

$1,500

Honors

Gifts received Nov. 1, 2020 - Jan. 31, 2021

HONOR

Debra Novinger Donald L. Yost

DONOR

William P. Spence Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. Susan Trotta Spergel

Wish List Contributors Gifts received Nov. 1, 2020 - Jan. 31, 2021

DONOR

Carl W. and Terry L. Dunbar George W. Friedline, II Eileen H. Hill Joan D. Kelley Michael P. and Sarah M. Pence Dorothy A. Remaly Larry K. and Nancy L. Webster

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MASONIC VILLAGE HOSPICE 98 Masonic Drive, Suite 101 • Elizabethtown, PA 17022 717-361-8449 • MasonicVillageHospice.org

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.