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. 2
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! 3
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.” 4
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! 5
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.