Four Squamish volunteers were awarded Honorary Lifetime Membership by the Sea to Sky Hospice Society.
On the first anniversary of its operation in the Fall of 2020, the board has honoured Gloria Healy, Pauline McNeney, Hazel Giese and Dr. Judith Fothergill for their contribution to the hospice.
Nicole Carothers, the Program Director for hospice, called the four women incredible inspirations.
“They have inspired me so much with their unwavering commitment to others. I have learned so much from working with them; humour, humility, and hard work. These women performed countless hours of service and yet made it look easy due to their knowledge, wisdom and passion,” she said.
Gloria Healy, a former Director of Nursing at Squamish General Hospital, was part of the original founding Hospice Board from 1991 to 2003. Healy worked diligently on everything from policy, programs, and fundraising to supporting the mission of providing supportive care and dignity to those facing end of life.
Although Healy retired in 2019, she continues to work as a fundraising volunteer, making her the longest-standing active volunteer with nearly 30 years of engagement.
“We are grateful to Gloria for her calm leadership and dedication to her community,” Carothers said.
Pauline McNeney joined the Squamish Hospice Society Board in 2008 as treasurer and held that volunteer role through 2019. She actively supported fundraising initiatives that have always been the primary source of funding for hospice programs.
Through McNeney, the Hospice Society was able to engage her husband Bill McNeney, and the two quickly became pillars of their fundraising team.
“They were instrumental supporters of the Capital Campaign that brought dedicated end-of-life care and respite beds to the Sea to Sky Corridor,” Nicole said.
Hazel Giese joined the Board as a founding member of the Hospice Society rebirth in 2006. As a former head nurse at Squamish General Hospital, Hazel was closely attuned to the end-of-life experience and deeply understood the importance of dignity and care for patients and families during that time.
Giese worked with a volunteer committee to create an extensive and informed volunteer training manual, which remains a valued piece of the 30-hour volunteer training program.
As with all of the original Board Members, Giese supported the Hospice Society’s development by playing many roles, and continues to serve the society in many ways.
Dr. Judith Fothergill also joined the Hospice Society Board during its rebirth in 2006 as the Palliative Care Physician lead. She advocated for people with life-limiting illness.
Dr. Fothergill worked to raise awareness about palliative care facilitating an end-of-life care education series sponsored by the Practice Support Program of the Doctors of BC and presented to physicians throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor.
She also worked diligently as the Lead for Sea to Sky Community Hospice, to bring the Hospice Society’s long-term dream to have designed end-of-life and respite care beds in the corridor to fruition.
“The Sea to Sky Hospice Society board was pleased to recognize the contributions of these four long-term volunteers. End-of-life and bereavement care in the corridor would look much different if it wasn’t for their vision and dedication,” said Jennifer Dunkin, Board Chair of the hospice society.
