Working in Hospice is a calling. You may not know it when you start, but in time if you are meant to work in Hospice, it becomes such a part of you, that no matter what else you may do in your life, you never forget that Hospice experience.
My own journey started in 1994 when a special position was created for me to be a Hospice Bereavement Coordinator. I provided bereavement services and ran a bereavement support group for persons who had lost their loved ones. For the next 25+ years, I facilitated bereavement support groups in hospice, hospitals, churches, and social service agencies. During part of that time, I was also a social worker and chaplain in hospice. There were several women who were mentors, role models, and teachers for many of us.
The first for me was SR. Teresa McIntier RN, MS, CSJ. I participated in 30 hours of training with her when I began, and which became the foundation of all my future griefwork. My favorite story about her which she told on herself was: “A man came up to me one time and asked me, “So, Sister, what is Heaven like?” In her usual blunt and direct style, she replied, “How should I know?! I haven’t been there yet!”
Her three-phase Grief Model was the most straightforward, user-friendly, and easy to understand that I have ever found. It formed the basis of my griefwork and a Model I have developed. Her Model and SR. herself were also the inspiration for my own book on healing the loss of a loved one before, after, and beyond the loss. (Still in progress). For years in Phoenix, SR. Teresa provided bereavement services and death education for hospices, bereavement professionals, and the grieving through her work in Catholic Charities. She was a founding member and faculty for the American Academy of Bereavement, helped found New Song Center for Grieving Children, and received numerous awards. She ended her 70+ year career with Catholic Cemeteries. She touched countless lives with her love, compassion, plain spokenness, humor, and humility.
Judy Wineland, who you were introduced to last week, was originally from Wisconsin. She always had a practical, down-to-earth approach to life, interjected with a joyous, infectious laugh, sense of humor, and deep faith which permeated all areas of her life.
In middle age, Judy earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work. She became a Hospice Social Worker and never looked back. She helped countless hospice patients and their families solving problems, getting resources, providing support, and being present along with other staff at the time of dying and death. She loved taking new social workers under her wing. Judy also never burned bridges with former employers, a core value she lived by.
Judy was also instrumental in founding a Hospice Staff of the Year Award, as well as a Community Service Award. SR Teresa was the first recipient of this award and for once, was at a loss for words! The award then bore her name thereafter.
Next week you will meet another Hospice Heroine, “Hospice Queen” Jerene Meierle, who we lost just last week, and whose extraordinary life not only touched so many of us, but who mentored us, and helped us launch our various careers in Hospice and beyond!
I invite you this week to remember someone in your life who has been your mentor, guide, supporter!
Blessings,
Carolyn
