contracted from a long ago blood transfusion. Her sudden ineligibility for a transplant stemmed from the recent development of cancerous tumors. Based on medical experience, in all likelihood those cancerous cells would attack a new liver thereby making the transplant useless.
Pat, who in my mind was the most beautiful person in the world, was an angel in our midst. She was loving, kind, gracious, nurturing, compassionate and always non-judgmental and looked for the good in her fellow man. I would like to believe some of those qualities had a positive influence on my own hardheaded behavior.
Pat passed away one month after being deemed ineligible for a transplant. As the onset of the tumors and her passing were quite sudden, hospice was not utilized. Had circumstances been different, there could well have been a need for hospice care. Nevertheless, the bereavement services offered to the community by Community Hospice provided a valuable support structure and were used by my family.
After the immediate shock of Pat's passing and subsequent dealings with estate matters, I awoke one morning with the desire to do something that would create a lasting memorial to her life. While losing Pat was the impetus, I also wanted to honor my parents who had instilled in me a sense of monetary values that ultimately resulted in the ability to fund a planned gift. About this time, my daughter, Stacey, who was participating in a bereavement group, told me of the capital campaign in support of the Alexander Cohen Hospice House.
The appeal of a tangible structure that would provide lasting service to the local community plus provide the opportunity to memorialize my wife and parents were important factors in my decision. Further discussions with my family, Hospice staff, my attorney and CPA solidified the decision to create a short-term charitable remainder trust with Community Hospice Foundation as the beneficiary.
That action coupled with the benefits received from participation in a bereavement support group ultimately led to my further involvement with Community Hospice as a board member of the Foundation.
From a personal perspective, this ongoing association with a sincere and dedicated group of board members, staff and volunteers has been a vital part of the healing process connected with the loss of a loved one. After observing the construction and ultimate completion of the Hospice House, we can still drive by and get a sense of peace in knowing that a bit of Pat's spirit and character lives and will be perpetuated through the dignity and services provided by Community Hospice.
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