Marga Oligney was always active and independent, spending her time as a volunteer for the local food pantry and as a poll worker during elections after her career as a bookkeeper for a car dealership. But at 93, Marga’s health was failing and when Dr. Watson suggested that it was time for hospice care, Marga and her daughter, Ellen Jodway, turned to McLaren Home Care and Hospice, Alpena. Ellen recently honored the caregivers there with a gift from Marga’s estate to recognize the compassion and kindness that was demonstrated throughout her mom’s experience. “They always helped me to understand exactly what was going on, especially when I couldn’t be there with her,” says Ellen. “They presented options and, more importantly, treated her with dignity and respect.” Ellen honored multiple caregivers as “Guardian Angels” with her gift; Kelly Thomas, Social Worker, Rochelle Kania and Tracy Bunker, Hospice Nurses, Robert Coen, Chaplain, and Dale Letzow, Hospice Aide.
After a hospice experience, families often ask, “How can we ever thank you for the care that you provided?” It’s easy: giving back honors your loved one and supports other families, which is all the thanks we need.
Family members give back in many ways. Some volunteer, some make donations, and some include a gift in a will or estate plan to help future patients and family members. This last option doesn’t affect today’s assets and accomplishes the goals of recognizing compassionate care and giving back.
When you give to McLaren Home Care and Hospice, you help us continue to enrich lives. Contributions to McLaren Home Care and Hospice, a 501c3 non-profit corporation, are tax-deductible as allowable by law. For more information about contributing today, or about including a gift in your will or estate plan, please call McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation at 231-487-3500.