"When I first heard of the Aroostook House of Comfort, I was living downstate, and my sister shared her enthusiasm for the venture. I was grateful that this option, where these hospice services were so badly needed, was going to be available for my home community. My sister was fully engaged in doing what she could to see this become a reality. She took joy and peace in putting together the children's room in the AHOC, stitching together quilts to be used on the patients' beds, and sitting down with Nancy and Rick Duncan to gather the information needed to write the story of the 'Dream to Reality.' This endeavor was important to her, she was a breast cancer survivor and knew there might be a day where she needed hospice care. Once the AHOC was open, she was clear that if/when the time came, her wish was to be cared for within the comfort of the AHOC. She peacefully passed on within the comforting walls of the AHOC in 2020. This happened during the COVID-19 shutdown, and getting into the House to see her meant a different protocol. Still the volunteers and staff somehow made it feel as it should, peaceful, supportive and with complete compassion and empathy for what we were individually were going through. The care they provided to my sister allowed her to exit this earth without her greatest fear, being in pain. On the last day of my sister's life, I brought our 93-year-old mother in to see her; the staff so clearly and compassionately explained to Mom that her firstborn was in her end-of-life stages. I was amazed and so appreciative of how well they explained to Mom what to expect and helped her somehow peacefully accept what she had adamantly been in denial about.
My sister was the first of three significant women in my life to pass away peacefully within the walls of the AHOC. At 95 years old, Mom was ready to move on to the next phase of her journey. Mom also had been very clear that when her time came, she wished for it to occur at the AHOC. Mom spent one night in the hospice room at the hospital over the weekend, but with the expedient attention of the AHOC, she was transported to the House on Monday morning. We were able to get through to her that she was at the AHOC, and the peace that washed over her was physically evident. She did not have one second of discomfort, physically or emotionally, until she took her last breath two days later.
A year later, again, due to the diligence of the AHOC, we were able to move my mother-in-law from a Memory Care unit downstate into the AHOC. She was in the deep clutches of Alzheimer's, and her deepest desire had always been to get back home to The County. The moment they got her out of the transport at the AHOC, I was there to let her know that she was finally home. The sun shone on her, and a smile that melted my heart appeared on her face. Over the next week, the staff of the AHOC carefully tended to her needs, especially those of us who were with her. I strongly believe that because of their ability to make her comfortable and peaceful, we were able to share moments of connection with her, a blessing I will forever be grateful to have had.
I am a family member who gratefully contributed to memorial stones and attended the Remembrance Way celebrations. This program provided me with an honorable way to memorialize these significant, loved ladies. When I learned of Pam and Frank Hallet passing on the torch for the work they have put into this wonderful program, I was grateful to have found the place where I, too, could give back to a mission for which I am so grateful. Though it will sadden me to reach out to families that have lost a loved one, I can only hope that they, too, feel the enormity of what the House and the Staff so compassionately offer during a very challenging time. I hope that the Memorial Way can provide them with a way to memorialize their loved one in an honorable and charitable way."
- Sue Yerxa
