As part Talbot Hospice’s year-long 40^th Anniversary celebration, thirty banners are currently displayed throughout downtown Easton. Each banner was sponsored by a member of the community to honor a loved one who was cared for by Talbot Hospice. There are also banners recognizing Talbot Hospice founders who have passed away.

About Talbot Hospice

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at www.talbothospice.org.

On January 22, 2021, Talbot Hospice gratefully received a check for $64,206 from the Friends of Hospice from their 35^th Annual Festival of Trees Event.  Festival of Trees leaders and volunteers overcame the challenges presented by COVID-19 and hosted another successful event to support Talbot Hospice and the patients and families it serves. Since its founding in 1986, the Festival of Trees has raised more than $3.5 million for Talbot Hospice.

Pictured are Dana McGrath, Midge Menzies, Leslie Ware, Chris Chekouras, Brenda Forbes Butler, Sheila Monahan and Mia Cranford.

About Talbot Hospice

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at www.talbothospice.org.

“Thanks to the amazing team at Talbot Hospice, my dad and I were able to be husband and daughter and not just caregivers to my mom.”

That’s the way Kelly Griffith described the care her mother, Nancy Nolan, received at The Eleanor K. Koons Hospice House during her final months of life. Kelly, who is Superintendent of Talbot County Public Schools, told how her mom came to Talbot Hospice and how she flourished there.

“We thought she had only a week to live when she came to Hospice on April 27, 2016, but she got better.” Her mother, Nancy, survived another four months until August 20th

When Nancy improved, Kelly and her dad, Jim Nolan, wondered if they had made a premature, wrong decision. Local physician Dr. Rob Sanchez told them her mom’s case was not unique. “We see a lot of patients get better when they come to Hospice.”

Nancy’s journey to Hospice was preceded by three bouts of breast cancer over nearly 20 years. Repeated radiation and chemotherapy had taken its toll. In December, 2015, she had experienced headaches and balance problems. By February, 2016, the cancer had spread to her brain and lungs. Nancy was too tired for more treatments. “The Lord is ready for me,” she said.

Kelly was driving 50 miles most nights to Dover, Delaware—where Nancy and Jim lived—to cook dinner, help care for her mom at night, then drive back the next morning to her demanding superintendent’s job in Easton.

Then, her dad, Jim fractured his back while helping Nancy get back to bed. Kelly knew it was time to do something different. After a fellow Rotary Club member shared that a room was available at Hospice House, Kelly made the call.

“My dad was impressed with the cleanliness, a private room and all the services,” Kelly said. The next day, Nancy moved in. “I knew it was the right decision.”

That began a four-month stay at The Eleanor A. Koons Hospice House. Jim moved in with Kelly and her husband, Barry, who at that time lived in Wye Mills, a lot closer than Dover. He would visit his wife every day at Hospice; then Kelly would come over for lunch and dinner and spend the evening. Jim and Nancy watched old movies together and he read from the Bible. An early riser, Jim sometime would come as early as 5:30 am. “Hospice House is always accessible,” Kelly noted. She recalled that her youngest son, Wyatt, often would work out at the YMCA but instead of doing an aerobic routine on the treadmill “he’d run over, all sweaty, to Hospice to visit his grandmother,” Kelly said. Her other two sons, Jake and Brady, also visited often.

“Mom enjoyed the activities here and most days would visit every room to see if they had gotten flowers,” Kelly recalled.

But most of all, Kelly said, the staff was wonderful. “They take care of their patients 24-7 so we can spend time quality time with our loved one.”

“The trained nurses, skilled aides and volunteers did everything—taking mom to the bathroom, dressing her, giving the family updates on her illness, counseling us and all the while showing great patience and love,”Kelly said.

“If mom wanted some pudding,” Kelly recalled, “the staff would go get it.”

Kelly said every one of the staff and volunteers was outstanding. Mary Jane Meintzer, registered nurse and quality improvement coordinator was great, she said. Rev. Gil Anderson, a volunteer, counseled her dad and helped him deal with the difficult situation, Kelly recalled.

During Nancy’s Hospice stay, she and Jim celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Two volunteers, Steve and Anne Slack, offered to cook the meal of her choice for the occasion. They also told Nancy she could invite four couples from Dover to join them, which they did. Nancy’s choice was clams linguini. “Red or white sauce?”  she was asked. “Red,” Nancy replied firmly. The night of the big dinner, Nancy had forgotten, and asked for white sauce. The Slacks provided both, and everyone had a little of both so they wouldn’t run out.

Kelly and her family, most of all her mom Nancy, felt very comfortable at Talbot Hospice. The staff arranged for musicians to come in and play in the hall for the patients. The rooms and halls were decorated with colorful artwork, some of it donated by art teachers and their students from the local public schools. “Mom really enjoyed the artwork, which brightened up the space.”

“This is a classy place,” Kelly said. “Even the meals are served on china every night. They help our loved ones to die with dignity.”

By Jack Batty

Jack Batty is a member of the Board of Directors of Talbot Hospice

Note: Talbot Hospice cared for Nancy prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The entire team at Talbot Hospice has continued to provide the best possible care for all of their patients and families, however some of the activities mentioned in this story aren’t currently available due to COVID-19 guidelines.

Talbot Hospice is pleased to welcome Peter Gallagher and Dr. Michael Fisher to its Board of Directors. They began their terms on July 1^st.

“On behalf of the patients, families and staff of Talbot Hospice, I am thrilled to welcome Peter Gallagher and Dr. Michael Fisher to the Board of Directors,” said Sheila Monahan, Talbot Hospice Board President. “Their professional experience and dedication to our mission are a tremendous asset to our organization, and we look forward to benefiting from their time and talents.”

The Board of Directors works closely with Talbot Hospice’s leadership team to provide strategic guidance and support to the organization as it provides compassionate care, comfort and support patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home on the Mid-Shore.

Peter Gallagher is a Talbot Hospice volunteer and supporter. Gallagher is a business executive and civic leader and is currently a director of Arlington Asset Investment Corporation. Previously, he served as the first-ever President and CEO of America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth, CEO of Source One Financial Services and Sr. VP and Co-Founder of the AT&T Universal Credit Card. Other business and charitable affiliations include MEDSTAR Healthcare, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Foreign and Commercial Service, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection Advisory Board and the Pew Partnership for Civic Change, among others. Locally, Gallagher is a member of the Academy Art Museum’s Board of Trustees and he and his wife, Caroline, live in Easton.

“It is an honor to join the board of Talbot Hospice and advance its important work in our community,” said Gallagher. “Despite the COVID-91 pandemic, the staff of Talbot Hospice has continued to provide incredible service and care to each and every patient and their family – no easy feat given the extra complications and challenges of our new normal. I am proud to support Hospice and serve the organization in a new role.”

Dr. Michael Fisher is a retired gastroenterologist who served the Eastern Shore in private practice, as an Attending Physician at the Easton Memorial Hospital and University of Maryland Shore Medical Group and as the Medical Director of Eastern Shore Endoscopy. In retirement he continues to be active in the Talbot County medical community by serving on Shore Regional Health COVID-19 Task Force and Shore Regional Health Strategic Planning Committee. Dr. Fisher is also a Board Member of the Talbot County Public Schools Education Foundation and Ambassador/Participant in the YMCA of the Chesapeake’s LiveStrong Cancer Survivor Program. He and his wife, Karen, life in Easton and are volunteers and supporters of Talbot Hospice.

“I’ve spent my entire professional career in Easton caring for the residents of the Eastern Shore, and working with Talbot Hospice is a natural evolution of that service,” said Dr. Fisher. “Through my work, I have experienced the cycle of life on a very personal level, and some of the most gratifying situations have been attending to patients who have become old friends in their last stages.  The depth of emotion, the comfort in understanding and the trust established made these times incredibly memorable and spiritual. I’d like to impart that feeling on the patients and families of Talbot Hospice while helping to maintain their credentialing, certification and excellence in care.”

About Talbot Hospice

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones through hospice and palliative care as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. We invite you to know us before you need us and learn more at www.talbothospice.org.

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