History of Hospice

  • Medieval Hospices provided a resting place on a journey where care was given to both the body and the spirit of travellers.
  • 1967- Dr. Cicely Saunders founded St. Christopher's Hospice in London, England and started the modern hospice movement.
  • 1974- The first Hospice established in Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
  • Hospice is a "philosophy of care"
        "You matter because you are; you matter to the last moment of your life; and we will do everything we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but to help you to LIVE until you die."

    Early History of Squamish Hospice

    The Squamish Hospice Society began with a public meeting in the Squamish United Church on Oct. 29th1986 and a call for volunteers interested in Hospice and it’s work.

    Mary Ellen De Grace spoke at that first and subsequent meetings lending her experience and expertise to a community effort aimed at providing coordinated support for dying people and their families.The group was spearheaded by Rev. Chris Burnett and Sherri Ganderton a Licensed Practical Nurse at Squamish General Hospital. This vigorous and active group of volunteers served this community well for many years & in Feb. 1991 Squamish Hospice became an Incorporated Society. Volunteer attrition and a variable need for Hospice volunteers led to the disbanding of the Society in Dec.2003.

    In 2006 a vital and growing Palliative Care Program in the Sea to Sky Corridor once again sought the support of Hospice Volunteers.

    Past Events:

    Meeting June 2007:
    18 people attended. It was announced that we have now received our charitable status from the Fed. Govt.

    Members appointed to the Board are: Judith Fothergill, M.D., Pam Lang ( Palliative Care Coordinator), Darcy Reimer (Pastor), Nancy Edwards (Accountant), Hazel Giese and Patsy Reicker (Volunteer Co-coordinators). Members elected to the Board are: Gloria Healy for a 2 year term and Lois Cudmore and Penelope Kalopisi-Kennedy each for a 3 year term.

    The Board elected the following executive: Gloria Healy (President), Judith Fothergill (Vice-President), Nancy Edwards (Treasurer), and Lois Cudmore (Secretary).

    Committees will be formed with the following Board members heading each committee: Grant Proposals, P. Kalopisi-Kennedy; Public Awareness/Newsletter, H. Giese; Membership, L. Cudmore; General Fundraising, G. Healy. Roles and functions of these committees will be developed and ready for institution in the fall.

  • August 2006 became a registered society.
  • October 2006 completed a comprehensive volunteer manual which is a valuable resource and personal reference for helping people to deal with dying, death and grief.
  • October 2006 completed a volunteer training program. Volunteers are now available to the community.
  • November 2006 created two information pamphlets, "Who We Are" and "Your Hospice Volunteer" and distributed to various sites in the community.
  • November 2006 established a lending library. Vicky Marchant and Joyce Barone catalogued books covering a wide spectrum of palliative care and grief subjects from children to the elderly. The library books are housed in the palliative care lounge in SGH and may be accessed through the Women's Auxiliary Gift Shop, at the nursing station or by contacting Pam Lang Palliative Care Co-ordinator at 604-892-5211 local 6074.
  • On December 11th a Board Meeting was held, followed by a Voluteers meeting.
  • On Jan 8th. 2007, a Board Meeting was held followed by a Volunteers Meeting. .

    Past newsletters:

  • Spring 2007 Page 1
  • Spring 2007 Page 2
  • Fall 2007

    Articles:

  • The Magic of Music (Stan Goldberg)

    National Hospice/Palliative Care Week May 3rd –9th

    Fire Fighter's Boot Drive April 2009