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Lucky Until the End

Lilliam Kingsbury was the glue that held her family together. Masonic Village Hospice provided stability and comfort for her three sons and husband as they navigated the loss of their matriarch.

April 17th, 2023|Categories: Stories|

Doing What’s Best for the One You Love

From the moment Linda met Jeff Loser, he was “the guy” for her. There was lots of love and laughter, and despite some struggles toward the end, “She always knew I cared,” Jeff said, even through her time on Masonic Village Hospice.

November 17th, 2022|Categories: Stories|

Care Fit for a Queen

Masonic Village Hospice provided Merilynn Hart the dignified care she deserved, while providing support for her family during a difficult time, made even more challenging because of the pandemic.

August 3rd, 2022|Categories: Stories|

At Peace with Her Decision to Choose Hospice

Patricia Corrao knew that her father, Ronald Russo, was declining. Battling several health issues, including COVID-19, Ronald was being treated in a hospital in Long Island, New York, while Patricia was living in Pennsylvania. She felt helpless until she found Masonic Village Hospice.

June 10th, 2022|Categories: Stories|

Home Is Where the Heart Is

A fortuitous meeting at a bridal salon led Janell (Berté) Bertelman to Masonic Village. During an appointment, Janell learned the bride worked for Masonic Village Hospice, and that's all she needed to hear to decide on care for her mother.

November 1st, 2021|Categories: Stories|

Providing Quality Hospice Care

Dr. John Mast has served Masonic Village at Elizabethtown in various capacities for over 21 years. A geriatric specialist certified in geriatric and family medicine with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, Dr. Mast was named medical director in 2020 and recently transitioned to hospice medical director. “Since I started at Masonic Village, the facility and staff have done a fabulous job of providing quality end-of-life care."

September 15th, 2021|Categories: Our Team|Tags: |

A Love Like the Month of May

Tara Weaver will always remember her grandparents’ loving hearts, and the impact they’ve made on her life persists. When the time came for end-of-life care, Tara knew there was no other choice than Masonic Village Hospice.

June 20th, 2021|Categories: Stories|

As Sweet as Pie

Some may think butterscotch pie is overly sweet, but to Juanita Keesey’s late husband, Dave, there was nothing better. Juanita made the beloved dessert for Dave’s birthday each year. One year, she accidentally dropped the entire pie in his lap

March 24th, 2021|Categories: Stories|

A Love So Special

Vernon Witmer met the love of his life, Doris, at a Saturday night fire hall dance. “She was a very sweet person,” Vernon said. “I enjoyed being with her.” His favorite thing about Doris was the way she treated others.

March 24th, 2021|Categories: Stories|

Being Present During the Passing of a Loved One

Even with all the preparation in the world, being present for a loved one’s passing is not always comfortable or predictable. It can be physically and mentally exhausting, as it typically involves a great deal of emotions, including anxiety and worry. Being present during a loved one’s passing, however, can also bring peace to both the individual and family members.

November 18th, 2020|Categories: Informational|

How to Plan Your End-of-Life Care with an Advance Directive

While it may be difficult to think about the end of your life and how you want to be cared for during a medical emergency or terminal illness, being prepared for future health complications with tools such as an advance directive can help identify important decisions that you and your loved ones have to make.

October 27th, 2020|Categories: Informational|

An Unexpected Love

“I would tell anyone to get hospice for a loved one who may need it,” Gabi said. “It really helps the caregiver and gives you support even after they are gone.”

October 12th, 2020|Categories: Stories|

A Heart of Gold

Michele Koser has countless memories with her father, David “Dave” Shafer, from riding on the back of his bike as a child and eating chocolate ice cream at Baskin-Robbins to their countless dinners out together as adults.

October 12th, 2020|Categories: Stories|

Knowing What to Expect from Grief

We often think of grief only as it relates to our feelings after someone has died. In reality, there are many symptoms of grief that we experience emotionally, cognitively, physically, socially and spiritually.

September 18th, 2020|Categories: Informational|

Five Myths About Hospice Care

Using a hospice service is undoubtedly the best option in the last months of life, not only because it offers a variety of benefits to patients, but because it also offers a variety of benefits for loved ones. Despite its many advantages, hospice is still a mystery to most. Here are the top five myths Masonic Village hospice staff dispel on a regular basis.

July 28th, 2020|Categories: Informational|Tags: , |

Top 10 Things to Look for in a Hospice Service

When looking for a hospice provider for a loved one, it’s important to remember that not all providers are created equal. While almost all are Medicare-certified, they can differ in how, where and when they provide services for your loved one and your family.

July 27th, 2020|Categories: Informational|

Forever High School Sweethearts

Anyone who knew Max Hoffman remembers he was always up to something. Max was a busy man with more than a few hobbies throughout his life, usually revolving around family and helping others.

July 15th, 2020|Categories: Stories|

An Irish Dinner for Two

Ruth Carty’s husband, Eddie, was Irish. For him, it was more than just his heritage, it was part of who he was – a good father and loving husband who looked forward to Saint Patrick’s Day each year.

April 20th, 2020|Categories: Special Moments|

One Mother’s Strength

A mother’s strength is unparalleled. Chad Thomas’ mother, Eileen, was no exception. Eileen was Chad’s rock, his phone call on the way home after work in the evening. It didn’t surprise Chad to learn that when his mother was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2013, she first thought of her family and how they would cope with the journey ahead.

January 23rd, 2020|Categories: Stories|Tags: , |

Caring for a Caregiver

Lee Beach’s wife, Betty Jane, loved ice cream, specifically classic vanilla topped with pieces of a Snickers candy bar. She radiated positive energy and found joy in life’s littlest pleasures. As a registered nurse for more than 40 years, she also had a kind and nurturing heart. This is why Lee, upon first sight of Betty Jane, knew he’d found the one he’d spend the next 65 years chasing after.

Making Connections

105-year-old Florence Methlie has been the connecting link for many people throughout her lifetime. Whether she was connecting people to their loved ones via her job at the Bell Telephone Company or being the glue that held her own family together, Florence has always had a way with people.

October 3rd, 2019|Categories: Stories|Tags: , |

When Time Stands Still

Jill Stauffer’s life was moving fast. She and her husband were keeping up with their toddler son and had another on the way when time suddenly stopped. In November 2016, Jill’s grandmother, Bea, was diagnosed with cancer after suffering from respiratory issues that she thought were only temporary.

August 14th, 2019|Categories: Stories|Tags: |

Animals Bring Joy & Comfort to Patients

Nala walked excitedly beside her owner, Bethann Lizzi, one of hospice’s RN case managers. Her tail was wagging, as she knew she was going to visit with patients. As she walked down the hall, she spotted an old friend, Frank Bubbenmoyer. Frank immediately brightened up with a big smile as he bent over in his wheelchair to pet Nala. He talked to her, and even hand-fed her the treats Bethann gave to him. Bethann asked if he remembered Nala.

August 14th, 2019|Categories: Stories|Tags: , |

Remembering as a Family

For the Meridionales, the best parts of being a big Italian family are the laughs, the stories and most importantly, the bond. The family has a bond that has never wavered, even after losing the woman who gave life to it all, Carol Meridionale, beloved wife, mother and grandmother.

March 29th, 2018|Categories: Stories|Tags: |

Cherishing a Lasting Love

For those who never met Betsy Karl, her personality shines through in the way her husband, David, speaks of her. Betsy, in so many words, was slow to anger and quick to forgive. She was caring and generously gave of herself to others. Her husband, David, lovingly refers to her as “my lady, my Betsy,” and the two were best friends who raised a beautiful daughter together.

January 4th, 2018|Categories: Stories|Tags: |

Love in Full Color

When Ron Swope thinks of his wife Karen, he thinks of three things: her basket full of coloring books, all the angel figurines she placed around their home and her smile. The couple was married for 50 years, and Ron didn’t let a cancer diagnosis change the vows he made to her. He would always take care of her, no matter what life had in store.

October 30th, 2017|Categories: Stories|Tags: , |

Integrative Therapies Touch Patients’ Lives

For many, the word “therapy” brings about images of lying on a couch while being asked, “How does that make you feel?” While this type of therapy can be helpful for many hospice patients, they often want or need something more. Integrative therapies fill that need and are specially designed to consider the whole person: medically, psychosocially and spiritually.

September 6th, 2017|Categories: Stories|Tags: , |
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