Blue Christmas — princeruperthospice

The 2024 recipients were:

Peggy Davenport

Peggy was a member of the original Hospice Society and was a strong support in organizing and starting the present Society. She sat as a Director on the Board and helped with Volunteer training. Peggy worked tirelessly for Hospice even when her own health was becoming an issue.

She was a mentor to many and was always available if you had questions or needed support in dealing with a client. Peggy was a positive advocate for all clients, especially those who were struggling mentally or physically.

She held debriefing sessions for volunteers who had been sitting with palliative patients or doing a vigil to help them deal with the loss of a client. She was a good listener and knew what questions to ask to help volunteers express their feelings. Peggy was always a strong voice in speaking for those who could not speak for themselves.

Jermaine Furness

Jermaine joined Hospice in 2015 and trained as a visiting Volunteer and sat as a Director on the Board. She was very active in fundraising and spent many hours making delicious Almond Roca to sell as a fundraiser for Hospice in addition to selling raffle tickets.

Jermaine was passionate about and worked tirelessly on the project to renovate the two Palliative Care rooms on the third floor of the Hospital. She helped write the request for funding, researched catalogues for necessary equipment and supervised the setup of the rooms.

In spite of dealing with her own health issues Jermaine saw the whole project through to its completion. She was active on the committee to organize a Dementia Caregiver and education support group which sadly due to Covid never ran. Jermaine was always a supportive and positive Hospice member. The Society greatly misses her lovely smile, helpful ways and caring heart.

Connie Munson

Connie is a founding member of the PRDHS 2009. She helped in the writing of the Bylaws for the Society and also the Volunteer Handbook and Policies for Volunteers.

She trained to become a Volunteer trainer and trained many current and past Volunteers. Connie was Coordinator for several years. Originally her position was as a volunteer until the Board acquired funding. Connie was instrumental in getting the present Coordinator into the third floor team huddles to have first hand knowledge of what was going on.

Connie was originally the Advanced Care Plan trainer and after stepping down as Coordinator became Hospice’s Grief Facilitator. As Grief Facilitator, Connie is always compassionate and understanding. Connie represented PRDHS at BC and Regional Hospice and Palliative Care conferences and was on the Northern Health Palliative Care Committee.

She has always worked tirelessly for Hospice with cheerfulness and optimism. She has been an inspiration and a mentor to many. She has organized many great events such as Blue Christmas, Celebrate-a-Life and the annual Tag Burning.

Joanne Letts

Joanne joined Hospice in 2011. She trained as a Volunteer and has spent many hours doing both palliative and friendly visits to clients at home and in the Hospital and Manor.

Joanne is always a comforting and calm presence who helps bring peace of mind to her clients and their families. Joanne trained as a volunteer to do one on one grief support over the phone.

She is always willing to help with fundraising and other Hospice events. Whenever there is a hospice display table you can count on Joanne signing up and filling many shifts with a smile.

Irene Zak

Irene joined Hospice in 2014. She trained as a volunteer and has spent many hours sitting with palliative patients and doing vigils at the end of life. She has also given her time to do friendly visiting to clients at home and in the Hospital and Manor.

Irene has a kind, patient and empathetic nature and is a wonderful visitor for clients. Irene has helped with fundraising and trained to do one-on-one grief support over the phone.

Irene now dedicates many hours to collecting and coordinating everyone’s monthly volunteer hours. The data she collects is essential to the work of our treasurer for grant applications and our Coordinator for reporting to Northern Health. Irene always responds with a cheery greeting when the hours are phoned in and she always makes time to chat and ask how you are doing.

The criteria to receive Honorary Life Membership is:

Must have been a Member/Volunteer for Prince Rupert Hospice,

Contributed significantly to the development of the Hospice Society, and/or

Made a huge and sustaining commitment to this Hospice Society.

The 2024 recipients were: