This is my Heaven, and you are all Angels!

Dear Friends,

The holidays are almost here…a difficult time for anyone whose loved one has died. We know. And we care. In addition to embracing our residents, we are privileged to also care for their families. So, we would like to share some thoughts from Kathleen, one of Gateway’s caregivers, about what this means to her.

Kathleen cared for a dear friend who died of lung cancer. She then became a breast cancer survivor, while her beloved husband Bryan died of cancer in 2018. She wondered, “What can I do to honor Bryan?” She joined the team at Gateway. In her words…

“The privilege of being here for those in their final journey gives meaning to life. I am here temporarily to help them. If they can die in peace, then I’ve done my job and I can think of them with a smile.”

“I am not here just to take care of the person in the bed, but equally so the family. I am at home while I am here.I want them to feel like this is their second home too while their loved one is here. I want them to know that we are here to nourish them and to support them emotionally. I care for these families as if they were my own in that situation.”

“It is a true privilege to hold the hand of someone taking his or her last breath.”

“I meet people who are not afraid to die, but fear the dying process. We are here to ease that transition and calm their fears.”

“This isn’t a job. I love it!”

Kathleen sports this tattoo on her forearm: “No one fights alone.” She embodies the peaceful compassion, empathy and love that is the essence of our team as they care for our residents and their families.

Our private home operates nonstop, 24 hours each day, and the cost to do so is over $900 per day, for which our residents and their families are never billed. This kind of dignified care and compassion isn’t reimbursed by insurance. We need your support. Please join in financially contributing to our continued presence in our community. And if you or someone you know might be interested in becoming a caregiver with us, we would love to hear from you.

With sincere thanks and appreciation,

Martha Hasslacher Nancy Dwyer

Executive Director Board President