I was very sad and disheartened to read the farewell announcement from the Kimberley Hospice Society in last week’s Bulletin.

Over the past 21 years the Kimberley Hospice Society has served our terminally ill and dying with hospice volunteers that provided compassionate quality end-of-life care. The local hospice society has allowed many Kimberley residents the right to leave this life in the comfort and peace of their own hometown. Whether its local families taking shifts with the hospice volunteers or the elderly spouse that wants to ensure their life long partner does not die alone, the “local” hospice provision has been vital to those that are challenged with an already difficult time.

I am very hopeful that we will see a continuation of the Kimberley Hospice Society with their own “Free-standing” Palliative Care Unit to serve the citizens of Kimberley, and I have true faith that the unwavering patrons of this wonderful little mountain community will see this happen. In the mean time I would like to take this time to thank Pat White, who has coordinated the Kimberley Hospice Society for the past 12 years. “Pat, thank you for all the emotional, spiritual, physical, and social care you have given to the countless residents living with or dying from terminal illness. The job you have done is one many could not do. To see that the dying and their families are provided with the appropriate setting and comforts is a gift and service one can not put a value on…you will be truly missed!”

To the volunteers that worked alongside Pat providing comfort and support to the individuals and their families…thank you, you are the true angels in our community.

Lori Joe