Remembering loved ones lost

Forty-one people took part in the 2017 Clark Fork Valley Hospital Hospice Tree of Life ceremony, held this year at the Paradise Center last Wednesday evening.

"The event went really well and we do this to honor the families that have lost loved ones," said Debbie Lang, the Home Health and Hospice Manager and one of the event coordinators. The hospital sponsors the annual event not only to help family members cope with the loss of family and friends, but to raise funds for hospice patients that might require necessary medical equipment not covered in the hospital budget or not covered by insurance. For the first time, the hospice team moved the ceremony to Paradise to accommodate the growing number of participants. However, Lang feels the longer drive might have been a factor in the lower number of people than in past years.

Hospice staff members Laura Lanfear and Cindy Holland read aloud a list of about 150 names of previous hospice patients who have passed over the last two years. Some names might not have been hospice patients, but were added by request. Each visitor was provided a candle, which was lit when the name of their loved one was read, including Betty Boehler of Plains, whose late husband, Bill, was the first patient of the local hospice in 2001. "They did such a wonderful job with him," said Boehler, who has attend every Tree of Life ceremony over the last 16 years. The hospice staff raised their lighted candles for each patient they recognized. Lang lifted her candle about 20 times during the ceremony.

The two-hour event also included a "Reflection of Hospice Memories," where people could share special times of those who are now gone. "Sharing the memories of the passed loved ones was a moving time and I was honored to be able to share that with the families and staff," said Lang, who added that hospice staff members oftentimes become very attached to patients and their families. "I feel this event helps the families to reflect on the memories of their loved ones, and it helps them to know they are appreciated and to be able to share what they are going through with others who have gone through the same loss," she said.

 "Holidays are a harder time of year when you have a loss and this helps them be at peace because it helps them celebrate their loved one's life rather than their loss," said Lisa Eberhardt, the hospital's chief nursing officer.

The staff this year designed a "Remembrance Tree," where family members or friends could place a Christmas ornament on behalf of a lost loved one. Lang said they collected 35 ornaments, which are on view at the hospital.

The event raised just over $1,500 from the live and silent auctions. The live auction included eight decorative holiday centerpieces, a handmade wreath by Janice Hanson, a Plains resident and the wife of Dr. Greg Hanson, the hospital's CEO. A 62X62-inch custom made quilt by Laurie Ehret of Paradise and a registered nurse at the hospital fetched the highest price at $150 of the live auction. The 50 items in the live auction raised $275, said Lang. A down winter coat received the highest bid in the silent auction at $85.

The event included finger foods and drinks prepared by the hospital and music by pianist Rudi Boukal of Thompson Falls.