Phyllis found her final peace at 4:10 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 with Debbie, Peter and Siggi, Jack and Peggy, Julianne the hospice nurse, and Jennie the hospice aide, surrounding her. No matter how long we prepared for this, and prayed for her peaceful death, it was still difficult—-we loved her so very much.
After her struggle on New Year’s Eve day to find comfort from pain, she no longer kept her eyes open nor talked audibly. In response to some of our vocal thoughts to her, she on occasion, mouthed something which we could understand—-like “I love you”. And sometimes she responded with a definite smile. Whew! She also opened her eyes when we would tell her who her present visitor was but then immediately fall back to sleep.
Sister Maureen came in every day, often more than once, to give Phyllis Holy Communion; and if Phyllis couldn’t receive, then bless her with the Holy Viaticum. She often sat in the room with Phyllis and prayed. It was so beautiful, and very comforting to us. What a remarkable, holy woman is Sister Maureen. God love her. Phyllis had many other visitors as well…..many of them St. Anne’s residents. While we tried to keep the atmosphere quiet, there was no way we could refuse these wonderful people the opportunity to bless and be blessed by their dying friend. I think Beverly the hospice nurse on care duty from midnight to noon, was a bit surprised we allowed that as she only wanted family there; but we thought these caring people loved Phyllis too and paid their respects as they felt the need.
We could not figure out what kept this tiny aunt of ours alive. ALL of us had given her permission to leave us and go to God, her family had all been in to see her….we just didn’t know. Finally, to inject a little humor, it was decided that maybe she was waiting for the jigsaw puzzle which Debbie started, to be finished. All 750 pieces of it! On the final day, even Peter and Fr. Mike were working on it. It turned out to be a beautiful, peaceful puzzle and Debbie would like to frame it and donate it to St. Anne’s for a wall. What a neat idea. The puzzle was finished at 2 o’clock, and Auntie left at 4:10. We also had just finished with a pizza party as Debbie went out and bought some pizzas—-we were all very hungry, had come around 7:00 a.m. when we had gotten the call, and had nothing of substance to eat all day. Auntie always liked a party too….so maybe that was it! One day when we had talked about meeting her again in heaven, she said: “That would be fun.”
People thank us and praise us for the care we gave her; and sometimes that’s a bit uncomfortable but appreciated. We felt that God gave us this wonderful opportunity to be blessed in doing His work. Though we all got extremely tired with not much sleep and busy schedules, messy houses, not many meals together, Christmas and New Year’s came and went like no other, we never regretted being there for her. It was such a blessing! Such a gift! And all the people we met and grew to sincerely love is another gift. Our God truly is good! I can’t begin to tell you how much her neighbor, Gert Arndorfer, meant to Phyllis, and how much we love her. What a special lady with a beautiful family. Now her family has grown even larger with the addition of US!
There would be many beautiful stories to tell now, but this post should probably end here. But just one more story here…..When Aunt Phyllis was taking her last breaths, the baby girl in Jennie’s (the hospice aide’s) womb moved considerably. When one life ceases here on earth, another begins! Since this was the first death that Jennie experienced as a hospice aide, she’ll never forget Phyllis.
Go in peace, dear Auntie; whatever was holding you here is now released and you are with our wonderful God. Thank you for your gift of love; we all hope we have shown you our love gratefully. We won’t forget you and will always love you.
Thank you, Thank you!
Peggy
