North Oaks Hospice Memory Tree Remembers Loved Ones

The anonymous quote, “When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure,” aptly describes the sentiment behind the 25-year tradition of the North Oaks Hospice Memory Tree.

Located in the lobby of the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center on the North Oaks Medical Center campus, the tree’s branches cradle a very special assortment of unique Christmas ornaments. From year to year, these ornaments celebrate the lives of former Hospice patients who passed away due to life-limiting illnesses and medical conditions. The tree and related gathering held Dec. 7, 2017 are components of Hospice’s bereavement program for patients’ family and caregivers. Bereavement services are provided for one year following each Hospice patient’s passing.

A miniature red drum set, emblazoned with the initials, “WAM,” and a vintage, purple Louisiana State University (LSU) truck hauling a snow-covered tree were among the ornaments added to the collection this year.

On Dec. 7, Virginia Maranto of Runnelstown, Miss., traveled back to Hammond for the Hospice Memory Tree Gathering to hang the drum set on the tree for her late husband Wayne Maranto. He was an accomplished musician who passed away at the age of 71 in May of 2017 from complications following a series of strokes.

She purchased the drum ornament from a nonprofit organization from which a portion of proceeds will provide food to homeless animals – a cause near and dear to both her and her late husband.

“No matter the time of day, they were always available to help keep Wayne as comfortable as possible, answer questions, and provide emotional and respite support to me,” Virginia said, describing Hospice staff. “In my heart of hearts, I know that Hospice gave us more time together than we would have had if we had taken a different route when we received Wayne’s prognosis. They were with us until the end. I will always be grateful.”

For Gobel Lynn of Hammond, the decision to use North Oaks Hospice meant leaning on an organization that he viewed as his second family. He worked with the agency as a volunteer, and then as an employed social worker for 14 years.

Facing a diagnosis of throat cancer in December of 2016, Gobel began chemotherapy and radiation treatment. When it was discovered in September of 2017 that the cancer had spread, he resolutely decided to enter North Oaks Hospice on Sept. 25.

“He wanted to call the shots,” she continued. “He felt strongly about people making their own choices and setting the pace. He believed Hospice did just that.”

Mollie worried that it might be too difficult for the staff to care for one of their own. But Gobel reassured her saying, “Oh, it will be OK. They’re professionals. They’ll do fine, but you can ask them.”

“So I did,” said Mollie. “I called Courtney (Ridgedell), the Hospice manager, and she talked to the staff, and they all said they would be honored to take him on as a patient.”

Mollie attended the memory tree gathering with their daughter, Pam. Together, they found the perfect spot on the tree for Gobel’s LSU truck ornament.

A social worker herself, Mollie understands the value and importance of North Oaks Hospice’s bereavement services. “Sister June (Engelbrecht), the bereavement counselor, has visited and called to check on me, and it has helped,” she noted. “Now that the holidays have passed, I plan to attend the bereavement support group meetings.”

For more information about the program, call North Oaks Hospice at (985) 230-7620 for a complimentary consultation.

 

 

01/23/2018