Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society

01/11/2026

After a nursing career that took her from Ontario to Quesnel and then to Prince George, Donalda became the driving force behind what would become British Columbia’s first free-standing hospice house. At a time when hospice care was still unfamiliar to many, she helped shape it with compassion, education, and a whole lot of heart.

Under her leadership, Prince George Hospice grew from a modest four-bed home into a respected, expanded hospice with deep partnerships, strong community support, and a model that helped inspire other hospices across Canada. More importantly, she helped countless families feel less alone during some of their hardest moments.

Donalda often said hospice nursing was the most rewarding work she ever did — because it eased pain, fear, and uncertainty, and replaced them with dignity, kindness, and care. Those values continue to guide everything we do today.

As Donalda enjoys a well-earned retirement we say thank you — for your leadership, your compassion, and the lasting legacy you leave behind in Prince George.

Your impact lives on in every moment of care. 💙

01/10/2026

After someone dies, many people find themselves looking backward in a new way — pulling out old photos, asking questions they never thought to ask, wondering where their people came from and what stories shaped their family.

Grief can do that. It doesn’t just hurt — it can motivate. It can gently push us to explore our ancestry, to understand the lives that came before us, and to feel a deeper connection to something bigger than ourselves.

We’d love to know:
Were you ever motivated to explore your family history or ancestry after a loss?

There’s no right or wrong answer. Just shared experiences, stories, and moments of remembering.

At Prince George Hospice, we believe that remembering is a form of love — and sometimes, looking back can be part of healing.

01/09/2026

In places like Ireland, caregivers are formally recognised
Family caregivers in Ireland may be eligible for:
• a Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit to help offset lost income
• respite care, including short-term residential stays so caregivers can rest
• home support services to assist with personal care and daily tasks
• caregiver leave protections, so time spent caring doesn’t mean losing a job
• practical training and guidance to help caregivers feel more confident and supported

The heart of care stays with family. The system simply acknowledges that love alone shouldn’t have to do all the heavy lifting.

At Prince George Hospice, we see caregivers every day — spouses, adult children, friends, neighbours — quietly holding everything together.

Care is strongest when it’s shared. And no caregiver should feel invisible while doing it.

If you’re caring for someone you love, please know Prince George Hospice is here to help.

01/07/2026

A memory quilt made from favourite shirts.
A pillow stitched from a loved one’s jacket.
A table runner sewn from ties that once hung by the door.

These pieces become more than keepsakes. They become something you can touch. Hold. Sit with.

We often hear about these beautiful grief mementos — but not everyone knows who can make them, or where to even begin.

If you’ve had a memory piece created, would you be willing to share who helped you make it?
A local sewer, quilter, artist, or someone special who walked that creative path with you?

Your recommendation might help someone else find comfort when they need it most.

At Prince George Hospice, we believe care extends beyond words — sometimes it lives in the things we carry forward, stitch by stitch, memory by memory.

If you feel comfortable, share in the comments. 💬

01/06/2026

In South Africa, funeral and grieving customs often reflect the specific region and community.

In Zulu traditions, the funeral is only part of the process. Weeks or months later, a cleansing ceremony may be held to help the spirit transition and to support healing for the family. These rituals honour ancestors and restore balance.

Among Xhosa families in the Eastern Cape, mourning is deeply communal. The home fills with singing, prayer, and shared presence, guided by elders who help families move through grief together.

In Sotho and Tswana communities, funerals emphasize unity and collective care. Neighbours help with food, support, and prayers, reminding families they are not alone.

Across regions, grief is shared, witnessed, and respected — never rushed.

At Prince George Hospice, we honour all cultural traditions of grief and remembrance. However you mourn, we are here to help.

01/06/2026

Let’s talk about the doctors who truly made a difference. 💬

Maybe it was a doctor who took extra time to explain things.
One who sat down instead of standing at the door.
One who treated your loved one like a person — not a chart.

We’d love to hear your story.
Who was a doctor that made a lasting impact on you or your family, and what did they do that you’ll never forget?

Your words may remind someone else that compassionate care still exists — and that being seen and heard really does matter.

Thank you for sharing, and for helping keep these stories alive in our community. 💚

01/05/2026

Snow can be hard on someone living with Alzheimer’s — and here’s why.

Snow changes the world overnight. Familiar sidewalks and walkways disappear. Landmarks are hidden. Usual routines are suddenly different. For someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, that kind of change can feel confusing, unsettling, or even frightening.

Why snowfall can be especially difficult:
• Familiar walkways may be covered or hard to recognize
• Sidewalks and paths can look unsafe or unfamiliar
• Routines are disrupted without warning
• Depth, distance, and footing can be harder to judge
• Fear of slipping or falling can increase anxiety
• Understanding why plans have changed can be challenging

What looks like a simple winter morning to us can feel like waking up in a completely different place to someone living with memory loss.

That’s why small acts matter so much in winter. Clearing walkways. Explaining what’s changed. Moving a little slower. Keeping routines as steady as possible. Offering reassurance instead of correction.

At Prince George Hospice, we understand how seasonal changes affect people living with Alzheimer’s and the caregivers who support them. We’re here to help — with patience, compassion, and care, through every season.

01/04/2026

In 1987, one nurse in Prince George paid attention to what others were still learning
Esther Dewit worked at Prince George Hospital, where she saw that end-of-life care needed more than clinical skill. It needed people — prepared, compassionate people — willing to sit, listen, and stay. So she began training volunteers, not just to help, but to truly be present for individuals and their caregivers in those final chapters of life.

What Esther created didn’t stop at the city limits. The volunteer training program she developed became a blueprint for hospice volunteer education well beyond Prince George. Its emphasis on dignity, empathy, and human connection helped shape how volunteers across Canada are prepared to support people at end of life.

This wasn’t about recognition or expansion. It was about getting it right — and because it was done with care and intention, others paid attention. The ripple effect of her work reached far beyond one hospital, one hospice, or one community.

Today, hospice volunteers across the country carry forward pieces of that early work. And it all traces back to one nurse in Prince George who believed that how we care for one another matters, everywhere.

01/03/2026

Thank you to our amazing community for all the support you have shown us, from buying tickets to sharing our posts, we couldn't do this without YOU.

Good Luck to everyone, stay tuned for the $250,000 draw on January 21st at 5 PM.

Thank you everyone for all your support! We are so grateful to our amazing community for the support you have shown us this year. Our Hospice 50/50 is officially SOLD OUT!

Good Luck to everyone, stay tuned on January 21 at 5 pm for our draw where someone will win $250,000!

Our friends at Spruce Kings Show Home still need your support with their 50/50 and show home. Let's cheer them on as they go for their sell out!

01/02/2026

There’s something quietly powerful about grieving together.

Grief groups offer more than conversation. They offer connection, understanding, and relief from feeling like you have to carry everything on your own.

In a group setting, people often discover:
• comfort in being with others who truly understand loss
• reassurance that their feelings are normal, even the complicated ones
• permission to talk, listen, or simply sit without pressure
• gentle structure and support during an overwhelming time
• moments of hope that come from shared experience

You don’t have to explain yourself in a grief group. You don’t have to be strong. You don’t even have to speak. Just being present can help remind you that you’re not alone, even on the hardest days.

At Prince George Hospice, our groups are rooted in compassion, respect, and care. We’re here to support people through grief in ways that feel safe, human, and understanding.

Because grief is heavy. And it helps when you don’t have to carry it alone.

01/02/2026

🌿 Committed to Caring: Honouring Margaret Ducharme 🌿

Today’s throwback is also a heartfelt thank-you.

We’re honoured to recognize Margaret Ducharme, who was named B.C. Hospice Volunteer of the Year in 2001.Margaret’s impact continues to be felt throughout our hospice community.

Margaret’s hospice journey began in 1994, shaped by her own experiences of loss and a deep belief that no one should have to walk through grief alone. She went on to lead the Broken Circle bereavement group at the Prince George Hospice Society, offering a safe, compassionate space where people could share, listen, and begin to heal — together.

In her professional life as a head nurse at Prince George Regional Hospital, Margaret understood something essential: caring for someone means caring for the heart as much as the health. That understanding guided her volunteer work, where her calm presence and genuine empathy supported many people during some of life’s most difficult moments.

This throwback reminds us that hospice care is built by people who give generously of themselves, leaving a legacy that continues well beyond their years of service.

Thank you, Marg, for all you have given to hospice and to Prince George through the years