Chaplain Warren Thompson

HELLO & GOODBYE'S...Remembrances

"I received a referral from the team nurse that a 60-year-old patient desired spiritual support. She knew she had very little time as she had declined further renal treatments. Meeting with the patient and family, I found a woman who was going rapidly through the tasks that hospice encourages: saying hello... I love you and goodbye. She had gone through her family pictures with her daughter and granddaughter, supported her husband in his grief, while renewing and finding reassurance from her faith. She brought up some unfinished business of saying goodbye to her son in an out-of-state prison. She asked me to call the case manager so her son could be notified. Her son was able to call, talk with his mother and found her faith comforting. The next morning she died peacefully and the family asked me to call the prison and notify her son.

One night while “on call” the nurses from Summerfield Suites called requesting support for a 40- year-old woman and her family. The patient was restless and close to death. There was a range of emotions in the room...from anger, grief, regret and the love of a child. As the adults were sharing, the patient’s 10-year-old daughter was mumbling. She was reading two poems she had written. I encouraged her to start over and read them to her mom and family. She came closer to her mom and read a poem about how beautiful her mother is and the second poem about how her heart was breaking. Love and grief…from the mouth of a caring little girl."

Chaplain Bob Greaves

Rev. Robert Greaves, EdD, thought he was retiring when he and his wife moved to Ocala in 1999. But retirement didn't last long. Soon he was invited to lead a Tuesday morning Bible study group. That didn’t last long either. Today, the study group has grown into a non-denominational church with 150 members. Even with his growing congregation, Bob didn’t say ‘no’ when the offer came for a part-time chaplain position with Hospice of Marion County. Bob now works three days a week tending to the spiritual needs of patients in 10 area nursing homes. His colleague Warren Thompson, calls Bob a team player whose boundless energy and compassion is evident in his dedication to helping patients and families, even returning several times in the same night to offer support: “He is a true spokesperson for Hospice in the community.”

“For me, life has been a celebration of usefulness and many satisfying experiences,” says Bob. “My prayer is that my actions make someone else’s life a little richer.” His philosophy is that the chaplain’s visit serves a therapeutic role—one of listening and guiding, knowing that the questions themselves are more important than knowing or giving an answer. “This allows the patients to release whatever emotions they are feeling in order to embrace a higher power, a source of strength that is beyond oneself. Only then can real healing take place.”

Chaplain Jack Cushman

Chaplin Cushman’s philosophy of providing spiritual care is broad and deep. He says: “It isn’t easy to live and die meaningfully in our society today. For many people there is a loss of the sacred. The process of dying can be a difficult journey with many fears and anxieties; but it is also a very mysterious and wondrous process. It involves both the body and the soul in the greatest transition we are ever called to make. My goal as a chaplain is to assist both the patient and the family through the final chapter of life with as much caring and compassion as possible, while respecting their personal beliefs.”

Chaplain Doug Ferguson

Doug is a longtime hospice chaplain, who began working for the agency on an as-needed basis in 1993. Over the years, he has been an instrument of healing for the many patients and families he has served. He has a true passion for those who are hurting and is devoted to his role in helping those in pain find peace. “I love being associated with Hospice of Marion County and the work that I am able to do. I feel very humbled, honored and blessed to be here.” Doug is also the chaplain who regularly serves the families at the newest24-bed hospice house, The Tuscany House, located near The Villages.

Chaplain Diane Burroughs

"I began my journey as a hospice chaplain when I was inspired by one man’s story:

This man had taken care of himself since the age of 12 when he began driving a school bus to earn an income. Later, he was not only a full time employee of the government in Washington DC, but also owned an electronics business.

In the summer of 2001, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. After a surgical intervention, he was told he had 6 months or less. He was then 86 years old and would not ever share this information. He had a life of challenge and struggle, and was determined to provide for his family what he never had—security. He returned home where hospice would care for him and family could be close by. His journey took a rapid change and his life expectancy was changed to two weeks max. At this point, the family gathered and remained with him. He regained strength and lived under the care of hospice for the next 9 months!

The last week of his life was invaluable to my experience as a chaplain. He entered a stage hospice workers characterize as “staring.” Patients gaze into the distance as if seeing someone or something others are unable to visualize. He then began to speak, for the next week, he answered NO to all questions. Over time, his answers were a little calmer and some were ‘yes’ between the not quite as clear ‘no’s.’ By week’s end, his responses were very calm and were all ‘yes.’ At the end of the week, he passed peacefully into the next world.

This man was my father. Experiencing this with him assured my belief that there is a letting go and letting God that occurs at end of life. As a chaplain, I am privileged to be present for that segment of a person’s journey from life into death. I never ceases to be humbled and in awe at the mysteries of life."