Her name was Maria Fava, a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Daughter, Sister and Aunt. Her wishes right from the beginning, when she was first diagnosed with Esophagus Cancer was to pass in her home and her children respected her wishes. But as her disease got worse we had to rethink our options. As time went on it was harder to look after her at home 24/7, being bed ridden with three sons and wives, no nursing background, it was challenging. We needed to get our mother help, so we brought her to our neighbourhood hospital, as she was progressively getting worse the hospital and family decided to transfer our mom to The Dorothy Ley Hospice. What an excellent choice, without feeling guilty as many family members do when making such calls, we thought it was the best thing for our mom and for the family. In the beginning my mom’s wish was to pass at home, this was not possible. The blessing with this call was that my mom was happy at Dorothy Ley, she loved the place and she expressed this to other family members, what a relief it is, to know that your parents and patriarch of the family are happy, everyone else is happy. Lastly, who best to know about Death and Dying than a Hospice? At Dorothy Ley you feel Welcomed right from when you enter the front doors, from the Reception that greets you in, to the Doctors, Nurses, PSWs, Volunteers and others. When the time comes for your love one to pass, they have a tradition at The Dorothy Ley, as they are removing your love ones from their room by the Funeral Home staff, the staff at The Dorothy Ley askes family to light a Candle, as to honour those who passed and to sign the farewell book. This was our story.
