Community, Compassion and Tradition at McNally House
By Melissa Marchewka
McNally House Hospice recognizes that their care extends beyond the person at the end of their life, encompassing their loved ones as well.
In the summer of 2024, Darlene Girardo was admitted into McNally House. Darlene and her sister, Karo-Lee Pilato, shared a close bond growing up and this connection remained strong through the end of Darlene’s life. Karo-Lee and her husband Gene, and their four children, Christina, Stephanie, Meghan, and Joe spent a lot time at McNally House with Darlene where they got to experience the kindness and attentive care of the staff firsthand.
After spending time in the hospital, Karo-Lee and her daughter Christina recall the day Darlene was admitted to McNally House. The difference was immediately clear. McNally House felt like a home, and Darlene received personalized care, even choosing her meals. These small touches meant the world to her.
“She asked, are they going to do this for me all the time?’ And I said, ‘All the time,’ and it was such a great feeling,” Karo-Lee said.
But it wasn’t just the exceptional care for Darlene that stood out to the Pilatos—it was the support extended to them as well.
“It wasn’t just about her. It was also about us. So if any of us got a little emotional there was always somebody there,” Karo-Lee said, “The support was just phenomenal.”
At the end of someone’s life, it is difficult to leave their side. Knowing that the nurses and PSWs at McNally House could be trusted to be there when Darlene woke up the family was able to get some sleep.
“I think knowing somebody would be there, even when it’s not family, was when we got the sense of community,” Christina said.
Karo-Lee recalls the moment her sister died at McNally House and the staff’s thoughtful tradition.
“The day she passed, the staff did a procession that was so touching. People who work downstairs, that I hadn’t even seen before, followed us and Darlene outside,” Karo-Lee said.
For this procession, Karo-Lee was asked to choose a song to represent her sister, I Love Lucy was chosen because they were huge fans. This is something that is done for each resident leaving McNally House for the final time. It’s a way for the family as well as the McNally House staff to honour and say goodbye.
Through community, compassion and tradition, McNally House creates beautiful moments even during difficult times.
Karo-Lee and Christina are deeply grateful for McNally House because it allowed them to be fully present for Darlene during her final weeks, without worrying about her care.
“We could give my aunt 100 per cent of our attention and give her the comfort because she needed it,” Christina said, “Because if you were at home, 50 per cent of your brain would be on ‘What does she need”
McNally House provided the expert care Darlene needed, while her family could focus entirely on being there for her during this challenging journey, navigating their own grief with peace of mind.