John Dunsmuir had never heard of McNally House Hospice until his wife of 23 years, Lauraine, became a resident in 2018. She was “happy-go-lucky and always had a twinkle in her eye,” according to John. Thanks to McNally, John, along with Lauraine’s daughters, were able to be with her when she passed.

After she passed, John went back to McNally for bereavement counselling on the recommendation of his doctor. He found it a big help to talk about his feelings with the bereavement support clinician, trained volunteers and a group of people going through the same grief.

The volunteers at McNally House work to bring comfort to the residents and their families going through the end-of-life process. It was how wonderful the volunteers were that inspired John to become a volunteer himself.

“I saw what the volunteers had done when Lauraine was here, and it just amazed me how upbeat everybody was despite the circumstances they’re working in,” John says. He wanted to give something back to the volunteers and staff, and volunteering was the best way to do that. First joining the volunteer maintenance team along with Casey VandenBorget, John is still one of the go-to guys when something needs to get done around McNally House. He is always there with a smile on his face. He has since become a hospice residence volunteer, as well as, keeping up with his maintenance duties.

He says volunteering has taught him to be more open with his own feelings and with understanding other people. Even as a part of the team, he remains amazed at how the volunteers and staff care for the residents and their families with compassion.

“Even simple things, like taking them a cup of coffee or cup of tea,” John says, “Everyone is just so grateful for what we’re doing here.”

John says his own compassion has grown for people since volunteering. To anyone looking for volunteering opportunities, he highly encourages coming to help at McNally.  “It will make you a better person — makes you feel better every time you come in and better when you walk out the door when you are finished,” he says. By helping grow compassion at McNally House, volunteers like John can grow compassion in the community. 

At McNally House Hospice, we feel privileged to provide compassionate, person-centred care to not only our residents, but their family and friends. For every one resident we care for at the hospice, there are at least five family and friends that will require our support.

But we can’t do it without you.