THE HEART OF HOSPICE YOUR IMPACT, OUR GRATITUDE.
OCTOBER 2025
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
ā¢ A Message From Our CEO
ā¢ From Grief to Gratitude: Gregās Story
ā¢ Every Day Something Happy: Valerieās Story
ā¢ Healing, One Purr at a Time: Meet Corinne & Franklin
ā¢ A Fall Recipe: From Chef Thomas
Monthly giving is one of the most heartfelt forms of kindness. It isnāt loud or fleeting, but rather consistent and lasting ā like a light that never dims. Itās a quiet pledge renewed month after month, a reflection of deep compassion, and a steadfast belief in the dignity and care that every person deserves at the end of life.
Our GEM (Give Every Month) donors exemplify this kind of unwavering kindness. Their collective gifts provide more than $302,000 in reliable annual funding, allowing us to plan with confidence, respond quickly to changing needs, and sustain essential programs yearround. Their support may feel quiet, but its impact runs deep ā fostering trust, encouraging connection, and ensuring that no oneās final days are spent without comfort, compassion and companionship.
In this issue of The Heart of Hospice, youāll meet three of our GEMs: Corinne and her therapy cat, Franklin, whose visits bring gentle peace to residents and families alike; Greg, who, supported by our grief programs, found a way forward after the tragic death of his wife; and Valerie, who discovered connection and purpose after her husbandās final days were spent in our care.
Each of these stories is a glimpse into whatās possible when generosity becomes a steady presence in someoneās life. Month by month, gift by gift, their support now shapes the future of hospice care: a future where comfort is certain, connection is constant, and no oneās journey is walked alone.
Whether youāre already part of our GEM community or considering joining it, know that every act of generosity, given with intention and heart, helps build that future. And with each new GEM, that circle of care grows stronger and brighter.
Monica Robson CEO, Pilgrims Hospice Society
$25/ month
Supports Grief Services, including music, art, pet therapy, movement and digital tools grounded in therapeutic best practices.
$50/ month
Provides vital respite to caregivers and strengthens our ability to offer attentive, personalized care, so families can focus on simply being present.
$100/ month
Advances hospice care through innovation, equipment and continuous staff training.
April 21, 2010. That was the day that Greg Yandaās wife took her own life. That was the day that changed Gregās life forever.
āIt was the worst time you can ever imagine. I was in a personal crisis because of it,ā remembers Greg. But it wasnāt just himself Greg had to think about. āOur daughter was just nine years old at the time. I needed to make sure she was taken care of.ā
Someone at his daughterās school suggested to Greg that he contact Pilgrims Hospice Society. āThatās how I ended up calling and learning about the Expressive Arts for Grieving Children, Teens and Families program that you had at the time.ā
Greg enrolled Emily in the program. It was the start of a transformational journey for both of them.
Gregās wife, Sheila
āIām not sure how much Emily really understood about what had happened,ā recalls Greg. āBut for me, to know she was in a place that cared, that she could express herself in her own way, that she had an outlet for her feelings, and that she learned it was okay to talk about her mom ā that was such a relief. And sheāll tell you that it was a positive experience for her too.ā
What Greg didnāt expect was the support he would receive as well. āI would sit upstairs with the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles of the other kids in the program. All those kids had lost someone, which meant the adults had lost someone, too. One of Pilgrimsā grief facilitators would sit with us. Weād talk a bit. They would put some pencil crayons and paper on the table, and I would just draw while we were chatting. It was incredibly helpful.ā
Life began moving on for Greg and Emily, but their connection to Pilgrims remained strong. When Emily turned 14, she returned to Pilgrims as a junior helper at the summer grief program for kids. In 2013, Greg spoke about the support they received at a fundraising gala, and a picture that Emily painted raised nearly $40,000 in the auction.
Now, 15 years later, Greg is still a proud supporter of Pilgrims.
āWhat keeps me connected is gratitude,ā said Greg. āI still miss my wife. I still think about her. Her loss was earthshattering, but life goes on, and we had to find a way to move on. Pilgrims gave us the best chance to do that.ā
Pilgrims has changed a lot since Greg and Emily first found us. We now offer hospice care, which, along with Grief Support and our Adult Day Program, operates out of a new state-of-the-art facility.
What hasnāt changed is our focus on whole-family care. āWhat stands out for me is the support that families receive,ā said Greg. āPilgrims helps families to heal. I was a family member whose healing started with Pilgrims. That needs to continue, and the only way it does is if we donate. Pilgrims offers all of its services, including grief support, at no cost to families ā I think thatās incredible. I made a donation every time we attended a program, but I know that isnāt possible for a lot of people. If my donation means someone else can receive the support they need, Iāll gladly do it.ā
Greg also thinks of Pilgrims every year on his birthday. āI always say that I donāt want presents, I want donations to Pilgrims,ā laughs Greg. āI know Iāll never repay them for what they did for us and still do for so many people, but I can try.ā
Grief support at Pilgrims Hospice Society is available to anyone in the community who is grieving the death of someone significant in their life. Our programs are free to attend, thanks to the generosity of our donors.
Corinne Oneill and Franklin, a therapy cat, started visiting Pilgrims earlier this year. We sat down with them recently to get the scoop on what makes Franklin so special and what it takes to become a certified therapy cat.
How did you know Franklin would make a good therapy cat?
Corinne: Shortly after we brought Franklin home, he bonded with our blind dog. He actually became the dogās seeing-eye cat, and that was his purpose in life for the past few years. When the dog died, we knew Franklin needed a new job, which is when we started training in pet therapy.
Is pet therapy training as intensive for cats as it is for dogs?
Corinne: The training for cats is actually quite similar to the training for dogs. It involves making sure the cat has the right personality and temperament for the job. It took us about nine months to complete the training, which included several exams and a number of supervised therapy visits. Franklin was just recently certified, so this is a new adventure for both of us.
Franklin is the first therapy cat weāve had at Pilgrims. Is it common for cats to become therapy animals?
Corinne: No, therapy cats are quite unusual. Franklin is one of only three therapy cats certified by the Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta.
What made you want to bring Franklin to Pilgrims?
Corinne: Iām a nurse practitioner by trade, and I sit on the Alberta Hospice Palliative Care Association Board, so palliative care is close to my heart. My 83-year-old mom lives with me, and Franklin is really comfortable with her, so I had a feeling he would do well in a palliative environment. I wasnāt sure if Pilgrims would be open to a therapy cat, but I shouldnāt have worried. Iāve been in health care for over 30 years, and Pilgrims is like nowhere Iāve ever seen. Theyāve thought of everything and theyāre always open to new ideas ā including therapy cats! Itās really magical here.
āFranklin was abandoned with his mom and siblings in a field. We rescued him and knew he was a special cat from early on.ā
When did you become aware of Pilgrims Hospice Society?
Corinne: I received grief support from Pilgrims several years ago. I think the Roozen Family Hospice Centre was just being built at the time. I became a donor shortly after as a way to give back for the help I received, and more recently, I became a GEM.
Is there anything else about Pilgrims that really stands out for you?
Corinne: The volunteers here are amazing. Theyāve welcomed us with open arms. The staff is different, too. Theyāre very happy here. Every time we visit, I see them helping each other, the residents and the families ā itās really special. Iām thrilled to be a small part of it.
Has Franklin had any special moments during his visits here?
Corinne: I remember one interaction with a young woman who had just learned that her mother wasnāt likely to wake up again. I asked if she would like a visit with Franklin. She invited us in and picked Franklin up. We just sat in silence, but she said that our visit really helped her. Franklin has a very curious mind. Heās always interested in his surroundings, and there isnāt a person he doesnāt like ā he just loves everybody. Because of that, I find heās particularly helpful for the residentsā families. Heās a good distraction from the heaviness they may be feeling.
Valerie Warkeās journey with Pilgrims began not as a volunteer or a donor, but as a wife walking beside her husband, Lew, in his final days. He died at our hospice in September 2022, an experience that now inspires everything she gives back.
āLew was happiest when he was outside, so thatās where we spent the last days of his life. The staff would lift him into a Broda chair, and we would spend hours walking around the neighbourhood. On his last day, they wheeled his bed into the courtyard for us, and thatās where we stayed,ā
Until a gentle word from the doctor told them their time with Lew was nearing an end.
Lew Warke was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on December 22, 2019, and given just three months to live. Despite reeling from the news, the couple went ahead with their Christmas plans ā attending A Christmas Carol at the Citadel Theatre and hosting their annual Christmas Eve carolling party for family and friends. Christmas Eve was Lewās favourite day of the year, so it seemed fitting to continue the tradition. Everybody came and sang their hearts out.
Lewās doctors began him on an aggressive course of chemotherapy ā 46 treatments in total ā and Lew responded well. So well, in fact, that Valerie and Lew spent the next two and a half years making the most of their time together. āWe decided early on that we werenāt going to pay attention to the numbers. Every day was going to have something hard, but every day was also going to have something happy,ā recalls Valerie. āLew was that kind of person. He lived to the fullest. We had an amazing life.ā
But in June of 2022, things took a turn. Despite responding well to treatment, Lew was now showing symptoms of end-stage pancreatic cancer. āWe got a call from Lewās oncologist,ā remembers Valerie. āShe said Lew was such a trooper; rarely do they see anyone do as well as he did. But at some point, the cancer turns on a switch and takes over.ā
Valerie had heard about Pilgrims, so they decided to come for a tour. āWe were absolutely impressed, with not just the building but the feeling here.ā Soon after, they met with a physician from Pilgrimsā Home Visiting Hub. āI was so impressed with how kind the doctor was. He and Lew talked for about two hours, and he told me what to watch for in Lew so I would know when it was time for hospice.ā
That time came faster than anyone expected. Unfortunately, Pilgrims didnāt have a suite available. āI remember they asked if we would consider another hospice, but Lew said, āNo, weāre going to Pilgrims.āā So, they waited.
By early September, Lew weighed barely 100 pounds and was failing fast. āIt was the Labour Day holiday, and I called Pilgrims. Before I knew it, they were calling back to ask if we could be there in three hours,ā said Valerie. āOf course, we said yes, but leaving home that day was the hardest day of my life. I knew that was it; Lew wouldnāt be coming back.ā
The Warkes arrived at Pilgrims and quickly settled in. āWe were all so exhausted,ā remembers Valerie. āBut the thing is, I felt safe. And Lew felt safe. Thatās the word I would use to describe the feeling when you arrive here. Youāre afraid, but itās also a huge relief. You feel cared for and supported, physically and emotionally. The amazing staff and the facilityās design enabled us to be with Lew 24/7. We particularly appreciated the quiet atmosphere, the cuddle bed, the family visiting areas, and the well-stocked snack cupboard!ā
Ten days later, Lew Warke would die, calmly, peacefully and surrounded by those he loved the most.
āI support Pilgrims because there is no compromising of care here. We experienced their exemplary medical, emotional and spiritual care during the 10 days that Lew was here, and that support continued even after his passing, through grief support, resources and memorial events.ā
After Lewās death, the Warkes decided to start a new family Christmas Eve tradition ā a walk down Candy Cane Lane with a stop at Pilgrims to drop off their holiday donation.
Team Lew-Wow at Hike for Pilgrims Hospice
In addition to their annual Christmas Eve donation, the Warkes participate in Hike for Pilgrims Hospice, our annual fundraising walk, and they help spread the word about Pilgrims by inviting guests to our Sunflower Fundraising Luncheon.
Valerie has also returned to Pilgrims as a volunteer with the dietary team. āI wish everyone could see the loving care that goes into preparing the nutritious meals and snacks for the residents and families. The homemade soups and the smell of fresh baking are like a hug from the kitchen.ā
Wanting to help even more, Valerie became a GEM.
āThe benefits to Pilgrims of having a steady monthly income made sense to me. Itās easy to have the donation happen automatically every month. And Pilgrims is just something Iām so grateful for. Once you experience it, you believe in it and in what theyāre doing here. You wish it could be that way for everybody.ā
Yield: 2kg of bread pudding
Ingredients:
ā¢ Day old brioche bread or croissants approx. 1kg, rough chopped
ā¢ Mirepoix (300g onions, 200g celery, 150g carrots) small diced
ā¢ 300g chestnuts, rough chopped
ā¢ 200g dried apricots, rough chopped
ā¢ Two sprigs of fresh thyme, de-stemmed
ā¢ 4 whole large eggs, lightly beaten
ā¢ 250ml white wine, to delgaze
ā¢ 250ml heavy cream approx. 33%
ā¢ 750ml chicken or vegetable stock
ā¢ Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. SautƩ mirepoix, chestnuts and apricots until lightly brown. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Deglaze with white wine and reduce until almost dry.
3. Add in stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes and set aside to cool.
4. In a large bowl, mix together bread, fresh thyme leaves, eggs and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add the cooled stock to the bread mixture. The stock can be fairly warm but not hot, otherwise the egg will curdle. Mixture should look wet and loose.
6. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper one final time and then pour into a pan lined with parchment paper to be baked.
7. Bake at 350 Ā°F uncovered for 30-45 minutes depending on the size and dimensions of the pan or until browned and set in the centre.
8. Allow the bread pudding to rest for about 5-10 minutes before enjoying. A great accompaniment for roasted white meats and gravy.
Recipe provided by Chef Thomas
Pilgrims Hospice Society is an independent, charitable organization. The funding we receive from Assisted Living Alberta provides only a base level of care.
The generosity of donors ensures that our endof-life care is free of charge. It also enhances the standard of care for our residents and their families by providing complementary services like:
These services can cost up to $8,500 per resident (on average).
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THANK YOU FOR GIVING!
Please consider making a one-time donation or join our GEM (Give Every Month) Club today. If you have questions about our funding model, call 780-413-9801 or email donations@pilgrimshospice.com.