The patients and their families, staff and volunteers of Hospice Georgian Triangle have lost a huge supporter with the passing of Ricki Thompson on October 20, 2022.

Few donations have been more impactful than the financial contributions of Ricki Thompson. As a philanthropist, teacher, civic leader, and friend to many. Ricki’s passing leaves a huge void in the Hospice’s donor community.

“We are incredibly grateful to Ricki for her continuous generosity. She supported Hospice Georgian Triangle for 21 consecutive years” says Dr. Michael Sharpe, Hospice Georgian Triangle Foundation Board Chair.

“She was a community leader and selfless contributor to our community for the betterment of others.”   

Hospice Georgian Triangle relies on financial support from the local community to provide compassionate care. Wether it is In the home, at Campbell House, and in the community, for families dealing with life-limiting illness, in the communities of Wasaga Beach, Clearview Township, Collingwood, and the Blue Mountains.

The Sanctuary Garden at Campbell House

In 2019, the Robert C. and Ricki Thompson Sanctuary Garden was officially dedicated. The Sanctuary Garden honoured Robert Thompson, Ricki’s husband, and a prominent lawyer, who passed away in 2011. This consisted of walkways, sitting areas, a bridge and pond, a canopy of trees and perennials surrounding Campbell House. 

The Sanctuary Garden provides a tranquil space for patients and families at Campbell House. The sitting areas and outdoor “rooms” are often used to host support programming. From grief and bereavement programs, caregiver support groups or one-on-one counselling sessions, these grounds are used daily.

At the recent Care Gala in September, Ricki offered to match up to $100,000 in donations. Her generosity helped raise a gala record of almost $400,000.

“Ricki’s generosity was motivated by her incredible commitment to the community and wanting to make it a better place for all,” says Sandra Sullivan, Executive Director, Hospice Georgian Triangle Foundation.

“She recently said to me that she wanted to inspire others to step up. She said if others see her as an example, she hoped they would be motivated to do the same.” 

And while Ricki was a terrific supporter of Hospice, her generosity toward the hospital and humane society contributed to all our community’s health. 

Ricki joined with the Campbell and Henning families as one of our leading donors. But financial support comes in the form of donations from literally hundreds of individuals and businesses through the southern Georgian Bay area. 

This strong community support allows in-house, hospice palliative care to be offered around the clock, seven days a week at Campbell House, which has 10 patient-care suites.

A staff of 34 healthcare professionals and administrators helps manage holistic care and wellbeing. The aim is to achieve the greatest quality of life for the patient and the family.

Due to Ricki and our donor community, last year’s Hospice record has been outstanding:

  • 243 stays at Campbell House, including 40 respite visits,
  • 144 group grief sessions, involving 915 participants,
  • 1,859 community visits,
  • 1,155 individuals served through community programming,
  • Nine children and youth supported with 52 individual sessions for grief and bereavement,
  • 143 virtual visits and 80 in-person visits at the Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Clinic, and a
  • 54 per cent increase in referrals to our community team for grief and bereavement care.

Thank you, Ricki.