Hospice Georgian Triangle has more than 100 volunteers that gave over 8,625 hours of service this year. We appreciate and acknowledge all those who give their time in Campbell house and in the community. The dedicated volunteers are an essential part of the fabric of Hospice Georgian Triangle, and we are grateful for their tireless contributions.
Meet Sharon MacFarlane
Sharon began volunteering for Hospice Georgian Triangle in 2019 and has had roles in the kitchen as a ‘Kitchen Angel’ and with the community support team making home and virtual visits to palliative patients and providing grief and bereavement support.
In 2009, Sharon reached out to Hospice Georgian Triangle for help with her father. After that experience, she knew that when she had the opportunity, she wanted to do the same for someone else. After she retired as an elementary school teacher, she took a course on grief counseling and palliative care. Ever since she has volunteered.
In 2009, Sharon reached out to Hospice Georgian Triangle for help with her father. After that experience, she knew that when she had the opportunity, she wanted to do the same for someone else. After she retired as an elementary school teacher, she took a course on grief counseling and palliative care. Ever since she has volunteered.
“Sharon has been an outstanding community volunteer for many years. She has shared her compassion and deep connection with so many in our community,” says Trish Rawn, Executive Director of Hospice Georgian Triangle.
A large part of her role is listening and allow the space for people to trust and share their stories. It is a big risk for many to have a stranger come in when they are vulnerable and possibly fragile, she said.
“It usually starts as a conversation and then over time you can really make meaningful connections,” she said.
Some of the conversations are difficult but some are more light-hearted. When people remember good times, there can be laughter, she says.
‘When I am supporting the bereaved there is often joy under their sadness.”
The most difficult part of the volunteer role has been navigating during the lockdowns over the past two years. The pandemic has contributed to loneliness and social isolation which is compounded when grieving the loss of a loved one, she explains.
“The greatest challenge is not being able to visit people face-to-face,’ she said. When you have lost someone, you really need the physical presence of someone there. It can be very lonely and communicating on zoom or the phone is not the same, she says.
Despite the challenges, Sharon says volunteering at Hospice Georgian Triangle has been one of the most meaningful experiences in her life.
“I am grateful to have people open their hearts to me and share their experience,” she said. “It is a privilege and I feel very blessed.”
