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For the past decade, Downers Grove residents Betty Moeller and Nancy Tennis have dedicated their time to individuals and their families at Adventist St. Thomas Hospice in Burr Ridge.
Both women will be recognized during an annual volunteer recognition dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the La Grange Country Club.
In 1998, Moeller and Tennis went through the volunteer training process together.
Moeller said when she began at the hospice, she visited with the patients. Today she continues to volunteer her time from home, making calls to people who have lost loved ones.
“I make follow up phone calls with people helping them along their journey of grieving,” Moeller said. “A lot of people are lonely on the weekend and evenings, and we can talk and share their grieving. It’s nice to have someone outside the family to talk to.”
Moeller said she became involved with volunteering at the hospice after people close to her died.
“We had gone through several deaths in our family that had been difficult at best,” Moeller said. “And I kind of promised God if I got through those things, I would like to give back.”
Tennis said hospice care is a very important service to individuals with terminal illnesses, and she wanted to help others during their time at the hospice.
“I’ve always felt really blessed in my life, and I decided I wanted to find a meaningful way to give back,” Tennis said.
Tennis carries out a variety of volunteer duties including reading and helping to write down the life story of a patient.
“I would say I gave dignity to those facing that transition,” Tennis said.
Moeller and Tennis said they are both looking forward to the dinner.
“Every person who is there should be honored,” Moeller said.
Barb Zerby, who is the coordinator of volunteer services at the hospice, said Moeller and Tennis were two of the first volunteers she trained. Zerby said she is proud to work beside both of them and all the hospice volunteers.
“They are outstanding volunteers. These two have stayed with, and I’m very proud of that,” Zerby said.
For the past decade, Downers Grove residents Betty Moeller and Nancy Tennis have dedicated their time to individuals and their families at Adventist St. Thomas Hospice in Burr Ridge.
Both women will be recognized during an annual volunteer recognition dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the La Grange Country Club.
In 1998, Moeller and Tennis went through the volunteer training process together.
Moeller said when she began at the hospice, she visited with the patients. Today she continues to volunteer her time from home, making calls to people who have lost loved ones.
“I make follow up phone calls with people helping them along their journey of grieving,” Moeller said. “A lot of people are lonely on the weekend and evenings, and we can talk and share their grieving. It’s nice to have someone outside the family to talk to.”
Moeller said she became involved with volunteering at the hospice after people close to her died.
“We had gone through several deaths in our family that had been difficult at best,” Moeller said. “And I kind of promised God if I got through those things, I would like to give back.”
Tennis said hospice care is a very important service to individuals with terminal illnesses, and she wanted to help others during their time at the hospice.
“I’ve always felt really blessed in my life, and I decided I wanted to find a meaningful way to give back,” Tennis said.
Tennis carries out a variety of volunteer duties including reading and helping to write down the life story of a patient.
“I would say I gave dignity to those facing that transition,” Tennis said.
Moeller and Tennis said they are both looking forward to the dinner.
“Every person who is there should be honored,” Moeller said.
Barb Zerby, who is the coordinator of volunteer services at the hospice, said Moeller and Tennis were two of the first volunteers she trained. Zerby said she is proud to work beside both of them and all the hospice volunteers.
“They are outstanding volunteers. These two have stayed with, and I’m very proud of that,” Zerby said.
