Hope and Healing: Stories from Utah’s Hospice Families
Beneath the watchful gaze of the Wasatch Mountains, where desert meets snow-capped peaks, countless families have found unexpected blessings in their hospice journeys. These are their stories, shared with permission from families served by Inspiration Hospice across the Wasatch Front.
The Last Family Home Evening
In a cozy South Jordan home, the Anderson family gathered for what would be their last family home evening with Grandpa Joe. His hospice nurse had helped arrange the evening, ensuring his pain was well-managed so he could fully participate. “We sang his favorite hymns,” recalls his daughter Marie, “and he shared stories about serving his mission in Japan back in the ’60s. Our hospice team even helped us record his testimony for the great-grandchildren.”
A Garden of Memories
Sarah Thompson’s mother loved tending her garden in Kaysville, where she could see both the mountains and the Great Salt Lake. As her illness progressed, her hospice aide would help her sit in her favorite porch swing, watching hummingbirds visit the feeders. “Our hospice nurse suggested we plant bulbs together,” Sarah shares, wiping away tears. “Mom knew she wouldn’t see them bloom, but she said, “Every spring, when those daffodils come up, you’ll remember our last garden together.”
The Temple View
For Brother Jensen in Bountiful, having his hospital bed positioned to see the temple lights at night brought immense peace. His hospice team worked with his priesthood quorum to ensure he could receive the sacrament each Sunday. “They understood that his spiritual comfort was just as important as his physical comfort,” his wife explains. “They even coordinated with our home teachers to time their visits when he was most alert.”
A Symphony of Love
In Provo, a retired music professor wanted to hear live music one last time. The hospice team coordinated with his former students, and one evening, his living room transformed into a concert hall. String quartet music filled the air as former students, now professional musicians, played his favorite Mozart pieces. “The hospice team helped position him comfortably,” his son remembers, “and made sure his oxygen wouldn’t interfere with the music. I’ll never forget the smile on his face.”
The Last Camping Trip
The Williams family from Pleasant Grove had a tradition of camping in American Fork Canyon. When Grandma Williams entered hospice care, her nurse helped the family organize one last “camping trip” in their backyard. “They helped us set up a medical tent with all her necessary equipment,” her grandson explains. “We roasted marshmallows, told stories, and slept under the stars. The hospice team made sure she was comfortable and safe the entire time.”
Bridging Generations
In Lehi, a hospice social worker helped a grandmother complete memory books for each of her grandchildren. “She was worried they wouldn’t remember her,” her daughter shares. “Our social worker brought supplies every visit, helping Mom write stories, add photos, and even record messages. Now these books are our most treasured possessions.”
The Final Game Night
The Rodriguez family’s weekly game nights in West Jordan were a cherished tradition. Their hospice team ensured Mr. Rodriguez could continue participating, adjusting his medications around these important family gatherings. “They even joined in sometimes,” his wife smiles. “Our nurse knew all about Mormon Bridge and would play a hand or two.”
A Mission Completed
For Sister Clark in Ogden, who had served four missions with her late husband, the hospice chaplain and her ward’s Relief Society worked together to compile her mission stories into a book. “She worried her great-grandchildren would never know about their heritage of service,” her daughter explains. “The hospice team helped her find closure in knowing her legacy would live on.”
The Christmas in July
When the hospice team realized their patient in Murray might not make it to December, they helped organize an early Christmas celebration. Ward members brought decorations, the family gathered from across the valley, and even Santa made an appearance. “Mom got to see all her grandchildren open one last present from her,” her son shares. “The hospice team made sure she was comfortable enough to enjoy every moment.”
These stories, woven into the fabric of Utah’s communities from Provo to Ogden, demonstrate how hospice care goes beyond medical support. As one Inspiration Hospice nurse puts it, “We’re not just caring for patients; we’re helping families create lasting memories against the backdrop of these beautiful mountains we call home.”
In each story, we see the unique blend of professional care, family love, and community support that characterizes hospice care in Utah. From coordinating with ward members to ensuring patients can maintain their spiritual practices, from organizing meaningful family gatherings to helping create legacies, hospice teams help families find light in their most challenging moments.
These experiences remind us that while the journey may be difficult, it can also be filled with profound moments of joy, peace, and connection. As the sun sets behind the Oquirrh Mountains each evening, hospice teams across the Wasatch Front continue their sacred work of helping families write their own beautiful final chapters.