Maureen Fox

Text version of Maureen Fox's keynote remarks

Good morning.  My name is Maureen Fox.  I am a licensed clinical social worker and the volunteer coordinator for SSM Hospice—St. Louis. 
Two years ago we launched a program called Peaceful Moments, inspired by the following quote, “You matter because you are you, and you matter until the last moment of your life. And we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but to live until you die.”  Peaceful Moments provides a volunteer to be present with a patient who would otherwise be alone in the final hours of life. For our patients, that means a dignified death in an atmosphere of love. Our volunteer’s presence affirms the value of the dying person on his or her final earthly journey.

Our Peaceful Moments volunteers are compassionate, loving, generous people, yet they often say that they receive more from the patient than they give.  They feel it a privilege to be with someone during this most profound personal
experience.

Each of our volunteers carries a basket containing, among other things, a Bible, a c.d. player, recordings of soft, relaxing music, a book with inspirational poems and readings, and gift certificates for food, so that the volunteer can get a bite to eat on the way home.

Through Peaceful Moments, our volunteers offer love and comfort in the same way that our founding sisters did when they came to St. Louis from Germany.  The baskets used by the volunteers are reminiscent of the basket of Mother Odilia, in which she brought compassion and comfort to the sick and carried food to refresh her sisters.

This is one volunteer’s account of her experience: I held the patient’s hand, (and) I told him that I was going to pray. (When) I finished praying, I sat holding his hand without talking. Later he started to breathe more heavily. I said “Do not be afraid. I’m here with you.” Then (a) calm came over the room. I knew he was ready. I cried, prayed, and said “Remember me when you are in front of our God.” He took another breath, this one more silent.  Then he became very calm and quietly took his final breath.

The first time we offered Peaceful moments, I was there.   The patient was a tiny, elderly lady curled up in her bed, seemingly unconscious, but comfortable and serene.  In a chair next to her was our volunteer, reading passages from Scripture.  There was the soft sound of harp music in the background.  I knew then that we had accomplished our goal of providing the atmosphere of peace and loving companionship this lady so truly deserved.