What will strike you upon visiting our newly appointed 2 bedroom Hospice Suite at Points West is the beautiful décor! We are indebted to Theresa Perkins who took our design project of furnishing and decorating the suite and outdid all our expectations!
Theresa was schooled and practiced interior design in Calgary for several years before relocating to Stettler 12 years ago. Benjamin Franklin coined the adage “If you want something done, ask a busy person”. This phrase is confirmed in Theresa, who is a self-professed “doer”. In addition to full-time employment as a Scheduler with Atco Electric, she is an avid gardener, a quilter and has recently again taken up an old love of cross-stitch.
Our Co-Founder, Nancy Bauman also works at Atco where the two met, and they struck up a friendship as well as a working relationship. When Nancy approached her to seek her assistance, knowing of her talents in “design”, she admittedly initially had misgivings. But upon further consideration, she confessed to feeling a “leading” to give back to the community somehow. So, she decided to accept the challenge, and we could not be happier that she did!
“I felt compelled to help, and I knew I would foster new relationships by meeting and working with other volunteers in this project.”
She is grateful for the assistance of others in the community and wants to share their involvement. Bernie Wells of Wells Furniture, who in addition to deliberating about the design process, discounted and donated furniture, artwork and ornaments that now grace the “home”. Cindy Savage, of Stettler Flowers, also provided design advice and décor items. And she particularly enjoyed corroborating with Dave McCourt (a local retired engineer) and enjoyed visiting his woodshop. “He is so passionate about his wood-working projects and in his commitment to the community, and it is evident in the feature shelving he created for our space.”
Shortly after Theresa agreed to design the Hospice Suite, Covid 19 happened, and she admitted this created setbacks and challenges for her and her “team”. But they forged on in working relationships that turned into friendships and resulted in a beautiful outcome.
When asked why she chose our Hospice Project as a means to “giving back” to the community she shared, “My father-in-law passed away in Wainwright and all of our family had to travel from out-of-town to be with him. I recognize that a hospice facility as we are working towards here, could be so beneficial in providing a comfortable and quiet space for families to be together as such an emotional and momentous time.”
She encourages others to become involved to feel as she does, “I feel gratified knowing that I did a good job and contributed to something important that the community has such a demand for. By attending one of your meetings and listening to some of the statistics about need and the economics involved, I am happy I was able to help in some way to move towards beginning to meet that need. I am even interested in pursuing a position on the board perhaps!”
The Board is excited to think that might become a reality, Theresa! Thank-you for giving so generously of your time and talents. You and your team have made our Hospice “Feel Like Home.!”
