Langley Hospice Society
History
1980
Langley In-Service Training Committee was formed.
This committee was formed to provide educational sessions for staff working in long-term care and mental health facilities to improve the standard of care. These sessions were facilitated by Denis Boyd, a psychologist and counselor. Three members of this group joined together to form the hospice committee, which continued for three years.
1983
The Langley Hospice Society was incorporated on October 19.
The founding board members included June Williams, Jeannine McCarty, Lillian To, Dr. Tom Parsons, Ethel Chapman, Dr. Craig Seaton, Carol O'Bryne, Jim Sydor and Ena Bontkes. The Society operated out of homes and community facilities throughout Langley for the first three years.
Formal training sessions for hospice volunteers were offered by Denis Boyd, and over 100 participants were trained in the first three years.
1987 - 1990
Langley Hospice held its meetings in the community room at Henderson's Funeral Home.
In 1990, Langley Hospice Society moved into its first official office space in the old Langley Seniors Resource Centre.
1991
First palliative care room opened at the Langley Memorial Hospital.
This room was decorated through the joint efforts of Langley Hospice and Merlyn Davidson.
1993
In November, Kay Johnson because the first Executive Director of Langley Hospice.
Kay had been working at the Langley Memorial Hospital as a Registered Nurse in the Psychiatric Unit and Outpatient department.
1994
The Langley Hospice Foundation was registered under the Societies Act.
The Foundation was founded to act as the fundraising arm of the Society in order to raise funds to support the hospice palliative care programs and services.
Founding board members included Pat Francis, Judy Miller, Merlyn Davidson, Maynard Suddard, Jeanine McCarthy, Diana Fournier, Pat Barkley, Kory Down, Elizabeth Morfitt, Karen Nerbas and Sandra Hulbert.
1995
The current "house" logo was adopted.
Ernis Macina, a graphic design student at Kwantlen College, won a contest to create the hospice logo, which is still in use today.
1998
On February 9, Langley Hospice purchased and moved into its current home at 20088 - 40A Avenue in Langley.
The funds used to purchase this house were raised through garage sales, golf tournaments, concerts, community donations and a lottery. The house played many roles over the years, serving as a facility for bereavement support groups, hospice training sessions, volunteer support, Society and Foundation board meetings, numerous workshops, a lending library and a place for the community to feel at home.
In September of 1998, Second Story Treasures Thrift Store opened in Walnut Grove.
This was, indeed, a community effort and the motto of "reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink" was adopted.
2000
Langley Health Services received approval for a hospice palliative care doctor.
Dr. Maureen Adamson was hired to help develop a formal Hospice Palliative Care Program and act as a consultant for other physicians, nurses, pharmacists and families.
2003
Langley Hospice marked a significant milestone, when it celebrated its 20th anniversary.
In the same year, Sandra Castle was hired as Executive Director. Prior to that, Sandra worked at Canadian Mental Health - Delta Branch as Executive Director and The Arthritis Society as Manager, Community Development.
2004
Fraser Health announces the opening of 10 hospice beds in partnership with the Langley Hospice Society.
The interim 10-bed hospice residence was to be housed in one wing of Maple Hill Extended Care Facility on the Langley Memorial Hospital grounds. Fraser Health committed to funding the renovations, essential medical equipment and operating funds. The Langley Hospice Society committed to providing the funding to fully furnish the rooms to create a home-like atmosphere.
2005
Second Story Treasures Thrift Store expands and the Hospice Residence opens.
In January, the Thrift Store acquired the adjacent bay and renovations were completed, resulting in doubling the square footage of retail space.
In June of this same year, the Langley Hospice Residence accepted their first palliative patients.
2006
Langley Hospice makes the final payment on their mortgage and the 1st Annual Grief Camp for Children is held.
On April 22, a special Mortgage Retirement Ceremony was held to celebrate paying off the final payment on the Hospice Society's offices - a big fiscal milestone for the Society.
With generous funding from the Vancouver Foundation, Langley Hospice's 1st Annual Camp Waterbugs, Dragonflies & Memories for twenty-two grieving children and teens was successfully implemented.
