Carlson family leaves a legacy to Hospice

Sunshine Coast Hospice is grateful for the endowment created by donors,  John and Sheila Carlson of Gibsons, who both acknowledge the vital role that hospice plays in end-of-life care on the Coast. They witnessed this first-hand when Sheila’s sister, Kathie died in 2009, after receiving hospice care in her home in Roberts Creek. The care team supported her sister to ease her pain and discomfort, and also took care of her physical, emotional and spiritual needs when Kathie was in distress. 

Kathie’s passing was “more pleasant,” than that of her own daughter Valerie, Sheila says, who died of cancer in Chilliwack Hospital in March 2008. “That was terribly difficult,” she says. “The nurse told me more could have been done for our daughter if she had been in hospice. Someone at Chilliwack Hospital suggested hospice, but it was too late. There were no beds.”

For many people like the Carlsons, the inspiration to donate comes from gratitude for the increased comfort that hospice services can provide a family member at the end of life. The family received high-quality, end-of-life care which inspired them to create the endowment at Sunshine Coast Foundation to honour Valerie and the support of Sunshine Coast Hospice. We are grateful to receive annual gifts from this endowment every year.

Anyone may make a gift to the Carlson’s endowment in support of the Hospice Society. To find out more about making a gift or about starting an endowment in memory of someone you love or to support a cause you care about, contact the Foundation at 604.741.7360.

John and Sheila Carlson started a Sunshine Coast Foundation endowment in memory of her sister, Kathie