From her home in Calistoga, 93-year old Jeanne Lord has touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of orphaned youth.
From the comfort of her favorite armchair, she knits soft, colorful squares, in a rainbow of hues, that journey nearly 10,000 miles to Agape Children’s Ministry in Kenya, which works to reintegrate orphaned youth with their families. Each child chooses the squares they like, which are then turned into a blanket—a personal item of comfort made just for them at a time when they have little else.
These days, Jeanne knits a little slower and sometimes has to go back to fix dropped stitches, her health having been affected by a number of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), also known as mini strokes.
But she is able to remain at home, doing what she loves, thanks to the support she and her caregiver, her daughter Deanna, receive from Providence Hospice Napa Valley.
Continuing a lifetime of service
Jeanne spent her adult life in philanthropy and service. She was the national president of a 20,000-member sorority in the late 1960s, the president of the American Women’s Club in London in the 1970s and was involved in the LA County Epilepsy Society and the Assistance League after that. And she involved her family. “Mom always had projects, like stuffing envelopes, for us to help with at home,” Deanna explains.
In 2012 she moved up to northern California to be closer to her daughters. Five years ago, she suffered her first TIA. “That one was quick—she didn’t even realize it was happening,” Deanna says, “but in mid-December of last year, she had two more that changed everything. She was hospitalized for one, suffered the next one while still in the hospital and nearly died. Mom knew she wasn’t going to return to her former self or prevent more TIAs with more time in the hospital–she was done with tests and medications, and she wanted to be in her home among her own belongings.”
Jeanne and Deanna got a referral for Hospice Napa Valley. “A hospital or institution is not always a fit at the end of life, and after my experiences with the losses of my husband, sister, and father, I knew Mom’s decision to go on hospice care was the right one.
“With Hospice’s help, we were able to honor how she wanted to live the rest of her life.
“She has suffered additional TIAs since coming home but takes no meds and has no pain. I’m her caregiver, and working with Hospice Napa Valley, I feel I can give her better care than if she were in a facility: here, she’s comfortable, happy, and in her own element and routine. Her hospice team keeps an eye on anything that needs to be watched, provides resources like lift assistance and is there to answer any questions any time of day or night that I need it.
“We’re all in different spots on this journey called life. Thanks to Hospice Napa Valley, my mother is exactly where she wants to be on hers: helping others.”
Knitting one square at a time.
This article was first published in 2018
