Mary Ellen was a dear friend and colleague. We worked together for 12 years collaboratively in hospice. Our roles often overlapped. She as Bereavement Manager, me as Volunteer Manager. She would often give or hear someone else give a compliment and the recipient, often myself, say, “oh this old thing?” or “uh, my hair didn’t turn out right,” or something else that signaled they weren’t worthy of the compliment. She would always reinforce us to say “thank you,” because the giver noticed something about you and was sincere and you should accept the love and intent towards you. I think of Mary Ellen always when given a compliment and have to stop myself from negating it. I certainly mean it when giving compliments to others.
This is just one of her nuggets of wisdom. She also said people.have to stop torturing themselves with shoulda, woulda, coulda’s when loved ones die. We all do our best with our time and caring of loved ones and circumstances are different for everyone. I have had to remember that mantra on many occasions.
She had Namaste on her office door. Which showed her reverence for all she encountered.
Our moments, get togethers, projects, laughter and tears are too numerous to mention, but I will always remember her mantras and desire to comfort others. The sunset here, taken in Maine, was at the time she was entering heaven on May 16. I will always look upon this and remember her presence and warmth at thar moment.
My sincere love and condolences to her loving family and friends.
Mary Ellen was there to support me at an emotionally vulnerable moment as she has done for many others. I was weeping bitterly and yet she was so graceful and sincere with her words and how she said them. I do my best to imitate her but I can’t hold a candle because there was really no one like her.
Mary Ellen was a dear friend and colleague. We worked together for 12 years collaboratively in hospice. Our roles often overlapped. She as Bereavement Manager, me as Volunteer Manager. She would often give or hear someone else give a compliment and the recipient, often myself, say, “oh this old thing?” or “uh, my hair didn’t turn out right,” or something else that signaled they weren’t worthy of the compliment. She would always reinforce us to say “thank you,” because the giver noticed something about you and was sincere and you should accept the love and intent towards you. I think of Mary Ellen always when given a compliment and have to stop myself from negating it. I certainly mean it when giving compliments to others.
This is just one of her nuggets of wisdom. She also said people.have to stop torturing themselves with shoulda, woulda, coulda’s when loved ones die. We all do our best with our time and caring of loved ones and circumstances are different for everyone. I have had to remember that mantra on many occasions.
She had Namaste on her office door. Which showed her reverence for all she encountered.
Our moments, get togethers, projects, laughter and tears are too numerous to mention, but I will always remember her mantras and desire to comfort others. The sunset here, taken in Maine, was at the time she was entering heaven on May 16. I will always look upon this and remember her presence and warmth at thar moment.
My sincere love and condolences to her loving family and friends.
Mary Ellen was there to support me at an emotionally vulnerable moment as she has done for many others. I was weeping bitterly and yet she was so graceful and sincere with her words and how she said them. I do my best to imitate her but I can’t hold a candle because there was really no one like her.