Former Employee of Center for Hope Hospice Pays it Forward with Donation in Husband’s Memory

SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J., April 7, 2017 – Kathy O’Donnell (far right) and her son, Terrance (center) of Cranford, treasure their longstanding connection to the Center for Hope Hospice & Palliative Care in Scotch Plains. In 1983, O’Donnell went to work as secretary to the Center’s co-founder, Peggy Coloney (for whom the Scotch Plains residence, Peggy’s House is named) after her brother received home hospice care from the then-newly formed provider.

“Father Hudson and Peggy were just getting started, working out of a small office in Union,” said O’Donnell. “I was very appreciative of the care my brother received from the nurses they sent to our home and wanted to give back.” She started as a volunteer in the office and then worked as Coloney’s secretary for 10 years. Later, her husband William, who was active in the Cranford Knights of Columbus Council #6226, also volunteered for the Center as a photographer. Sadly, he passed away in March 2016.

In honor of William’s memory, the Cranford Knights held a golf outing last fall; when it came time to donate proceeds, there was no question for the O’Donnells that the Center for Hope Hospice should be a recipient. Kathy and Terrance, who is now a member of the Cranford Knights, recently came to Peggy’s House to present a check for $2500 in appreciation of the relationship the family has enjoyed for the past 24 years and for the care the Center provides to the community. With the O’Donnells are (left to right) Jeff Lampl, COO, Frank Brady, president and Nancy Rager, facilities administrator.

For information about hospice and palliative care services at Center for Hope Hospice, visit www.cfhh.org.

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About Center for Hope Hospice

Center for Hope Hospice (Center for Hope) is a non-profit, community-based organization that provides terminally ill patients with hospice care, and their families or loved ones with physical, emotional, and spiritual support during their time of need. The Center actively supports the individual's right to live out the remainder of their life with dignity and in comfort, surrounded by the love of family and friends, and eased from the burdens of physical, emotional, spiritual, financial or social distress. Center for Hope welcomes all terminally ill patients, their families and loved ones without concern for race, ethnicity, religious affiliation or ability to pay. It also offers pain and symptom management for chronically ill and seriously ill patients through its palliative care program. Center for Hope operates two facilities, Peggy’s House in Scotch Plains and Father Hudson House in Elizabeth, which provides more than $2 million a year in charity care. For more information, visit www.cfhh.org.