Joan and Donna arrived at Victoria Hospice with lifetimes of experience.
Joan was a war bride and travelled all around the world. She has devoted some of her time at hospice to knitting scarves for care team members who bike to work. “It helps keep their necks warm,” she says. Donna has travelled extensively too. She has a ready laugh and is a devoted Toronto Blue Jays fan.
When each one arrived at hospice, neither was expecting to find a friend, a best friend. But they did.
They share one of the three double rooms on the 18-bed Inpatient Unit. They also share all the ups and downs of day-to-day life, chats in the night, and have gotten to know each other’s family members, friends, and visitors. They look out for each other.
Joan has taught Donna to knit. And Donna has taught Joan all about the Blue Jays. If you visited them during baseball season, you’d find them knitting with an eye on the game, trading commentary on the score.
They have many nice things to say about each other. Donna says, “She’s like a mother to me.”
Joan says, “She’s a friend for life.”
Their friendship has touched the hearts of everyone at Victoria Hospice.