10/16/2026
“By building a residential hospice in our community, somehow I feel like I’m giving my mom’s last wish to everybody.”
Maria (Mary) Tatangelo’s journey with Hospice Vaughan began more than 30 years ago, before CHV even had a home.
She was there when Hospice Vaughan first opened its doors on Woodbridge Avenue, later joining the Board and helping rally businesses, unions, families and friends around a vision many believed was impossible: a residential hospice in Vaughan.
But her reason for continuing became deeply personal.
Mary’s mother was a giver. She organized pasta nights for people who were sick, baked hundreds of treats for charitable events and bought large quantities of toys for young children each year. Giving back was simply who she was.
She spent her life creating comfort for others. In the end, she wanted that same sense of comfort for herself. She never wanted to die in a hospital. She wanted to be surrounded by the people she loved, in a home-like environment, with dignity and comfort. When she passed, Mary was able to surround her with family and friends—but she knew not every family had the same opportunity.
That’s when it became imperative to Mary that Vaughan have a residential hospice.
“At a hospital, death can feel lonely, like something that happens behind a closed door. At hospice, it is acknowledged, embraced and surrounded by love.”
“We want that person to feel loved,” Mary says. “And we want the family to feel loved and supported on this journey.”
For Mary, that is the heart of CHV.
Over the last 30 years, Mary and her family have continued to show up by giving back, advocating for hospice care, fundraising, bringing people together and championing new ideas like Care for a Day. She never stops thinking about what CHV can do next.
“I think that’s what life is about—leaving a legacy and making the world a better place.”
For Mary, CHV is more than an organization. It is a way to honour her mother, her community and the belief that everyone deserves a dignified goodbye.
This is HOSPICE CARE.
This is CHV. ♥️
