Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County

06/05/2026

A BIG thank you to Poland Spring Natural Spring Water for their generous donation to Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County!

05/26/2026

Mark your calendars for these two great events happening next month.

05/25/2026

05/15/2026

If you are out and about on this rainy day in Skowhegan, stop by Redington Fairview General Hospital for their Community Health Fair from 9 to 12 today and say hi to Julie, Kelly, and Eliza. They are there along with many other amazing organizations that have a lot of information to share. We hope to see you there!

04/20/2026

Over the years, I have been asked by families to “please don’t tell them they are dying.” I have sat at bedsides where family members pleaded with me not to say the word hospice or acknowledge death out loud. I always hold that request with respect. I know that the reasons are deeply personal, woven from culture, tradition, history, and love. I would never dismiss those choices. Still, what I have witnessed time and again is that the person who is dying almost always already knows. Their bodies tell them. Their hearts know. Their awareness deepens, even if no one around them dares to name it.

What stays with me are the moments lost when the truth is withheld. I have seen people leave without the chance to say goodbye, without being given the opening to speak words they have held close for years, words of forgiveness, apology, or gratitude. I believe those conversations, as painful as they might feel, are among the most sacred parts of dying. When we avoid them, we sometimes protect ourselves more than we protect the person we love.

This is not simple, and I don’t pretend there is only one way. There are situations where speaking directly isn’t possible or appropriate. But from what I have witnessed, I believe that naming what is real gives people the chance to meet the end of life on their own terms, with dignity, honesty, and peace. And to me, that is one of the greatest gifts we can offer.

In the end, this will always be your choice as a family. But if it were up to me, I would encourage honesty. Not harsh or unkind, but gentle and loving, meeting your person right where they are. In doing so, you not only support them in one of the most tender chapters of their life, but you also allow them the chance to feel truly seen, heard, and held as well as giving them the opportunity to say goodbye, which would be taken from them if the honest conversations were not had.

xo
Gabby

You can find this blog here:
https://www.thehospiceheart.net/post/give-them-the-chance-to-say-goodbye

03/13/2026

Visit today to register! https://campscui.active.com/orgs/MSAD54AdultCommunityEducation?season=3737346&session=69005046

02/12/2026

THANK YOU, Thrifty Chic Boutique for hosting such a fantastic event in January!
Here's a snapshot of owner Kylie Brown passing along part of the proceeds to HVOSC's own, Julie.

These funds - raised in our community, for our community, will go to support our work providing compassionate, skilled hospice care to those who need it in Somerset County.

We are so grateful for the thoughtfulness and generosity of Thrifty Chic Boutique and can't forget to offer a special shout out to Unwind for providing delicious drinks during the event!

02/07/2026

"In the quiet room of our Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County library lies a quiet masterpiece that speaks volumes: The Memory String by Eve Bunting. It is a deeply moving story where a simple string of buttons becomes a tangible, precious lifeline to family history and cherished memories.

This book is a great read for all ages, reminding us how small objects can hold massive emotional weight. It personally resonates with me because I, too, curate a "treasure box" of memories—a shoebox filled with buttons from my grandmother, mother, and sisters. Just like the character in the book, I’ve added my own family’s buttons to that collection, ensuring our story continues to be threaded together. It is a powerful reminder that while we may lose loved ones, the memories we hold can keep them alive in our hearts."

Thank you, Julie, for sharing this with us ❤️❤️❤️

02/04/2026

While working on our lending library last week (did you know we have a lending library?? Now you do!!) we couldn't help but think about all the books, music, and movies we've leaned on in times of grief or loss, which got us wondering about You.

Would you take a minute and share a piece of media - a song, book or even TV show - that supported you while you were grieving? Who knows - it may be just the thing someone else needs to discover!