Quilts made with love bring comfort to hospice patients
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
After seeing the comfort that her husband received from Lakeview Homecare & Hospice during his last days of life, Patti Gorka knew she wanted to give back.
Over the past seven years, she and her sister Terry Nelson have sewn hundreds of quilts – each different – for other St. Croix Valley patients receiving hospice care through Lakeview.
Every spring, around the anniversary of Nick’s passing, Patti delivers the quilts in his memory. “This is my way of honoring Nick and giving back to Lakeview,” she reflected.
Each quilt comes with a blessing attached – a prayer that seeks comfort, strength, love and hope. This year, Patti, of Star Prairie, Wis., was honored with an outstanding service award by Lakeview Homecare & Hospice, for her commitment to patients and families.
“The love Patti and Terry sew from the heart is immeasurable,” said Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Nancy Kuckler. “The warmth and comfort felt by those who are wrapped in their handmade quilts can never be measured. It is felt with the heart.”
Patti is pictured second from right with the Lakeview Hospice care team and a collection of the quilts she and Terry created.