Greetings to our many Palliative Care Supporters

We are nearly through the red tape and should be building the second Palliative Care Residence by the time you receive this newsletter. We’ve decided against having an official groundbreaking but will host an open house when the building is complete. We anticipate that will be early to mid summer. 

With the expansion of our services, I have hired an assistant, Dawn Christenson, who will be working with me and the other staff. Many of you already know her, as she has been a long time volunteer and the treasurer on the Palliative Care Board of Directors. She recently retired from her teaching position at MSU. Dawn is also attending school in Chicago 2 days a week to become our Chaplain. I believe she will be a fine asset to Eaton Community Hospice as we continue to meet the needs of the very ill. 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of 2 former Palliative Care volunteers. Betty Ackerson from Charlotte passed on November 2nd, 2011. Betty was one of our very first volunteers and was loving and compassionate with both patients and their families. She spent many hours in patient‘s homes helping in any way possible. Dr. John Neuman passed on October 24th, 2011 in Sebring, Florida. John was a family practice physician for many years in Lansing. After his retirement he volunteered in homes. When the Palliative Care Residence opened, he became our Sunday volunteer, a position he held until moving to Florida because of health issues involving his wife. Both Betty and John were truly valuable beyond words and our hearts go out to their families. 

Mark your calendars for December 7th. I have scheduled our annual Christmas party at the Eaton Area Senior Center. Chuck Archer will again be joining us to provide that great organ music followed by those exciting bingo games.  

For those of you who like to plan ahead, our St. Patrick’s Day auction will be on March 17th this year. I hope to see many of you on the 7th of December and in the meantime have a safe and pleasant Thanksgiving. I know many of you are hurting because of recent losses but do try to remember to be thankful for those small things and for your family and dear friends. 

With much love, 


Margaret Kyser Schmidt
Executive Director
Eaton Community Palliative Care