"Heartworks" Gallery
Kavi & Yash
Making Music with Michael
Keystone Kids Camp
Music Adds Life to the Party
Music to Soothe the Spirit
Sydney's Song
"Here's to Life"
"Alleluia"
A Dancer's Renaissance
Kavi & Yash
Sydney's Song
Keystone Kids Camp
Artist Trading Cards
A Blessing For Marybeth
Charlie's Chair
Lasting Impressions
John's Art Legacy
Anna's Bracelets
A Caregiver's Collage
Keystone Kids Camp
Music Adds Life to Peggy's Party
Peggy came to Keystone to volunteer in 2004 while continuing her personal commitment as a volunteer with the Women’s Domestic Violence Hot Line. At age 72, she was becoming more burdened by emphysema and congestive heart failure, and knew she would eventually require hospice care. She wished to volunteer to learn about the dying process and the dynamics of hospice. Peggy’s children Jeanne, Kathleen, Annemarie and Bill reflect the indomitable spirit of their mother. “The past wasn’t always full of fond memories for Mom, but she looked to the future with the hope of being able to do as much as she could to give back. Never resenting the difficult life that she had at times, she recognized that there was someone else who was worse off than she was.” One of Peggy’s daughters stated, “She volunteered at hospice because dignity in dying was so important to her.”
Peggy loved dance and had been a ballet dancer in her earlier years. When she needed to provide for her family, she put away her ballet shoes to make a place for herself with the Teamsters. In August 2006, Peggy was having great difficulty catching her breath and she decided that she was ready for hospice care.
Peggy had witnessed her father suffocate with emphysema and she feared that would also be her fate. But with her hospice care, Jeanne and Kathleen agreed that their mother never struggled to breathe. Peggy lived at home another two months. It was there she was able to celebrate her last birthday, close to her children and family.
However, as she became more burdened by emphysema and congestive heart failure, Peggy moved into Keystone House.
Peggy still liked to enjoy a glass of wine at the end of a long day, so arrangements were made to throw her a party. The golden afternoon sun streamed through the stained glass window, splashed across Peggy’s face, and brightened her smile even more. She was encircled by family members and hospice staff at a very special “happy hour.”
To enhance the mood and facilitate sharing and memory-making, Music Therapist Laura Thomae brought along her guitar and played Peggy’s requests “Que Sera Sera” and “Always” as everyone joined together in singing her favorite songs.
Top Photo: Matthew Barrick
Bottom Photo: David Traupman
When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich
Here's what she said to me.
Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.
When I was young, I fell in love
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead
Will we have rainbows, day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said.
Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.
Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, what will I be
Will I be handsome, will I be rich
I tell them tenderly.
Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.
