Hospice volunteer finds joy in visiting patients

The Arizona Republic
Jan. 4, 2025
by Lin Sue Flood

Mary Kistler was a nurse for 34 years because she loved caring for people. After retiring, she became a Hospice of the Valley volunteer so she could continue supporting others, but in a way that is more fulfilling than she ever imagined.

For the last 12 years, she has been providing socialization and companionship to hospice patients like Phoebe Johnson, who absolutely adores her visits.

The two fill their time together with fun activities like making pretty greeting cards that Phoebe, a lifelong artist, designs. There’s always lots of smiles and laughter as they share the latest news in their lives in Congress, a former mining town near Wickenburg.

“Mary is a friend and a blessing, and I can’t wait for her to come,” confides Phoebe. “We’re two peas in a pod, born just four days apart — we’ll both be 80 in May!”

Phoebe has pulmonary fibrosis and breast cancer, which means she has good days and hard days. But all of them are better when Mary is there.

“I admire her,” says Mary. “She’s inspiring. And she’s a good teacher, showing me how to do new things.

We’ve made photo albums and doll clothes. We dig around in the dirt and plant flowers. And now we’re making cards. Phoebe doesn’t dwell on her illness. She focuses on enjoying life.”

Mary says she had no idea that volunteering would be this rich or that she would come to care for her patients and their families as she does her own.

“We’d both be lonesome without each other,” Mary says as Phoebe nods vigorously. “I used to be a bedside nurse, but now, with her, I’m outside gardening. I am glad to know I am supporting her and helping her do the things she loves.”

Phoebe agrees and says they take care of each other. She calls their friendship a wonderful gift.

“So many things I’m grateful for with Mary. I appreciate her help to allow me to live my life and do whatever I want to do that day, whether it’s planting or art or whatever. Without her, I’d just be sit-ting and wishing that I could do the things I love to do. She makes it all possible.”

Mary believes anyone can be a volunteer and that everyone will find it rewarding. “All you need is to like people. Anybody can do this. It’s like being a good neighbor. Helping out — that’s what it’s all about.”

Visit hov.org/volunteer to learn more about volunteer programs at Hospice of the Valley.

Lin Sue Flood is director of Community Engagement at Hospice of the Valley.