Remembrance Celebration Comforts Families, Honors their Loved Ones

Families gathered at the 33^rd Annual Remembrance Celebration hosted by the North Oaks Hospice team on Dec. 14 at the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center on the North Oaks Medical Center campus. The event was a meaningful opportunity for bereaved families to gather in a shared space for reflection and healing and to celebrate the lives of their loved ones who were cared for by the hospice team.

The ceremony included a program filled with heartfelt remarks, poetry and music, culminating in hanging hand-picked ornaments on a Christmas tree, each symbolizing cherished memories.

One particularly touching story came from the family of Francis Robinson, who passed away on Aug. 3 at the age of 102. Robinson was born in Husser, Louisiana, and moved to Hammond at 15. He was a logger and entrepreneur, who lived an active and vibrant life on his farm—driving, cooking, running errands and visiting friends well into his late 90s. He also was a dedicated father and grandfather, and his family fondly remembers his love for his stable of Tennessee Walker horses and his lifelong work as a businessman.

“Daddy owned several logging trucks and gave many young men in the community their start in the industry,” his daughter, Bernice Harden, shared.

Following a fall on Christmas Eve three years ago that led to declining health and eventually left him bedbound, Robinson moved in with Harden and his grandson, Darren Harden.

While the Hardens had offered to care for him for years, he had always insisted, “I’m still okay. I can take care of myself.”

The family was overjoyed when he agreed to come live with them, and hospice care allowed them to spend precious, uninterrupted time with him during his final years.

Bernice Harden shared her profound gratitude for the care provided by North Oaks Hospice, describing it as “a lifeline” rather than just an end-of-life care.

“The hospice team became like family,” she explained. “They were there 24/7 to answer questions, offer support and provide care. Hospice allowed Daddy to remain at home, sparing him the discomfort and pain of traveling to receive treatment and giving him the dignity he deserved.”

During the remembrance celebration, Bernice, Darren and her sister Beatrice Scott, who also assisted with Robinson’s care, hung three special ornaments on the memory tree as symbols of Robinson’s greatest interests in life: a cowboy hat, a boot and a black stallion, representing his love for horses and his entrepreneurial spirit.

“Daddy was a cowboy at heart,” Bernice Harden noted.

Bernice Harden also reflected on how hospice care exceeded her expectations, pointing out that the 24/7 support system, including personal care aides, nurses, social workers and chaplains, was essential in providing comfort for Robinson and his family.

“Hospice gave us everything we needed, from the medical supplies to the emotional support,” she explained. “It was a true blessing to have them with us.”

“It was an incredible honor and privilege to care for Mr. Francis, and we truly miss him,” shared North Oaks Hospice Director Lisa Goings. “Our patients and their loved ones open their hearts and homes to us, making us a part of their extended family. The time we share always leaves an indelible mark on our hearts and lives. Through their journeys, we learn valuable lessons that resonate with us, shaping us into better caregivers and healthcare providers and reminding us of the profound impact we can have on those we serve.”

North Oaks Hospice offers compassionate, in-home care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. It focuses on the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families, with an emphasis on comfort and quality of life.

The Remembrance Celebration is just one part of North Oaks Hospice’s ongoing bereavement support services for families. In addition, North Oaks offers free support groups for caregivers, grief and more, all open to the community.