Hospice Care

On November 30, 2004, WALTER B. MERKLE of Granite, MD, passed on at the Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care (Towson). He was predeceased by his late wife Kimiko (nee Morita). He is survived by his son John W. (wife, Donna) of Towson, daughter, Donna J.M. Bailey (husband, Ernest) of Lansdowne, grandchildren Kelly and Paul Merkle and Brian S. Matthew Bailey. A memorial service will be held at the Lansdowne United Methodist Church, 114, Laverne Avenue, Lansdowne, MD, 21227, on Saturday, January 8, 2005, at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baltimore Streetcar Museum, Inc., 1901 Falls Road, POB 4881, Baltimore, MD, 21211 or a favorite charity.

For the severely ill in Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties, only one facility offers residential hospice services: a six-room home in Linthicum that has a typical waiting list of 12 to 15 patients. That's set to change early next year when the eight-bedroom John and Arloine Mandrin Chesapeake Hospice House opens in the Harwood section of Southern Anne Arundel County to provide residential care for the terminally ill. "This community has needed this option for a long time," said Erwin Abrams, president and CEO of the Hospice of the Chesapeake at a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday afternoon.

End-of-life care certainly fulfills a spiritual role The Rev. John William Klein's concerns that the "secular mission" of Joseph Richey House hospice has been emphasized at the expense of the spiritual mission points to his fundamental and disturbing lack of understanding about hospice care ("Feud threatens to close AIDS hospice in city," May 21). The spiritual care of persons with terminal illnesses is so crucial to our end-of-life care that a pastoral care representative is an integral and equal member of our interdisciplinary team, attending weekly team meetings, contributing to the plan of care, and ministering to all patients who desire clergy visits.

On April 12, 2004 JUNE UNKLE; beloved wife of Robert Paul, Sr.; loving mother of Robert Paul, II and Karen Amereihn; cherished grandmother of Michael Unkle and Lynn Carpenter. Services at the convenience of the family, interested parties should contact the children. In lieu of flowers, Memorials to the Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care, 6601 N. Charles Street, Towson, MD 21204, would be appreciated.

On February 24, 2004 VIRGINIA; devoted mother of Carol Wessner and Herbert W. Minetree; grandmother of nine; great grandmother of Rosalee, Robert Lynn and Logan Walker. Memorial Service will be held at Divinity Lutheran Church, 1220 Providence Rd., Towson, MD at 2 P.M. on Saturday, February 28. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care, 6601 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21204.

Brits Hospice, a 3-year-old organization treating the terminally ill in the northeastern corner of South Africa, is on the front lines of that continent's AIDS epidemic. Halfway around the world, the 25-year-old Hospice of the Chesapeake has served thousands of terminally ill patients with a variety of conditions and built a strong relationship of support and respect in the surrounding community. Now, through a New York-based foundation dedicated to forging links between such groups, Hospice of the Chesapeake has become the first Mid-Atlantic region hospice to become a partner of an African hospice organization.

Brits Hospice, a 3-year-old organization treating the terminally ill in the northeastern corner of South Africa, is on the front lines of that continent's AIDS epidemic. Halfway around the world, the 25-year-old Hospice of the Chesapeake has served thousands of terminally ill patients with a variety of conditions and built a strong relationship of support and respect in the surrounding community. Now, through a New York-based foundation dedicated to forging links between such groups, Hospice of the Chesapeake has become the first Mid-Atlantic region hospice to become a partner of an African hospice organization.

Catherine Fulp enjoys the company of squirrels, birds and an occasional groundhog from her bedroom window. Flowers and family photos add personal touches to the room. Fulp says she is just living "one day at a time." Fulp, 63, who has a brain tumor, has lived at the Betty Jane & Creston G. Tate Chesapeake Hospice House in Linthicum for almost a month. One of her daughters, who lives in Mitchellville, visits almost every day. Another daughter travels from New York regularly to see her. "The first night I was able to sleep through the night was the Thursday night my mother went into the hospice house," said Margaret Bean of Mitchellville.

On June 14, 2003, CHARLOTTEHARRISON PERKINS; beloved wife of the late Eben Francis Perkins, III; daughter of the late Caroline W. and George W. Harrison and sister of the late William G. Harrison. Mrs. Perkins is survived by many nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces and great-great nephews and nieces. A Memorial Service will be held at the Church of the Redeemer, Chapel, 5603 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, on Saturday, August 16, 2003, at 11 A.M. Reception to follow. Memorials may be made to the Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care or a charity of your choice.