In grief there lies compassion, and that great strength of the human spirit helped one family in a time of sorrow.

After her father died in early June, Valerie Poulton and her family were struck with grief — they’re a closely-knit family, and death has that effect.

They were also struck, however, by the genuine love and compassion they felt at the Village of Riverside Glen, the long-term care home where he lived for a short time before he died, so Poulton contacted Axiom News to share her story.

Axiom News writes regular articles for Schlegel Villages to draw out the strengths at Riverside Glen and the 10 other villages within the organization.

Poulton received an e-newsletter containing a collection of strengths-based stories. For Poulton, the greatest of strengths is the “phenomenal” care her father and family received during the month he lived at the village.

What was it that struck her about what she saw during that difficult time? Without hesitation, her reply comes: “The gentleness, the kindness, the sweetness of the people” that cared for him.

“We couldn’t have had kinder, gentler people dealing with us at a time like that,” she says.

His gentle nature combined with that of his caregivers, and Poulton says team members would often visit him after their shift “recognizing his love of companionship.”

He died on the anniversary of the first date he had with his wife 70 years ago. His body, covered in a dignity blanket, was carried out the Village’s front door. Team members insisted he leave the village the way he’d come in.

At his funeral four days later, Valerie was “incredibly moved” when four team members arrived, even taking time to speak about their experience with her father.

“The other mourners were as blown away as we were, that staff members would take their own time to honour our father,” Valerie says.

“Our family members think about our Dad every day. We laugh, we cry, we remember what a lovely human being he was, and how blessed we were that the Village of Riverside Glen had room for our beloved father when he needed their care.”

To share her story is a way to share the legacy of her father’s wonderful life and honour those who cared for him in his final days, she says, and that memory will always be cherished.

If you have questions or comments, feel free to contact kristian(at)axiomnews.ca, or call 800-294-0051, ext. 24.