Couple Volunteers Bring Satisfaction to Patients & Families

Ellie and Ray (back) visit with Nargis.

Raymond “Ray” and Eleanor “Ellie” Weaver drop by in the morning to see Suncoast Hospice patient Nargis Fischer, who’s living at a health care facility in Palm Harbor. The husband and wife volunteers chat with Nargis about her recent trip to an aquarium and her visit with her family who came down from New Jersey.

The couple gets ready to take Nargis down the hallway to the lunchroom, and Ellie tells her she’ll bring black cherries the next time. They’ve also brought her the wafer cookies she likes and books, which she loves to read in the afternoons.

Nargis appreciates the Weavers’ company and kindness. “I don’t have anyone in Florida. I like it when they come here. I couldn’t ask for nicer people,” Nargis said.

Married for more than 54 years, the couple has volunteered together for Suncoast Hospice since 2005. Ray is an author and former activities director of facilities. Ellie previously worked in the banking industry. They visit patients and families at two Palm Harbor health care facilities twice a week. They spread lots of delight, telling stories of their travels, taking patients outdoors in nice weather and bringing patients the comforts of life.

Ray assists Nargis on the way to the lunchroom.

Ray says he enjoys supporting patients, and part of that means being attuned to their lifestyles.

“One of the things that we work very hard at is not to disrupt our patients’ routines. You have to understand where they’re at, and some days they don’t want to see anyone,” Ray said. He also likes to come in on the weekends to meet the family members of patients.

The couple is attentive to the personal needs of their patients. Ellie says it’s satisfying to do the small acts for patients.

“We had one patient who wanted clothes for her dolls, so we went around the neighborhood gathering some clothes and brought them to her here. I’ve also made sheepskin coverings to soften the arms of wheelchairs and used a voucher at one of the Suncoast Hospice resale shoppes to get clothes and shoes for a patient. It warms my heart to do the little things for our patients. My mother used to be in a nursing home, and I treat them just like it was my mom,” Ellie said.

Are you interested in being a Suncoast Hospice volunteer?

Suncoast Hospice is currently in need of volunteers to do patient and family support, office support, telephone support and bereavement support.  For more information on these and other roles, please call 727–467–7423 or visit the volunteer section on our website.