As 2024 drew to a close, 103-year-old Evie Hildebrand and her two sons enjoyed a morning together preparing and sharing a signature family dessert at her home at Country Meadows Retirement Community’s Mechanicsburg campus. They were joined by numerous guests, including Country Meadows and Lifesong Hospice & Palliative Care staff as well as Lifesong volunteers. All gathered to celebrate Evie and her charming approach to life. The festivities were part of Evie’s Legacy Project, organized by and offered through Lifesong. This personalized living legacy program provides the opportunity for families to capture stories, share memories and traditions and celebrate the lives of their loved ones while they are together.
“Legacy projects are a service we provide to help patients and their families articulate and celebrate the meaning of each patient’s life,” Lifesong’s Executive Director Angus Patterson noted. “These projects take a variety of forms and are as unique as each patient. Our approach to legacy work differentiates Lifesong from other hospice providers.”
To honor their mother and create more memories with her, Evie’s sons took over the Country Kitchen area to make a treat that was special to their mom–Cranberry Ice. This recipe was once was a closely guarded secret and a staple at all holiday gatherings.
“It is not a hard recipe to make, but it is an offbeat one. It is a recipe passed down from her mother-in-law and a recipe that she just made from memory. Now it’s our turn to get it down,” explained Tim Hildebrand, Evie’s younger son.
Despite the more wintery dessert and time of year for the celebration, the event was themed “Spring in the New Year with Evie” to honor Evie’s favorite time of year: Spring.
“My birthday is in April and I’ve always loved Easter,” Evie explained.
The Country Kitchen was decorated with yellow tulips and spring plants, family photos and lights in the guest of honor’s favorite light-blue color. Big band music filled the room as the guests and Evie conversed and enjoyed the Ice.
Throughout the event, Evie recalled past events while looking at photos: buying rollers in the middle of a school day so she could change her hairstyle; working at an ice cream cone factory in York, Pa.; missing the bus after roller-skating which led to meeting her husband. True to form, Evie kept the crowd laughing with her hallmark sense of humor.
Among the guests were Lifesong volunteers from The Arc of Cumberland and Perry Counties (CPARC)—an organization that empowers, inspires and educates those with intellectual and developmental challenges—including staff member Anthony McQuay and CPARC clients Tim, Angela and Tammy. Gregg Maberry, of Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services (KPETS), also brought along his therapy dogs, Calvin and Hobbes.
“Although Calvin and Hobbes couldn’t try the Ice, it is always great to see Evie! The dogs know when they get cleaned up they are going to see some of our special friends,” described Greg. “Animals bring out feelings and evoke memories. When we visit Evie, the dogs sit in a chair so Evie can pet and talk to them. Evie is particularly connected to Hobbes because he likes to give kisses!”
Such relationships are meaningful for patients and families. “Mom has developed strong friendships with Country Meadows staff and Lifesong volunteers. I hope they get to know her a little more when they try the Ice,” added Tim.
Evie’s elder son Terry noted, “Events like this give Mom something she can reminisce about. When I visit, I ask questions about friends of the family and mom can recall detailed stories. Her mind is sharp–Mom is mom!”
Beyond the opportunity to recall memories and share stories of a life well-lived, legacy projects provide points of connection and genuine meaning for patients, family members and the staff who care for both.
“Legacy Projects, whether they are events or creative works, are a way for us to celebrate the people we serve and recognize they are not just patients. They are people who have lived long lives, have beautiful memories, families and legacies that they will leave behind—such as delicious recipes,” explained Lifesong chaplain John Michael Cotignola-Pickens.
Lifesong Hospice and Palliative Care is affiliated with Country Meadows Retirement Communities and serves patients in other communities, skilled nursing facilities and in their own homes throughout Central Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley. They organize experiences, like Evie’s, or other forms of living tributes that are personalized for each patient and their family. The goal is to remind the patient that they are loved and appreciated. To learn more about Legacy projects, visit Lifesong’s website, lifesonghospice.com.
