In September of 2021 our dear Aunt Phyllis was diagnosed with terminal cancer and advised that she wouldn’t be able to return home. After spending two days at the hospital, she was transferred to Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth where she would spend her final days.

Aunt Phyllis believed that the hospice would be a beautiful peaceful place. From the moment she arrived, she expressed how nice everything was. Lying in a comfortable bed, while enjoying the fireplace and the birds at the window she said it “was like a little piece of heaven.”

The staff and volunteers are truly amazing. The rooms are bright, cheery, homey and spacious. The beautiful handmade quilts that adorn each bed add an extra special warmth and feel to the room and the atmosphere. One of the most touching moments was the honour guard formed by the staff and volunteers and the lighting and placing of the candle as the final farewell.

On behalf of our entire family, words cannot express how grateful we are for the care and compassion that Aunt Phyllis received in her final days from everyone at Rotary Hospice. The team of staff and volunteers do make a difference. Loss is never easy. The hospice represents a place where family can focus on their loved one – sit and reminisce, share a laugh, and say good-bye – all while knowing their loved one is being well cared for.