The McDonald Keohane Funeral Homes'
Winter Coats Collection is in Full Swing.   

      "We are proud to do our part to help our neighbors by collecting coats for both adults and children. The coats will be dry cleaned by the folks at Dependable Cleaners and will be distributed through several local organizations," Dennis Keohane explained.

     "We've made arrangements with Interfaith Social Services in Quincy; Weymouth Youth and Family Services in Weymouth; and Wellspring Multi-Service Center in Hull to distribute the coats we collect from members of the community this year," Dennis said. "We are hoping to meet our goal to collect 250 coats this winter."

     Dependable Cleaners president and CEO, Christa Hagearty, has generously agreed to dry clean all the coats we collect at no charge, another in their on-going services to the community. Dependable Cleaners began in 1944 as a shirt laundry and is in its third generation, still family-owned, and now a leading dry cleaning operation in the Greater Boston Metro area with 16 locations!  

      "Many of us have coats we have outgrown or replaced or that are no longer needed. These same coats will provide warmth and comfort this year for those less fortunate," said Dennis.

     The Winter Coat Drive began this month and continues through the end of November. Those wishing to donate are asked to bring gently-used coats for adults and children to the lobby of the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, 809 Main Street, South Weymouth or to Keohane Funeral Home in Quincy at 785 Hancock Street or Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald Street in Hingham.  

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Hospice of the South Shore 

Care and Comfort for the Terminally Ill

and their Families

     The first Medicare-certified hospice program in the region, Hospice of the South Shore has been providing quality home health care services for terminally ill patients and their families since 1980. Their family-centered approach embraces the whole person and encompasses the physical, spiritual, and emotional aspects of care.

     Brenda Karkos, Hospice Director, says "Hospice provides terminally ill individuals and their families with medical care and comfort measures that allow patients to be free of pain. Hospice services, which can begin for patients who have a prognosis of less than six months to live, make it easier to keep the focus on the quality of life. With hospice, the end of life is approached with dignity and handled with love."

     Hospice of the South Shore can provide care in the comfort of the patient's own home, an assisted living facility, or long-term care facility. A multidisciplinary team provides everything from nursing services for the patient to respite care and bereavement programs for the family. The team includes medical directors, nurses, social workers, aides, volunteers, and others.

     Nurses are available 24-hours a day, seven-days a week for emergency consultations and visits. Should hospitalization become necessary, the hospice team continues to support both the patient and family during a related hospital stay.

Family-centered bereavement support is made available from the time of admission through thirteen months beyond a patient's death. Bereavement support is provided by nurses, social workers, chaplain, specially trained bereavement volunteers, and a bereavement coordinator.  Also, there are bereavement groups that are open to the public and held throughout the year.

     "In recognition of November being National Hospice Month," Tina Dwyer, Outreach Manager, said, "we are presenting a free program for the public on November 15th from 5 pm - 7 pm which will bring awareness to the many options available for hospice care.  To be held at Linden Ponds Season's Catering Room in Hingham, "A Fork in the Road" will be presented, featuring Drs. James Everett and Sarah Sciascia.   "We are hoping that people walk away with a feeling of confidence regarding health care proxies, advance planning and making difficult decisions," she added.  

     At Hospice of the South Shore, volunteers give of themselves by serving as hospice workers. These generous, kindhearted individuals are key members of the hospice team, and they are indispensable to patients and their families. Hospice volunteers often work directly with patients and families, providing compassion, companionship, and emotional support. Volunteers may spend time reading to, talking with, or writing letters for patients. They may prepare a meal, provide transportation, run an errand, or give a family member a little time off from the role of primary caregiver. All volunteers are carefully screened, trained, and supervised. For more information about volunteering, call 781-624-7080.  

     In the spring, Hospice of the South Shore will be holding its annual Walk for Hospice to raise money so that all who need hospice are cared for, regardless of their ability to pay. Check their website for more information.

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Great-grandson of Joseph McDonald who established McDonald Funeral Home more than 100 years ago, Garret McDonald is the fourth generation to seek a career in funeral service.

     Garret's father, George McDonald, Jr., retired in 2011, and Garret's uncles - his father's brothers - Bob, Dick, and Joe, are all funeral directors at McDonald Keohane.  

     "It seems like I've always known that I wanted to work in the family business and be a funeral director. When I was just seven or eight, my father let me vacuum so I could feel like I was contributing. I probably wasn't doing much to help, but it was a start," Garret said.  

     When Garret graduated from high school in 2009, he began studying to become a certified funeral director at the Funeral Institute of New England in Norwood. He will graduate and become certified this year.

     "I remember the respect my Dad received from the community. He was a leader in the community - a beacon that people came to when they were in need.   I aspire to be that kind of person," Garret explained. "Being a funeral director is more than a job; it is a lifestyle. In times of stress, families come to the funeral director for guidance. I have the compassion and sensitivity to help families deal with the stresses of the death of a loved one and the decisions they must make."

     Garret is relatively young - he'll be 22 next month - "People have always told me that I am mature for my age.   I guess I am an 'old soul'." Garret's aspirations echo those of the generations that came before him ... "I want to be the person that people in the community go to during the tough times. I want to help them honor their loved ones." He explains it this way: "The dash between the date of birth and date of death on your gravestone represents your entire life. I want to be there to help our families celebrate that life - that dash."

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