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March 2013
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The Keohane 2013 Walk for the Hospice of the South Shore Team (L to R) Maggie Reardon, Carolyn Godfrey, Kathy Kane, Megan Dunn, Garret McDonald (Rear) Joe Reardon, Dennis Keohane, Bob Cole, Bob McDonald (Missing are Margie and Brianna Henderson)
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Annual Walk for the Hospice of the South Shore
Raises over $160,000!
Twenty-two years ago, 100 walkers gathered at the Hanover Mall and raised $32,000 for Hospice of the South Shore. That pioneering group has grown and expanded, just as the need for Hospice services has grown. Hospice of the South Shore provides special care for people facing the end of life. They take care of patients physically and emotionally during the most trying times, and in doing so, allow them to live with dignity. Hospice care also helps patients' family members. They are taught to comfort and care for their loved one and for each other. In addition, the Hospice of the South Shore offers bereavement counseling for children, siblings, parents and friends.
Last Saturday more than 2,000 took part in this year's event - the 20th anniversary of the Walk for the Hospice - and raised over $160,000! The one-mile
trek, which began at the South Shore Plaza, supports Hospice and the care it provides to families across the South Shore. 
"The Hospice of the South Shore is one of the key resources this area has to offer," said John Keohane. "It serves 500 families a year throughout the region and accepts patients regardless of their ability to pay. We are proud to have participated in the Walk and to be a supporter of this worthy organization that helps so many."
Hospice teams assist people, some of whom are children, in their final months of their lives who are dealing with illnesses including Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's and Parkinson diseases, as well as cancer and other degenerative illnesses. Hospice teams also provide care for families for a year after someone has died, to assist with bereavement support and other issues.
For years, Walk families, corporate teams, and hospital employees have been making t-shirts to honor their loved ones at the annual Walk for Hospice. Now, these t-shirts have been commemorated on a beautiful quilt made by SSH employee Lisse McLellan (see photo above-right), remembering all of those people who come together every year to support Hospice of the South Shore.
For information about the Walk for the Hospice of the South Shore, visit the event web site. To donate online, go to their web donation page.
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Tom Clasby, Director of the Quincy Council on Aging.
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The Kennedy Center in Quincy
A Calendar of Events with
Longevity in Mind
Tom Clasby, Director of the Quincy Council on Aging, was born and raised in the City of Quincy, educated in Quincy public schools, and is a graduate of Quincy College and the Franciscan University of Steubenville Ohio. In 1997 he was appointed to be the Transportation Manager for the Quincy Council on Aging. In 1999 he was promoted to Director and is now serving in his third administration. Tom recalls, "When we began to build the Kennedy Center, the Senior Center here in Quincy, I used the data compiled by Harvard University's 'New England Centenarian Study' as a guide. This study shows that contrary to popular belief, genes do not dictate longevity. In fact only 30% of longevity is a result of good genes. The remaining 70% includes other factor, such as diet and exercise, proper nutrition, forming social networks, maintaining a positive attitude, and keeping the mind sharp. We have programmed our activities accordingly -- we have a café where people can come and enjoy a cup of coffee or a snack and we have an extensive library. We have computer classes and book clubs to keep the mind sharp; walking clubs, a volleyball team and various exercise programs. We have a sing-along group and we encourage volunteerism here at the center. So our goal is not only to provide an enjoyable experience for our seniors, but also to include programming that ensures a high quality of life for one of Quincy's greatest assets: our senior citizens." Visit the City of Quincy, City-Wide Calendar of Events web site to learn about all the fabulous things to do at the Senior Center in Quincy. Whether you are looking for an activity to stimulate your mind or your body, Quincy has something to offer. Here is just a sampling of what is available for you at the Kennedy Center, 440 East Squantum Street in Quincy. For a full listing of the events for April, visit the web site. LINE DANCING- Monday, March 25th 10:00 am - 11:00 am. Learn some new steps while actually enjoying exercise. ZUMBA- Monday, March 25th 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm. Instructor Maryellen Reardon will lead you through a great workout! EXERCISE -Tuesday March 26th and Thursday, March 28th 9:00 am - 10:00 am. Improve strength, flexibility, balance, endurance and overall fitness. MOVIE OF THE WEEK - Drop in and watch a free movie every Tuesday on the big screen TV. Comfortable seating awaits you and snacks are available in the Café. BALLROOM DANCING - Tuesday, March 26th 10:00 am - 11:00 am. Held every Tuesday, each class is $3 and is for beginners as well as experienced dancers. SEWING- Tuesday, March 26th. 10:00 am - noon. Bring in a sewing project and socialize with a great group of people while working on your project. Classes held every Tuesday. COMPUTER CLASSES - Tuesdays at 10:30 am - 11:30 am. AND Wednesdays at 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm. Learn the basics. No experience needed. Once you learn the basics you can move on to advanced classes. Classes held every week. Call Carol at (617) 376-1508 to sign up. YOGA - Tuesday, March 26th. 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm. This is a gentle Yoga class using a chair. No advance sign up is necessary. Drop in any Tuesday. LEARNING - Tuesday, March 26th 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. The Graves Are Walking: the Great Irish Famine. (The program is held in the Library Community Room at 40 Washington Street.) SUPPORT - Tuesdays from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Learn to Cope, a substance abuse support group. (This group meets weekly at 180 Old Colony Avenue. Visit their web site for more information.) www.learn2cope.org KNITTING - Wednesdays from 10:00 am - noon. Drop in with your knitting and your stories to share! VOLLEYBALL - Wednesdays from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. Great exercise with a great group! BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS - Wednesdays from 11:00 am - noon AND Thursdays from 10:00 am - 11:00 am. No appointment needed - just drop by! A nurse is on-site to help you. MAH-JONGG - Thursdays from 10 am - noon. Similar to the card game Rummy, Mah-Jongg is a game of skill, strategy, and calculation and involves a certain degree of chance. Newcomers are always welcome. SING-A-LONGS - Thursdays from 10:00 am - noon. Join the regulars for a two-hour sing-a-long featuring piano and drummer. BRIDGE - Fridays at 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Experienced Bridge plays are always welcome. Back to Top
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Keohane Joins Fight to End Distracted Driving
Distracted driving kills thousands of people each year and injures nearly half a million more. Any time you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off driving safely, you are driving distracted. Any activity you engage in that is not focused on driving is a potential distraction that increases the risk of crashing. According to the National Highway and Safety Administration, the youngest and most inexperienced drivers are the most serious offenders. Nearly 16% of all distracted driving crashes involve drivers under 20 years of age. But they are not alone... during daylight hours, over 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone! The most alarming distraction is sending or reading a text message. It is quick, but requires manual, visual, and cognitive skills simultaneously. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, that is like driving the length of an entire football field - blindfolded! Even using a hands-free device to talk on a cell phone while driving is very dangerous. Research indicates that the cognitive distraction of having a hands-free phone conversation causes drivers to miss the important visual and audio cues that would ordinarily help avoid a crash. In Massachusetts drivers can be ticketed by a police officer for texting without any other traffic violation taking place. Drivers in the Commonwealth under the age of 18 with a learner's permit or provisional license cannot use a cell phone while driving - either hand-held or hands-free. At Keohane Funeral Home, we support the fight to end distracted driving. We encourage everyone to make the commitment to drive phone-free today. The NHSA has developed materials to enlighten drivers to the dangers of distracted driving and encourage them to take the following pledge: Distracted driving kills and injures thousands of people each year. I pledge to: - Protect lives by never texting or talking on the phone while driving.
- Be a good passenger and speak out if the driver in my car is distracted.
- Encourage my friends and family to drive phone-free.
Visit the NHSA to learn more or to download copies of the above pledge to distribute to students, employees, friends and family. | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
"I'm interested in learning about what it means
to have "a green" burial. Can you fill me in?"
The idea of a "green" funeral is not a new concept, but a return to the burial practices of our past that had less of a known impact on the environment.
A green burial is an alternative that is friendly to the earth and is a trend popularized by eco-conscious baby-boomers. A green burial involves the use of a simple wooden casket that does not have metal or plastic hardware and is not constructed or finished using toxic glues, varnishes, or lacquers. The remains are not embalmed, but the body is washed and clothed by the funeral director or family. It is buried in a simple shroud or biodegradable casket that might be made from locally harvested wood, wicker or even recycled paper, perhaps even decorated with good-bye messages from friends. The body may be prepared to be viewed by close family members after a short period of time from the time of death.
Where the body is ultimately buried will also have an impact on the environment. Truly green" cemeteries do not allow a casket or a vault/liner. A natural burial ground often uses grave markers that don't intrude on the landscape. These natural markers can include shrubs and trees, an engraved flat stone native to the area or centralized memorial structure set within the emerging forest that provides places for visitors to sit. As in all cemeteries, there are careful records kept of the exact location of each interment, often using modern survey techniques such as GIS (geographic information system). Planting native trees, shrubs and flowers on or near the grave establishes a living memorial and helps form a protected wildlife preserve. A completed natural burial preserve is a green place with trees, grasses, and wildflowers, which in turn bring birds and other wildlife to the area.
There are currently fewer than 25 green cemeteries around the United States - with several more planned soon
If cremation is your choice, you can choose burial in an environmentally-friendly container or the remains can be scattered or held in an urn or several small urns to be passed on to members of the family.
If the ocean was an important part of your life, you can consider a reef ball for burial of cremated remains. Artificial reefs are made by combining an environmentally-sound concrete mixture with cremated remains. Buried at sea, these reef balls are designed so sea life can attach and grow in and around them.
If a green burial is your choice, be sure to talk to your funeral director, who will be able to answer your questions. There are two other considerations you should think about, if you want to leave behind a legacy of a green heart. Be sure to complete an organ donor card to help give others a second chance at life. Carry it in your wallet or purse. Also... ask that instead of flowers, donors give to charities that promote green living.
An important thing to remember is that a funeral or memorial service can still be a part of the tribute to a loved one if a green burial or cremation is the choice for interment.
For more information, visit the Natural Burial in the USA web site.
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Our office manager,
Carolyn Godfrey, and Daffodil Days' donor Judith Ferreira.
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A Heartfelt Thank you to
All Daffodil Days Donors
"Thank you to our neighbors and friends in Quincy and surrounding communities who gave generously to the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days," said John Keohane. "This is the third year that Keohane Funeral Home participated as a sponsor of this great event and again we are very pleased with the results. We all look forward to Daffodil pick up day - the bright yellow flowers and plants raise all our hopes for an early spring ... and for an end to cancer."
The American Cancer Society's most beloved campaigns since 1973, Daffodil Days raises money to fight cancer by selling daffodils and gift items through sponsors such as Keohane Funeral and Cremation Service.
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Founded by Cornelius V. Keohane in 1937, Keohane Funeral & Cremation Service is family owned and operated by his son Edward, grandsons John and Dennis Keohane, and their team of highly experienced and caring professionals. Keohane Funeral & Cremation Service has two locations: 785 Hancock Street, Quincy and the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home at 21 Emerald Street, Hingham.
Where Healing Begins - Compassionate, Comfortable & Creative Service
Keohane Funeral & Cremation Service 617-773-3551 |
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