PORT ANGELES — Susan Hynes, who took the helm of the Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County last fall, hopes to continue the legacy of Rose Crumb, who founded the agency that provides free services to those with terminal diseases and their families.
That legacy is centered in volunteers, Hynes said Wednesday.
“Rose said it all the time, and now as the director, I really see it, that the volunteers are the heart of the hospice,” she said. “I really see that now.”
Crumb, founder and former executive director, retired last fall. Hynes took over in late September.
“I’ve finally gotten my feet a little wet,” Hynes said.
Crumb said she loved her time working at the hospice but that she was ready to retire.
“I turned 83. I think that’s quite a good reason to retire,” she said. “But I loved all my time here.
“And I’m still in-volved. I’m on the board now and I’m still around.”
The hospice provides services for free. Six nurses and Hynes are the only paid employees.
Beyond that, all of the drivers, house cleaners, dog walkers, office staff and all of the other 70-or-more staff members are all volunteer, Hynes said.
“It is really such a unique thing,” she said.
“People are so generous with their time.”
A certified nonprofit, the organization relies on memorials and donations as well as volunteers to keep the place running.
Hynes hopes to keep the spirit of giving aflame.
“I really want to maintain the integrity of the hospice,” she said.
“I’m sure that it will grow. We already have. There is also the factor of the baby boomers who are beginning to age.
“That will put a huge burden on the health care industry — and we don’t really know how that will impact us at hospice.”
Hynes has worked in health care on the North Olympic Peninsula for 17 years.
A home health nurse when she first moved to the Peninsula, she worked for 15 years as the community health director for the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe.
“I had always wanted to be a hospice nurse,” Hynes said. “It is such a personal experience that you go through with people at the end of their lives.
“It is very rewarding.”
Hynes said her knowledge is supplemented by her own experience with the volunteer hospice when her mother, Joanne Schalk, died in 2006.
“That experience with my mother showed me that you don’t really know what it is like and what to expect until you’re going through it,” she said.
“My mother was my greatest teacher on working with people who are in pain and on death.
“Having that perspective does help me do my job.”
Hynes said that in addition to the always-needed donations, volunteers are also always in demand.
“Drivers in particular are needed right now,” she said. “But really, if anyone came in, we could use their skills.
For more information about the hospice, or to volunteer or donate, phone 360-452-1511.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.