To Celebrate 100 Years of Life

Our stories about meaningful experiences are written as they unfold. Therefore, most stories are in the present tense. Some of the patients in these stories are no longer with us. They, and their families, gave us permission to share their experience with you. For those who have since passed, we share these in their memories with deep appreciation for what they have taught us about life and living.

To reach 100 years is a major achievement, a milestone to honor. For the family of Rowland Moore, the milestone was bittersweet.

Mr. Moore was about to turn 100 years old as he was dying. His family was grieving what they knew was coming even as they were eager to acknowledge this milestone. They knew their patriarch would most likely not live until his birthday, which was just over a week away. His only child, daughter Cheryl Moore, decided to throw a family celebration and birthday party on June 26, 2021.

It was too important a milestone NOT to be celebrated, so they would celebrate it early.

On the special day, she brought in old, framed photos. In one, a dashing Mr. Moore is in uniform, home visiting while serving in the army during World War II. In another, he is still dashing later in life, standing next to Ruby, his beautiful wife.

They worked with our Compassionate Care Center staff to host the gathering. The family had a beautiful cake and refreshments. Our staff supplied party plates, napkins, and cups. The family also had a milestone-worthy banner made. Mr. Moore’s career was in signs, so this was fitting.

Volunteer John Scully and two care team members helped roll Mr. Rowland’s bed onto the back patio, where his family were gathered. They hung the banner over his bed, and his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other family gathered around him. They sang happy birthday, shared cake and ice cream, and honored a century of life.

It was a gift to be able to watch this family come together in this way, intent on honoring every second of life even as they prepared for Mr. Rowland’s death. We were honored to witness and support it.

We are grateful to Mr. Rowland and his family for allowing us to share their inspiring story of making every moment count.

How can you honor life during National Hospice & Palliative Care Month? Visit the #WeHonorLife campaign page to learn about all the ways you can help, from volunteering and shopping to helping us increase access to specialized care for the seriously ill and their families. Questions? Contact us at hospice@hospicecp.org or 859-986-1500 or visit our website.

Leave a Comment





Hospice Care Plus empowers those we serve to enjoy the highest quality of life, respecting their values, beliefs, needs, and goals through specialized care, education, resources, and grief support.

Our Service Area:

Our Home Hospice and Home Palliative Care programs serve you, wherever you call home, in the Kentucky counties of Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle.

Our inpatient care facility, the Compassionate Care Center, and administrative offices are located in Richmond, Kentucky.

Recent News:

Rockin’ Derby Eve Benefit Friday May 2

Reservations are now open for the Derby Eve Benefit Party: Rockin' Derby Eve! This adult only event is the longest...

Gift A Day Of Care in 2025

Every Day Is a Gift at Hospice Care Plus. We have spent 43 years fulfilling our mission of providing compassionate...

Journaling Through Grief Series Hosted in Irvine

Hospice Care Plus is offering a new grief support series called Journaling Through Grief, starting Aug. 7 and ending Oct....

Give a Heart for Hospice in February

Hearts for Hospice displayed at Community Trust Bank in 2024 During the month of February, several local banks and businesses...

News & Events

Candles

May Memorial Service on May 20

Berea, Ky., 13 May 2014 On Tuesday, May 20, Hospice Care Plus will join with families of hospice patients to remember and honor loved ones. The annual Hospice Care Plus May Memorial Service is at 6:00 p.m. on May 20 at Eastside Community Church in Richmond. A reception will follow, with refreshments provided by hospice…

Hands

New Hospice Volunteer Training Scheduled

Berea, Ky., 2 June 2014 We will host a training for new hospice volunteers on Saturday, June 21, from 9am to 4pm at our Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. Our volunteers do a variety of tasks to help support patients, families, and our non-profit organization. From sitting with a patient so a caregiver can have…

schoolbus

To be There for His 1st Day of School

Nancy and her husband Skip had nearly 40 years of history together when she learned she had lung cancer in June 2009. By Christmas, she knew curative treatments were no longer helping. Her focus became quality of life, and we were honored to be asked to care for her at home.  Nancy and Skip were…

IMG_0165-Edit

To Marry Karen

One February day in 2014, we made a special request on our Facebook page:  did anyone have a sized 32-34 suit or tux we could borrow for a patient who wanted to get married? We asked our Facebook followers because the patient’s care team—the nurse, social worker, nurse aid, and chaplain—had all checked with friends and…