2025 Holiday Campaign

Every seat holds a memory.

The holiday season is in full swing; lights are twinkling, candles are glowing, family dinners are being prepared, and cherished traditions are being upheld with care.

Yet, when families gather this season, there is often one seat at the table that feels different, where a mom, dad, child, grandparent, or loved one once sat. That space is filled with tender memories of laughter, storytelling, the sound of their voice, and games once played.

“But this year, it’s not the same. The empty seat is a quiet reminder of both love and loss.”

For families spending their final holiday together in hospice, the season carries a weight that words can hardly capture. Each laugh, hug, and story brings happiness, yet the knowledge of what’s to come makes every moment together bittersweet and precious.

Grief sneaks between the ornaments and wrapping paper, appearing when you least expect it and quietly lingering.

At Carpenter Hospice, we understand the ache of that empty seat. We also know how deeply love continues to live on. Each day, our staff and volunteers walk alongside families, helping them find comfort, peace, and even moments of joy amidst their loss.

We recognize how challenging the “firsts” can be: the first birthday, the first Christmas, the first Mother’s Day, and the first everything. Together, we support families during these moments, offering comfort and reassurance that they are not alone in their grief.

This year, we are honoured to share Pelham and Brenda’s story. During Brenda’s final days, Pelham found strength in knowing that Brenda was cared for with love and that he, too, was never alone.

Your generosity ensures that during these moments, throughout the holidays and beyond, residents and their families are surrounded by dignity, peace, and compassion.

We invite you to support Carpenter Hospice this season so that every family can find comfort, connection, and care when it matters most.

Thank you for being part of this caring community.

Executive Director’s Message

Carpenter Hospice is deeply thankful for the ongoing support from our community.

Each year, we raise more than 50% of our operating budget thanks to the generous contributions of our loyal donors. Similarly, our volunteers dedicate their time and skills to enhance our client-focused approach to providing compassionate, palliative care to our residents, clients, and their families.

Your gift ensures that every family at Carpenter Hospice receives the same compassion, dignity, and support that were so meaningful to Pelham and Brenda.

This holiday season, we invite you to join us in “Together in Care.”

Donate to the Holiday Campaign

Meet Pelham and His Late Wife, Brenda

Both born and raised in New Brunswick, Pelham and Brenda led separate lives until one fateful night at a dance in the Seaside Arena, a beloved hall in Parlee Beach, Shediac. That singular moment marked the beginning of a 56-year adventure together. “I knew I was going to marry her the third night we went out,” Pelham reflects.

Over the years, Pelham and Brenda built a life together – raising a family, moving eight times, changing careers, and watching their children, Shelly and Mark, grow up and start families of their own. Pelham smiles when he recalls those years: “I was a spoiled rotten husband,” he chuckles. “She took care of everything so I could live my dreams.” To him, Brenda was more than a partner; she was his strength and his heart.

“Without any doubt, Brenda is the best person I will ever know in this life.”

After moving to Ontario to be closer to their children and grandchildren, Brenda fell ill. Pelham and his son began searching for a place where she could receive care in her final days.

During that search, his son heard about Carpenter Hospice, and they decided to visit. “It was like coming home,” Pelham said. Brenda came along and immediately felt the place was perfect.

For Pelham, the Hospice will always hold a special place in his heart. “There were always people to listen to me,” he says.

The care at Carpenter Hospice made an enormous difference for both Brenda and Pelham. It provided comfort, dignity, and peace during Brenda’s final days, while offering Pelham the support and understanding he needed to face that difficult time.