Patient Stories

Two Hospice House Journeys Inspire Special Thank You

Throughout Peter and Susan’s 61 years of marriage, they were so often cheering on children. Whether it was for their four kids – Sarah, Scotty, Caroline, and Steve - or, later, for their nine grandkids – they were regularly at sporting events or theater performances… or wherever they were called to attend.

“Their priority was really on their kids and then their grandchildren,” said Sarah. “That’s all they wanted, to make sure their kids and grandchildren were happy. They loved them beyond measure.”

Peter worked as a salesman and computer programmer, but found his true calling in “semi-retirement” as a Boston trolley tour guide. His outgoing personality was a perfect fit for the role, as he shared stories with tourists from around the world.

On his time off, he and Susan loved to go to Castle Island – especially Sullivan’s. They also traveled frequently, including trips to Sarasota, Florida.

“True love, and amazing parents” said Caroline. “I think we all try to implement that in our own marriages, with our kids, because we had great role models.”

A Sudden Need for Hospice

As they got older, priorities shifted. Peter became Susan’s primary caregiver during her slow, and sometimes painful, progression through dementia.

In 2021, the family realized he needed more support. They contacted a senior advocate, Jennifer, who met with Susan and gave them news they didn’t expect.

“I’ll never forget it,” remembered Steve. “She said, ‘She’s probably going to be gone within 30 days.’ I said, ‘Are you serious?!’”

The family came to understand that Susan’s symptoms – including long, difficult nights – were signs of advanced dementia. After a medical evaluation, hospice was advised. The family first received care at home. But as her needs became evident, they soon decided to move her to the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, where the clinical team could oversee her care around the clock.

“We got her there, and one of the nurses – Karen – was just really great to her,” recalled Sarah. “The grace she showed my mother, just listening to her. I can’t say enough about the whole staff, but on that night in particular, she was amazing.”

Added Caroline: “I don’t know how they do it. Thank God for them, because they showed so much grace.”

Susan spent 10 days at the Kaplan House. On the day before she died, the family gathered with her for a final time.

“She was out of it at that point, but we all held hands,” said Steve. “Her big worry was what would happen to our dad. We all cried, and we went around and each said, ‘We’ve got him. You can go, we’re good.’”

Relief and Peace

Nearly a year after Susan’s death, on a brisk October morning, the family attended the Walk for Hospice. Peter joined them – in a wheelchair – for a day to honor Susan and say thank you to the caregivers who had meant so much to them.

In his 90s, Peter remained at the assisted living community he and Susan had called home. He had his share of health issues, but Scotty noted that “he never complained.”

That changed in early 2024, when a bad infection sent him to the hospital. Doctors said it would likely require surgery to heal, but the children feared it would be too risky at his age. Once again, they consulted Jennifer about hospice.

Their experience at the Kaplan House made the decision clear. But when the time came, the available room was at the Care Dimensions Hospice House, located on the Lincoln/Waltham line.

“Honestly, when I think of Lincoln, I picture the middle of the woods and far away,” said Steve. “But then we drove there and realized it’s just 5 minutes off 128.”

Once they came up the driveway and through the front door, the family felt at ease.

“It was peaceful and relaxing, and easy for my father to get used to,” said Scotty.

They were also struck by how much time the staff had for them.

“My dad was in the hospital frequently at the end,” said Caroline. “And you’d go to the nurses’ station and it was often ‘we’ll get to it.’ At the hospice house, never once did we feel like we were putting anyone out. Our needs and my dad’s needs always came first.”

A visit from a music therapist is one they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives.

“She was amazing,” said Sarah. “She asked him what he wanted to hear. He first asked for a Rolling Stones song, and then he asked if she could play ‘Through the Years,’ by Kenny Rogers, which was my parents’ favorite song.

“She sang it for him. And I think that was pretty much the last time he spoke. It was beautiful.”

“All four of us were there when he passed,” said Steve. “Now they’re together again.”

Big Boppa’s Barbecue

Susan and Peter’s life stories revolved around their family, and that legacy lives on.

“These past five or six years, I think we’ve become even closer as a family,” said Caroline.

Those connections and memories with their parents inspired Steve to start a side business: a BBQ catering venture that he runs on top of his full-time job.

“My dad loved to eat my barbecue,” said Steve. “When I first started, he was the taste tester, and he critiqued it worse than anyone. But I eventually got pretty good. A couple of times he told me I should cater. And after he passed, I decided to create the company under his name: Big Boppa’s Barbecue.”

Peter had earned the nickname decades earlier.

“He used to bop around everywhere,” said Caroline, recalling a specific trip to New York City. “He ran circles around all of us, and someone said, ‘Look at him, bopping around: the big Boppa!’”

The company logo features their parents and a catering truck designed to resemble the Boston tour trolleys that Peter loved to work on.

In October, Steve catered a meal for the staff at the Care Dimensions Hospice House; his daughter Caty came to help out. They’re planning another appreciation meal at the Kaplan House for the spring – small tokens of appreciation for what the hospice teams meant to their family.

“End-of-life can seem scary,” said Caty. “But everyone at the houses made it a peaceful process and eased some of our anxieties.”

“Every time I drive down Route 128 past the reservoir, I see the roof of the hospice house and think of my dad,” said Steve. “We want to give back as much as we.

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