This will be the 21st Walk for Hospice for sisters Tina Morris & Lisa Dana and their team "Geez Louise," formed in memory of their mother.

Wrapped in Love: A Family's Two-Decade Journey with the Walk for Hospice

For those who have lost a loved one, nature often provides gentle reminders of their presence. Memories can be stirred by a butterfly crossing a path, a warm breeze, or the way light filters through the forest. For sisters Lisa Dana and Tina Morris, it's a ladybug that brings back memories of their mother, Louise.

"There are different times when we see ladybugs in places where you wouldn't normally see them and that's really a sign that she's with us and that everything's going to be OK," Lisa explains.

It’s that belief that led Lisa and Tina to create LadyBug Love, a small non-profit which seeks to “wrap our community in love, one blanket at a time.” Their group distributes blankets to those in need across the North Shore, including hospice patients at Care Dimensions.

Their support of Care Dimensions goes beyond blanket donations. For over two decades, the sisters, along with many of their family members, have been part of the Walk for Hospice, raising funds so that families across Massachusetts have access to compassionate, expert care.

Care and Support from Care Dimensions

Their mother Louise was just in her late 50s when she became ill. The family remembers, back in 2005, the team from Care Dimensions (then known as Hospice of the North Shore) provided support that extended beyond medical care.

"Even before she was hospitalized, they came out to the house and met with us as a family to actually talk about her diagnosis and what that meant for all of us," Tina explains.

Louise’s time on hospice pre-dated the Kaplan Family Hospice House, which was under construction at the time. She was cared for at Salem Hospital, where the hospice team was a constant presence for a month, supporting her and the family.

The quality of care made such an impression that when Louise passed away, the family immediately wanted to find a way to give back. The timing of the Walk for Hospice that fall provided the perfect opportunity.

Building Community Through Shared Purpose

Lisa's sister-in-law suggested naming their team "Geez Louise" after their mother, and a tradition was born. What started as a simple gesture of gratitude has evolved into something much more meaningful — a way to maintain connection with their mother's memory while being part of a larger purpose.

"When you go to the walk, it's a whole community," said Tina. "You run into people you know on your professional level and on your personal level – you just see so many different people from the community there to support. That's so heartwarming. We're all there for such a great organization."

"It's all about people and relationships and how every member of Care Dimensions is there for the patient at this time in their life and for the family," Lisa reflects. "Everyone – from the staff to the volunteers – works to make the process, which is so sad, into something that is so helpful."

Over the years, the family has had additional experiences with Care Dimensions, including in 2014, when their father passed away at the Kaplan Family Hospice House. Each experience reinforced their appreciation for the organization's approach to end-of-life care.

A Tradition That Endures

The "Geez Louise" team has walked through rain, freezing cold, and even participated in the “virtual walks” held during the COVID pandemic.

"We did our own walk in Lisa's neighborhood in Peabody," Tina laughs, remembering the photo of family members walking six feet apart.

For the family, the annual walk serves multiple purposes. It's a way to honor their parents' memory, express ongoing gratitude to Care Dimensions, and maintain family traditions. After each walk, the family gathers for breakfast. Looking through photos over the years shows how their family has grown over two decades.

For those considering participating in the Walk for Hospice for the first time, Lisa and Tina offer reassurance about what might seem like an emotionally difficult event.

"It's inspiring to see all these families," Tina says. "It's sad, but heartwarming when you see families that all have matching shirts or some symbol of their loved one that's passed away. It's an incredibly motivating way to connect with other people."

The atmosphere, they emphasize, is one of celebration and community rather than sadness.

"Everyone is there for the same purpose: to say thank you to Care Dimensions for the support and also to remember loved ones," Lisa explains. "The energy that's there is really inspiring."

With any luck, there might even be some ladybugs on the route as a reminder of what it’s all about.

Learn more about the Walk for Hospice at CareDimensions.org/Walk