The Fab Five Walk Team. Annie Bonazoli is seen in the center.

Longtime Hospice Volunteer Walks in Memory of Family and Friends

Annie Bonazoli has always been looking out for others. Professionally, she worked in healthcare as a Cancer Program Coordinator for local community and Boston hospitals. Fifteen years ago, a dear friend suggested she would be a natural fit as a hospice volunteer.

“At first, I didn’t know if I could do this,” recalled Annie. “But as soon as I met one of my first patients, I knew it was for me.”

That patient was an elderly woman living in a long-term care facility in Rowley. Annie loved spending time with her: reading, discussing politics, and taking walks in her wheelchair around the property and down the street at a nearby horse farm. Weekly visits turned into visiting 3 times a week. She also got to know the patient’s family, bonding with them over those months, through good times and bad.

“My mom passed away unexpectedly during this time. Going through a loss at the same time as I was helping the family, it helped immensely with dealing with my own grief.”

Since those early days as a Care Dimensions volunteer, Annie has visited countless hospice patients, mostly in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. She’ll offer a helping hand or perhaps just some good conversation during those visits.

“A lot of people put off that call for hospice,” said Annie. “But I see what it can do for people. The services that are offered, from nurses and certified nursing assistants to social workers and even the volunteers, they tell you what to expect and help you navigate the journey.”

Outside of the patients Annie visits with, she has had her share of personal hospice journeys. Her father passed away in 2015 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, after a sudden decline in health. And in recent years, she’s lost four close friends. It was her friend Karen’s death that led her to the Walk for Hospice.

“Her husband Bill got something in the mail about the Walk and said he was going to do it. I’m an avid walker, so said I would go with him. We loved the experience. It was a great way to honor Karen and all of our loved ones, while also raising money for the organization.”

This September will be Annie’s third Walk. She’s now captain of the team “The Fab Five,” which includes Bill and several other friends. It has become a special annual tradition.

“It might sound simple, but the Walk is this great time to just be together and connect. Looking around in the crowd, there’s this understanding that we’ve all been through something similar. There’s certainly time to mourn and grieve. But it’s also a day to celebrate those who have gone.”

Join Annie and “The Fab Five” team at this year’s Walk for Hospice by registering at CareDimensions.org/Walk.

Want to learn more about volunteering at Care Dimensions? Click here.