“When my husband, Ron, was diagnosed with lung cancer, his wish was to die at home. However he also wanted us to know that should caring for him become too much physically and/or emotionally, he wanted to be placed in a hospice. Unfortunately, there was no hospice in Milton or Halton Hills and no availability elsewhere when the end came. This picture was taken shortly before Ron died. It was the last time we were all together as just family. From then on, we were his caregivers. Our children, Matt and Amy, as well as our daughter-in-law, Tammy, were unable to have time with their father. Our grandson, Jake, could not have time with his Poppa. I did not have the time to be his wife. Those connections were lost and we all missed them so very much. We realized then that a hospice was desperately needed in our community. Working together with friends and family of Tessie Smith the Townsend Smith Foundation was formed. Our goal is to build a place where families can be together with their loved ones as they begin their end-of-life journey in a gentle, dignified way. Everyone should be able to have that time together, to just be there for each other.” – Janet Townsend