Mother and Daughter Team Share Their Love of Homeland Hospice

“We love hearing stories from our patients about their lives,” Mary Williard and Mandy Webster say in unison. Their shared passion for their work with Homeland Hospice is obvious as is their similar smile. Mary and Mandy are a dynamic mother and daughter team who provide exceptional care to patients and families in upper Dauphin County and the surrounding area. Homeland Hospice is a hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Mandy, of Halifax, grew up in nursing homes as her mother, Mary, worked in an administrative role for a local nursing home when she was a child. Mandy frequently joined her mother at work and loved to visit residents, often coloring and playing games with them to pass the time. After high school, Mandy became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and began working in the nursing home setting. While she loved her residents, she knew they would benefit from more personalized time.

“Homeland Hospice aides often visited the nursing home,” Mandy says. “I saw how much time they spent with patients and knew that’s what I was meant to do.”

Homeland Hospice helps patients live as fully and comfortably as possible by providing symptom management and pain relief; social and aide care services and complementary therapies; spiritual support and on-call support.

Mandy joined the Homeland team in 2016 and has loved every minute of her work. Her schedule gives her a healthy work-life balance. She is the proud mother of two vivacious daughters who love spending time with their mom. Mandy’s youngest daughter’s name, Evelyn, was inspired by one of Mandy’s first patients.

“Evelyn was very scared when we first met,” Mandy adds. “We worked together to form a strong and beautiful bond. She meant so much to me.”

For Mandy, it’s the team approach to providing the highest quality care that makes her role rewarding. In addition to a CNA, the Homeland Hospice team can include a nurse, social worker, and chaplain, as well as additional therapists as needed. This holistic approach to care ensures all aspects of a patient’s needs are met.

One year after Mandy joined Homeland Hospice, she convinced her mother to join her. Mary, of Dalmatia, had been working for a nursing home and was eager to focus on patient care by spending more time attending to their needs. Mary, a licensed registered nurse, is now a RN Case Manager for Homeland Hospice.

Mary is often the first point of contact for patients and their families. When a patient begins care, she meets with them to develop a comprehensive care plan. This includes assembling a team based on the type of care needed. Providing the highest quality care is her top priority. Like Mandy, she has fond memories of patients. One specific patient shared stories of his fascinating life which she holds close to her heart today.

This patient grew up in a farming family who lived on an island on the Susquehanna River. He would row his boat, along with his sister, to school every day. His sister’s best friend faithfully waited on the bank of the river to greet them.

“After high school, he married his sister’s friend who waited for them every morning,” Mary says. “I like to think of that sweet image when I remember him.”

In her role, Mary interacts with many members of the community as well as family and friends who ask her about hospice. She is quick to alleviate their fears and concerns.

“Many people don’t understand the comfort and peace hospice brings,” Mary adds. “They are surprised by the scope and breadth of our services.”

While Mandy and Mary love caring for their patients, they are touched by the emotion and gratitude they receive in return. Patients thank them profusely for their visits and express concern about them driving in snowy weather.

“Our patients think of us as often as we think of them,” Mandy and Mary agree. “This is what we were meant to do.”

For more information about services for patients and families, call Homeland Hospice at (717) 221-7890.