11/20/2025
For nearly 30 years, Pam, her husband, and their son made it a tradition to attend the Big E Fair in Springfield, always on the very last day. It was something they looked forward to year after year: the food, the music, and the memories made together.
So when Pam’s husband and soulmate passed away in May, her family knew there was only one way to honor both his memory and a tradition that meant so much to them: they had to go to the Big E. All of them. Together.
There was just one complication. In early September, Pam began receiving care at Good Shepherd’s Parlin Hospice Residence. For 8 years, Pam has been battling metastatic breast cancer with a significant decline over the past 12 months including multiple hospitalizations, rehab stays and finally coming to the Parlin Residence. But that didn’t mean the tradition had to stop-it just meant it would take a little extra planning.
And plan they did. Pam’s family worked diligently with the Parlin Residence staff to organize the outing to ensure that she would be safe, comfortable and cared for every step of the way.
On the big day, Pam’s sisters arranged a special mobility van with a wheelchair ramp so she could travel safely and comfortably. Joined by her mother, sister, and son, Pam began her long-awaited journey. The staff waved goodbye as she smiled and waved back from the van. When she arrived at the Big E, a crowd of loved ones was waiting. Fifteen family members spanning four generations, from ages one to ninety-one, came to greet her.
Pam, full of anticipation, was beaming.
At the fair, she soaked it all in: the vendors, the music, the energy. She sang along and bopped in her wheelchair to the live band. But what she really wanted to know was when she was getting her footlong corndog, a beloved tradition she wasn’t about to miss. Her joy that day came as no surprise to those who know her well. Even in the face of loss, Pam has always been strong, vibrant, and full of life.
Back at the Parlin Residence, her family had initially worried that hospice would feel limiting for Pam, and that boredom, sadness, or a loss of purpose might set in. But Pam has found quite the opposite.
“I love it,” she tells her sisters regularly. She praises the caring staff and thoughtful volunteers, and especially the food. But her favorite spot? The sunroom, where she can sit, relax, and soak in the light.
Hospice Residence Director, Nancy McEwan, remarked: “I was so happy to hear that Pam had such an amazing time at the Big E. She is such a sweet soul, full of positivity and joy.
Pam’s story is a beautiful reminder that hospice is not about giving up, it’s about living fully, with support, comfort, and dignity. Just because someone is in hospice doesn't mean they stop doing the things they love or finding joy in meaningful moments. Thanks to her loving family and the compassionate team at Parlin, Pam’s tradition didn’t just continue, it thrived.
National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation
