Blog: Stories and Insights

Almost Twenty years in, Sara Miller continues to care deeply about the hearts that are placed in her care. As a Samaritan hospice social worker, she is endlessly caring. As a coworker, she is respected and trusted. Those who have … Continued

At age 90, Mary Altopiedi was the picture of independence. After a fall and hospital visit, however, there was the discovery of dementia. Yet even that did not deter Mary’s independence. Her spirit shined through the disease; with the help … Continued

  Alice Dunleavy entered Samaritan’s care as a beloved mother, wife, grandmother, and a caring nurse. She had ushered many into the world as a labor & delivery nurse for 16 years. After her time working at Virtua in Voorhees, … Continued

The Absence of Presence at Mother’s and Father’s Day If you’re grieving on Mother’s Day and or Father’s Day, know that you are not alone. These special days may be especially difficult for children or adults who have lost a … Continued

Grief During Spring Holidays  Grief, like the weather, can be ever changing and hard to predict. Spring brings the promise of warmer, longer, days with more hours of light and the blooming of spring flowers. It can be a welcome … Continued

Navigating Grief in the New Year, Valentine’s Day, and Ramadan Many grievers exhale following the end of year holidays, only to find that those are followed by even more celebrations like New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, and Ramadan. These holidays can … Continued

John D. was born with a love of music. “I’m a whiz on piano,” he tells me with a mischievous smile. We sit in the fifth floor community room of the local care and rehab center where John now lives. … Continued

We are often asked the question, should children attend funerals when someone close to them dies?   While there is not an easy answer to this question, we hope the following information and considerations will be helpful to you.   Adults often … Continued

The Threshold Choir sings at the thresholds of life in over 200 communities around the world, bringing songs of comfort with their words and music. Now, the South Jersey Threshold Choir has volunteered to share their songs with Samaritan patients … Continued

Bodhi Day, Sukkot, Diwali, Mawlid al-Nabi, Dia de los Muertos, Hanukkah, Christmas. This is a short list of some of the major religious holidays celebrated during the last 3 months of the year. There are also important cultural holidays that … Continued