Humble and Kind – Nursing in Hospice and Palliative Care

Barb Hemberger • November 9, 2022

There may be no more intimate act than caring for people in a hospice and palliative care environment. It isn’t easy, but if you spend any time with folks that work in this area, you’ll learn they wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.


Case in point – the two Saint Therese nurses that head up Saint Therese at St. Odilia, a small eight-person hospice and palliative care home on the grounds of St. Odilia Catholic Church in Shoreview.

During this month’s observance of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, we’re sharing the stories of Nolay Freeman, executive director at Saint Therese at St. Odilia and Sue Eichten, director of nursing. These two women traveled different paths to where they are today, but both know it’s where they were meant to be.



Nolay Freeman grew up in Liberia, in West Africa, and said she realized at a young age (around eight), that she wanted to be a nurse. She saw many people die of dehydration during their country’s civil war and she felt there should be a way to save them.

She moved to the U.S. and trained to become a nurse in Detroit, and eventually the University of Minnesota, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Nursing. During her clinical rotation in a long term care setting, her preceptor watched her interacting with patients and told her “this is your call,” referring to hospice and palliative care.

I realized she was right,” said Nolay. “I am so happy I took that path. I am doing what I love doing. It’s about taking the time to know the patient, know the family and hear their life story. They are always so happy that I am interested.”


She joined Saint Therese in January 2011 as an overnight nurse and then moved to an assistant nurse manager role before assuming her current position as the executive director, overseeing about 27 employees and all aspects of the home.



She honors the Bible’s message of servant leadership, “Whoever would be first among you must be servant of all.[1]


Hospice humbles you,” Nolay said. “It makes you think about your own mortality. Usually we’re living in the moment, but in hospice the pace is different. You listen, hear their stories and help them transition. You meet them and their families, in a vulnerable state.”

Sue Eichten, born in Roseville, didn’t start her journey into hospice and palliative care until she was 47 years old. She spent most of her career doing administrative work, but when her mom went into hospice in 2010, it lit a spark.



“I was moved by the care the hospice workers provided me and my family,” said Sue. She was intrigued about what she could do. “I saw people all alone at the end, and it broke my heart.”


A member of St. Odilia Catholic Church, Sue began volunteering at Saint Therese at St. Odilia in 2012, about a year after it opened.


“I didn’t realize I had an affinity for the elderly or end of life,” said Sue. “But I learned from my own experience when my mom was in hospice and what the caregivers did for my mom and the family. I was moved by the care they provided and wanted to do the same for others.”


Sue got her CNA (certified nursing assistant) license and then began working part-time at Saint Therese because it was so rewarding and fulfilling. She credits Nolay for being persistent in talking her into going to nursing school. She kept saying, “You are a hospice nurse.”


Indeed, she is. Sue graduated with a nursing degree from Century College in 2016.


“I like our elderly,” she continued. “They are so kind and have so much knowledge and experience and life to them. I think they are amazing and feel glad I can make a difference.”


“We need more people in hospice,” she added. We all go through it, and we want to help families go through this experience in the most dignified and compassionate way.”


Sue said helping a loved one transition to death restores her faith, and she sees the beauty in it. “I feel there are those that bring life into this world and those that help ease them out.”


This is Saint Therese at St. Odilia’s 11th year of caring for residents.


Hospice is not a place but high-quality care that enables patients and families to focus on living as fully as possible despite a life-limiting illness. Palliative care brings this holistic model of care to people earlier in the course of a serious illness.



Every year, nearly 1.4 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospices in this country, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.


[1] Mark 10:42-44

Stay Connected


Search All Posts


About

At Saint Therese, our heartfelt purpose since 1968 has been a people first approach to living well by providing senior care and services where every life we touch feels welcomed, respected, and heard. We achieve this by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love every single day. Contact us to learn more. 

By Emily Milliren September 9, 2025
I’ve spent years looking into what really helps people age well. But what does “aging well” actually mean? For some, it’s keeping a sharp mind. For others, it’s staying physically active, living independently, or feeling connected to friends and family. The exact definition can be different for everyone—but there’s one thing they all have in common: the ability to keep moving. To age well, we need to keep our bodies moving—and not just from place to place, but through life with energy and purpose. And here’s the truth: movement doesn’t happen without strength. As we get older, keeping our muscles strong becomes even more important. This isn’t just about running marathons or lifting heavy weights. It’s about simple, everyday things—like carrying groceries, getting up from a chair, or catching yourself if you trip. When we lose strength, it’s easier to lose confidence, and we’re more likely to fall or get hurt. Muscle loss is common as we age, but it’s not something we have to accept as “just the way it is.” Every part of your body benefits from strength training, but let’s focus on two key players: your muscles and your bones. Our bodies are smart—they adapt to whatever we ask them to do. Challenge your muscles regularly, and they’ll get stronger. Ignore them, and they’ll get weaker. Bones work the same way. Activities that make your muscles and bones work—like resistance or weight-bearing exercises—help keep your bones strong and reduce your risk of fractures and osteoporosis. Strength training isn’t just for athletes; it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself at any age. And no, it’s not too late to start now. In physical therapy, we love sharing this knowledge—we’re not gatekeeping it. Building strength can help you live longer and better, and we know how to guide you safely. We understand how the body moves, heals, and responds when you gradually challenge it. We use proven methods to create a plan just for you—one that grows with you as you get stronger and more confident. Each session is a chance to check in, adjust, and move forward—whether your goal is walking without a cane, getting up from the floor, or enjoying your favorite hobby again. Physical therapy isn’t about telling you what you can’t do—it’s about showing you what you can do, and helping you get there, step by step. In the end, strength is freedom. It lets you move through the world with confidence, take care of yourself, and keep doing what makes life fun and meaningful. Maybe that’s playing with your grandkids, tending a garden, or walking into a room without worrying about falling. Whatever it is, strength gives you choices. At Ascend Rehab , we meet you where you are, listen to what matters most to you, and help you build the strength to make it happen. Aging well isn’t about pretending nothing changes—it’s about learning to adapt and keep going with purpose. And physical therapy can be a powerful partner in making that happen. Emily Milliren , PT, DPT, GCS, is a is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She’s been with Ascend Rehab since 2018.
By Barb Hemberger August 29, 2025
“There is no timetable for grief; it unfolds in its own way, in its own time.” – Unknown On August 30, we pause to honor Grief Awareness Day—a reminder that grief is both universal and deeply personal. At Saint Therese senior living communities, grief is not an abstract idea. It is woven into the daily lives of residents, families, and caregivers alike. To better understand this journey, we spoke with five of our pastoral care directors, who accompany people through life’s most difficult transitions. At Saint Therese, we are proud to have full-time pastoral care directors in our communities, ensuring that compassionate spiritual support is always present. Their reflections remind us that grief is not something to “get over,” but something to live with, honor, and grow through. Grief in Daily Life at Saint Therese Each director shared that grief extends beyond the moment of death. It includes the loss of independence, the decline of health, the move into senior living, or even the passing of a fellow resident or staff member. Duane Bauer of Saint Therese of Woodbury emphasized the importance of normalizing grief. “What would it be like if you didn’t grieve your spouse? We grieve because we were in relationship. A new normal has to come out of it.” His role, he says, is to listen more than talk, to walk alongside without judgment, and to create sacred moments of farewell such as “sacred sending” rituals for families and staff. John Ilkka at Saint Therese of Oxbow Lake speaks about grief as a deeply personal and non-linear process. He emphasizes that there are no “magic words” to take away someone’s pain. Instead, his role is to listen, provide space, and reassure people that whatever they are feeling is valid. “The simplest thing is, whatever you’re feeling is ok. Grieving takes time, and it’s hard work,” he shared. For John, honoring grief means letting people lead the way—sometimes needing presence, sometimes needing space—and always being authentic. Beth O’Hare-Fisher at Saint Therese – IHM Senior Living often encounters grief during visits, when new residents open up about the loss of a spouse or sibling. She organizes Circles of Sharing, where residents gather to name and remember those who have died. For her, the key is acknowledging loss and affirming feelings without rushing the process. Mollie Dvorak of Saint Therese of Corcoran speaks passionately about anticipatory grief—the mourning that begins even before a loved one passes. She uses books like Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss, and The Invisible String to help residents and staff process emotions. For her, grief is not something to fix, but something to witness with compassion. Mary Lou Swinerton of Saint Therese St. Mary of the Woods adds that grief is a life event that encompasses the whole community. “It requires that we recognize that our Saint Therese community is bigger than our specific place. The entire community—residents, families, and staff—grieve. We must recognize this collective grief, name it, and honor it. It may be a sudden death of a resident’s son across the country, a memorial service for a resident’s loss, or even the bittersweet moment when someone leaves the community to be closer to family. Journeying with residents and staff in grieving means understanding that grief is not a one-size-fits-all event.” Together, these directors show us that grief is not just about endings—it is also about presence, memory, and care. Gentle Practices for Navigating Grief From these conversations, five guiding practices emerge: 1. Give Yourself Permission Grief doesn’t follow a timetable. It can show up as sadness, anger, relief, or even laughter. Whatever you’re feeling is valid. 2. Tell Your Story Sharing memories of a loved one keeps their presence alive. Whether in a support group, a circle of remembrance, or over coffee with a friend, storytelling helps heal. 3. Lean into Community As Duane noted, grief is less overwhelming when shared. Find a faith group, a grief support circle, or simply a trusted listener. 4. Practice Self-Care Grief can exhaust body, mind, and spirit. Be gentle with yourself. Rest, eat well, pray or meditate, and allow space for your own healing. 5. Embrace the “New Normal” Life after loss will not be the same—but in time, it can hold meaning again. The journey is not about “moving on,” but about moving forward. A Shared Journey At Saint Therese, grief is not something to be avoided. It is something to be honored—with listening ears, compassionate presence, and rituals of remembrance. As our pastoral care directors remind us, grief is a sign of love, and love always has the final word.
By Barb Hemberger July 29, 2025
At Saint Therese of Woodbury , a unique group of residents gathers twice a year not just to sing—but to connect, inspire, and celebrate the joy of music. The Saint Therese of Woodbury Choir, the only choir across all Saint Therese communities, offers two one-hour concerts each year—one in December with a Christmas theme, and a second during the summer. This year's summer performance, held in June, was called “ Music from the Movies ” and featured beloved classics including Que Sera Sera, The Bare Necessities, Tuxedo Junction and Singin’ in the Rain. Residents and guests filled the chapel for a heartwarming program filled with nostalgia, harmony, and connection. Founded in 2018 by Therese Stecher , a lifelong pianist and retired critical care nurse, the Woodbury choir started with just 10 members and has now grown to 24 dedicated singers. “The biggest fear people have is they haven’t sung in so long, they think they can’t do it,” Stecher says. “But the muscles that control the vocal cords—you just need to work them.” Stecher arranges each songbook specifically for aging voices and emphasizes that this is not simply a singalong group. “We’re here to learn a show,” she says. “The expectations are high, but the reward is even greater.” The choir practices for months before each performance.