Fighting cancer, Edna imagined her time in hospice care as a quiet time in a hospital. Yet the life and legacy she built are anything but calm—the home she had created was alive with laughter, energy and faith, and she is determined to keep it that way.
Growing up in and out of several foster homes, Edna’s early years were marked by chaos. However, from that turmoil, she developed a deep desire to care for those around her, especially those who served the community. She became well known for calling the Dallas Police Department or fire stations to ask what she could do for those who always helped others. Whether it was organizing thank-you events, fundraising or connecting people in need, Edna always found a way to give back.
Her dedication and connection to her community allowed her once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. In 1995, an unknown phone number dialed her, with the caller asking if she would carry an Olympic torch, representing Texas in the opening ceremony of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games. A few years later, she was invited to meet Barack and Michelle Obama while they took office.
When her beloved husband passed away in 2005, Edna, her daughter and her grandkids moved in together to keep the family unit strong—and have been locked at the hip ever since. Family and faith have always been the most important aspects of Edna’s life.
Since Edna has entered hospice care, people sometimes ask her daughter if Edna would be better off in a hospital. Her daughter always replies, “No, that’s not for her.” Edna loves the chaos of the house—her grandkids perfecting their musical talents, her great-granddaughter playing with toys around her bed and the constant hum of a home filled with love. It is a life of noise, connection and purpose, and that’s exactly how Edna wants to spend her final days.
VNA Hospice is designed to help patients make the most of their time and to meet the goals of patients and their families wherever they call home. With support from donors like you through your estate plan, we can continue providing expert care to seriously ill patients with compassion, dignity and integrity for years to come—regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. Contact Chris Culak at (214) 689-2601 and culakc@vnatexas.org to learn more.