The death of a loved one is never easy, but with proper care and support, the experience can help to give meaning and purpose to life. That was Nancy Macey’s philosophy when it came to her role as longtime executive director and founding member of the Delta Hospice Society.
As Macey leaves the Delta Hospice Society after close to 30 years of service, I would like to take a moment to recognize her for her extraordinary contributions to our community.
The Delta Hospice Society was founded in 1991 under Macey’s leadership as founding director and chair of the board. Macey believes in the philosophy of hospice palliative care which offers compassionate care for the mind, body and spirit.With this caring mindset, she has helped hundreds of patients and their families through the most difficult periods of their lives.
From a small volunteer service, Delta Hospice has grown into a thriving organization with over 70 full-time, part-time and casual employees. The addition of the Hospice Cottage Charity Shoppe in 1998 provided sustained, community-based funding, demonstrating the organization’s willingness to take control of its own financial future.
The beautiful Irene Thomas Hospice and Centre for Supportive Care both opened in 2009 as the culmination of a multi-year, $8.5-million fundraising campaign spearheaded by Macey and a team of devoted volunteers and staff.
In her role as executive director of the society, Macey was also a director of the BC Hospice Palliative Care Association. She worked closely with the BC Cancer Centre, and represented the Fraser Health Hospice Societies at the Fraser Health leadership table.
In her leadership capacity, she advocated successfully for the Fraser Health palliative care model to include funding for psychosocial and spiritual components of care. She also advocated for increased access to palliative care for all Canadians at the provincial and federal levels.
Macey’s legacy is a career built on trust, transparency, empowerment and respect. Her door was always open to volunteers, staff and members of the community. And her focus was to build an organization of excellence, focusing always on the best interests of the patient.
Yet when asked about her remarkable career, Macey remains the picture of humility. She attributes her successes to the “power of many.” In true Delta spirit, the Delta Hospice Society is the embodiment of hundreds of dedicated community members who have given their time, money and hearts to this wonderful place.
Though Macey is leaving the Delta Hospice Society, her legacy lives on. Thank you for your great service to our community and to those in need of compassion and love.
