Our parents, Carol and Tom, were two of the most loving, selfless, and amazing people we have ever known. They loved their family, their friends, and, most of all, each other.

Both grew up on farms in Chatham-Kent, where they learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and taking care of one another. They married on January 21, 1977—Mom was 19 and Dad was 23—and spent the next 48 years building a life and family together.

Mom, Carol Ann Eleanor Richmond, was born September 1, 1957. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, but to those closest to her, she was simply someone who was always there. She had a kind and generous heart, an empathetic ear, and the best hugs. As children, we remember her volunteering at school and daycare and being the neighbourhood mom who always had homemade snacks and welcomed extra kids into our home.

Dad, Harvey Thomas Eves—known to everyone as Tom—was born August 13, 1953. He was supportive, kind-hearted, goofy, and quick to laugh. He worked hard to provide for his family but always made time for our sporting events, recitals, Scouts and Girl Guides. He was also the biggest kid of all, happily building forts, starting snowball fights, playing yard games, and splashing in the pool with us.

Together, Mom and Dad taught us that hard work matters, that anything is possible when you are willing to put in the effort, and that you should never give up on your dreams. Above all, they taught us to love and care for one another.

In May 2024, our family’s world changed when Mom was diagnosed with cancer. After numerous appointments, we learned that her cancer was palliative. She tried treatment because she wasn’t ready to leave. She wanted more time with her family and friends and to watch her grandchildren grow.

By November, Mom’s health was declining rapidly, and she decided to stop treatment. Then, in December, Dad’s health began to deteriorate. In early January, we learned that he also had cancer and was palliative.

When Mom realized Dad was sick too, she knew it was time to consider Hospice. She worried that caring for both of them at home was becoming too much for the family.

In February, while taking Dad to his first oncology appointment, we received a call that a Hospice bed was available for Mom. That day, she moved into Hospice. The following day, Dad visited her and immediately decided that he wanted to be there too.

The next day, a room across the hall from Mom became available. Dad moved in without hesitation. He could be with Mom every day, and they could both be cared for. It was exactly where he wanted to be.

Our parents loved Hospice.

The staff and volunteers became an important part of their lives. Dad loved joking with the nurses, talking hockey, and indulging his sweet tooth. He especially loved the “special ice cream button,” which brought ice cream not only for him but for the grandchildren too.

Mom loved having her nails painted, cuddling therapy dogs, enjoying the courtyard, and getting to know the staff. She would tell us stories about them and how wonderful they were.

The people caring for our parents became people our parents cared about too.

For our family, Hospice provided something we never expected: it gave us our parents back. After months of being caregivers, we could once again simply be their children. We could visit, laugh, share stories, make memories, and love them without constantly worrying about whether we were doing enough.

After five weeks, Dad passed peacefully with Mom holding his hand and all of his children gathered around him. The Hospice staff even arranged the room so Mom could be beside him during his final moments and gave Dad a beautiful walk of honour as we said goodbye.

Five weeks later, Mom joined him and received an equally beautiful farewell.

During their time at Hospice, the staff affectionately called them the “Hospice Sweethearts.” At first, the words seemed both beautiful and heartbreaking. But they were perfect.

After 48 years of marriage, our parents spent their final weeks exactly as they had spent their lives:

Together.

Hospice could not take away the heartbreak of losing them. But it transformed their final chapter. Instead of being defined only by illness and fear, those weeks were filled with visitors, laughter, games, ice cream, hugs, stories, and love.

Hospice gave our parents comfort, dignity, companionship, and precious time together. It gave our family a safe place to gather and allowed us to be a family instead of caregivers.

For that gift, we will be forever grateful.

Whenever we hear “Hospice Sweethearts,” we will think not of tragedy, but of two people who spent nearly half a century loving one another and were given the beautiful gift of being together until the very end.

Thank you to the staff, volunteers, physicians, administration, supporters, and donors of Hospice. You gave our parents—and our entire family—a truly special gift.