Hospice of Eastern Maine, a program of Bangor Area Visiting Nurses, presented sisters Roxanne Byron and Janet French with its highest volunteer honor, the Patricia Jameson Award, at its recent annual appreciation dinner. The Jameson Award for volunteer excellence was given to both Roxanne and Janet in recognition of their exceptional service to patients and families. Roxanne (left) and Janet (right) are pictured above receiving congratulations from Wayne Melanson, HOEM/BAVN Director of Volunteer Services.

Roxanne and Janet’s father died in Hospice of Eastern Maine’s care in December 2004. Though their family did not use volunteers, they greatly appreciated the care hospice gave their dad and family and decided to become hospice volunteers to help others facing the challenges posed at end of life.

Roxanne became a volunteer in 2006. In 2007, she served 8 patients and families, contributing 195 hours of volunteer service that included giving blocks of respite time to families, going on weekly lunch dates and road trips with a patient, and sitting quietly with another patient that was unresponsive. Janet donated 196 volunteer hours in 2007, much of that time provided to a husband and wife with limited family support that came to think of her as their daughter. Janet’s love and attention since early 2006 helped make their final months together special. Both women participated in speaking engagements to educate others about hospice care.

Since 1981, Hospice of Eastern Maine’s volunteers have proudly and lovingly served Bangor area residents living with terminal illness. HOEM has many outstanding, selfless volunteers committed to exceptional patient care. Through their many hours of dedicated service, Roxanne and Janet distinguished themselves in 2007.

Roxanne lives in Milford with her husband, Zane, and has two grown children. She is the office manager for Dr. Gary Fessler, DDS. Janet lives in Glenburn with her husband, Jonathan. They have five children, two of whom are in college. Janet recently returned to the nursing profession and is a per diem nurse at Acadia Hospital. Both women serve patients and families in the greater Bangor area.

The Patricia Jameson Award for Hospice Volunteer Excellence was established in honor of an exceptional woman who, after four years of serving patients/families as a hospice volunteer, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Following her diagnosis, she continued to volunteer with hospice patients until she was no longer able to do so. She herself then became a recipient of hospice services.

Hospice of Eastern Maine is a program of Bangor Area Visiting Nurses. For more information, please visit Hospice of Eastern Maine at www.emhospice.org, or call 973­8269. A part of the Eastern Maine HomeCare Family, and a member of EMHS, Bangor Area Visiting Nurses/Hospice of Eastern Maine work to ensure the highest quality home and hospice care is available to all who need it in its 40 town coverage area.