Sherry McVeigh’s blanket brought her comfort and peace when both were in short supply due to her terminal illness.

“I am not sure where she got the blanket,” said Sherry’s stepdaughter, Jennifer Taylor. “There could be three blankets next to her. She did not want any of those. This is the one she would curl up with.”

Even though Sherry passed away in May 2017 under the care of Blessing Hospice & Palliative Care, her blanket continues to bring comfort to her family of Carthage – including her young granddaughters who miss her greatly.

Blessing Hospice volunteer Terri Sonethongkham transformed Sherry’s beloved blanket into a cute stuffed bear and fluffy pillow for her family.

“My stepmother was in hospice,” said Terri. “It makes me feel good to do for others and use my skills to make their day brighter.”

That is exactly what the pillow and bear did for Jennifer, her 14-year-old daughter KaDora, five-year-old daughter Brezlynn and Sherry’s husband of more than 28 years, Bob.

“It’s just that constant reminder that she is still here with us,” stated Jennifer. “She had been a backbone for this family. Having these here to hold on to when you are really missing someone - it is just going to be a comfort - really good memories.”

Blessing Hospice calls this the “Memory Bear” program, making items including stuffed bears and pillows for their families out of textile items that belonged to their loved one.

“People may not know that Blessing Hospice continues to provide support to the families of hospice patients after the death of their loved one,” said Jeri Conboy, PhD, MSHCE, LCSW, director, Blessing Hospice & Palliative Care. “This is an important part of their healing.  Memories are the way our loved ones continue to be a part of our lives. A bear or pillow made out of a special article of clothing makes those precious memories more tangible.”

Blessing Hospice needs more volunteers to join the Memory Bear program. Terri says making Memory Bear items takes a sewing machine, the ability to follow a pattern and a little time – about an hour for a bear and 30-minutes for a pillow. Terri does four-to-eight projects a year.

“I’m self-taught and feel I improve with each project,” she said.

Terri says while Memory Bear-makers may not see the reward of their work, they feel the reward.

“Spreading a little cheer in this manner does my heart good,” she said.

“It just means a lot,” said Sherry’s granddaughter, KaDora. “Thank you very much.”

For more information about becoming a Memory Bear volunteer, call Blessing Hospice & Palliative Care at (217) 228-5521 or 877-672-7610.