Janice Starling-Williams experienced the care and compassion of Suncoast Hospice in her father and mother-in-law’s final days.
BY KAREN DAVIS-PRITCHETT, M.Ed. | Empath Health Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
For more than three years, I have been privileged to inform readers about the care and services Empath Health and its affiliate organizations provide to the community. I thought it might be meaningful for the next few articles to let those who have benefited from those services share their stories.
Deacon Jimmy Lee Starling Sr.
Geraldine George Williams
Today, I’d like to introduce Janice Starling-Williams. She experienced Suncoast Hospice care and compassion in the final days before her father, Deacon Jimmy Lee Starling Sr., and mother-in-law, Geraldine George Williams, passed away. She also helped a close friend search for answers as their father faced a terminal illness by referring her to Suncoast Hospice.
Q: How did you hear about hospice services for your loved one?
Starling-Williams: The first time I heard about Suncoast Hospice services was when my dad needed hospice. They took him to the hospice on 66th Street (Suncoast Hospice Mid-County Care Center). My dad snapped right back. He was feisty. He was his old self, talking and cracking jokes like he normally does.
Because of the wonderful service you provided, we got a chance to spend some extra time with my dad. Then we took him home, and you continued your services. You were able to relieve my oldest sister. We got a bed and things he needed at home.
Q: Which hospice support was the most helpful for you and your family?
Starling-Williams: When my mother-in-law was in the process of transitioning, hospice came. My sister-in-law, Mary, was the oldest in her family. She took care of her mom. She was able to use the in-home hospice services. We had the opportunity to be around my mother-in-law, spend time with her and talk to her. She was in her own bed. She was able to go to sleep peacefully. All her kids were there. We were able to say our last words to her. That was another wonderful experience.
Q: What was something that you learned about Suncoast Hospice that you didn’t know until they started taking care of your loved one?
Starling-Williams: A couple of years ago, my best friend’s dad was transitioning, and she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know how to get a bed, how to do this, how to do that. I told her to call Suncoast Hospice. You guys helped her navigate the system so well. Her dad was a veteran. He was able to get services, such as a bed and in-home care. It was just such a blessing for her.”
Q: What would you like to share with families needing Suncoast Hospice services?
Starling-Williams: I would tell them to give it a try. “O taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Try hospice and see that they are good. They are there to give comfort, compassion, care — all the fruits of the spirit. Hospice is like a God-given gift.
To learn more about Suncoast Hospice, visit SuncoastHospice.org or call (727) 467-7423.
