We all go through life knowing that someday we won’t be here forever. I’m not afraid of dying and see it as a natural part of life. But what does worry me is growing old and not being able to take care of myself. The idea of relying on a hospice nurse makes me a bit anxious.
The thought of needing help with everything, being unable to do simple things on my own, and forgetting my loved ones’ names scares me. It’s not the kind of life I’d want. This fear reminds me of Maria, a music teacher who was cared for by a hospice nurse in 2016.
Maria spent her final days in a care home, aware that her time was limited. She had been a music teacher all her life and found comfort in music. Fortunately, one of her former students, Joshua Woodard, worked at the care home in Austinburg, Ohio.
Maria had known Joshua since he was nine years old when she taught him music. Before she passed away, Maria had one simple but meaningful wish: to hear the song “How Great Thou Art.” Wanting to make her last days special, Joshua found the song’s lyrics on his phone and sang it to her.
What makes this story even more special is that Joshua had known Maria since he was a child.
Marti Adkins Redmond, reflecting on their connection, expressed gratitude to hospice workers like Joshua. She pointed out the bond between Joshua, who had been Maria’s student in voice and piano, and Maria, who was now in his care during her final days.
Although Maria is no longer here, her memory lives on through this touching moment. The relationship between teacher and student, now turned caregiver, shows the deep kindness and compassion that hospice workers, like Joshua, bring to their work. Joshua’s actions highlight how much of a difference one person can make in someone’s final moments, offering comfort and peace.
Berg said she was able to connect with Rosipajla through a song.
“One night, as I was leaving at the end of my shift, I said ‘Goodnight, Irene.’ Then I asked her if she knew the song ‘Goodnight, Irene,’ and I sang a little bit of it. She looked at me and smiled,” Berg said. “For someone who didn’t usually talk much with the nurses, that smile meant a lot, and I knew I had made a connection with her.”
As Rosipajla’s health got worse, it was decided to move her from the hospital to hospice care. “The last time I took care of Irene, I wanted to do something kind for her and her family, so I brought my guitar,” said Berg, who had studied music in college. “I sang ‘Goodnight, Irene,’ and it was a really special moment. I was nervous about singing in front of someone, but when I started playing and singing, she was so focused, and her family was really touched.”
Closer than never
Michelle Naypauer, Irene Rosipajla’s daughter-in-law who saw her as a mother, was in the room and moved to tears. “Irene was a wonderful person who treated me like a daughter,” Naypauer said. “In the last few months, Irene was in and out of the hospital, and we got to know Annamarie well.”
“Before the song, Annamarie had already done some great things. Our middle son, Eric, got married in August, and Annamarie helped set up FaceTime so Mom could be at the reception bridal table. It was beautiful,” Naypauer shared.
Naypauer, who recorded Annamarie singing to Irene, wanted to capture the special moment to share with the family. “There were so many tears, and it was just so beautiful,” she said. The song was a heartfelt farewell to Irene, who passed away a few weeks later at home, surrounded by her family.
Watch Joshua sing to Maria while she was in his care
