08/24/2026
DIANA - Friendly Visiting Volunteer
My name is Diana, and I've been a volunteer with HCSS since 2010.
I started out as a volunteer driver, helping people get where they needed to go. Meals on Wheels and hospital visits came later.
And then...my introduction to Friendly Visiting.
Meeting the woman who would become my Friendly Visiting match felt a little awkward at first. Like many first meetings, neither of us knew quite what to expect. But we decided to give it a try and began meeting regularly.
Well, those visits continued for almost 15 years, every Tuesday so I think it's safe to call it a success!
In the beginning, she preferred sticking close to home and keeping to a familiar routine. But after a while I simply said, "We're going out for a drive, and we'll bring everything we need with us." And that's exactly what we did for years. We enjoyed drives through the countryside, visits to local markets and shops, walks around town, and plenty of conversations. We solved all of the world's problems at least a few times over and laughed until we cried.
Over the years, she faced some health challenges, but she never lost her strong sense of who she was. She knew what she liked, spoke her mind, and made her own decisions. I admired that about her.
As time went on, we grew very close. What had started as a volunteer-client relationship became a genuine friendship.
After a serious health event, she was admitted to hospital. Her family knew how much our friendship meant and let me know she had been asking for me. I couldn't wait to see her.
One day, I spent the morning with her at her bedside. We chatted as usual and shared a few laughs, just like we always had. When I told her I'd see her again the next day, neither of us knew that Tuesday Morning would be our last visit.
She passed away that night.
To say I miss her is an understatement. Even writing this now brings tears to my eyes.
I hope I was able to bring some comfort, companionship, laughter, and enjoyment to her life during the years we spent together. But honestly, I think I received just as much as I gave.
What began as a Friendly Visiting match ended with something neither of us expected:
A true and lasting friendship.❤️
Interested in volunteering? Check out hcssgreybruce.com or reach out to [email protected] for more info!
