鈥淓veryone has a story and we鈥檙e privileged to be part of that story for a short time.鈥�
volunteer Sharon Spartz finds great reward in supporting individuals nearing death and their families.
A long time believer in the importance of grief support, when retirement brought a move to the Comox Valley, Sharon had the time and opportunity to get involved more fully.
Several times a week, she volunteers with Hospice clients, listening, sharing in conversation or experiences they find rewarding, or toward the end, simply sitting vigil 鈥� ensuring a person isn鈥檛 alone and that anything they or their family needs is available.
鈥淥ur first priority is the client 鈥� we鈥檙e supporting the individual to live their version of their best life to the end of their life,鈥� Sharon says.
鈥淪ometimes they want to talk, or tell stories about their families. Often they鈥檙e concerned about the people they鈥檙e leaving behind, rather than the fact that they鈥檙e leaving. It鈥檚 what they need in the moment 鈥� often just the opportunity to talk about anything other than medical issues for those 10 minutes.鈥�
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Over the years, many have asked Sharon why she would choose to put herself in a position involving death and dying.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not depressing,鈥� she says. 鈥淚n fact, there鈥檚 so much joy. We鈥檝e celebrated grandkids and 71st wedding anniversaries 鈥� it鈥檚 all about giving people the opportunities to do what they want to do.鈥�
Sharon also appreciates what she gains from each experience.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very rewarding. It enriches my life and I look at things way differently than I used to,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen COVID hit and we couldn鈥檛 be with clients, I realized how important it is to me.鈥�
Reflecting on society鈥檚 reluctance to talk about death, despite it being one of the few things we all experience, Sharon turns the conversation into a 鈥渄eath positive鈥� one 鈥� it鈥檚 about having the comfort to talk about death and about our needs as we move through that final chapter.
For those interested in clients and families, wanting to help is the most important quality, Sharon says. 鈥淎 lot of what I do is sitting vigil. If family members are sitting with someone very near death, I鈥檒l sit by that person and let their loved ones eat, take a walk or have a shower, knowing the person isn鈥檛 alone.鈥�
If a volunteer notices that the person is in pain or uncomfortable, they can take their concern to the nursing staff or a CVHS counsellor for immediate help. Other times, if they wish, the volunteer will sit with families in the room 鈥� simply to be a reassuring presence or to answer questions about what鈥檚 happening and let them know everything is progressing normally. 鈥淥ften it鈥檚 the family we鈥檙e supporting more,鈥� Sharon says.
Training for volunteers is extensive and the Comox Valley Hospice team provides a wealth of support and resources, she adds. Numerous other volunteer opportunities are also available.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very humbling experience. I never dreamt it would change me so profoundly,鈥� Sharon says.
To learn more about the Comox Valley Hospice Society and to in the Comox Valley, visit
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