At Covenant Care Foyer Lacombe, a profound initiative is quietly transforming the way hospice care is experienced and understood. The Last Wish program, launched in April, has already touched the lives of a number of residents and families, granting meaningful final wishes that bring comfort, joy, and a sense of closure in life's final chapter.
The program was born from a simple but powerful question: What would our residents want, if they could choose one last experience? That question sparked a grassroots movement within the facility and the broader St. Albert community, growing into a deeply compassionate project that honours the dignity and humanity of each individual in hospice care.
Led by Fate Hurtada, the Last Wish program is guided by a small but committed team, including project consultant and treasurer Matthieu Coulombe, project coordinator and secretary Belle Harter, and a group of dedicated members and volunteers who help make every wish a reality.
As the number of wishes grew, the community began to step in, offering time, resources, and support.
“One day, a resident wanted a baptism,” Hurtada recalled. “It was emotional and fulfilling for everyone.”
The program has continued to grow organically from the heart. Wishes have ranged from simple moments of comfort to deeply personal experiences.
When longtime St. Albert resident Jerome Hastings entered hospice, staff quickly asked if he had a wish. His daughter, Tammy Hastings, shared how that conversation led to something unforgettable.
“He has always been a huge animal lover and wanted to see his dog again. I brought her in, and then other people from the community brought their dogs too. It turned into this whole event,” she said. “The staff are amazing and people we've never met showed up to be a part of something special.”
Tammy had seen the program mentioned in local Facebook groups but didn't expect her family would one day benefit from it.
“They pulled everything together so fast," she said. "I've never experienced anything like it. This kind of support … it makes such a difference during such a difficult time.”
Another wish came true from resident John Wintersgill who asked for the piano to be tuned so his daughter could play Für Elise on his wife's birthday.
“That piece has always meant something to me,” he said. “When we lived on the farm, I’d be working outside and hear my girls practising through the window. It brings back those memories.”
His daughter, who has her Grade 8 piano, explained playing is difficult when the piano is slightly out of tune.
“She said it gives her goosebumps,” John said. “They got it tuned right away; it's something I look forward to.”
For the residents, these wishes are more than just kind gestures. They are deeply meaningful moments that affirm their identity and history. And for families, volunteers, and staff, the impact is equally profound.
“If I can help grant even one wish, I will,” said volunteer and staff member Veronica Campos. “Every wish is different, but they all leave you with the same feeling, gratitude and joy. You see a resident smile, and it stays with you.”
The program thrives on community support. Local businesses and volunteers rally around each wish, often responding to calls for help posted in the St. Albert Chat Facebook group. Whether it's a musician, pet lover, or a family offering a donation item, people show up, and they show up fast.
“It's beautiful to witness," said Hurtada. “This isn't just our program anymore, it belongs to the community.”
Financial support from the Covenant Foundation has been instrumental in getting the program off the ground. The team, including volunteers, help organize and ensure each wish is handled with care.
“We do this in our free time,” said Hurtada. “It's worth it. These moments matter so much.”
But perhaps the most powerful impact of the Last Wish program is the way it’s reshaping perceptions of hospice care.
“Some people believe that hospice is the end,” said Hurtada. “But we know there is so much more we can do. Hospice is about living fully, with compassion, until the very end.”
Tammy Hastings agrees. “We were at another hospice before this and there wasn't anything like this program,” she said. “Its changed everything for us and it's made something incredibly hard, feel light.”
As the program grows, the mission remains the same: to celebrate lives, honour stories, and bring peace during the final journey. Wishes are fulfilled with care and heart, reminding everyone involved of the beauty that can still be found in life's final chapter.
“You make a wish,” John Wintergill said, “and they make it happen. It’s something to look forward to and that means everything.”
