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Couple Receives Their Wish to Remain Together at Home Despite Terminal Illnesses

When Carol Reynolds remembers her parents’ final months together, one conversation stands out in her mind — a simple exchange that still brings tears to her eyes nearly a year later.

Philip and Mary Rodden, married for nearly seven decades, were sitting together with their hospice spiritual counselor Tim Aznavourian talking about bucket lists. Phil’s response was immediate.

“As long as I have Mary, that’s it,” he shared. “She’s all I ever want. As long as she’s here, my life’s complete.”

For Carol, those words captured everything VNA Care’s hospice team made possible — the chance for her parents to share their last season together, surrounded by love and comfort. It was a time for Carol and her siblings Kathy Alexander and Jim Rodden, as adults with children of their own, to develop a new appreciation of their parents’ love and hear stories of their life together.

Phil and Mary met on a blind date, and Phil knew within the first hour that she was the only one for him. They married and raised their family on the North Shore, Mary a homemaker and Phil a machinist at the United Shoe.

Their home was filled with laughter. Phil was incredibly quick-witted, and you knew he liked you if you were the subject of his clever sense of humor. Carol remembered her mother as “little but powerful.” She could get Phil to immediately stop whatever he was doing with just one look.

Daughter-in-law Kris Rodden said, “There is nothing they wouldn’t have done for each other. If one was falling, the other would rise up to support them. It was amazing to see. It was just something special.”

As Mary and Phil’s health declined, their family followed their lead — joining together with the support of VNA Care’s hospice team to fulfill Mary and Phil’s wish to remain together.

Mary was the first to be admitted to hospice. Rheumatoid arthritis had already limited her mobility, and a hospitalization last winter revealed she also had artrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm. She had become so weak that she could no longer stand on her own. Phil was admitted just over one month later as he faced end-stage congestive heart failure.

The hospice team cared for the entire Rodden family at Carol and her husband Doug’s home, where Mary and Phil were living while their own house underwent renovations. VNA Care’s hospice team lifted a huge weight, particularly from Carol who was often the one calling her parents’ doctors, chasing down medications, and taking care of other health care needs.

“I could just contact Nancy (Borgatti-Krouse, hospice RN case manager), and get an answer quickly from someone who knew what was going on with their care and kept my parents’ comfort at the forefront of all decisions while giving credence to our concerns too,” said Carol.

Nancy’s calm demeanor and wealth of knowledge were a constant source of reassurance that they were doing right by their parents. She seemed to anticipate their needs, making sure they had the right medications, equipment, and other resources to help Mary and Phil remain comfortable — and together — at home.

Jim added, “Nancy’s visits and guidance through this whole time brought us peace and comfort.”

Paula Leger De Cesar, CNA, visited regularly to assist Phil with his personal care. She would join in with Phil’s joking, and the two kept the rest of the family in hysterics with their banter. Doug said, “She was so gracious and professional, even in Phil’s final days when he wasn’t himself.”

Trained hospice volunteers provided additional support for the Roddens. Mary enjoyed having someone come and read to her, while Phil, a United States Navy veteran, received weekly visits from a fellow veteran.

Carol said, “I don’t think we could have kept my parents at home without VNA Care’s hospice team helping us.”

Mary passed away on Jan. 29, 2025, and Phil on Sept. 17, 2025, both at age 94 and surrounded by loved ones.

The family requested, in lieu of flowers, that memorial donations be made to VNA Care’s hospice after Mary and Phil passed. This kindness was especially important to Phil, who wanted to make sure others could receive the same compassionate care and support that made all the difference to those he loved most.