MONROE — When a family is faced with the death of their loved one, everything they see, hear and feel becomes part of their memory. Within the sterile environment of a hospital, these visual memories are softened with the appearance of warmth from a passage quilt. 

Passage quilts are an expression of softness, compassion and beauty at end-of-life care provided at SSM Health Monroe Hospital. These specially made quilts are used as family gathers at the bedside in vigil and after the passing of a patient while family has quiet time before they leave the hospital. 

The Passage Quilt Program began in 2017 with the first donation by Pauline Mae, a retired Surgical Procedure Center nurse. Two more donations were added to the collection from a community quilt group. Recently, two additional quilts were donated by Mary Tessendorf, SSM Health Monroe Hospital EMS Coordinator. The program is a collaborative effort between nurses, nursing assistants, chaplains and linen services. 

“The Passage Quilts respectfully honor the human dignity of our patients at the time of their death”, shared Linda O’Leary, Chaplain at SSM Health Monroe Hospital. “They make a difference for families when experiencing the end-of-life journey of their loved ones.”