Hospice of the North Coast's Pacifica House Celebrates Ribbon Cutting

Hospice of the North Coast’s Housewarming and Ribbon-Cutting of its new, six-bedroom Pacifica House residence – the first such freestanding in-patient residence for the terminally ill in North County -- on July 12, 2013 was a community celebration and a celebration of community. 

More than 200 people attended the event, including Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall, accompanied by current and past Council members and City officials. The City’s $1,065,000 Community Development Block Grant earlier this year enabled HNC’s purchase of the nearly 4,500-square-foot property on 0.72 acres, which was built in 2003 as a residential care facility for the elderly. 

After being introduced by HNC Board Vice-President and retired Carlsbad City Manager Ray Patchett, who served as emcee, Mayor Hall spoke. Emphasizing the successful nonprofit-government-business community partnership, Mayor Hall said, “This beautiful building shows how great we can be when we work together.”

Also on hand were elected officials and staff from several cities and partnering healthcare organizations. These included Vista Mayor Judy Ritter, Encinitas Deputy Mayor Lisa Shaffer and Council member Tony Kranz.

Mayor Ritter addressed the gathering, saying, “Hospice of the North Coast is located in Carlsbad, but its efforts are vitally important to the citizens of Vista. As the sole in-patient residence of its kind in North County, Pacifica House will be of immense value throughout our region.”

Deputy Mayor Shaffer confided, “Both of my parents benefitted from hospice at the end of their lives. I encourage all of you to support HNC in its important work.”

Tony Kranz said the occasion had special significance for him. He noted, “My [deceased] mother, Toni Kranz, a nurse practitioner, was on the original Hospice of the North Coast staff.” HNC began in 1980 when Father Paul Camm of St. Andrew’s Church in Encinitas organized congregants to help care for a dying patient in her home.

A Family Affair

After enjoying a ceremonial ribbon-cutting by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, event-goers took tours of the Pacifica House.

HNC’s Executive Director, Nerice Kaufman, says, “We are so grateful to the more than 100 people whose donations of time, talents, supplies, furnishings and, not least of all, enthusiastic commitment, enhanced the Housewarming and will please families once Pacifica House soon begins accepting patients after State licensing is complete. Working so closely hand in hand, we have become like a family.” 

A Day of Personal Stories

The Housewarming reunited friends and brought back memories. Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotarian Wendy Wiegand said her efforts were highly personal. “Before my mother died in another state one year ago, I visited her at a hospice where she could enjoy watching birds outside her window. I determined that we should install birdfeeders outside every patient room here at Pacifica House. “

Decked out in summer finery, Carol Dudeck and Carolyn Chestister said the event had a deep meaning for them. They related, “We met at an HNC bereavement support group seven years ago after our husbands died. We became and remain the closest of friends. We have a special feeling in our hearts for Hospice of the North Coast. We know a facility like this is needed and we’re so impressed with how beautiful it is.”

Dudek quipped, ”In fact, I’m making my reservations now and telling my kids that when it’s time, they should bring me here.”

The residence at 4411 Park Drive in Carlsbad will fill a desperately-needed healthcare niche while fulfilling a longtime dream of this nonprofit hospice that has served the region for three-plus decades. It will provide a welcoming end-of-life home for terminally ill patients in a warm, homelike environment with compassionate around-the-clock care.

To tour or support Pacifica House, contact don@hospicenorthcoast.org.

–HNC Press Release