It wasn’t the wedding Jennifer (Jen) Griffith had imagined, but sometimes life has a way of working out exactly as it should. 

As Jen walks down the aisle of her wedding ceremony at Providence Care Hospice, AB Smith Homestead House, her eyes search for one person. 

Her mom.  

Susan O’Meara sits among a small gathering of family and friends, her hospice bed rolled outside for the ceremony, as she watches her daughter approach in a white wedding dress. 

Susan’s eyes fill with tears. 

Before the ceremony, Susan struggled to put the moment into words. 

“I think all little girls dream of their wedding day,” she says. 

“I never wanted to do it without her,” Jen adds. 

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, Susan watched her daughter get married surrounded by family, friends and the people who helped make the day possible. 

“It means everything to me,” Susan says, her voice catching.  

For the last 10 years, Susan has battled lung cancer. She’s endured treatments, setbacks, and recurrences. Most recently, the cancer spread despite chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation, leading to months in hospital before she arrived at AB Smith Homestead House. 

Jen and her fiancé Eli Van Heddegem weren’t planning to get married until next year. 

But as Susan prepared to move to Providence Care Hospice, AB Smith Homestead House, Jen told Eli she wanted her mom to know their wedding plans. 

He had another suggestion. 

Why wait? Why not get married now? 

“We asked during mom’s admission process if we could get married here [AB Smith Homestead House] and the team just jumped right in. Words can’t even describe how supported we felt. They turned something that was meant to be simple into a day we’ll cherish forever.” 

In the span of several days, the team came together to create a wedding. 

“We’re such a great team because everybody has different strengths that they play upon,” says Hospice Care Manager Tracy Bencze. “Everyone found their own way to contribute.” 

Flowers were cut from staff gardens and bouquets were sourced through local Kingston business Pam’s Flower Garden, which also lent an arbor for the ceremony. Chair covers were borrowed from Cataraqui Golf and Country Club, while Jobwell business At The Lake Café created the wedding cake. 

Providence Care Spiritual Care Practitioner Heidi De Jonge, who is also an ordained minister, officiated the ceremony, while other team members worked behind the scenes to ensure every detail was perfect. 

Staff made sure Susan’s hair was done for the occasion, carefully prepared and cleaned the ceremony space, displayed family photos, created and printed a display invitation, arranged a guest book and decorated the covered courtyard space. They even ensured Susan’s bed wouldn’t interrupt the ceremony with beeps or alarms, allowing her to simply be a mother watching her daughter get married. 

“They’ve gone above and beyond,” says Jen. “I’m forever grateful.” 

For Tracy, helping make Jen and Eli’s wedding a reality is exactly what hospice care is about. 

“There’s a lot of life here at hospice. Death is a moment in time, but people come here to live. It’s been a privilege for all of us to help make this moment possible.” 

After months of hospital visits, medical appointments and advocating for her mother’s care, AB Smith Homestead House offered Jen, Eli and their family an opportunity they haven’t experienced in a long time: the ability to simply be together. 

“I’m very thankful,” says Jen. “We get to come here, spend time with her and not worry about all the different doctors and roommates in the hospital. The wedding was the cherry on top of some incredible care.” 

After exchanging vows, Jen shared a dance with her dad before her family and friends gathered in the Spiritual Room for a small reception complete with cake, sparkling cider and happy tears. 

It wasn’t the wedding Jennifer and Eli had planned, but thanks to the team at Providence Care Hospice, AB Smith Homestead House, it was even better.

When Jen walked down the aisle, Susan was there.  

If you’d like to support compassionate end-of-life care and meaningful moments for patients and families, consider making a donation to Providence Care Hospice through the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation.