“It Was Such a Gift to Us.”
When Scott’s Parkinson’s disease progressed, Mary found herself alone and overwhelmed. As his primary caregiver, she faced questions in the middle of the night with no one to call. Should she take him to the hospital? Was this normal? The anxiety was constant.
“I had nobody to call,” she remembers. “I get concerned, I get worried, I get anxious. With hospice, I’d have somebody at any time of day. That made such a difference for me.”
After initially hesitating—like many who associate hospice only with the final days—they enrolled last summer. The impact was immediate
and profound.
From Supporter to Advocate
For years, Scott and Mary Nykerk were devoted supporters of hospice. They attended charity events, contributed to fundraisers, and believed deeply in the mission. Scott, a respected builder at Lakewood Construction, had spent decades creating landmarks throughout Holland and Zeeland—from school buildings to hospital wings. He took pride in his work and his community, just as his father had done before him.
They never imagined they would one day need hospice themselves.
Excellence That Makes All the Difference
What set Scott’s experience apart wasn’t just receiving hospice care—it was receiving exceptional hospice care.
The nurse, who called Mary after every visit to provide updates. The volunteer who came weekly to talk sports with Scott, continuing those conversations even after Scott lost his voice. The entire team who knew Scott’s history, his preferences, his story—providing seamless care whether he was at home or when he transitioned to assisted living.
“They made him comfortable. They really did. If he was struggling with anything, we could call. A lot of times somebody would come out… But they were very, very quick to do that. And just their nature too was just calming to him.”
Mary now shares her story with others facing similar journeys. Recently, she spoke with a friend whose husband has Parkinson’s: “I told her,‘You need to call hospice. It is such a gift. You have no idea’.” Having been longtime supporters themselves, Scott and his wife understood hospice intellectually. But experiencing this level of exceptional care transformed their perspective entirely.
Your Year-End Gift Sustains Excellence
This coming holiday season, your donation ensures that the exceptional care Scott’s family experienced remains available for every family in our community.
Hospice of Holland provides:
- The calming presence of well-trained, compassionate professionals
- Three dedicated physicians providing medical oversight
- Volunteers who build genuine relationships with patients
- Award-winning standards that set us apart
- The peace of mind that comes from knowing help is always available
“I just can’t say enough about hospice, said Mary.”
In loving memory of Scott Nykerk, devoted husband, father, grandfather, builder, and longtime hospice supporter.
Honor Scott’s Memory
Scott spent his career building lasting structures in our community. Your gift today builds something equally enduring: the operational excellence that allows hospice to deliver truly exceptional end-of-life care.
Just as Scott took pride in quality craftsmanship, your support ensures our hospice continues to provide care that makes families say: “It was such a gift to us.”
Please make your tax-deductible gift today.
Together, we sustain the award-winning care and dedicated team that transform the most difficult journey into a time of comfort, dignity, and peace.
“It doesn’t matter your income, your social standing, your family situation, whatever — we’re all going to get to that point that we need some help. And hospice just steps right in.”
