Presbyterian Hospice Memorial Tree

Holidays are the hardest time for people who have lost loved ones, and Memorial Tree is a ritual, designed to help them through this particular time. The ornament serves as a remembrance of a loved one and as a promise to those still in need. Memorial Trees are hung with hundreds of ornaments inscribed with the names of loved ones and serve as a glowing representation of love for those we miss.

All proceeds benefit Presbyterian Hospice Services, which provides comfort and support at the end of life to patients whose life-limiting illnesses no longer respond to treatment. Hospice strives to offer peace and dignity to patients and their families while they are coping with this difficult but very special time. This is the story of one of our patients:

Frances "Fanny" Ramona Seville

She was born Frances Ramona Seville in the early 1900s and was raised at the Casa Vieja near Cuba, New Mexico, a rambling spread built on a land grant given to her grandfather for service in the Civil War. Fanny was always a little short of breath growing up, but that didn't stop her from riding horses with her dad in the summers, helping with farm chores, or canning goods with her mom in the autumn.

The family moved to Albuquerque when Fanny was about 15 to accommodate her health. She attended Harwood Girls School and the Rio Grande Institute and grew into a beautiful and spirited young woman, who captured the heart of Juan I. Maestas, a local rancher, farmer and oilman. They were married in 1935 and over the next 20 years she raised her family of eight and taught at local parochial schools.

Fanny retired from teaching in 1963 because of health issues and she and Juan started another odyssey - traveling around the world. Juan passed away five years ago after 67 years of marriage and today Fanny lives with her daughter Viola Garcia because of her failing health.

While she is almost 93 years old, Fanny still looks the grandee's daughter dressed in smart attire and going to the spa once a month. As she said, "It's very important to keep things up." Now that the tables are turned and Fanny stays mostly at home, her children take turns coming to Albuquerque to keep her company.

And so does Presbyterian Home Healthcare and Hospice. "They even come on weekends and their days off and never seem rushed or annoyed," Vi said. "There aren’t enough words to express how wonderful, gracious, courteous, loving, caring and attentive they are," Fannie added. Then her eyes lit up and she said, "Overall, they are perfect."