REM Award Honorees (2010 – 2011) — Betty Martin (Inland Hospital)

Inland and Lakewood, a Continuing Care Center on the hospital campus, are proud to announce that Elizabeth “Betty” Martin of Winslow is our Volunteer of the Year for 2010.

Doing things from the heart has always been a way of life for Betty Martin of Winslow: raising five children, co-managing the family aviation business, and then caring for her husband, Roland, who had Alzheimer’s. After Betty and Roland moved to Winslow five years ago to be closer to their grown children, the family decided it was best for Roland to be cared for at Lakewood’s Alzheimer’s unit, affectionately known as Moonlight Bay.

As a way to give back for the excellent care her husband was receiving, Betty began volunteering at Lakewood — she entertained residents with old-time songs on the piano, played games, and read to them. She cared about all the residents and patients at Lakewood and the compassionate staff who make the facility a real home.

As a talented quilter, Betty created several beautiful wall hangings for Lakewood and volunteered to make the quilts for the facility’s new bereavement program, which is designed to honor the life of a resident who passes away while at Lakewood. Instead of quickly removing the deceased in an impersonal, anonymous manner, the person’s body is now draped with a colorful, intricately designed quilt and a heartfelt song “Going Home” plays overhead in their honor as they make their final trip through Lakewood hallways. While the passing is still mourned, the music and quilt are Lakewood’s expression of respect and celebration for the life lived.

On Thanksgiving night of 2010, Betty and her children lost the family patriarch after 10 years of Alzheimer’s. Betty says she has always felt honored to have her quilts used as part of how families say goodbye to loved ones. But for Roland, her husband of 54 years, it was truly from her heart . . . and soul.

Even though Roland is gone now, Betty plans to continue her volunteer work at Lakewood, perhaps offering personal support to families whose lives are affected by Alzheimer’s.

For more information about Inland Hospital, please visit its website.