Our Care Giving Team
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Christine Parks
CARE MANAGER
Christine is a former teacher and busy homeschooling mom of four children who felt called to serve others as a Gateway Volunteer. She feels that when you have experienced deep levels of grief you are naturally drawn to people who have experienced the same…. a fellowship of suffering. Her greatest desire in her work is to help the residents, who are also grieving in many ways, and their families to not get stuck in their grief. She started at Gateway by working as a volunteer for 6 months just twice a month for four hours at a time then went on to work the weekend overnight position. she found that it also helped that 15 years prior, while going to school to become a teacher, she worked as a CNA. She’s been happily married for 15 years, has four teens/preteens, 2 cats and a dog. In her spare time she loves to knit, crochet and read.
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Melody Ellis
CARE STAFF
Melody is the perfect example of how someone with no experience but a strong heart calling to serve can be excellent service to people facing end-of-life. Melody is an artist who also manages her family's busy life. Because her children were getting older, she wanted to find meaningful part-time work. Melody attended our direct care training with no prior caregiving experience and fell in love with Gateway House of Peace's mission. She looks forward to coming to work for each of her shifts.
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Kathleen Graham
CARE STAFF
Kathleen is a 62 yrs old, widow who took care of her husband during his fight with pancreatic cancer. They did hospice in the home. She was with him and cared for him until he passed away in 2018. In 2012/2013 she did some volunteer work at the Joan Nicole Prince Home. She has such a passion for this kind of work. She really feels that she has been called to do it. She loves being with the residents, caring for them, holding their hand and being with them right through the end. She feels it is a great honor to care for someone who is dying. She also feel it is just as important to care for the family as well. She enjoys talking with the family and does her best to make them feel at home at The Gateway House of Peace. Kathleen has 1 adult daughter. She enjoys her 2 cats, cooking, and has a passion for quilting.
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Judy Martuscello
CARE STAFF
Judy is retired from 31 years of working as both an instructor and direct caregiver for the disabled. She has always and an interest in end of life issues and near death experiences. Her interest deepened as she was one of the primary caregivers for a family member as he transitioned. She was recommended to work at Gateway House of Peace by another person on our staff. In her free time, Judy likes to make art, be in the outdoors and play the the guitar and flute. We are lucky to have Judy offering “private concerts” to our residents at the house as well.
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Carolyn Greene
CARE STAFF
Carolyn has been a caregiver for over 40 years, caring for her parents through serious and terminal illnesses. She continues to help others by easing their discomfort and supporting their families. Her goal is to provide compassionate care, reduce pain, and offer emotional support to those facing terminal illness.
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Caryl Mosher
CARE STAFF
When Caryl’s heart was called to Gateway House of Peace, she was and still is a semi-retired mom of two grown children. Although she had no medical background, she provided care to her grandparents when they were diagnosed with Alzheimer disease, to her mother who was in end stage liver disease, to a friend with thyroid cancer and to another friend with squamous cell cancer of the neck. Taking care of people fulfills her. She feels it is such a joy to learn of each resident's story and livelihood, to discuss their likes and dislikes. It is a privilege to serve and help care for our residents; to listen, to show empathy, and to open her heart with their family and friend, and to carry out her personal belief that no one should pass alone. She is so very honored and proud to be part of this loving, compassionate care team whose shared knowledge continually encourages her in this chapter of her life.
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Teresa Kessler
CARE STAFF
Teresa started at Gateway House of Peace in 2017 as the weekend overnight staff, where she cared for residents and their families. This allowed her to use my 20 years of experience as a psychiatric and behavioral health LPN in a meaningful way. She feels that it’s a rewarding privilege to care for people at the end of life. She’s also interested in complementary therapies like Therapeutic Touch, Contemplative Care, and Bach Flower Remedies. In her free time, she enjoys creating fine art and fiber arts. She shares her life with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Maggie, and two Maine Coon cats, Theo and Leo.