 “You matter because you are you. You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can do to help you not only to die peacefully, but also to live until you die.” - Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement. The Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin officially opened the doors to its residential hospice, lovingly known as The Cottage, a year ago, right here in St. Thomas. One year of no-cost, compassionate, 24/7 end-of-life care for local Elgin County and St. Thomas families. One year of life-changing interactions, powerful connections, and final memories which will be felt for generations. One year of community impact that is hard to summarize but means more than any words could ever explain.
The opening of The Cottage marked a truly special milestone in the organization's history. Initially beginning in 2019, their scope was advocacy, planning, and fundraising for a physical hospice. “St. Joseph’s Health Care Society sponsored the development of a business plan and feasibility study, and allocated key resources,” Brenda Fleming, Executive Director for The Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin, explained as we chatted inside The Cottage on a beautiful day.  That same year, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Christine Elliot, announced the Province of Ontario’s endorsement and financial support for hospice beds in Elgin County. In 2021, the City of St. Thomas gifted land for the hospice, nestled quietly in the woods atop the peaceful grounds of Waterworks Park. In June of 2025, the hospice announced a historic $3.5 million donation from the Estate of Marianne Barrie, a trailblazing lawyer who was deeply dedicated to family and philanthropy and had been a caregiver herself. The Hospice of Elgin was officially renamed The Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin in honour of the incredible donation, with her family legacy living on and her gift supporting countless families for years to come. In their first six months of operation, The Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin cared for 83 residents, their families, and friends; supported 71 community members through grief programs; facilitated 27 hospital referrals; and provided 25 guest suite stays to families so they could remain close to their loved ones. “We have only just started to support exceptional end-of-life care in Elgin, and we look forward to many years of continued partnership with everyone in our community,” Fleming said. “Hospice is a community resource, built and funded by the community, for the community. We are truly honoured to be charged with such a noble purpose for the individuals and families in Elgin.”  The need for a hospice in Elgin County was evident. As of November of 2021, there were 800 deaths annually in Elgin County, impacting roughly 4,000 family members and friends each year, and recent population growth projections put those statistics at an even higher number. Before the Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin, community members seeking palliative care or end-of-life care had to be placed in a hospital, at home with family support (which is not always possible), or in nearby communities like London, Woodstock, or Chatham-Kent. Friends and family would then have to travel out of town to be with their loved ones during their final days, and although our hospitals do their best, acute care settings are not always appropriate for those at end-of-life. “We don’t want our families to have to leave their community for care,” said Robert Furneaux, who sits on the Board of Directors for The Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin. “We want them to be able to stay close to home. Having this hospice in our community adds to the capacity of our healthcare.”
As Fleming explained, individuals living at home were visiting the Emergency Department for acute, unmanaged, or uncontrolled symptoms, placing a great strain on them, their caregivers, health care providers, and loved ones. Since The Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin opened, they have been able to relieve some of this strain by accepting individuals directly from the hospital and from their home in the community, providing an environment where they can be supported and cared for, and where loved ones are free to remain by their side and celebrate all of life’s moments. Every individual admitted to hospice creates space within our health system for another individual to receive care in a hospital, the emergency room, or at home, thereby increasing overall system resources and support. Having access to a hospice in our community also means it can be shaped by and for everyone living in Elgin County and St. Thomas. “Having The Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin is a generational change for our community,” said Furneaux. “Together, our community created this beautiful, multifaceted space. That is essential because this hospice has had and will continue to have an impact on us all. This hospice is Elgin’s.”  From the start, the local community has been very engaged in the development and design of the hospice and its services. Fleming explained how public engagement sessions, community information, and feedback opportunities were planned throughout the six-year project to ensure the community voice was always heard and considered. In fact, the design inspiration for The Cottage came directly from the community and is a nod to the rurality of Elgin County and the activities often enjoyed by those who live throughout it. “The people in our community have been waiting for this for so long. We are one of the last areas to not have hospice as part of our health care system until now,” said Fleming. As difficult as it has been to be one of the last areas to add hospice to our health system, it has also had a silver lining of learning from other hospices, benefiting from advancements, and having essential community input on design, services, and supports. “There is a benefit to being last,” Fleming explained. “We have been able to learn from others, and we have been able to create and offer unique services.” Stepping into the hospice, it’s clear that tremendous thought and care went into every part of its design, informed by lessons learned and community input.
The Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin is nestled in the woods adjacent to the peaceful grounds of Waterworks Park, surrounded by nature, filled with warmth, and grounded in compassion. The facility houses eight private suites, each bright and welcoming, with large windows overlooking the gardens and woodlands. The design is peaceful and home-like, inviting comfort and calm with cozy seating areas, sofa beds, and thoughtful touches like cuddle beds, which allow family and friends to snuggle up with loved ones during their stay. Each suite has an adjacent family area and private patio, which is fully accessible, allowing beds to be wheeled outside to enjoy the sights, sounds, and feeling of sunlight and nature. Their fully accessible spa room features a jetted tub and walk-in shower, allowing for comfortable care for individuals throughout their stay. There is a children’s play space. A space for respite. The Bunkie is a private onsite family sleeping area for those visiting from a distance who want to stay close by. The Canoe Cafe is a space for family and friends to enjoy refreshments and refuel themselves each day. Community gardens that grow vegetables to be used right in the on-site kitchen. Trails connecting to Waterworks Park. A fire pit and patio. An art gallery, and so much more. The space feels comforting, welcoming, and calm, but also full of love, joy, and celebration. “Our hospice is a place for people to come together and just be family. Many times, medical needs overwhelm and overcome everything, but with hospice, we are able to provide 24/7 care for families to come and just be families, not caregivers,” said Fleming.
In addition to its well-considered design, the Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin offers numerous programs and services to the community. Supportive grief and bereavement programming includes yoga, meditation, walking groups, kids’ activities, therapeutic arts, and more. The hospice also includes a community hub with an outpatient clinic for individuals who want to stay at home longer, where they can access services during the day and return home in the evening, benefiting both the individual and their caregivers. “This is a place where we can learn and grow with each other,” said Furneaux. “The hospice gives us the capability to take care of one another, celebrate the moments that matter, and care for each other on a continuing and tailored basis, in a convenient and close community setting.” “Hospice is not about dying; it’s about living life to the end of natural life, creating moments that matter, and supporting people to celebrate their lives and create lasting memories,” Fleming explained. “Hospice is open and available for everyone, from all different religious paths and walks of life.” The Cottage also houses a reflection and spiritual care room, and the hospice has a spiritual care coordinator who works to maintain, foster, grow and meet the spiritual needs of all Elgin community members. “It is our job to recognize traditions and tailor our practices to service our community in the most comfortable space possible,” said Furneaux.
All services and programs at The Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin are free of charge, with approximately half of the operating budget funded by donations and volunteer support. Government funding covers only 53% of the costs of providing compassionate end-of-life support. Every remaining moment of comfort, dignity, and presence is made possible by community members. “Our fundraising team works hard to create fun events in our community,” Fleming said. Last year, they hosted a dunk tank at Geerlinks Home Hardware where staff and board members could be dunked in support of hospice, and they held a beautiful holiday lighting ceremony to kick off their first holiday season. Hike for Hospice took place on June 6, bringing together families and community members to remember, celebrate, and ensure compassionate end-of-life care is available to each family who needs it. They also offer the opportunity to sponsor a day of care and provide numerous other donation options. If you are looking to make a community impact for this truly important organization, the hospice also relies on a large and incredible team of volunteers who staff reception, visit individuals staying in hospice, help the chef in the kitchen, maintain the grounds, and more.  Hospice care is one of those things you may not fully comprehend the impact of until you need it. 'But its impact is beyond imaginable to a spouse, siblings, or family members who have been running themselves ragged trying to care for a loved one at home. It’s priceless for a family to simply spend time together, knowing their loved one is receiving the often complex care they need. How comforting it is to have someone compassionate and knowledgeable walk you through the experience. To know that your loved one is safe, comfortable, and cared for in their last moments. It’s genuinely impossible to fully articulate the difference these facilities and the people who shape them make in a community, given their impact on families. Hospice is a life-changing support for our community, and the beautiful, thoughtful, and welcoming space at The Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin is certainly one to be #stthomasproud of. Now that it is here, let's keep it supported and going strong through donations, volunteering, and important conversations. To learn more about how you can support The Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin, visit their website, follow them on Facebook and Instagram, and stay in the know.
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