The founding members of Evergreen Hospice were honored Thursday night during a 25th anniversary celebration at Spring Hill Country Club.

Nearly 100 past and current hospice employees, volunteers and donors were on hand for a dinner and a presentation from Jeff Prokop of Lake Oswego, the son of Jo-Ann Prokop, who along with Julie Weis Womack first began the process of bringing hospice to Linn County in 1984.

Additional speakers included Dr. Jeffrey Lear, Evergreen Hospice medical director since 1986, and Barb Hansen, hospice director.

Lear spoke of how becoming involved with hospice brought meaning to his medical career, while Hansen quoted from a speech first delivered by Jo-Ann Prokop in 1985.

Jeff Prokop remembered his mother and his grandmother, who was the inspiration behind his mother's commitment to hospice.

The event highlighted the growth of hospice over the years. Eleven memorial donations were received in honor of the number of patients served during the first year of the program. In 2009 that number had grown to more than 700.

Albany General Hospital Foundation Director Kim Sass unveiled plans for a proposed hospice house on more than 6 acres of land at Waverly and Del Rio in Albany. She said a capital campaign is under way to raise funds for the new building.

Additional information about Samaritan Evergreen Hospice or its upcoming Light Up a Life remembrance ceremony is available by calling (541) 812-4662.

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