Margie Franta made her volunteer work at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart a high priority for the past 20 years.
The dedicated member of the St. Mary Medical Center Auxiliary, who passed away a few months ago, was honored posthumously along with 17 other auxiliary volunteers who also died this past year.
“All of our family events revolved around my mother’s work at the hospital,” said Franta’s daughter Debbie Luellman of Portage, while waiting for this year’s ceremony to begin. “But we didn’t mind. She absolutely loved her volunteer work and we understood how important it was for her to be there.”
Accompanying Luellman were her sisters Laura Westgage of Gary and Janet Couture of Portage. Also with the group were Franta’s granddaughter Ashley Klakcoski of Portage and Franta’s cousin Elaine York of Hobart.
York is a current auxiliary volunteer who started her service five years ago.
“Margie is the main reason I signed up as a volunteer. She was an inspiration,” York said. “She encouraged me and I’m glad I did. I love my work here.”
St. Mary Sister Mary Ellen welcomed the families and emphasized the value of the dedication of auxiliary volunteers.
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“We are here today to remember and celebrate 18 of our auxiliary members who have gone to their eternal rewards,” she said. “Once they served our hospital, now they’re serving with God.”
Honoring these individuals in a respectful manner has been the mission of the St. Mary Medical Center Auxiliary for the past 20 years. Each year, the ceremony is well-attended, and the families are appreciative, according to those who attended.
As each volunteer’s name was called, a family member came to the stage to light a candle. St. Mary Chaplain James Stoel and Chaplain Evonne Carter-Williams led the audience of 60 family members in singing hymns and responsive readings.
Portage resident Laura Monteen provided organ music. Hospital administrator Janis Ryba also addressed the group.
“Volunteering is such an important and viable component of our hospital,” Ryba said. “We couldn’t do it without those who give of their time.”
Cathy Schutz of Merrillville has volunteered with the auxiliary for 43 years. She personally has seen the positive effects experienced by the families attending the ceremony. To some, it may mean closure, to others, a comfort.
“We (auxiliary members) are very close,” she said, of her organization’s reason for offering the ceremony each year. “Everyone works well together and we respect each other.”
Doris Lopez of Hobart was in the audience with her daughter Donna Lopez, also of Hobart. The two were attending in honor of Doris’ father, Clyde Morris, 97, who had been a 20-year volunteer.
“My dad served in Pastoral Care at the hospital,” Doris said. “He was former assistant pastor at First Baptist Church in Hebron, so this was a good fit for him.”
Service at St. Mary ran in the family, she added, as her mother, Dorothy Morris, previously worked in the auxiliary’s Sewing Circle for many years before she died. “The hospital was very special to both of them,” she added.
In addition to Franta and Morris, St. Mary Medical Center Auxilary members also honored this year were Marlene Rhode, Jean Laursen, JoAnn Larsen, Janice Croll, Tom Croll, Mary Lou Phelps, Jay Scriba, Betty Bracken, Irma Yovanovich, Doris Linoski, Bernice Wells, Sally Brown, Mary Eichstetter, Marion Gauder, Barbara Shinabarger, and Elsie Lazzaro.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.