Who We Are

Memorial Hospice and Hospice of Petaluma have collectively been serving Sonoma and northern Marin counties for the past 30 years.

As the only community hospice program in Sonoma County, they have kept their commitment to provide quality care to patients and family members as well as grief services and end of life education to individuals throughout the service area.

The combined hospice programs serve over 1200 patients a year with a daily census of 150 to 160 patients a day. Hospice staff work within as interdisciplinary team model that includes nursing, medicine, social work, spiritual care and home health aide care. Patients are cared for in their place of residence whether it is in their private home, a skilled nursing facility, hospital or assisted living center.

Grief services include care for adults, children and teens in both English and Spanish, and are meeting the needs of individuals through one-on-one counseling, groups, volunteers support and grief education classes. Grief services are also provided in the local schools, skilled nursing facilities, and businesses.

Volunteers have always been at the heart of the services provided by Memorial Hospice and Hospice of Petaluma. Volunteers are trained to work directly with patients/family members, grief clients, in the office and at the two thrift stores, Sacks Hospice of Petaluma Thrift Store and Sacks on the Square in Railroad Square. On an annual basis, our hospice programs utilize the services of over 450 people from throughout Sonoma County. Volunteers range in age from 18 to 84 and come from all walks of life and life experience. What they share in common is the desire to give to others and give back to their community. Hospice is proud to be working in concert with them and to offer such a rich and rewarding volunteer experience.

Spotlight  ~  Sela Shiloni

Pounding repeatedly on a big lump of clay holds special meaning for Sela Shiloni. He was introduced to the healing power of the "Mad Clay Table" at Hospice of Petaluma's "Still My Parent" annual gathering for children who have lost their father or mother.

Sela's father died in 2001 in an automobile accident. The young boy was a passenger in the car, along with his new puppy, Tuki, a gift from his father. Despite the tragedy, Sela has positive memories about that clay which helped him face his fears and anger, better articulate his feelings and find his inner strength.

"It was a good way to express myself," says Sela, now 15. "I could get out what I had inside of me that might have messed me up later in life."

For two years, Sela was a regular member of Children's Grief Support Group at Hospice of Petaluma. "I liked the kids group right away," he recalls. "It wasn't too serious, but I remember there was a seriousness to it, and we found some ways also to have fun and just be kids."

While Sela participated in his weekly group at Hospice of Petaluma, his mother, Linda Puig, would attend the Parent's Grief Support Group in another room.

"I called it my time to weep," she says. "It was an outlet for me, a place where I could cry the way I needed to. Not only did those of us in the parent's group have our individual grief, but we were also grieving for our children and giving support to them at the same time."

Sela also worked as a student volunteer for Hospice of Petaluma, assisting other children and teens who have lost family members. He is returning to Hospice of Petaluma this fall to once again serve as a student volunteer.

"Sela feels a real kinship to these children, because it helps them all to realize they are not in this alone," says his mother.

Hospice's Grief Support Services helped this mother and son to heal from their loss. "Hospice of Petaluma really knows what it's doing," says Linda. "It's a needed and very meaningful service to the community."

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News & Events

December 4, 5, 13, & 14, 2008
Light Up A Life

A community celebration to honor and remember those we care about and love, including music, inspiration and tree lighting ceremony. Each light symbolizes the life, hope and dreams of a loved one. Here's how you can honor a loved one…

Hospice of Petaluma
Friday, Dec. 5, 2008
at 7 p.m.
Center Park, Petaluma

Memorial Hospice
Thursday, December 4, 2008
at 6 p.m.
Lodge at Paulin Creek - Santa Rosa

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008
at 6 p.m.
Railroad Square - Santa Rosa

Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008
at 6 p.m.
Star of the Valley - Oakmont

May 2009
Human Race — Support "Team Hospice"

Join "Team Hospice" in May 2009 and participate in the 3K or 10K walk/run around Santa Rosa's Howarth Park and Spring Lake. Gather pledges from family and friends in support of our program...

For more info please call Cheri Plattner at 707-778-6242 or  Julie Lannert at 707-568-1094.

September 2009
19th Annual Golf Classic Benefit

In its 19th year, Papa Murphy’s Hospice Classic presents a day of golf, auction, dinner and fun to benefit Hospice of Petaluma. Enjoy this premiere event featuring two flights of golf, exclusive gifts, raffles and exciting live auction. Participate, sponsor or volunteer. Call Cheri Plattner at (707) 778-6242.