Daughter Travels Cross-Country to Ensure Dying Mother Witnesses Wedding
At St. Croix Hospice, it’s our privilege to stand beside patients and families during some of life’s most treasured moments. We were honored to help fulfill a heartfelt wish for Theresa Grosvenor, a resident at Estherville Community Care Center.
Theresa’s greatest hope was to witness her daughter, Hannah Grosvenor, getting married. When the care team learned that Hannah’s wedding was originally planned for April in Florida — a date Theresa might not be able to attend due to her declining health — the staff took action. Hannah and her fiancé, Tyler Pauley, traveled from Florida to Estherville, Iowa, that Thursday. Together with Theresa’s son, Calvin, and the support of the Estherville Community Care Center, plans came together for a special ceremony.
On the day of the wedding, Calvin selected a blue dress for his mother. Theresa watched Hannah and Tyler at the ceremony with an orange bouquet in hand. With music playing, Pastor Chris St. Clair guided the couple through their vows. Surrounded by loved ones, Theresa was able to witness this beautiful milestone and share in her family’s joy.
This meaningful day was made possible thanks to the compassion of the Estherville Community Care Center staff, Pastor Chris St. Clair for officiating and providing music, Liz from Dekker Photography for capturing cherished moments and Tricia’s Flowers for the vibrant arrangements. The dedication of our St. Croix Hospice team, alongside community partners, ensured Theresa’s wish became a reality.
While fulfilling Theresa’s final wish, we were reminded of the impact our work has on not just our patients, but also their families. In honoring Theresa’s request, we helped Hannah find peace and closure, creating lasting memories for all. Theresa passed away shortly after this special day, but her story continues to inspire why we do what we do at St. Croix Hospice — being present for patients and families when they need us most and creating meaningful moments together.
“This allowed her to find peace and finally be okay moving on and going home to grandma with open arms,” said Hannah.
