Restored Guitar Brings Comfort, Joy to Patient

Restored Guitar Brings Comfort, Joy to Harrisonville Patient

Emotional connections run deep and come in many forms, including music. For Ruby, a St. Croix Hospice patient in Harrisonville, Missouri, her emotional connection to music was quite specific — hearing her late husband playing guitar. And while he was no longer around to play for her, she still expressed to her care team a longing to hear music emitting from those six strings. Unfortunately, when the guitar was given back to her by a family member, Ruby learned that it had been severely damaged while in storage.

Ruby and her daughter, Carol, shared with St. Croix Hospice Music Therapist Brittany MA the story of the guitar and its sentimental value. Brittany, Manager of Clinical Services Lisa Pritchett and Social Worker Jacqueline Neubauer decided it would be their mission to get the guitar back in working order for Ruby. So, they partnered with The Hospice Support Foundation and a local music store to restore the instrument that carried deep memories and so much love beneath the wood, strings and tuning pegs.

The guitar was carefully repaired, cleaned and tuned, and Brittany played “Great Balls of Fire” for Ruby. The familiar sound brought visible comfort and joy, evoking treasured memories of her husband’s music. Ruby and Carol expressed deep gratitude and peace in knowing that the guitar, a symbol of their shared love, could once again be heard.

Thank you to Brittany, Lisa and Jacqueline for their exceptional compassion and thoughtfulness as they worked to honor Ruby’s wish during her final journey.