PRESS RELEASE: July 21, 2008 For Immediate Release

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Beverly Crowl, Public Relations Specialist
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Doug Shiflet’s father, Bob, Doug, Mara, and Doug’s mother, Dolores, celebrate the renewal of their wedding vows at an emotional ceremony at the Delaware Hospice Center.

At 1:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon, Delaware Hospice Center patient Doug Shiflet requested some time alone with his nurse, Robin Glover. Robin said, “When he called me in and asked everyone else to leave, I was a bit apprehensive. You never knew what to expect with Doug. Then he asked me to make arrangements for his Pastor to come to the Hospice Center and officiate as he and his wife, Mara, renewed their wedding vows.”

Forty-six year old Doug Shiflet has been struggling with Dysautonomia, a rare neurological and cardiac disease. He and his family have been cared for by Delaware Hospice for more than a year, and Doug had been admitted to the Delaware Hospice Center that week for symptom management.

Pastor Arthur Kringle, St. John’s Lutheran Church, agreed to perform the vow renewal ceremony at 6:00 p.m, and an enormous effort was set in motion by friends, family and Center staff members, to make the occasion as special as possible within a few short hours.
Mara was told that Doug wanted to talk to her. She came in the room and sat down on his bed. He took her hand in his and said, “Honey, I’d like to renew our wedding vows.”

Mara was stunned on hearing the news, but overwhelmed with the romantic notion that Doug wanted this and that he had planned everything from his bed in the Center. Her immediate response though was, “Okay, but what will I wear?”

Mara said, “While I stayed with Doug, everyone else sprung into action and handled all the details. They found my wedding gown, Doug's shirt, flowers, our Hawaiian leis, and my makeup at home. Lynda, Doug’s ex-wife and close friend, lent me the veil that she wore when she married Doug; she is truly a wonderful friend. At the florist, they picked up flowers and boutonniere. The children had a great time in Sheila’s Party World shopping for decorations, head pieces, baskets with rose petals and bells that everyone rang.”

Meanwhile, Doug sent Mara’s dad out to find an appropriate wedding gift, and he found a lovely silver heart necklace with a smaller gold heart inside.

His parents, Bob and Dolores Shiflet, were invited to renew their vows as well since Doug wouldn’t be able to attend their 50th wedding anniversary in September. They agreed, and since Doug’s mother was wearing a t-shirt with sunflowers, the “wedding planners” even had a special bouquet created of sunflowers wrapped with baby’s breath and greens.

The Delaware Hospice Center’s Chef ran out to Food Lion for a wedding cake. When store manager, Mr. Shephard, heard the story, he decided to donate the cake as well as a dozen red roses.

The Center’s staff arranged a special surprise for Mara—they let her use the Spa room as a bridal suite. There, everyone crowded around to help her with makeup and take photos.

The ceremony began with Amazing Grace, sung by Doug’s niece, Erin Gibney in Long Island, piped in through speakers. The children scattered rose petals as Mara walked into the room on her father’s arm, and everyone joined in singing the final stanza.

Doug spoke beautifully about how much he loved his children and family and that he’ll always be watching over them. He told them how proud he was of them. And then he read his vows.

When it was Mara’s turn, she told Doug, “We’ve lived a lifetime together. We’ve had 1,330 days. We’ve gone through marriage, children, retirement and faced death together. I wouldn’t trade one moment of what we’ve had together.”
Doug’s parents then renewed their vows.

After the ceremony Doug presented Mara with his gift which he had tucked away in his bed covers.
Mara said, “This was definitely an experience that none of us will ever forget.”

Mara tapped on the doors of the other families who were at the Center, apologizing for the noise. Everyone responded that it was wonderful to hear the sound of children’s laughter and know that something happy was going on. Mara delivered wedding cake to each of them.
Mara said, “The staff here at the center was amazing. The other patients and their families seemed to be so touched to be a part of our celebration. The double ceremony was beautiful, and there was not a dry eye in the building. It was awe-inspiring to witness Doug's strength and his declaration of love for his family. I am truly the luckiest woman on this earth.”

Carol Robinson, Compliance and Education Specialist for Delaware Hospice, said, “The entire staff at the Center on Saturday got involved in this renewal of vows, one way or another. The other patients and families were excited and enjoyed the cake. Doug’s brother, Bob Shiflet, went out after the event and brought back pizza and Chinese food for everyone, including a pizza for the staff who was working the night shift. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the look of love on Doug and Mara’s faces when they recited their vows to love, honor and cherish through sickness and health until death they do part. What a message to the rest of us!”

Helene Rodgville, Mara’s mother said it was an extremely emotional day. “Mara is an extraordinary girl and she’s taken great care of Doug. I’m proud that he loves her so much that he wanted to renew their vows. This was an incredible gift to the family. He’s a great guy and I love him like my own son.”

Karen, Doug’s sister, said, “It was a beautiful ceremony and opportunity to be together. We came for a visit and were immediately told that there’s some good news--that Doug wanted to do this celebration. The people involved pulled together a celebration as good as any wedding which normally takes years to prepare. Everyone worked together. The kids went out shopping. My daughter in New York agreed to sing Amazing Grace, and ran out to find the music and rehearse. Then some nurses in another room helped us do a trial run over the speaker phone. The place was filled with as many people as could fit; everyone was crying; and the grace of God was in that room with everybody. It was a Hallmark moment.”

Doug’s mother, Dolores, said, “We were trying to plan our 50th anniversary celebration in September, but we didn’t even want to have it without Doug. We were trying to find different ways that he could be part of it, through webcams, etc. And here Doug, from his bed, found the way to make this beautiful ceremony. Robin and your staff at hospice thought of everything. Nothing we do for our 50th will top this. All of our children and grandchildren were there, except my granddaughter in New York who sang through the speaker phone. It was beautiful. I don’t know how they managed, but it was over and above what anyone could have expected.

“I was on the phone all the way home. We traveled to see Doug that day and we were so sad, and then it turned into such a happy ride home. I can’t even put into words how you’ve made the most difficult experience in our lives so much happier and easier.

“Delaware Hospice has made all of us comfortable, not only Doug, with teaching Mara how to care for him and Robin coming in the middle of the night. I have such a peace of mind that between his wife and Delaware Hospice, he’s loved and taken care of more than even a mother could do. Delaware Hospice has been a treasure and I just can’t thank everyone enough.”


Patrick, Jacqueline, Gabrielle and Robert celebrate Doug and Mara’s renewal of their wedding vows in one of the patient/family suites of the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. (Not pictured in the photo are children Alexander and Paige.)