TERRIE FELHABER
Terrie Felhaber was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed life to the fullest. As a father of three and grandfather of 12, the two most precious things in his life were faith and family.
It’s what would have got him through nearly 10 years of dialysis treatment at St. Francis Memorial Hospital. That, and being able to receive care close to home.
His son Dean Felhaber said having St. Francis Memorial Hospital close to Terrie’s home in Killaloe made the difficult routine of traveling three days a week much more manageable. It allowed Terrie to maintain his independence and stay connected to his community.
“Over those years, he formed close friendships with fellow patients and the dedicated staff in the dialysis unit. He often spoke fondly about the care he received and the relationships he built—it became a second home for him,” Dean said.
When Terrie’s health began to decline further in December 2024, he was transferred to a hospital in Ottawa. As time passed, the family was faced with the reality that Terrie’s time was coming to an end. Terrie had made it clear that he wanted to return to Barry’s Bay for his final days, and was transferred to St. Francis.
“From the moment he arrived, the staff at St. Francis treated Dad with the utmost dignity and compassion,” Dean said. “We couldn’t have asked for better care.”
The family was introduced to Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care, and after thoughtful consideration, decided to transfer Terrie to Hospice.
“It was one of the best decisions we could have made,” Dean said. “The Hospice is a true gem in our community. The staff and volunteers created a warm, home-like environment where Dad was able to spend his final days in comfort and peace. For our family, it provided privacy and a space where we could be together without the clinical feel of a hospital room. We were able to focus on what mattered most—being together as a family.”
Terrie passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, January 12, 2025. In appreciation for the exceptional care Terrie received, the family chose to designate In Memoriam donations to the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation, for the hospital and hospice.
“As a family, we believe strongly in paying it forward,” Dean said. “These two organizations, by their very nature, touch the lives of so many people in our community. We felt that by supporting both the hospital and hospice, the funds could have the greatest positive impact—helping ensure that other families will have access to the same compassionate, high-quality care that meant so much to us.”
