Fwd: Mary and Ed Coffey


Pete 🤓 and Zeke 🐶

Begin forwarded message:

From: Kelly Malenchak <kmalenchak@fourseasonscfl.org>
Date: March 2, 2026 at 11:51:06 AM EST
To: "Mr. Pete" <peteandtess@gmail.com>
Subject: RE: Mary and Ed Coffey



Hi Pete,

 

Thank you for reaching out and sharing about Ed.  Hospice is a hard thing and I'm still getting used to it after 3 years.  I don't deal directly with patients so I can imagine how hard it is to build a relationship with a patient and their family and to have to say goodbye.  When I get hard for me, I try to think about the positive effect we have on our patient and families lives, even if it's a short time.  Unfortunately, it doesn't make things easier when someone becomes more than a volunteer assignment but also becomes a friend.

 

You and Zeke made a huge impact for Ed and Mary and brought so much joy!  Not everyone can do what you do.  I'm glad to hear you found a calling and meaning in pet therapy. It's amazing how things all come together for a purpose.  Those are the things we have to hold onto.  I was supposed to be a marine biologist and spent my career in management and planning.  I never thought in a million years that this is what I'd be doing.  But we go where we are needed.  And it seems you and Zeke were needed as well and we are all so very thankful that you found us.

 

If you ever need to chat, give me a call or come by.  Our grief services are also available if you're interested.  We are all here to support each other.

 

   

​​​​

Kelly Malenchak

Volunteer Coordinator

Main: 

828-692-6178

 • Fax:

877-343-3598

kmalenchak@fourseasonscfl.org

 • fourseasonscare.org

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From: Mr. Pete <peteandtess@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2026 12:19 PM
To: Kelly Malenchak <kmalenchak@fourseasonscfl.org>
Subject: Mary and Ed Coffey

 

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Kelly,

I am truly grieving… I guess that's where to start. I am truly grieving and I know this is what I signed up for and this is what I want to continue doing. I didn't know I would get so attached to someone but I, but we did. Zeke really is a little pet therapy dog. He can be such a little wild one and such a whiney butt, but he would settle down next to Ed and he really did provide a sense of peace and comfort.

I'm writing you this morning because I feel like I need to talk to someone who gets it. And I think you guys get it. I mean why would people like you, with a full life and family and Erica, just starting out a new life… why would you come to work every day when a big part of your work is this???

So for me it's a question I ask myself too. When we first moved to Hendersonville all I cared about was hiking and biking. But my answer is because it means something. It gives me much more than it takes. I've had a lot of jobs in my life and I always wanted to be a social worker so I could do something meaningful. I was lucky to get a job and have a career as a social worker in child protective services, but this… this is the most meaningful experience I've ever had and I just kind of fell into it. All the little pieces came together; Tess, Zeke, Hospice and now here we are.

In closing, I think I know why you and Erica and Mary and Ed all came to work at Hospice. There is great sadness but there is great joy and yes, there is great meaning in everything you do.

 

 

Pete 🤓 and Zeke 🐶

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