Hospice opens in Saint John

Atlantic Canada's first stand-alone hospice forpeople with terminal illnesses opened Tuesday in Saint John.

Bobby's Hope House, which is located in the city's north end, was named after Catherine "Bobby" Lawson, who died of cancer in March.

Lawson volunteered for Hospice Greater Saint John, which offers support servicefromwithin the Saint John Regional Hospital,for more than 20 years.

Hospice Greater Saint John founder Nancy Grant saidterminally ill peoplewill be able to come to Bobby's Hope Houseduring the day for care and socializing.

Grant hopesthe daytimefacility will eventually be able to offer around-the-clock care as well.

"Our vision is for a residential hospice, which will be 24-hour care for people who cannot be cared for at home," she said.

Lawson'sdaughter said hermother shared Grant's vision for a stand-alone hospice in Saint John.

"When she became ill with terminal cancer, she decided that she would like to put some of her money towards the dream that [Grant] had shared with all of the volunteers through the years," said Barbara Creamer.