Compassionate hospice care for her mother inspires donor’s giving

A longtime donor to Chesapeake Kids, Sara Starry never imagined needing Hospice of the Chesapeake for herself. But when her mother’s health began deteriorating in late 2020, she discovered another side of hospice care separate from our services for children and their families.

Sally Zoller, Starry’s mother, was living alone in Edgewater and wanted to remain in her home. With many complicated illnesses, Zoller, 93, needed more medical and psychosocial support than her family could provide. “I didn’t know where to go or to ask for help,” Starry said.

Enter Hospice of the Chesapeake. For six months, Starry, her siblings and their adult children and families were able to spend meaningful time with their mother and grandmother. Hospice team members managed the intricacies of a life-limiting illness while allowing her mother to remain in her home as she wished.

“We remain grateful to the entire team for giving us the gift of time and making sure my mother received the best care possible, even with COVID protocols,” Starry said.

Her experience only affirmed her decision years earlier to make annual grant recommendations from her donor-advised fund. “You never know what the future holds,” she said.

“Through my own experience, I learned how important compassionate hospice care is for adults and children,” Starry said. “The level of care and commitment shown by the clinical team at Hospice of the Chesapeake continues to impress me.”

“My mother had the care she needed. And I want everyone to know that resource exists for every patient and every family.”

Starry is no stranger to finding solutions amid chaos. She is the founder and president of Starry Associates, Inc., a professional consulting and IT services firm. Her Annapolis-based company delivers enterprise services and solutions for the federal marketplace. Turning to Hospice of the Chesapeake was the right answer for Starry, her mother and her family at a difficult time.

“Hospice of the Chesapeake’s team ensures people receive the care they need, wherever they live, in a respectful, compassionate manner,” she said. “My mother had the care she needed. And I want everyone to know that resource exists for every patient and every family.”