What We Do

“Nanaimo Community Hospice Society serves the community of Nanaimo on central Vancouver Island, which is located on the ancestral, traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the Snuneymuxww First Nations; Stz’uminus First Nations; Snaw-Naw-As First Nations and Mid Island Metis Nation. We acknowledge our traditional hosts and honour their welcome and graciousness.”

Nanaimo Hospice is…

A place, a community and a philosophy. Dying, caregiving and grieving are three of life’s greatest challenges. Nanaimo Hospice believes that everyone struggling with these challenges – regardless of age, means or culture – deserves support. With compassion and dignity, our volunteers and professional staff offer free programs, resources, and education to our community where and when needed.

Nanaimo Hospice began in 1979, when Olivia Thomasson developed an interest in starting a hospice service in Nanaimo following her husband’s death from cancer. She was soon joined by Lynn Green, an RN, who worked with the dying and also saw a strong need for hospice services. Their goal was to promote a model of care that emphasized emotional/social caring for patients and families. Their dream was to build a hospice facility, with beds, where staff could promote and facilitate quality of life, family were welcome, and the patient could live out their last weeks or months in dignity or peace, surrounded by people who cared for them.

Our Vision

To be a leading resource for issues of death and dying.

Our Mission

To offer skilled, compassionate support, education and advocacy for those living with advanced illness, dying and bereavement.

“My 3 children truly benefited from this (children’s grief counselling) outstanding, caring program. They left feeling comforted….We can’t thank Hospice (enough) for helping my family…”

— A Parent

Did you know….????

• That 2021 was Nanaimo Hospice’s 40th Anniversary!

• Olivia Thomasson was the Founder of Mid-Island Hospice Society (later changed to Nanaimo Community Hospice Society in 2003).

• Nanaimo Community Hospice launched a Community Outreach Vehicle in 2019.

• Nanaimo Hospice has direct contact with more than 1,750 individuals and family members dealing with end of life issues.

• We presently have 150 client-based volunteers and 80 volunteers working at our Thrift Shoppe.

• That the first Hospice was opened in London in the late 50’s, early 60’s.