PAGE 12 - December 26, 2007
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Couple's journey together ends at Haven Hospice
"He arrived at Haven Hospice and with her husband, David. "He would pray,
joyfully took her hand And reassured `Lord, just take us together.' He was hanging
her, `Darling, I'm here with you and on for her and she was hanging on for him."
The couple had done their best to
will be until the end.'"
stay together after Corrine's first stroke in
From a poem by sister-in-law Faye Tart
2001, and for a brief time, shared a room in a
nursing home. Then on Nov. 13, Corrine be-
(LAKE CITY, Fla.)--Even death could not part
came unresponsive and was admitted to the
a Fort White couple for very long. Neither
intensive care unit at Shands Lake Shore. The
wanted to outlive the other, and although
blood infection had attached to her pacemaker
Herbert Tart was critically ill, he was deter-
and her prognosis was poor.
mined to make it to his wife, Corrine, and join
The time had come for the family to
her in death. They died one day apart at Ha-
consider hospice care, and they admitted
ven Hospice. This will be Kathy Hancock's
Corrine to the Haven Hospice Suwannee Val-
first Christmas without her parents, who died
ley Care Center. Hunter's declining condition
Nov. 18 and 19. But her sorrow is eased by
did not allow him to visit her in the hospital,
her gladness that her parents died as they
and shortly after she went to Haven Hospice,
wanted to, together at Haven Hospice with
he collapsed and was transported by ambu-
her father holding her mother's hand. It was
lance to North Florida Regional Medical Cen-
a bittersweet ending to a 58-year marriage that
ter in Gainesville. When Hunter learned that
produced two daughters, four grandchildren
Corrine was dying, he was determined to stop
and two great-grandchildren.
Herbert "Hunter" and Corrine Tart, married 58 years, died a day apart
dialysis and go to her. His doctor warned that
But it was in keeping with what hos-
at the Haven Hospice Suwannee Valley Care Center in Lake City.
he might not survive the trip from Gainesville,
pice care is all about-honoring a husband's
but he asked his daughter to accept his deci-
last wish. Herbert Tart, known by his middle
his brothers and his sister, a pastor and a
AwardŽ honorees nationwide to be recog-
sion to go with Corrine. "I don't want to hurt
name, Hunter, and his nickname, Pop, was 79
granddaughter to say goodbye," Kathy said.
nized as leaders in improving the care of pa-
you," he told her, "but I'm tired and I'm ready
when he asked to join Corrine, 82, in her room
"He sounded like a little kid telling everyone
tients near the end of life or with life-threaten-
to go to Mother." Kathy tearfully consulted
at the Suwannee Valley Hospice Care Center
he was going to Disney World." In Room 4 at
ing conditions. Haven Hospice has also been
with the staff at Haven Hospice, who assured
in Lake City. Corrine had suffered two debili-
the Suwannee Valley Care Center, the staff
recognized as a Florida Pacesetter for its lead-
her that they would do their best to put Hunter
tating strokes in the last six years, and now
made way for Hunter by pushing two beds
ership in promoting living wills. Licensed in
and Corrine together in the same room. "It
she was dying from an infection in her blood.
together and removing the rails in the middle
Florida since 1980 as a not-for-profit hospice,
was a unique situation for the family and for
Hunter had been on dialysis for nine years
so that Hunter could hold Corrine's hand. He
Haven Hospice has served more than 35,000
the staff," said Kathy Noble, RN, patient care
and always said if he was going to lose
never let go.
patients and families.
coordinator at the Suwannee Valley Care Cen-
Corrine, he wanted to stop dialysis. His health
Haven Hospice is North Florida's
For more information visit
ter. "Whatever we can do for the people we
had declined considerably in the last year. "He
expert in end-of-life and palliative care and is
www.havenhospice.org or call 800-727-1889.
serve, we will certainly bend over backward."
couldn't stand the thought of leaving
one of eight 2007 Circle of Life
Hunter was elated. "He called every one of
Mother," said Kathy, who lives in Fort White
State Park To
Commemorate 2nd
Seminole Battle
--DEP to hold 27th annual
Dade Reenactment Weekend --
BUSHNELL The Florida Department of En-
vironmental Protection's Dade Battlefield His-
toric State Park will host its 27th annual Dade
Reenactment Weekend on December 29 and
30. Step back in time with staff and volun-
teers during a weekend of activities and
events for the entire family to enjoy.
Kathy Hancock says knowing her
The highlight of the weekend is the
parents died together as they
battle reenactment, which takes place at 2 p.m.
wanted made losing both of them
each day. Fees for the event are $6.00 adults,
a little easier. The family held a
$2.00 children 6-12, and children under 6 are
double funeral.
free.
"Just awarded Exit's Crystal River office
Inverness community leaders break ground
TOP SELLING AGENT!!!"
on improvements to the Withlachoochee trail.
The new parking area and beautification
project will act as a unification zone between
From the entire Adams' family to yours:
the lake areas, Liberty Park and the down-
town historic inverness area. Shown throw-
ing the first shovels of construction are (left
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
to right): Frank Sharalde, Debbie Davis, Frank
DeGiovanni, Steve Stackhouse, Ken Spielios,
and Bud Daly. (Right):During the
CALL ME - 1-888-664-1951/toll-free or (352) 794-0888/office
groundbreaking ceremony, trail riders gather
Shannon D. Adams, Realtor 352-220-9209/cell, 447-1009/home FAX - (352) 795-0282
and size up the plans for Withlachoochee
E-MAIL - shannondadams@comcast.net
730 N. Suncoast Blvd.
trail improvements at Apopka Ave. in
WEBSITE - www.ExitRealtyLeaders.com
Crystal River, FL
Inverness. Photos by Mike Moore