Patricia Eyestone
Patricia (Patty) Eyestone was a cherished wife, mother and grandmother. She was diagnosed with congestive heart disease and Parkinson’s Disease and was a patient at Cedar Valley Hospice. She later had two dislocated discs in her back that made her unable to sit up on her own. She died August 28, 2022. Since then, her husband, Rex has been a sponsor to help support Cedar Valley Hospice and give back for the care his beloved received.
Rex says, “When Patricia first started with Cedar Valley Hospice, she was not afraid of the outcome, but what kind of care she would receive. In the past, both at the hospital and rehabilitation center, the care was not great. We talked a lot about it and just decided to see how it would go. When Cedar Valley Hospice called and told us they would be coming that day the apprehension started. The gals that came over really put our minds at ease. These were the most caring people that we had ever come across. Patty always looked forward to their visits and several times when they pulled into our drive, she would say with a big smile, ‘The girls are here, must be bath day!’ I usually left the room, so it was girl talk and laughing. She felt so great with everyone. I have never in my life come across more caring and loving people in the medical field than we did with Cedar Valley Hospice.”
“After my beautiful wife passed, some of them came to her celebration of life service. I really wish I had a million dollars. If I did, it would go to Cedar Valley Hospice. I will support them until I just can’t. Best care and most loving people on this earth.”
A year after Patrica’s passing, Rex decided to honor her memory in a special way. On the anniversary of her death, Rex, his daughter, grandchildren and a few neighbors gathered at Rex’s home in Waterloo. They came together to celebrate Patty’s life by releasing balloons into the sky, each one carrying messages of love and remembrance.
Among the colorful array of balloons, Rex held a pink heart-shaped mylar balloon that he signed with his name and a heart, a symbol of his enduring love for Patty. As the balloons ascended into the sky, Rex watched his pink heart float higher and higher, eventually disappearing.
Three weeks later, an extraordinary event occurred. Rex’s sister, who lives in North Carolina, found that very balloon in her backyard that he had released. The signature was weathered, but it was the balloon. It had traveled over 1,000 miles, carrying with it the love and devotion Rex felt toward Patricia.
Your support is
what inspires us
Enriching lives in the Cedar Valley is at the forefront of our mission. We are experts in providing hospice and palliative care, grief support and providing additional services for those with life changing diagnoses. As a not-for-profit organization, your gifts make our mission possible!
Become a volunteer!
Our volunteers are the heart of our organization. From visiting patients to helping with events, they perform a number of different roles that are vital to helping us carry out our mission.
