Finding Purpose at Doey’s House: Volunteer Teresa Matthews Gives the Gift of Presence
When Teresa Matthews retired after a 30-year career managing convenience stores, she knew one thing for certain: retirement wasn’t going to be about slowing down. “I knew I needed to find something meaningful to do,” she shares.
Just one month before leaving her career, Teresa reached out to Hospice of Washington County to become a volunteer. She wasn’t sure exactly where she would fit in, but she knew she wanted to give back.
Today, just two and a half years later, Teresa has become one of Doey’s House’s most dedicated volunteers. In 2025 alone, she logged more volunteer hours than anyone else at Hospice of Washington County, reflecting her extraordinary commitment to patients, families, and staff.
As Doey’s House prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary next year, volunteers like Teresa remind us that the heart of hospice lies not only in expert clinical care but also in the kindness of those who generously give their time.
A Calling Inspired by Personal Experience
Teresa’s path to hospice volunteering began long before retirement. Both of her parents lived with dementia, and as their health declined, hospice became part of their care while they were living in a nursing facility.
“Before then, I didn’t really understand what hospice did,” Teresa recalls. “Like many people, I thought hospice only meant someone was about to die. I didn’t realize how much comfort and support they provided to both patients and families.” That experience stayed with her.
Years earlier, Teresa had also toured Doey’s House through her involvement with a local breast cancer awareness organization, where she served alongside Doris “Doey” Glessner, the woman for whom the house is named. “When life finally slowed down, I knew I wanted to volunteer there.”
More Than a Friendly Face
Teresa serves at the front desk three days each week and frequently volunteers additional shifts whenever they’re needed. She’s often the very first person families meet when they arrive. From welcoming visitors and answering phones to helping direct families and keeping the house running smoothly, Teresa does a little bit of everything. She even manages food ordering for respite patients, drawing on decades of experience overseeing operations and customer service.
But what she treasures most isn’t checking off tasks. It’s connecting with people. “I meet lots of families who come through the doors with their loved one,” she says. “Then they leave without them.” Those moments, she says, have taught her that families often need something simple—a listening ear, a reassuring smile, a hug, or even a conversation about everyday life. “Sometimes they just need someone who’s not a nurse or a doctor. They want to share a story, show you a family photo, or talk about who their loved one was. Being able to be there for them means everything.”
A House Filled with Compassion
For Teresa, what makes Doey’s House truly special is the peaceful environment created by both the facility and the people inside it. “It’s quiet. It’s beautiful. It’s calming,” she says. “There’s nothing that was left out in planning it.” She is equally inspired by the nurses, certified nursing assistants, and staff members who care for patients every day. “I’m continually in awe of them,” Teresa says. “I know what they walk into every day, and I give them so much credit.”
While Teresa humbly insists she’s “just volunteering,” her coworkers often joke that she should come work there full-time. She always smiles and declines. “My working career is over,” she laughs. “I just enjoy giving back. It gives me a lot of pleasure.”
Keeping Busy and Giving Back
Outside of Doey’s House, Teresa enjoys spending time with her husband, who is preparing for retirement, caring for their beloved cats, and keeping up with her two nieces and five great-nieces. She also has a thriving side business buying and reselling treasures through Facebook Marketplace and auctions.
And then there’s her favorite hobby: button art. Using thousands of collected buttons, Teresa creates intricate holiday decorations, angels, dragonflies, trees, and other handcrafted pieces. Many of her creations decorate Doey’s House or have been gifted to patients’ families, bringing small moments of comfort and joy during difficult times.
The Gift of Presence
Ask Teresa why she volunteers so much, and her answer is simple. “I found something that fulfills me.” Whether she’s greeting visitors at the front desk, comforting a grieving family member, organizing supplies, or quietly filling in another volunteer shift, Teresa embodies the compassion and generosity that define hospice care.
As Doey’s House approaches its 10th anniversary, Hospice of Washington County celebrates volunteers like Teresa Matthews—people who remind us that sometimes the greatest gift we can offer is simply being present.
