While their names would barely cause a ripple outside their own circles, they are an integral part of the Mercy Palliative Care team and carry out their work with compassion, grace and courage — qualities they both possess in spades.
Mary and Antida* started volunteering in palliative care at the local district hospital in Werribee before Mercy Health established and opened Werribee Mercy Hospital in 1994.
Mercy Palliative Care volunteers Mary O’Brien (right) and Antida (left)
“I wanted to volunteer and help out but what I really had in mind was making cups of tea and just lending a hand,” Antida laughs.
“Someone saw some potential I suppose and I think that vote of confidence led to the development of resilience and an ability to empathise with people that I didn’t know I had.”
Mercy Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator Kellie Sandral says Mary and Antida’s commitment to volunteering is remarkable.
“It takes a special kind of individual to choose to volunteer in palliative care,” Kellie says “Death, dying and end of life can be difficult and confronting for many of us.”
The lovely woman started crying and I offered to stop but she responded that she was crying tears of joy and that she was ready. It’s something I’ve never forgotten.
Mary did not really know what to expect when she initially agreed to volunteer in palliative care.
“I grew up with eight siblings and I have now lost four. Sadly my brother Peter, who was nearest in age to me, passed this year. He was a twin and a few years earlier, we lost his twin.
“So I know about the need for resilience but I have always had a degree of confidence and a belief that I can undertake a job.
“I also had some wonderful mentors at the very beginning of my Mercy journey.
“I have never had a negative experience. Certainly, when dealing with death there is sadness and I believe you must become emotionally involved otherwise you aren’t connecting with a loved one’s family.”
Antida recalls once holding a patient’s hand and offering to say the rosary.
“The lovely woman started crying and I offered to stop but she responded that she was crying tears of joy and that she was ready. It is something have never forgotten.”
While both Antida and Mary are unsung heroes of the highest order, they remarked that what sustains them in their volunteer roles is the great privilege of accompanying patients and families through an acutely difficult time.
*Surname withheld.
Last reviewed December 15, 2020.