The Catholic Herald Magazine of Sacramento lead page for a story on Elsa Ceccato and her hospice care. In the photo, Elsa poses with her daughter, Ann Noel, at Elsa's home in Woodland, California. Elsa passed away in September 2019, shortly before the article was published.

In the summer of 2019, I had the privilege of photographing Elsa Ceccato with her daughter and her caregiver at her home in Woodland, California, for a Catholic Herald Magazine story on hospice. The day I visited Elsa along with writer Lynette Magnino, she was accompanied by her daughter Ann Noel, and receiving hospice care from nurse Patty Zavala. Elsa was bright and alert, but clearly tiring easily. Elsa passed away in September in the company of her family, shortly before the story appeared in the magazine.

In 2020, several months into the Covid19 pandemic, I found myself reviewing the story about Elsa. It made me think about all the people in the past months who have had to die alone due to concerns over spreading the virus. Hopefully we can soon return to a time when death can come in the comfort of our families, as it did for Elsa.

Top photo: Elsa rests under her photos reflecting family memories.
Above two photos: Hospice nurse Patty checks Elsa's vital signs.
Below: Patty chats with Elsa, while Ann's dog stands by.
Bottom: Patty leaves Elsa's home after a pleasant visit.