My name is Rosalie Farley and I go by the nickname Ro. I am 72 years old. I was married for 43 years and lost my husband to esophageal cancer five and a half years ago. I have three children, two girls and a boy, all born on the same day, February 1st, three years apart. I have seven grandchildren ranging in age from four to 19 years old. I have a ten-year-old dog named Koko, who is a shih tzu / yorkie mix called a "Shorkey". She has been my saving grace and loving companion since my husband passed. I am a men's barber part time for almost 30 years and still work about 16 hours a week at Progressive Barbershop on South Clinton Ave. I have been a member of St Christopher's church in North Chili for almost 40 years and I have been singing in their folk group for many years. I also have been singing in a woman's competing barbershop chorus for almost 30 years, along with a non-competing fun quartet for almost nine years. We sing at various senior centers and put smiles on their faces. Music and hair are a huge part of my life, as you can tell.

When I first began volunteering at Mount Carmel house in March, 2023, I expected to just see people decline and die, but the reality is that we help them live their last day comfortably and with dignity. When my husband was dying and unconscious, I knew that he would want to look his best. I said to him, "You're going to look good when you meet your maker." I can't do everything that the nurses do here, but I can help in my own way, so I have become the house barber. It helps our residents feel good. Why should they look sickly while they are here? They are still alive. We do not just let their appearance go; we help them pass with dignity.

People hear hospice and they hear death and cannot get past that. We don't sit in the room and watch people pass. Death is just a small component of volunteering at Mount Carmel House. We are here to help the home function, make it efficient, and provide comfort for not only residents, but also families and friends. You can volunteer in any way that you want, from cleaning to gardening to providing support. I try to tell people that you help people when you are here. It is not always a happy thing, but it is always rewarding. 

It's a happy house, it's a nice house, it's a welcoming house. Everyone works together and is caring. Our purpose is not doom and gloom; it is the opposite. Our mission is to help our residents live their best lives. I never leave Mount Carmel House sad. I leave Mount Carmel House knowing that I made a difference.