From Hospice to Royalty: A Red Hat Gift of a Day

“When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.”

From: “Warning” by Jenny Joseph

Gift of a Day Celebrated with Red Hat Society Friends

Good friends, a chance to dress up, and ice cream sundaes.

The combination was unbeatable for Pauline Hack, who chose a party for her Red Hat Society friends as her Gift of a Day from Crossroads Hospice in St. Louis, MO.

While Red Hatters are known for their colorful purple outfits and (always) a red hat, the truth is that the organization exists not only for socializing, but to “shout back at the stigma” about mature women, and to support women who have lost a spouse or parent or who are dealing with a major life-threatening illness.

Pauline wanted to feel like a queen for her special day, and chose to wear a red sparkly shirt, gold sparkly shoes and lots of big jewelry. Topping off her ensemble was a flashy tiara. Looking a bit like the famous actress Kitty Carlisle, Pauline welcomed her husband, daughter, and a dozen of her fellow Red Hatters for chocolate ice cream sundaes and a good long visit.  

It’s a hospice party, and it’s fun

“Pauline’s friends thought this might be a tearful visit,” said Colleen Dietmeyer, Crossroads Hospice volunteer manager, who organized the Gift of a Day. “Instead, the party was filled with storytelling and reminiscing. Her friends and family enjoyed delicious ice cream and shared many laughs together.”

It was a happy party, complete with red and white balloons, table linens, candies and punch, reflecting the Red Hat Society’s colors. And Pauline, the Gift of a Day Queen for the Day, was more happy and talkative than she had been for a long time.

Seeing her smile, surrounded by friends and family, the joy of the party reverberates. 

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