After losing a spouse or a family member, the pain can be overwhelming. Connection to others is often a means of processing the emotions, evidenced by the heartfelt bereavement volunteers at Doylestown Hospital.

Tony Marinelli is one of them.

Conquering Hesitancy

The loss of both his son and his wife in a seven-year span was an understandable blow.

As his wife was failing, Marinelli met Celia Blum, Doylestown Health Hospice Bereavement coordinator.

She suggested that — when he felt the time was right — that membership in the bereavement program might be advantageous.

Marinelli overcame his reluctance, improved his outlook, and eventually volunteered to help others as he had been helped.

“I wanted to give back and have more things to do with the group,” he said.

Expanded Roles and New Connections

His first roles were tech related. But eventually, he became more personally connected to participants in the bereavement outreach. He now leads a monthly men’s group.

Marinelli also participates in the hospital’s phone contact effort. Its volunteers make post-loss calls to families, checking on how they are faring physically and emotionally.

Arlene Shevchik works with Marinelli on this connection point.

She knows the value of this outreach from personal experience, having received and benefited from the contact after losing her husband.

“I found this bereavement group was like a godsend to me,” she said. “I got such great advice. It was just nice having someone to talk to who understood. That’s why I wanted to help out making phone calls — I know what it’s like.”

Information on how to volunteer at Doylestown Hospital, including the program’s requirements and the roles it fills, is online.