“Ms. Brenda,” as she’s known around the Foundation, is the definition of love and kindness. Born in Wisconsin, Brenda Shearer’s background is nothing short of impressive. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in Reading Language Arts, has co-authored four graduate-level textbooks, and was a tenured professor at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. But these are not the things that define Brenda. As she puts it, “I left ‘Dr. Shearer’ at the university when I retired.” Volunteering at the Four Seasons Foundation is now her greatest joy and passion in life.

Brenda’s first experience with hospice began when her mother passed in a hospice care facility in Wisconsin. When she moved to North Carolina, a friend shared her experience as a Four Seasons volunteer and Brenda went through orientation. Initially, Brenda volunteered at Elizabeth House and loved her time there, but she found her volunteer home when she helped the Foundation prepare for the annual Tree of Lights event.

She began helping the Foundation in more capacities, assisting the small team of five keep the office stocked with all supplies and finding Four Seasons patients in the newspaper obituary section. Over time Paige and the team found more and more ways to maximize Brenda’s talents and passions. Brenda
shared, “Even when I do smaller things for the office, I am happy to help because I know that I am freeing up time for the paid staff to do the most important work.”

During COVID-19, Paige wanted to write special cards for the Home Store and Foundation volunteers to stay connected with them. When she asked Brenda to help write the cards, she had no idea how beautiful each card would be. Brenda’s thank you, birthday, and holiday cards exude love, appreciation, and eloquence and it is an honor to receive the kind words she writes. Writing these notes of gratitude and praise is “such a joy” for Brenda and strengthened her relationship with the Foundation team.

That bond became extremely important to her when her husband entered Four Seasons in-home hospice care: “I was so touched by all the support I had when my husband received care through Four Seasons. I was so pleased that he was able to stay in our home until he passed on November 1, 2020.”

Thank you, Brenda, for your dedication and passion for the Foundation and all of Four Seasons.

Interested in Volunteering? Learn more and apply today!