Editors note: This article is one of a series during November that highlights the programs and services of Hospice of the Carolina Foothills during National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.

Being first runs in Connie Mack Butlers family. If the name Connie Mack sounds familiar, it is because his grandfather of the same name was a nationally-known baseball icon. In fact, Connie Mack was the first major league manager whose team won three world series.

Connie Mack Butler, no slouch himself when it came to baseball, was elected to the Rollins College Hall of Fame, and was recognized in local Florida newspapers as an All American Outfielder when he received the Rofle Tainter Batting Trophy.

Success came easily to Connie, if you overlook his years at Rollins College playing baseball and basketball while struggling to earn a teaching degree and pulling a stint in the Army after graduation and working endless hours to start his own successful chemical company. He was a real struggler. He worked hard all his life, says his widow, Marie Butler.

He didnt give up that habit either when the two retired to Tryon, she explains. They both volunteered at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, and when Connie became seriously ill, he was one of the first in the area to experience the entire continuum of Hospice Care, beginning with Palliative Care.

Palliative Care is a relatively new Hospice resource that partners with primary healthcare providers to help people living with serious illness have a better quality of life. Palliative care staff help manage and treat the patients physical symptoms caused by the illness, while also helping the patient and caregivers with changes and decisions that affect the whole family, Marie explains.

Connie went very smoothly from Palliative Care into Hospice Care, says Marie.

When the time came for Connie to be admitted to the Hospice House, it was another first for Connie Mack Butlers family, as he was the first resident of the communitys brand new inpatient facility.

Our association with Hospice of the Carolina Foothills has been nothing but good all the way through. Connie and I enjoyed our volunteer work, and when Connie got sick, it was nice to know that all I had to do was call, and there was help on the other end of the phone, says Marie.

Marie says she continues to enjoy her work as a volunteer for Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.