Pat has volunteered with VITAS Healthcare to design and sew “Memory Bears” since 2013. The bears are made from clothing a loved one once wore. They provide a link between a loved one who has passed on and those who are left behind.
Each bear is made from whatever material is provided. Sometimes they present a real challenge to imagine how a good looking bear can be made from material with such unusual designs. Sometimes the most challenging ones turn out to be the most interesting bears.
Thank You – A special thank you to Pat Nowlin for introducing me to VITAS Healthcare volunteers. Looking for something meaningful to do during retirement years, a suggestion from Pat Nowlin became a good fit. Pat and I became good “Bear Buddies” working on Memory Bears together……bouncing ideas off of each other and encouraging each other. Working as a team, Jill Grissom, Manager of Volunteer Services for VITAS, dubbed the team “The Two Pats”. Recently my cousin, Linda Overman has joined the team. And the team is now “The Two Pats And A Cousin”. Also, a thank you to Jill Grissom for her encouragement and appreciation of our work.
How to view all the bears Pat has made for VITAS:
- Click on one of the photo galleries below to view that collection.
- When the gallery is displayed click on one of the images shown to see a larger, complete image.
- You can also click on the “play” button at the bottom of the larger image to view a slide show of all pictures in that collection.
My husband passed away at the Vitas location on Fredericksburg Rd. San Antonio. It’s been a year and I’m just now getting around to clearing out his closet. Is it too late to have bears made for my grandchildren?
Sylvia, please phone the main number of Vitas in San Antonio and ask for Volunteer Services. They should be able to make a bear in memory of your husband. Thanks for visiting our website.