Written by Morgan Lanser, corporate storyteller
When Mabel Glick was nearing the end of her time on Earth, her family came together to surround her with caring, compassionate support. She found peace knowing they were nearby — sitting with her, talking with her, and offering a quiet presence.
One of Mabel’s sons spent as much time as possible with his mother during this critical season of her life. After several weeks of early mornings spent working, followed by several hours at Mabel’s side, he realized he was exhausted in a way he had not experienced before — and he needed support. When a member of the nursing team suggested A Quiet Presence, he found the support he had been longing for.
A Quiet Presence is a volunteer group of residents who offer comfort to fellow residents in their final moments. The ministry extends the care of the Pastoral Services Department by providing calming, compassionate support rooted in respect, understanding, and each resident’s unique needs and choices. Volunteers may offer quiet companionship, active listening, prayer, music, or simply the gift of an unhurried presence, creating comfort and dignity for residents and peace of mind for their families.
A Quiet Presence allows residents to provide meaningful ministry to fellow residents and their family members alike. After completing a new volunteer orientation, members serve on an on-call basis, ready to provide support as promptly as possible. When a call is received, members connect with nursing staff to determine the value of their presence at that time. Once with the resident, A Quiet Presence members spend two hours with one resident at a time. To maintain quality compassion and avoid overextending members, only two residents may be visited within a 24-hour period.
Whether holding a hand, saying a prayer, singing a hymn, or simply sitting quietly, A Quiet Presence brings dignity, comfort, and calming peace to those in their final moments. A Quiet Presence member, Zoe Bilski, reflects on her first experience being called upon. She met Chaplain Karyn at the bedside of Mabel Glick. She said, “I was willing to just be present to this woman who I imagined had been a daughter, a wife, a mother, a friend, a sister, a confidante — who had herself most likely sat in vigil at the bedside of someone she loved.” She read a devotional, prayed over Mabel, and a short time later, joined the campus music therapist in a hymn sing. It was a life-changing experience for Zoe.
After her time with Mabel was finished for the day, Zoe joined Karyn in another Quiet Presence privilege: the Walk of Honor. When a resident passes, family, team members, chaplains, and available Quiet Presence volunteers gather to pray over and accompany the resident down the hall on his or her final journey through the doors, all while the resident is blanketed in a handmade quilt.
Mabel helped to build and run Ken’s Gardens with her beloved husband Norman, brother Kenneth, and sister-in-law Jean. Ken’s Gardens is still owned and operated by multiple generations of Glick family members. Mabel’s family recalls how at peace they felt knowing someone would be with her from 9am-4pm every day. Her son could breathe – he could support the family business she had spent decades building and still have time to spend with Mabel. His cup was full rather than running empty.
Mabel peacefully passed in May of 2025 – her work on Earth finished, an irresistible offer to continue in Heaven, reunited with her humble husband, Norman, in the presence of Jesus.
After her passing, Mabel’s family wanted to recognize the life-changing impact A Quiet Presence made in their lives. They couldn’t think of a better way than to honor Mabel than with something from the business she spent years building. Five months later, Mabel’s family, Quiet Presence members, and Chaplains gathered in the legacy garden for a small ceremony.
Stories of her sweet soul and testimonies from members that sat in vigil with her in her final days filled the cool autumn air as three beautiful Mother’s Day Azaleas were unveiled. The perfect tribute to Mabel, who went to heaven on Mother’s Day weekend, they bloom every year around the holiday.
Honoring Mabel and A Quiet Presence brought peace and comfort to the Glick family in a time of need. Her family’s experience became a living example of why A Quiet Presence matters: it offers families trusted companionship when they cannot be everywhere at once, and it surrounds residents with dignity when every moment feels sacred.
If you feel so led to become a Quiet Presence member, or could benefit from their services, contact Karyn Nancarvis of Pastoral Services at 717.355.6235 for more information on A Quiet Presence.
Morgan Lanser, corporate storyteller & project manager for Garden Spot Communities has built her career at GSC — starting in dining services as a student. She brings cross-departmental knowledge and experience, focusing on communication across all communities.