Welton Centre Naming

The Welton Centre for Hospice Palliative Care is founded on a foundation of lived experience and compassion. The namesake for Hospice Mississauga’s first Hospice Centre comes from a generous donation of The John and Joan Welton Foundation in 2018 for then Heart House Hospices campaign called Bring it Home.

Despite the challenges of that campaign, the directors of the Foundation including Dan Welton chose to remain committed to the vision that is now under construction. Dan and his wife Madeleine (Maddy) have lived experience with Hospice care as John Welton died at a local hospice in Oakville.  It was such beautiful end of life for him and it was very distressing to learn that there was no physical hospice in Mississauga.  

“Hospice is something people don’t think about in their philanthropic life until you experience it,” says Dan.  Maddy shares “that Hospice allowed the Welton family to share time with John while the care from the hospice team allowed his family and friends to focus on just being present”.  

Maddy continues to lead by example having taken the 30-hour volunteer training program and additional training to be a volunteer with our Wellness programs. The program allows for everyone who takes it, to gain a greater appreciation for the essential and compassionate work that happens in Hospices.  

“Hospice can provide a beautiful end of life for the individual, their family and their loved ones. It allows everyone to put aside daily concerns and care-taking duties while allowing you to make the most of the moments and remembrances together. Everyone deserves to die with dignity, feeling safe and supported.

Dan and Madeleine are proud that they were able to be a key part of bringing this 40-year dream to life.  They encourage every caring company, person or foundation to join them by supporting the campaign to raise the final $13 million to close out the $28 million goal. We are all going to die eventually, someway and somehow.  Hospice removes the family’s stress and allows them to be truly together at the end.