Madrone Hospice Celebrates 40 Years, Welcomes New Director

YREKA, CA – Madrone Hospice, California’s first rural hospice provider, celebrated its 40th anniversary with a garden party that also introduced the organization’s new Director of Operations, Lindsay Clevenger.

The event, held at the Madrone Hospice House, featured presentations on the organization’s history and future direction. Bob Kaster, a long-time board member, recounted the hospice’s humble beginnings in the early 1980s.

“We started with a group of dedicated people meeting in my law office,” Kaster explained. “At that time, hospice was just a concept, and there was no good existing model to learn from.”

Despite initial challenges, including skepticism about the viability of a hospice in a sparsely populated county, Madrone Hospice has grown into a vital community institution. The organization now offers a range of services, including hospice and palliative care, bereavement programs, senior centers, and thrift shops.

A significant milestone in the hospice’s history was the creation of the Madrone Hospice House in 1999. This facility, described by Kaster as “a place where people live their final days with loving dignity,” was made possible through grants from various foundations and substantial community support.

The event also marked the introduction of Lindsay Clevenger as the new Executive Director. Dr. David Wilson, a board member, introduced Clevenger, highlighting her background in nursing and her passion for caring for people.

In her address, Clevenger expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the organization. “It is a true honor to stand before you tonight as the new Executive Director, celebrating Madrone’s remarkable 40-year journey,” she said. Clevenger emphasized the collective strength of the community in making the hospice’s work possible and toasted to “another wonderful 40 years.”

The celebration included displays of memorabilia chronicling the hospice’s history, allowing attendees to reflect on the past while looking forward to the organization’s future.

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