1,000 and counting: Volunteer with Monroeville-based Bridges Hospice creates ‘memory bears’ for families

They’re made from all kinds of clothing: pajamas, jeans, ties, scarves, socks, even a fur coat.

One features a gentleman’s shirt that was a favorite of his grandson.

“So he would go to bed with the bear every night, and it was like he had his grandpa with him,” Jeanne Odenheimer said.

As a volunteer for Monroeville-based Bridges Hospice, she creates “memory bears,” decorating small stuffed animals with personal items as keepsakes for patients’ family members. The East Pittsburgh resident has passed the 1,000 mark since she started in 2016.

“Whatever gets thrown her way, whatever challenge, whatever special request the family makes, she always overdelivers, goes above and beyond,” Bridges volunteer coordinator Tayler Evans said during a lunch honoring Odenheimer for reaching the milestone.

Held March 1 at Jaden’s Catering in Monroeville, the event also acknowledged others who donate their time on behalf of the hospice provider and its clients.

“Hospice started all through volunteer work,” Evans said. “So it’s really awesome to keep the origin of hospice alive through our volunteer team, who do lots of different services and activities to give our patients that extra-special care.”

As far as Odenheimer’s dedication, she logged 728 hours producing 411 bears during 2022, according to Evans.

“Her excitement to make these bears has never gone away,” she said. “She truly takes the time and energy to make every bear unique and special in honor of that loved one.”

Jim Odenheimer, Jeanne’s husband, also volunteers for the hospice provider by taking the family dog to visit patients, and he brought her on board.

“Somebody from Bridges said, ‘Hey, I’m looking for somebody who sews. Do you know anybody?’ And he said, ‘Oh, my wife does!’ And it’s history from there,” Jeanne recalled.

“Not too long after I started, I put out a call to all my friends: I need buttons. I need ribbon. Bring me your grandmothers’ old button boxes and sewing boxes,” she said. “And I’ll tell you, my friends just gave me so much stuff.”

The folks at Bridges also have helped considerably, too.

“They’re always giving me everything that I could ever possibly want, and I want to thank them for that,” Odenheimer said. “When I first got started, I was having problems with my 50-year-old sewing machine. And I said to Tayler, ‘I’m going to be out of business for a while, ’cause I need to send my machine back to the shop to get it repaired,’ And she said, ‘No problem. We’ll buy you a new one.’”

Working on the bears continues a lifelong pursuit for Odenheimer.

“My mother was a sewing teacher, and we’ve always worked with crafty kinds of things,” she said. “I’ve always been very handy and creative.”

Along with the Odenheimers, Evans recognized volunteers in attendance for activities such as providing pet therapy, conducting office work, making companionship visits, sewing blankets, singing for patients and giving them haircuts.

“All volunteers are vital members of our hospice teams,” she said. “What our volunteers do brings so much extra attention, compassion, care and love to each of our patients.”