Hospice patients and their families will be honored May 17. Each year the staff at Heyman HospiceCare honors the family members and friends of former patients with a special service. This year it is set for 6 p.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church,  101 East 4th Avenue, Rome.

 According to Marsha Atkins, Bereavement Coordinator for Heyman HospicrCare, "it's an opportunity for Heyman to honor patients and to offer comfort, hope and healing to their families." The service will close with a candlelight remembrance ceremony.

 A reception will follow. At the gathering, families will have the opportunity to talk with staff who cared for their loved ones and meet other hospice families. Also at the reception, the Heyman HospiceCare staff and volunteers will share a memory book of pictures, letters and remembrances collected and assembled over the past year.