about usWe are a home, not a facility.
At the Toni & Trish House, we believe that everyone deserves to spend their final chapter in a place that feels like home: warm, peaceful, and surrounded by love. Our Auburn, Michigan guest home provides compassionate end-of-life care in a residential setting where dignity and comfort come first.
With six private rooms, welcoming gathering spaces, and 24/7 support, we offer families a sanctuary during life's most difficult journey. Here, your loved one isn't a patient in a facility, they're a cherished guest in our home.
Our Story
The Toni & Trish House is named in honor of two women who never knew each other in life, but shared a similar vision. Antoinette "Toni" (Cianek) Waskevich, who died in an automobile accident at age 52, and Pat "Trish" McKelvey, who passed away from cancer in 2005 at age 75. In the wake of their losses, both families independently began raising funds with the same goal, to create a home where people facing the end of life could receive compassionate, dignified care.
When the families discovered each other's efforts, they joined forces to make their shared vision a reality. Together, they established the Toni & Trish House for the Terminally Ill, combining their resources and commitment to serve families in need throughout the Midland, Bay City, Saginaw area.
In March 2008, we welcomed our first guest. Since then, the Toni & Trish House has provided free end-of-life care to over 1,500 families. Their legacy continues in every person we serve and every family we support during life's most difficult moments.
Toni Waskevich
Antoinette "Toni" (Cianek) Waskevich was a dedicated nurse whose life was defined by her compassion for others. In 1996, Toni was tragically killed in an automobile accident that also claimed the lives of her sister, sister-in-law, and her son's girlfriend.
Throughout her nursing career and personal life, Toni had an extraordinary ability to ease both physical and emotional pain. She was known for going above and beyond, securing backstage concert tickets for a teenage friend battling brain cancer, leaving her own family on Christmas Eve to comfort a dying patient, and offering prayer and presence to those who needed it most. Her generosity of spirit touched countless lives.
In her memory, Toni's family established Toni's Hospice Fund with the hope of one day creating a home where the terminally ill could receive the same compassionate care she provided throughout her life. That dream became reality with the opening of the Toni & Trish House in 2008.
Pat “Trish” McKelvey
Pat "Trish" McKelvey faced the end of her life with grace and clarity. In early 2005, doctors discovered she had extensive cancer. Rather than pursue curative treatment that would likely be futile and painful, Trish chose home hospice care, allowing her to spend her final months surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of her own home.
Even as her health declined, Trish's thoughts turned to others in her community who might not have the same options she did. In May 2005, she told her family, "Bay City has one, Saginaw has one, and Midland needs a home for the terminally ill to go." In her final days, her focus remained on creating a hospice house where families could find the peace and dignity she had experienced.
Trish passed away in 2005 at age 75. In celebration of her life and vision, her family established Trish's Hospice Fund, laying the foundation for what would become the Toni & Trish House.
LeadershipMeet Our Board of Directors
The Toni & Trish House is guided by dedicated community leaders who are committed to our mission of providing free, compassionate end-of life care for families throughout Mid-Michigan.
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![Rita Maier]()
Rita Maier
PRESIDENT
Rita lives in Bay City with Wayne, her husband, they have been married for 51 years. Rita is lucky to have her entire family, four adult children and twelve grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren living in the Bay City/Midland area.
Rita became involved with the Toni and Trish House after attending a Circle of Caring fundraiser in 2010. Shortly after becoming involved, Rita’s own brother had to enter hospice care in FL, which reinforced her conviction of the continued need for compassionate care for the dying. Rita has been a volunteer caregiver at the house since her brother died in 2011.
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![Mary Shaughnessy]()
Mary Shaughnessy
VICE PRESIDENT
Mary retired in 2013 as an RN from Urgent Care. She previously worked in Public Health for 16 years. Mary has been a volunteer at the Toni & Trish House since April, 2008. She is currently in her 3rd year of the Saginaw Diocese Lay Ministry program. She is active at Blessed Sacrament Church in Midland and involved in PEO, a Philanthropic Educational Organization, which promotes women attaining higher education.
Mary and her husband Kevin live in Midland and have been married for 37 years. They have four grown children and nine beautiful grandchildren.
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![Matt Mieske]()
Matt Mieske
TREASURER
Matt has been married for 31 years, has two children and lives in Freeland. Matt became involved with the Toni and Trish House in 2013 when his mother stayed there for about three months prior to her passing.
Matt says his mother was treated with care and compassion at Toni and Trish and her family is very appreciative of all the services that were available for her. Matt is a retired Major League baseball player, and is currently a Certified Financial Planner in Freeland.
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![Clark Cummings]()
Clark Cummings
DIRECTOR
Clark currently serves as the Executive Director of the Toni and Trish House. After an extensive career in technology and business development at Dow, Clark began volunteering at the Toni and Trish House and later accepted his current role. He has a strong connection to the mission of the House and is honored to help the staff and volunteers in serving the many guests and their families.
Clark and his wife Cindy live in Midland. They have four sons and spend as much time with them as they can. When not at the Toni and Trish House, Clark also enjoys hiking, fishing and wood working.
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![Michele Vennix]()
Michele Vennix
SECRETARY
Michele retired from the Dow Chemical Company in December of 2019. She has been a volunteer at the Toni and Trish House for several years and assists with many projects and activities for the House. Michele lives in Auburn with her husband Paul, to whom she has been married for 33 years. She has two adult sons and one grandchild.
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![Joan Varner]()
Joan Varner
Joan is the niece and Godchild of “Trish”. She’s helped with many Toni and Trish fundraisers, including the first one held in Midland in 2007. She continues to help with Come and See open houses and receptions.
Joan and a group of friends provide an Appreciation Dinner four times per year to thank the volunteers for all they do. Each spring, Joan is in charge of the reception following the annual Men of Music Concert to benefit the Toni & Trish House.
Originally from Midland, Joan now lives in Breckenridge with her husband Greg. Her mom, Fay English, was a guest at the Toni and Trish House in 2009. Joan’s dad’s wife, Gerry English, was also a guest there in 2014. Joan recently took the training to become a volunteer caregiver at The Toni and Trish House.
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![Dave Luczak]()
Dave Luczak
David was born and raised in Bay City, Michigan and graduated from All Saints High School. He then went on to attend Delta College to complete his prerequisites in Mortuary Science, then went on to attend Wayne State University. David is the owner of Gephart Funeral Home. David and his wife of 26 years, reside in Bangor Township. They have two sons, Brandon and Tyler and they also have a fur baby, Oliver who they rescued.
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![John Waskevich]()
John Waskevich
John is youngest son of Toni, his mother. He lives in Midland working as a Project Manager for Fisher Contracting Company. John enjoys spending time on his family farm with his wife Melisa, son Henry, and daughter Ruth.
John has enjoyed being active in planning and the construction of numerous projects at the Toni and Trish House.
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![John McKelvey]()
John McKelvey
HONORARY BOARD EMERITUS / CO-FOUNDER
John, son of Trish (Pat) McKelvey helped establish the Toni & Trish House in 2007. John has volunteered and worked at Mother Teresa House in Lansing. He has an Associate degree in Hospice and Grief Counseling from the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Hospice training Institute in New Mexico.
John also has an Associate degree in Nursing and has been a Registered Nurse since 1995. John and his wife Deirdre have been married for eleven years.
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![Sally Czabala]()
Sally Czabala
Retired from the Dow Chemical Company in December of 2019. She has been a volunteer at the Toni and Trish House for several years and assists with many projects and activities for the House. Michele lives in Auburn with her husband Paul, to whom she has been married for 33 years. She has two adult sons and one grandchild.
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![Terry Gushow]()
Terry Gushow
Terry and her husband Randy live in Fisherville and have been married for 40 years. They have 2 sons, 2 daughters-in-law and 2 grandchildren. Their third son died in a car accident. Terry enjoys golfing and spending time at her family’s cabin.
Terry retired in 2006 as a Chemical Hazard Communication Specialist for The Dow Chemical Company. She has volunteered at Toni and Trish since January 2009. She also volunteers at the Riecker Center of the Midland MidMichigan Medical Center, at Versiti Blood Center in the Dow Diamond Stadium, and at St Agnes Catholic Church in Freeland.
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![Amy Augustyniak-Kaczmarek]()
Amy Augustyniak-Kaczmarek
Amy has been the Bereavement Coordinator with McLaren Hospice for 28 years. Amy lives in Midland with Roger, her husband of 27 years. They are blessed to have their adult children, daughter Haley and son Jordon living in Midland. Amy enjoys camping, boating, and working in the yard with her flowers.
Amy says that working in Hospice, she has been able to see the benefit of having a “Hospice House ” for patients and families dealing with terminal illness. “As I look ahead to my retirement from McLaren, serving on the Board of Directors will keep my heart connected to Hospice and the wonderful ministry of the Toni and Trish House.”
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![Jo Ellen Streiter]()
Jo Ellen Streiter
Jo Ellen Strieter is a newly elected board member in 2024 as she recently retired as the Executive Director of the Toni and Trish House. Jo Ellen has an array of experience in community involvement, marketing and working with the public through her varied past volunteer activity, employment and education history. She started at the Toni & Trish House in July of 2015.
Jo Ellen lives in Bay County, has been married to George for 45 years, has three adult children and twelve grandchildren. She enjoys doing outdoor activities such as jeep and side by side riding, biking, hiking, camping, and kayaking. Friends, family, volunteering and community are very important in her life.
We work seamlessly with local hospice organizations throughout the Midland, Bay City, and Saginaw areas to ensure your loved one receives excellent medical care. Your family can keep the hospice team you already trust, they'll continue providing medical support right here in our home. This partnership allows us to focus on what we do best: creating a peaceful, homelike environment while experienced hospice professionals manage pain management, medications, and medical needs.
Please see our guide below for how to refer a guest to our home through your hospice team.
Hospice CarePartnering with Your Hospice Team
Members of the Omega Home Network
The Toni & Trish House is a proud member of the Omega Home Network, a national nonprofit organization that supports over 100 community homes for people at the end of life across 30 states. Through shared resources, best practices, and a strong community of support, we're part of a larger mission to ensure compassionate, person-centered care is available in communities nationwide.
Impacting our community since 2008.
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1500+ Families Served
Since opening our doors, the Toni & Trish House has provided compassionate end-of-life care to over 1,500 families throughout Mid-Michigan.
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80+ Active Volunteers
Our mission is powered by more than 80 dedicated volunteers who give their time, compassion, and presence to ensure no one faces their final chapter alone.
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Free for Everyone
Toni & Trish House is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization providing completely free end-of-life care, made possible by our generous donors.
How to Refer a Guest?
If you have a loved one on hospice who could benefit from the peaceful care at the Toni & Trish House, we're here to help. Our referral process is simple and our team will guide you through every step.
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Reach out to your loved one's current hospice provider or primary care doctor to discuss the possibility of care at the Toni & Trish House. They can assess whether our guest home is appropriate for your loved one's needs and begin the referral process.
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Ask your hospice team or medical provider to submit a referral directly to the Toni & Trish House. This referral includes important medical information that helps us prepare for your loved one's arrival and ensure continuity of care.
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Our staff is available to answer questions, provide information about our services, and help coordinate admission. Call us, or use our contact form below, we're here to support you during this difficult time.
Sign up for our Volunteer Team
donateMake a Donation Today
The Toni & Trish House operates entirely on donations from our community. Every contribution helps us provide free, dignified end-of-life care to families who need it most. Your gift ensures that no one in our community faces their final days alone or without comfort.
Thank you for your support!
