The Kachurchak family gathered to celebrate Shirley Kachurchak’s life at a party at Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service in Copley Jan. 10. Shirley is shown in front surrounded by, from left, son-in-law David Mustin, daughter-in-law Kandi Kachurchak, son Eric, daughter Dana, husband Joe and daughter Lisa.

Photo courtesy of Hospice of VNS

Those were the wishes of Shirley Kachurchak, of Coventry Township, as she faced her final days. But that wasn’t all: She also wanted a party.

Shirley had planned all sorts of functions for her family over the years. There was the party more than 20 years ago when she celebrated earning her doctor of naturopathy degree, where bedpans served as dishes and medical gloves were turned into balloons. Then there was the 70th birthday party she planned for her husband, a black-tie event at their home featuring a seven-course, homemade meal, each dish served with a particular wine.

But this party would be different. It would be a celebration of life — her life.

Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November after a lifetime of good health, Shirley, 72, underwent surgery, but her prognosis was not good, according to her family. After a stay at Akron General Medical Center, the medical staff recommended she go to Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service in Copley, where Shirley’s pain could be controlled and she would be made comfortable.

Dana Kachurchak Mustin, one of Shirley’s three children, said Shirley was initially hesitant about the idea until she was told about the Ridgewood Road hospice’s features.

“They mentioned that it had a party room and instantly she said, ‘That’s what I want,’” said Dana. “She always said she wanted to have a celebration of life and not a funeral. She had had many, many parties over the years, so that was a natural for her.”

The party room is really the hospice center’s great room, a high-ceilinged site with a fireplace and piano that can hold several dozen people.

Shirley was admitted to hospice Jan. 7, a Wednesday, and the party was planned for Jan. 10, a Saturday.

Dana, a Chagrin Falls resident, and her sister, Lisa Kachurchak, of Columbus, spent Wednesday and Thursday going through their parents’ phone book to call friends and family about the Saturday afternoon event.

“A lot of people were not aware that she was sick, so a lot of people were shocked,” said Dana. “But the reaction then was, ‘A party — of course, that makes sense for Shirley.’”

Shirley’s family, which also includes her husband of 53 years, Joe, and son Eric, of Norton, was supportive of her unconventional wish.

“I’ve been in the family 30 years,” said Joanne Sam, a Bath resident and Shirley’s sister-in-law. “It’s always been that she wanted a party. No wake; she’s gotta have a party.”

Shirley met with the hospice chef and planned a menu with vegetable and cheese trays, chicken tenders, meatballs, stuffed mushrooms, sparkling punch and coffee.

“She wasn’t eating, but she knew what she wanted,” Dana said. “Everything she chose she liked to eat.”

Staff helped Shirley prepare for the event so she would look and feel her best, despite her failing health.

“Before the party, Wednesday through Saturday, everyone was helping her to be the best she could be,” Dana said. “They told her, ‘It’s OK if you go take a little nap during the party.’ She decided, ‘I’m staying until the end.’ She was there from 1 to 4.”

The day of the party brought another challenge in the form of a winter storm that dumped several inches of snow in the Akron area. Still, between 85 and 100 people made it to hospice for the party, the Kachurchaks said.

Kelly Ward, communications specialist for Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates, said parties aren’t uncommon at the hospice, as families of patients often gather there for low-key birthday celebrations and other functions. But Shirley’s party ended up being the largest party a patient has thrown, Ward said.

During the party, Shirley’s family members made sure that her no-tears wish was fulfilled.

“If people were sad, we tried to turn them around, and encouraged them to go get something to eat,” Dana said.

Shirley also asked that children be included in the event, so her grandchildren and nieces and nephews were there to liven up the atmosphere.

Reaction from those who attended the party was positive, the family members said.

“Many said, ‘If I have the opportunity, I can do the same thing,’” Lisa Kachurchak said. “People said it was a great party.”

Though Shirley’s health has continued to decline, she still was a patient this week at hospice. Her daughters said that since the party, she has had times where her condition improved, and she even talked of going home at one point. But her family knows that her time left with them is short.

They said they have been comforted by the fact they helped make Shirley’s wishes come true with the party.

“It was a happy occasion, a celebration,” Dana said.