A heartwarming display of friendship and support recently took place at Hospice of North Idaho’s inpatient unit, The Schneidmiller House, where terminal cancer patient Teresa Skeen, 52, was surprised with a 1991 Bonners Ferry High School class reunion organized by her classmates and family.
Teresa, who has been battling terminal cancer, was admitted to the Schneidmiller House in Coeur d’Alene. Her prognosis has been challenging, but she has remained positive, buoyed by the love and support of her family and friends, who have visited day and night since her arrival. Teresa often spoke fondly of her high school years, reminiscing about the close-knit community in Bonners Ferry and the lifelong friendships she forged during that time.
Unbeknownst to her, a few of her closest high school friends and family had been quietly organizing a special event to lift her spirits. The staff at Schneidmiller House also played a significant role in making the reunion a success. They worked behind the scenes to ensure the event went off without a hitch, coordinating with Teresa’s classmates to create a comfortable and welcoming environment.
On Sunday, August 18, Teresa was taken aback when she entered the gathering space and was greeted by familiar faces and joyful exclamations from her high school classmates. The reunion was a mix of in-person and virtual attendance. Many of Teresa’s classmates, now scattered across the country, joined the gathering on a laptop placed on her lap, while several others traveled to Coeur d’Alene to be there in person.
Shirts with “BFHS Class of ’91” adorned the room, and the air was filled with the laughter and chatter of old friends catching up on three decades of life.
One of Teresa’s friends and classmates, Laura Bonneville, spoke about the significance of the reunion.
“When we heard about her diagnosis, we knew we had to do something special for her, something that would remind her how much she means to us,” Laura said. “We wanted her to have an end-of-life celebration of her and her life.”
At her celebration, classmates shared stories, memories, and plenty of tears as they celebrated Teresa’s life and her impact on each of them.
“It was a moment of pure joy,” said Megan Ryan, Communications Specialist with Hospice of North Idaho. “Our goal at the Schneidmiller House is to ensure that our patients experience comfort, dignity, and the fulfillment of their final wishes towards the end of life. This reunion was a testament to the strength of friendship and love and the deep bonds that connect us as humans.”
As the reunion came to an end, classmates and family gathered outside on HONI’s six-acre campus for photos together and heartfelt goodbyes. As her classmates proved, no distance or time can weaken the bonds of true friendship.
Teresa Skeen passed away Sunday, August 25. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 7, at One Place Church, 190 W Centa, Hayden.