For many of us, Mother’s Day is a time filled with flowers, phone calls and quiet moments of gratitude—an opportunity to reflect on the women who have shaped our lives through their love, sacrifice and care. It is also a time to remember mothers who are no longer with us, honoring the legacies they leave behind and the countless ways they continue to make a difference.
For the family of Shirley Feeney, Mother’s Day is both a celebration and a remembrance. Shirley was a devoted mother who gave generously of her time, always looking for ways to help others and lighten the burdens of those around her. Whether she was lending a hand, offering a kind word or welcoming others in with a home-cooked meal, Shirley lived her life rooted in compassion.
Her daughters, Linda Morris and Susan Askegaard, remember their mom for her deep love of family, her joy in caring for others and her enthusiasm for cooking—a passion that brought people together around the table and made everyone feel welcome. For Shirley, food was more than a meal; it was a way to show love.
As Linda and Susan reflect on their mother’s final months, they often share how meaningful it would have been for Shirley to have spent her last days in a hospice house. They believe a peaceful, home-like environment would have eased her journey and provided comfort for their mother. That reflection became a powerful motivation for their family.
With a desire to honor Shirley’s memory and to help ensure other families have access to a calming, supportive space at the end of life, Shirley’s family became early supporters of the vision for HIA Heather’s House. Their commitment was rooted in hope—hope that other mothers, fathers and loved ones could experience peace, dignity and care during their final days.
“Whether it is for us or someone we love that time will come for everyone, and we need a place to make that transition a loving, caring and humane one,”
Susan Askegaard, Shirley Feeny’s daughter, on the importance of having a place like HIA Heather’s House.
To honor Shirley’s legacy and her lifelong love of cooking, the family reached out to HIA Hospice (formerly Hospice of the Red River Valley) to name the kitchen at HIA Heather’s House Shirley’s Kitchen. It is a space that reflects who Shirley was at her core: warm, welcoming and always centered on caring for others. This Mother’s Day, we remember mothers like Shirley—women whose love continues to ripple outward, touching lives and shaping futures long after they are gone.