![]() She was touched by the town’s open arms and by the fact that her mom frequently pulled out a photo album of the trip. Her mother died from cancer in 1997, but before then, the Chicagoan had one last girls trip to Breckenridge to visit a plot of land that would be White-Petteruti’s future home. Yet the mission isn’t any different than when White-Petteruti was inspired to form the nonprofit back in 2001. Though White-Petteruti has found people are happy to take a nature walk themselves and stay in for dinner as a family. Gone are the activities and personable food deliveries, and the nonprofit is sensitive to the fact that businesses might not be financially able to donate services. Domus Pacis started providing grief stays again last month, meaning the family’s loved one has died - often before they could use the already booked respite. This year, however, the coronavirus pandemic meant canceling 27 trips from March to mid-July to protect the organization’s immunocompromised clientele. When you give a lot of love, you get a lot of love in return.” “We, the whole Domus Pacis community, just love on them. Those conversations might involve reconnecting with family members after cancer strained the relationships or planning for a funeral service. White-Petteruti said those conversations are able to happen because Domus Pacis acts as a concierge, taking much of the logistical load off the guests. “Even though it’s only one week, healing therapy begins and conversations happen.” ![]() “There’s a lot of emotional, mental and spiritual needs that aren’t being addressed during treatment,” White-Petteruti said. While typical vacationers might see their emotional or physical batteries start to drain as soon as they return to work, founder Marylouise “Duck” White-Petteruti said those who stay with Domus Pacis are frequently renewed when looking back at their time in the High Country. ![]() Founded in 2007, Domus Pacis has provided about 1,300 cancer patients, along with their families and friends, the opportunity to spend a week in Summit County experiencing the beauty of the mountains and the peace that comes from creating joyful memories with the people they most cherish.įRISCO - Since 2007, Domus Pacis Family Respite has coordinated respite stays for about 1,300 families so that they can stop worrying about health care - such as hospice or cancer treatment - and spend a relaxing week together in the mountains. 1, on the property of the first respite house in Blue River. Marylouise "Duck" White-Petteruti, founder of Domus Pacis Family Respite, and new Executive Director Ken Maldonado pose for a portrait Saturday, Aug. ![]()
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