Unable to process food due to an aggressive form of cancer, Michele Christopoulos received nutrition intravenously and could only have clear liquids by mouth. When she chose to live out the rest of her days at Villa Marie Claire, compassionate care providers made it possible for her to enjoy a sumptuous meal for the first time in two years. This simple act created a joyful moment—and lasting memories—for her family.
For nearly 40 years, Michele worked to ensure that children with disabilities under age three received the help and care that they needed. When she announced her retirement in 2023, she anticipated traveling and spending time at her Franklin Lakes home with Jim, her husband of four decades, and her three adult children and seven grandchildren. Instead, she faced a cancer diagnosis.
“She began having difficulty keeping food down,” Jim explains. “The gastroenterologist found a couple of lesions in her esophagus. A biopsy came back positive for cancer.”
Over the next two years, surgeons removed the tumors as well as Michele’s gallbladder, bile duct, and portions of her pancreas and small intestine. She underwent chemotherapy, but developed peritoneal carcinomatosis, an aggressive form of cancer that occurs when tumors from organs like the stomach, colon, or ovaries spread to the abdominal lining.
“She went through a lot,” Jim recalls. “She wanted to stop chemotherapy because the treatment was becoming unbearable, but she didn’t want to die in a hospital.”
Hospice Care Outside the Home
While most patients who choose hospice care receive services in their homes, Holy Name Medical Center also offers a residential hospice center in Saddle River. Villa Marie Claire features 20 private patient rooms, hotel-like accommodations for overnight guests, and a variety of amenities, including a spacious living room, a large patio, bucolic grounds, horse stables, and an in-ground pool.
“Villa Marie Claire was a breath of fresh air after being in an antiseptic hospital where your loved one is poked and probed all day,” Jim explains. “At Villa Marie, Michele was appreciated.”
There, nurses safely removed the cumbersome medical equipment that was affecting Michele’s quality of life. She welcomed family and friends to the facility and focused on enjoying the time she had left. Now able to eat whatever she wanted, Michele craved Italian food. Chef Mitch made a gourmet meal especially for her, cutting it into bite-sized pieces to make it easier to eat.
“We watched Michele eat eggplant rollatini and actually taste it and swallow it, and even savor a cup of coffee,” Jim says, his voice full of emotion. “I was crying with joy seeing her smile during one of her final days. She was just so happy.”
Another special moment occurred when two of Michele’s co-workers from Florida visited her on an unseasonably warm December day.
“It was the middle of winter, but the staff helped us bundle up Michele and put her in a rolling lounger,” Jim remembers. “We went outside, and she lifted her face to the sun. She got to feel the sun, and we got to share that moment with her. It was amazing.”
While Villa’s attentive staff worked to keep Michele comfortable, they also attended to her family’s needs. When Chef Mitch learned that Michele’s daughter, Diana, was gluten-sensitive, he baked cookies using potatoes instead of flour. While Michele rested, the Christopoulos family passed the time doing puzzles in front of the fireplace—something they hadn’t done as a family in decades.
“The staff thought Michele would only be there two or three days, but she was there for 18,” Jim says. “I really think it was because of the care, compassion and love that everybody at Villa Marie Claire exuded. It is one of the best-kept secrets in New Jersey.”
Michele passed away in early December 2025. Her obituary suggested that mourners donate to Villa Marie Claire in her memory. Jim is receiving bereavement counseling at the center and continues to be a thankful, outspoken advocate for Villa’s services.
“Where else can you find this type of compassion, this type of warmth, this type of comfort, no matter the time of day?” he says. “Choosing Villa Marie was Michele’s final gift to our family.”
To learn more about Villa Marie Claire, visit villamarieclaire.org.
