Former Hospice Nurse gets Hendricks County Icon of the Year award

PLAINFIELD, Ind. (WISH) – Rita Fiorentino dedicates her life to helping people who are near death and she is being honored for her work.

The former Hospice Nurse opens her home in Plainfield to people in their final days. Fiorention is this year’s Hendricks County Icon of the Year.

“We deserve the best from the beginning to the end,” Rita said.

The best is what the folks who stay at The Gathering Together get. Fiorentino walked us through the house this afternoon. Fiorentino moved here from San Francisco in 2002 and the doors opened soon after.

“The family is our patient as well as the person who’s sick.In fact people have said and people who get involved say this meant more to me than it ever did to my family member.” Fiorentino said.

Hundreds of people have stayed here over the years.

“That organization relies solely on donations and gifts from different families that she helps. She receives no outside funding outside of that at all.” Plainfield Chamber of Commerce Director Brad Duboise said.

Duboise said that’s just part of why she was nominated and then won the Hendricks County Icon of the year award. The other reasons? Too many to list.

Rita fiorentino has dedicated her life to help those who are at the end of theirs.

“I’m very thankful,” Rita said.

The Gathering Together can assist two patients and their families at a time. To learn how to donate or volunteer, click here.